Murphy's Department Store to Close After 99 Years in Downtown Stillwater

The Stillwater City Council honored Terry and Nancy Monroe with a special proclamation Monday night, recognizing their contributions to the community as owners of Murphy's Department Store, which is closing after nearly a century of business in downtown Stillwater.

Murphy's has been a cornerstone of Stillwater's downtown for 99 years, serving generations of residents with quality merchandise and trusted service.

"Within the 44 years that we've been owners of the store, we've worked with at least three generations of brides in Stillwater," Terry Monroe told the council. "I want to first thank everybody that's been shoppers with us for a long time. It's made the job easy for us."

The Monroes have owned and operated Murphy's since 1981, carrying forward its legacy with dedication and a deep love for Stillwater while volunteering with numerous community organizations.

The City of Stillwater and Mayor Will Joyce, left, honored owners of Murphy's Department Store Nancy Monroe, Terry Monroe, and longtime store manager Becky Moore at the June 2, 2025, City Council meeting. – Photo by Chris Peters

When asked why they're closing the store, Monroe explained, "I'm going to be 80 this year. Nancy's just a little older. Becky's been with us for 30 years, and we're all pretty much ready to try something a little different for a while."

Becky Moore, hired as store manager in 1995, has contributed significantly to the continued success and spirit of the store through her long-standing leadership.

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Mayor Will Joyce noted the historical significance of Murphy's, saying, "It's hard to imagine in 99 years, the ups and downs of downtown Stillwater. I know certainly over part of that time, Murphy's was probably the one thing holding most of downtown Stillwater together."

The proclamation highlighted the Monroe's successful efforts in the late 1990s to secure a Main Street grant to update the store's façade. It also mentioned a particularly memorable project when he constructed a $10,000 ADA-compliant restroom, complete with guided tours and its own ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"You are leaving downtown Stillwater better than you found it for sure," Joyce said. "Done a lot of work to help make downtown Stillwater continue to thrive."

City Proclaims June 11 as International Day of Play

The council also issued a proclamation recognizing June 11 as the International Day of Play in Stillwater, acknowledging play as a fundamental part of every child's development.

The proclamation supports StillWonder, a Stillwater-based organization rooted in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, dedicated to nurturing the development of young children through imaginative play experiences.

StillWonder Executive Director Sara Brown, center, was joined by Marketing Director Kiah Butcher, her two daughters, Strategic Director Matt Jeffery, and Mayor Will Joyce in proclaiming June 11 as International Day of Play. – Photo by Chris Peters

"At StillWonder, our mission is to bring the community together in an immersive, innovative and inclusive space where everyone can find the fun and learning," Executive Director Sara Brown said. "We believe play isn't just a break from learning, it is learning. It helps children grow, brings families together and builds stronger communities."

StillWonder will celebrate the first-ever International Day of Play in Stillwater with a special event at Stonecloud Patio & Taproom on June 11, featuring hands-on, learn-through-play stations created with community partners. The event is free, family-friendly and open to all.

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National Gun Violence Awareness Day Recognized

The council proclaimed June 6, 2025, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Stillwater, noting that in an average year, 802 Oklahomans die by guns and 1,196 are wounded, making Oklahoma the 13th highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S.

The initiative to wear orange was inspired by friends of Hadiya Pendleton, who was tragically shot and killed at age 15 in 2013. Orange is the color hunters wear to protect themselves and others, symbolizing the value of human life.

From left: Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce, Beth Furnish, Eileen Cravello and Donna Sinnes are raising awareness to prevent gun violence through proclamation at the June 2, 2025 City Council meeting. – Photo by Chris Peters

Beth Furnish encouraged residents to take direct action to prevent gun violence: "We encourage people to keep firearms secured from children that can have really tragic consequences or if there's a risk of suicide in your home. And people, especially police chiefs, will be sure to say, also don't forget about vehicles because that's the number one source for guns that end up in crime."

📺 Watch the City Council Meeting