Word from city hall is 92 percent of businesses damaged by an EF-2 tornado that hit midtown Tulsa in August are open again.
In all, 173 businesses were damaged. Businesses along 41st Street from Yale to Sheridan avenues were hit particularly hard.
That area is in City Councilor Karen Gilbert's district. She said the closures were bad for Tulsans who shop in that area. It also means the city has been missing out on sales tax revenue for several months.
"It also has caused kind of a bleak situation for the city as well, so having businesses reopen, it's a win-win for Tulsa," Gilbert said.
A Panera Bread at 5601 E 41st St. is now among the reopened businesses. The restaurant held a thank-you lunch Monday for first responders.
"They were just wonderful in this area, not only protecting the people who were coming into the area, but also protecting our businesses," said Panera spokeswoman Erin Barnhart. "Because for so many of us, we didn't have front doors. We didn't even have a front wall on our building."
The lunch was also a fundraiser, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Tulsa Police Foundation. The foundation helps buy equipment, like Tasers, at a time when budgets are a constant concern.
"It kind of also helps build and bridge the community together, because they've donated and they get to see their donations buy that Taser or pepper ball launcher or things like that, that actually help police officers make them safe," said Ofc. Adam Ashley. "So, it's kind of a full circle."
Two bakers were inside the Panera Bread when the tornado hit early Aug. 6. They made it out OK, and the restaurant's employees were reassigned to other stores while that location was rebuilt.
