Downtown Bartlesville is getting a little bit livelier as a new location is getting set to hold a grand opening.

Crossing 2nd, a new community gathering space located at 215 East 2nd Street, held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday afternoon through the Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce (pictured). Owner Sharon Hurst said the space is meant to bring together the different cultures in Bartlesville. She said there are large Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, Hispanic and Black communities in Bartlesville, and when she moved to Bartlesville, she felt as if they were in their own little bubble.

The vision behind Crossing 2nd to Hurst was and is to provide the different cultures in the community with a comfortable place they can call home. She said maybe, just maybe, we can get a better understanding of their cultures.

Hurst said they would also like to host non-profits, stating they want Bartians to be closer with one another. The grand opening for Crossing 2nd will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29th with the doors opening at 11:00 a.m. and closing 12:30 Sunday morning.

The Crossing 2nd building will turn 100 this year. Hurst said the building was built in 1920. She said it started as an automotive shop, and always has been involved with auto mechanics to some degree before it was renovated for the new gathering space, which will offer alcoholic beverage, cuisines from around the world, entertainment, and fun.

Since Hurst has been in Bartlesville, she has done plenty of research into the history of the city. She said 2nd Street just seemed to be the center for entertainment in the community over the years, which is why Crossing 2nd is where it is today.

The first memory for Hurst of 2nd Street in Bartlesville was the 1997 Christmas Parade. She said she saw people in their pickup trucks, waving and having fun, and everyone knew one another. Seeing that made Hurst believe that she was in the community that she had always longed to be in because she spent most of her life up until that point traveling from place to place. She said she did not have a home, but Bartlesville in that moment felt like home.

Co-Owner Susan Miller, who ran The Rolling Pin when it was located along Johnstone Avenue in Bartlesville, said she moved to Bartlesville from a bigger city. She said she has always loved being able to walk downtown, knowing her customers by name.

Thanks to the partnership with Hurst and Hurst’s husband, Don Laughlin, The Rolling Pin will expand. Miller said she loves partnering with the couple because all three of them have different strengths. She said they will continue with what The Rolling Pin used to offer, but they will also take the services of the restaurant to the next level.

The Rolling Pin opened in 2006. Miller said she was an educator for 20 years prior to bringing the popular restaurant to life. She said when she was shopping around, Downtown Bartlesville was the only place she wanted to be in. Seeing the downtown community grow excites Miller for this next chapter at Crossing 2nd.

Laughlin said he came to Bartlesville from Fort Worth, Texas. He said he would always come up to the area for 30-years prior to his move to see his sister and her family. Once upon a time, Laughlin said Downtown Bartlesville was pretty dismal. He said it has changed quite a bit.

Hurst has been instrumental in bringing more change to the downtown area. Laughlin laughed, saying Hurst shared her vision often with him when they got married. He said that he kept telling her, "No," but Hurst kept insisting, saying, "Yes!"

Somewhere in the building on 2nd Street where Crossing 2nd stands was Hurst's vision. Hurst gave Laughlin credit where credit was due, too. Even though it was her vision, she said her husband brought it to life. Hurst said Laughlin spent a significant time constructing the building himself.

A year to a year and a half was spent putting the design on paper. Laughlin said they eventually came up with a design that would fit with Hurst's vision. He said many people played a part in making the design possible, stating that Crossing 2nd illuminates a tapestry of ideas and energy.

This is the same energy that can be felt and seen in Downtown Bartlesville as the community continues to regain this treasure. Hurst said you can just feel the old buildings in the area talking and telling you their stories. She said she has always heard those stories, and she wants everyone to hear those stories when they gather together at Crossing 2nd.