Sage supermarket will serve downtown

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKALHOMA CITY -- For years now, city leaders have studied ways to get a grocery store to serve downtown Oklahoma City, and one New York couple with Oklahoma roots is taking the first step.

There are a number of new housing developments joining existing complexes downtown and the Smiths are poised to take advantage of it.

"Coming here from Detroit, I thought there would be some supermarkets around, but it seems like you have to drive everywhere," Deep Deuice resident Chris Silva said. "I drive like 15 minutes to 23 Street to get groceries."

That's what Kevin and Charifa Smith noticed too, which is one reason behind their soon to be Sage Gourmet Cafe and Market at 228 NE 2 Street.

"Coming from New York, where you see them on every corner, it's a difference," Charifa Smith said.

The Smith's have hired Chef Dave to prepare things like avocado seafood salad and wild mushroom rissoto to make up the cafe part of the business. Fresh, local produce will go in the market

"It's a great way to showcase what Oklahoma has to offer, instead of bringing food from all over the country that's frozen," Kevin Smith said.

Sage is meant to be a cozy neighborhood market, not the full fledged grocery store city leaders are trying to lure, but city leaders and neighbors couldn't be happier.

"It's an important first step. It's putting our toes in the water so to speak and hopefully we'll find the right temperature," City Planning Director Russell Claus said.

The Smiths are hoping to have their market open this winter.