“…it helped the business get its cash register ringing again after a damaging fire in early 2015, and increased retail space from 2500 square feet to more than 9,000.”
Stillwater’s Wooden Nickel has been a staple for generations of Oklahoma State University students, first opening its doors for business in 1976. Standing the test of time, from retail highs and lows to structural catastrophes, the store offers trendy clothing for both women and men.
In early 2015 though, the cash register quit ringing. A damaging fire halted operations, and would require a complete rebuild for the business. Owner Allison Keys turned to REI Business Lending, resulting in a capital loan that not only helped get the cash register ringing again, but created an opportunity for the store to increase its retail space from 2500 square feet to more than 9,000. The move created space for a larger selection of clothing and made the store more accommodating for shoppers.
Entrepreneurship is as much a part of Allison’s heritage as the Wooden Nickel is to Stillwater’s. Her dad turned to REI Business Lending in 1998 for a SBA 504 to establish Wilson Chevrolet in Stillwater. REI Business Lending is proud to have been the catalyst for turning the family’s business concepts into thriving economic hotspots.
“Often, the number one barrier between outstanding business ideas and success is funding. That’s why we find it so rewarding each time we’re able to put together a loan for an aspiring Oklahoman.”
