Planning Commission approves Bank of Oklahoma facade variance for Campus Corner branch
Former Marble Slab owner helped employees launch Cowboy Creamery before closing
The Stillwater Planning Commission approved an alternative design for Bank of Oklahoma's Campus Corner branch Tuesday, clearing the way for construction to begin on the former ice cream shop property.
Commissioners unanimously approved the bank's request to modify the facade at 229 S. Knoblock St., replacing storefront windows on one side of the entrance with an ATM and night deposit box. The design required a variance from the city's Form Based Code, which mandates symmetric facades with no blank walls in the district.
Bank of Oklahoma purchased the property from Justin Minges, who operated Marble Slab Creamery & Great American Cookie at the location. The Stillwater Economic Development Authority approved the sale in September, requiring Bank of Oklahoma to repay approximately $125,000 — the outstanding balance plus accrued interest from SEDA's original $150,000 investment in the property's redevelopment.
SEDA provided the financing in 2021 through a 15-year tax increment financing agreement at 1.75 percent annual interest to fund facade remodeling and conversion of more than 1,500 square feet of unused space into a short-term rental unit. The agreement was originally scheduled to extend through 2036.
The sale required SEDA's consent because Bank of Oklahoma plans to operate a bank branch at the location, which differs from the retail operation originally envisioned under the redevelopment agreement.
Senior Planner Henry Bibelheimer told commissioners the proposed facade breaks up the exterior sufficiently to avoid creating an inactive wall, even without traditional storefront windows on both sides of the entrance.
"There's still the breaking up of the facade," Bibelheimer said. "It's not a solid brick or stone or metal facade. It's still broken up into different pieces with the ATM, the dropbox and the surrounding facade."
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Planning Commission Chair Jana Phillips questioned whether the bank considered placing the ATM in a 24-hour vestibule to maintain the current glass storefront. Austin Drumm, architect with Inventure in Tulsa, said that option would consume interior space the bank wants to dedicate to a customer hospitality area.
"When we did the vestibule, doing the four-foot rule, it moves this wall almost out to where this table is and starts to eat into it," Drumm said, referring to the floor plan.
Drumm added that Bank of Oklahoma may incorporate transom windows above the ATM area to increase symmetry, though the final design remains under development. The bank's rebranding includes wood-look panels and graphics featuring an OSU theme rather than standard corporate imagery.
Former ice cream shop employees launched independent creamery
Minges closed the Marble Slab Creamery franchise in October and had approximately 45 days before finalizing the sale to the bank. During that transition period, employees expressed interest in opening their own independent ice cream shop.
"I told them they could operate rent-free and try out the business and see if it's something they wanted to do," Minges said.
That arrangement allowed Jaclyn Penrod and her co-owners to launch Cowboy Creamery and Cookies in the space. The business announced on its Facebook page that its last day at 229 S. Knoblock St. was Nov. 30, 2025.
Penrod told The Stillwegian the business is reopening at 2210 N. Perkins Road in the Lakeview Pointe Plaza shopping center, which previously housed Smallcakes and Wuelita's Kitchen. She hopes to reopen by the end of January.
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Short-term rental included in sale
The sale to Bank of Oklahoma included the second-floor short-term rental unit Minges operated above the ice cream shop. The space will be repurposed for the bank's needs.
"I really enjoyed managing the rental," Minges said. "I also hope my former employees find success with their business and am glad Stillwater isn't losing a concept."
The Planning Commission's 5-0 vote allows construction to proceed on the campus-adjacent location.
Related
Bank of Oklahoma to purchase Campus Corner property from ice cream shop
SEDA requires $125,000 repayment before approving sale of Knoblock Street building that will become bank branch instead of retail space.
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