Reba’s Place Celebrate Grand Opening in Atoka
KTUL - January 27, 2023 6:24 am
ATOKA, Okla. (KTUL) — Country music legend and Oklahoma native Reba McEntire made a stop in Atoka Thursday for the grand opening of Reba’s Place.
The restaurant, bar and live music venue was announced back in November 2021. McEntire said it wouldn’t have been possible without input, support and partnership from the City of Atoka and Choctaw Nation.
“They kept saying it’s gonna help our town it’s gonna help the community,” said McEntire Thursday in a press conference.
The restaurant was renovated from a century-old Masonic Temple. It features two stories of dining space and a third story for merchandise/library space. The first floor also features a large stage where McEntire also performed Thursday night.
“I’m really glad it all worked out like it did,” said McEntire. “I just wish mama and daddy were here to see it they’d love it.”
McEntire said a lot of her mother’s books are in the third floor’s library as a way to honor her life and legacy.
NewsChannel8 also got the chance to speak with an employee, who said she was thrilled to see more customers through the restaurant’s doors in the coming weeks.
“The experience, it’s not a fast food joint,” said employee Shelley Johnson. “The experience is about two and a half hours [to] three hours long and it’s awesome. Between the time you walk in the door and the time you leave.”
The restaurant honors McEntire’s decades-long career everywhere you look, from newspaper clippings to outfits and paintings. McEntire said the restaurant’s atmosphere and decorations are heavily influenced by her western heritage. They also include a curated collection of memorabilia from her personal archives.
NewsChannel8 asked McEntire if she was committed to making sure the restaurant carries on for years to come.
“It has to carry on throughout the years because I can see what it’s done for the town and the community and the excitement,” said McEntire.
