The girl pictured above is Erin from Enid. She was a Maxim Hometown Hottie in 2013. After googling “Enid” for pics, I learned the town is home to several attractive women. Who knew?!
Now that I have your attention, the Enid News and Eagle published an editorial about Gary James. He’s that racist, homophobic, restaurant owner from Enid who’s been in the news.
From the editorial, we learned a couple of things about Enid.
1. They’re ashamed and embarrassed by James’s classic 1950s southern values.
2. They’re pretty big fans of The Lost Ogle.
Here’s the editorial:
Black eye for Enid: We’re embarrassed, ashamed Enid’s getting this kind of publicity
It’s human nature to look away instead of confronting a problem.
That brings us to the frenzy of attention regarding Gary James of the Chicaro Club. When he was running for Enid City Commission in 2009, we reported about James refusing to serve certain customers and allegations of racism.
“I have one rule that does away with 95 percent of the trash,” James said five years ago. “If they are rude enough to wear a hat inside a building, I don’t want them here. Most of those little f—–s have their hats on backwards.”
Thankfully, James never got elected.
I often like to poke a little fun of Enid on this site. It’s not that hard. But let’s give credit to the city’s voters for not electing this nut to the city council. If he were to run for Sally Kern’s house seat in Bethany, he’d probably win.
The editorial continues:
Oops. That’s some Playboy model from Enid name Bre Marie Wolf. You can find better photos by googling her name or visiting her probably NSFW website.
Here’s the rest of the editorial:
Further, we weren’t surprised when social media blew up with more allegations of discrimination.
Were we hoping this situation would go away? James’ unacceptable, racist views were not breaking news. This was a glorified “he said/he said” playing out on Facebook.
Recently, KFOR reported James said he’d been in business 44 years and “can spot a freak or a f—-t.” Matt Gard, a club regular for years, told the Oklahoma City TV station that James “tried to find a weak excuse not to let me in with my wheelchair or the weak excuse of having loud people with me.”
Facebook was a primary source on this broadcast TV story. As far as we know, an official complaint has not been filed. Please let us know if we are wrong.
We are a paper of record, not a paper of rumor. That means we report on documented complaints, not subjective conjecture. When some readers try to wield the media’s power before following proper recourse or official chain of command, that’s what we tell them.
Well, it’s good to know at least one media organization in the state has some sort of core journalistic standards. It’s a shame that the news organization is located in Enid. I bet they’ve won many awards for their coverage of the wheat harvest.
The subject added another dimension when a petition appeared online requesting a civil rights investigation by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. Then prank reviews of the establishment started showing up on the business website Yelp.com. A fake Facebook site fired up.
When James’ worldview resurfaced on the obscure Oklahoma City blog The Lost Ogle, Ward 3 Commissioner Ben Ezzell commented how news coverage of the Chicaro Club makes him cringe.
We know the feeling. Frankly, we’re ashamed that this chatter is garnering so much media attention. It’s embarrassing for Enid to be defined by the crass remarks of a rogue restaurateur.
Holy shit, The Enid News and Eagle referred to us as an “obscure” Oklahoma City blog. I know they left off “local social” part or “the state’s most trusted-trusted news,” but I’ll take it. That means the paper’s staff are either fans of the site or sarcastic assholes. It’s probably both.
Also, we have an Enid City Councilman reading and leaving comments on the site. Although that’s a notch below a councilman from Hooker or Beaver, or one of the girls above, it’s still pretty cool. I didn’t even think they have broadband Internet in Enid. I wonder how long it took the site to load on his dial-up?
Dangit. Another attractive girl from Enid. Her name is Lauren Chroneos. Where were all these girls in that awful Enid Chamber video?
Here’s the councilman’s comments:
Every time something about Chicaros pops up in the news I cringe. I live in Enid, we really have a great town, the majority of us also think Gary James is a piece of trash. I just wish the news would point out that Chicaros is just a shady little bar on the outskirts of town next to a cemetery. It is far from our booming retail corridor.
Enid’s reputation isn’t helped by this clown, or the fact that the last time Enid got national news coverage was when the anti-discrimination ordinance narrowly failed at the City Commission.
1. Uhm, Gary’s Chicaro is next door to a cemetery? If local gay rights organizations do not organize the first ever “Enid Gay Zombies Bash,” I’ll be more disappointed than a teenager living in Enid.
2. Enid has a booming retail corridor? Let’s be honest. Who has not driven to Enid on a Saturday afternoon for a fun-filled day of shopping in the city’s “booming” retail corridor. There’s just something about spending money at a Hastings, Dollar General or Ross “Dress For Less” in a small town that can’t be duplicated in the big city.
Seriously, I applaud the Councilman for distancing his town and people from the insane thoughts of a bigoted whacko, but let’s keep things real. “Booming Retail Corridor” and “Enid” go together like “Wheat Harvest” and “Erection.”
Anyway, I guess it’s cool that people in Enid read our website. If things don’t work out in OKC, we could always just relocate there. It would put us closer to Seiling and they have several hot chicks. Those are good things. Plus, The Lost Price does have a nice ring to it.
1) Don’t knock the wheat harvest.
2) TJ Maxx, Rue 21, and PetSmart have all opened locations in Enid in the last few months. We have a trade area of 110K people and growing, with greater taxable sales than Stillwater or Moore. Visit the Enid Regional Development Alliance for more information at http://www.growenid.com
3) Come visit Enid some time, I’ll buy you a drink (now an option on Sunday!), and you can write a glowing review of the amenities we have to offer. The Darius Rucker concert on March 7th is sold out, but I bet I could find tickets for the Lost Ogle.
If you have to brag about TJ Maxx, Rue 21 and Pet Smart, then there is something wrong with this picture.
Enid News and Eagle: Even though I hadn’t seen the previous articles on James Gary over here in beautiful downtown Still water I’ll trust you when you say it has already been reported. That’s the thing about people like Gary, if allowed to continue unchecked they will continue to embaress you. Never mind the LGBT angle, the man(?) has certainly broken other laws in his flagrant disregard for other people’s rights. What does it take for the city of Enid to take action against this bar/restaurant? Allow him to continue without any attempt at reining him in and he will continue to be a thorn in Enid’s side. Don’t complain about media that report the story, instead complain about your toothless city government sitting on it’s hands doing nothing. Suggestion: adopt an antidiscrimination ordinance for the city. That’s just one idea, I’m sure there are other possibilities. You just have to be willing to act.
I lived in Enid for 30 years, born and raised. I visited this place of business once with a “friend” and I can say I was not at all impressed. With that being said, he does have the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason, all businesses do. Do I think what he is pulling is appropriate, no but he has the right. And I’d be VERY surprised if Enid ever passed any sort of anti-discrimination law. With THAT being said, I’m surprised they passed the liqueur on Sunday law!
That’s not exactly true. Under the civil rights act of 1964 and others, you cannot discriminate in public accommodations based on race and other factors. That’s what the lunch counter sit-ins and riding in the front of the bus protests were all about. He’s just an arrogant ignorant bigot and not worth the ink that’s been used on him.
We even have running water, electricity AND broadband internet, guys. I understand, every time my town makes the news it’s for some dumbass thing that happened here, but it’s not exactly the outskirts of Mongolia.
I’m from Enid and have lived here my whole life. I have never once seen or heard of any of these girls!!!
Having been born and raised in Enid, I lol’d at this. Enid has a long way to go in sooooo sooooo many ways, but it’s gotten ALMOST fun in the time I’ve been gone. Maybe that’s because I can get into bars now. Anyway, downtown is awesome and I will say that new TJ Maxx is the shit: not picked over because I’m guessing most Enidites would rather buy white-stitched, sequined jeans in bulk at the Buckle. So if you need a pair of last season’s Calvin Klein pumps at a modest discount, Enid is THE place.
In addition, rumor is that a writer of Gazette fame has taken over the Eagle. Dunno if that’s still a thing, but if y’all have some sort of Jets slash Sharks thing going with OKC’s hipster paper, then that might offer explanation for your “obscurity”
Gazette is the “hipster paper.”
Hahahahahahahaha. Um. No.
Enid is Enid, and it has a long way to go before becoming accepting. I moved away four years ago and am glad I did. Just last year when back visiting friends and family my buddy and I got called queers and faggots at a couple places of business In The “awesome” downtown area. Gary/Chicaros is not out of the ordinary for the mindset of Enid, just a little more public on his options. Keep it classy Enid, you are ten steps behind most cities I have visited.
CC, I’m sure you’re of the understand that “awesome” by Enid standards would be equivalent to mediocre or subpar in any respectable city. And I’m sorry they said those things to you. My guess is you had a sense of style and the affliction-clad Cro-Magnon that regular those bars were probably intimidated by it.
I lived in Enid once. One of the most painful experiences of my life. I’ve tried to be big about it, but it’s not easy. Enid made Nichols Hills (or Edmond) feel laid back and down home by comparison, and I have never for the life of me figured out what fuels such goddamned arrogance. The “New York City” of northwest Oklahoma.
Does Enid still have that bacon festival? Because if I was trying to promote Enid, I’d blow my whole budget promoting that delightful event.
I unfortunately was forced to graduate from Enid High School, but finally got out of that town. Like the video says its only 90 miles away from an NBA team or however it goes, i now live 5 minutes away from that same team. Now Enid prides themselves on a new events center that was a big waste of money, and from what I was told was voted against, and they try to make it worthwhile by booking mediocre country musicians. You can’t fault Enid for trying but its never going to be anything more than a town 90 miles away from an NBA team!!
Just giving a shout out to good ol Enid. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a great place for a lot. I’m from OKC and would never leave Enid for the big city amenities.
I am from Enid and moved away about 8 year’s ago and it was the best thing I ever did! Enid needs to put a Hitler sign up next to welcome to Enid sign! It is the most commy ran city I have ever known in the United States! And as far as shopping, what a joke! However they do have tons and tons of bar! Oh and the drivers are awful!
I tell ya folks, I’m from Enid and I moved away about eight years ago…best freakin’ thing I’ve ever done in my life! (Light laughter)
The city needs to put up a swastika next to the “Welcome to Enid” sign, because it’s the most communistical city in the USA! (Laughter, scattered applause, puzzled dog looks)
Even Hitler took one look at Enid and said, “Man, that’s some fucked up shit! I know I’m a bad guy, but at least I’m not THAT!” (Laughter, applause, whistles)
I’ll tell ya, if ya wanna screw the local businesses and go shopping at one of the big name stores, you better do it before the bars open, because the boys ’round here drive like it’s the last lap of the Daytona 500, and they’re all Danica Patrick!! (Drops mike, walks off stage to uproarious laughter, scattered boos from the Danica fans, and lengthy applause)
Just kiddin’, angi thomas!
Yes, Enid does have a pretty nice downtown. It has some attractions and venues I wish we had in Oklahoma City. So now you are caught by surprise twice – by the women, and maybe by its downtown. Go figure. I understand. You are running an obscure, local, social blog. Congrats on making it big time in Enid!
Born and raised.
http://bradfielder.bandcamp.com/track/enid-oklahoma
Well, for some of us who grew up in small towns around Enid, Enid WAS the big city. So there. I liked it then and I think it’s fine now — but, honestly, I do only pass through.