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If only its buildings could talk…

Like many other Oklahoma small towns, Kingfisher’s downtown Main Street holds a lot of history.

Dennis and Tammy Mueggenborg have been instrumental in creating some of that history during their almost 40-year ownership of Designs by Dennis, and also began a quest years ago to purchase and restore some of the century-old buildings on Main Street.

The Mueggenborgs have been welcome fixtures on Main Street since 1985. They purchased Maxine Cleaver’s flower and gift shop on South Main Street a few years prior to relocating to the old TG&Y building downtown.

Lifelong residents of Kingfisher, Dennis and Tammy were married in 1979, the same year Dennis completed his associate’s degree in horticulture at OSU/OKC.

Starting his junior year in high school working in Maxine’s business, Dennis had a jump start on operating a flower shop when he and Tammy opened their business.

Having learned a lot from Maxine, Dennis expressed his admiration for her and the successful business she operated.

“When I started working for her in 1976, just before Valentine’s Day, I would estimate that she had 25 people working for her,” he said.

She and her staff not only ran the shop during the week, but catered weddings (rehearsal, wedding and reception) on weekends, held programs for women’s clubs, had garden club displays and so many other things, he said.

“It was an unbelievable amount of work,” he said. “It was crazy and amazing.”

After about seven years in business downtown, the Mueggenborgs purchased another portion of the old TG&Y and added a Hallmark division to their store.

Over the years, they acquired the buildings north of their flower shop to the corner of the block and have done extensive renovations.

Many offices and retail stores are now operating in those restored buildings, adding vitality to the downtown area and providing a boost to the town’s economy.

The century-old “Bowman Building” on the corner holds a lot of historical significance.

There are 22 rooms in the upper level and in the building’s early days those rooms served as professional offices and small apartments, Dennis said.

Walton’s Drug Store was located on the lower level, as well as other businesses in later years.

“We’ve always liked that building and when we were able to go through it, we fell in love with the upstairs,” Dennis said.

The building had been vacant for some time and was in need of a lot of repair, he said.

There was talk of having the building razed after Edna Bowman passed away and Dennis said he did not want that to happen.

“After we acquired the building, our first goal was to restore the exterior and point and tuck the bricks,” he said.

The walls are 12 inches thick and made of soft brick, Dennis said.

“There are a lot of names carved into the north exterior wall,” he said. “It is a history book in itself.”

Wanting to restore the building to its previous look, Dennis said he did some research and discovered an early 1900s picture which depicted the building as it once was, which was helpful in the restoration process.

The metal facade, windows and black tile were removed from the front face of the building and restored closer to its original look.

After taking a little break from the renovation process, the Mueggenborgs then hired a contractor to restore the lower level of the interior.

Dennis said he had hoped to salvage the original wood floor, but it had to be replaced due to deterioration, along with many of the supports beneath the floor.

As construction workers took the building down to the dirt, Dennis said they were finding old coins, some mercury dimes and others that had slipped beneath the floorboards, presumably near the cash register.

Most of the upper level remains unfinished, but some work has been done in preparation for further development.

The Mueggenborgs have an idea of how they would like to restore and develop the upper level of the historical Bowman Building, but Dennis said, “we don’t have a timeframe on the work and will take it slow.”

Recently Dennis and Tammy also began the process of restoring a bit of nostalgia to their flower and gift shop.

In July they had the dropped ceiling removed, which revealed ornate tin ceiling panels that were installed possibly as early as the 1920s or 30s, Dennis said.

“We knew the tin was on the ceiling, but didn’t think it was in good shape,” he said.

It happened to be in great shape, he said, and they just had to patch a few holes and add some a silver coating to bring it to life.

They plan to incorporate contemporary lights with vintage styling and distressed vinyl flooring to add to the vintage appeal.

Hoping to have the work completed by the holiday open house in November, the store should have a new look that is nostalgic yet contemporary, Dennis said.

Most of their employees have worked for them for many years and expressed an appreciation for Dennis and Tammy and the love they have for the residents of Kingfisher and the surrounding communities.

They are very sympathetic and minister to the community during difficult times, helping make tough situations a little easier, longtime employee and friend Susan Kannady said.

“Dennis supports a lot of things behind the scenes in the community, as well as being a huge servant in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church,” Kannady added.

Celebrating with others in joyous occasions of weddings, babies’ births, birthdays and other events, the Mueggenborgs share in the sorrowful times of the community as well.

“Dennis and Tammy are dedicated to Kingfisher and are always there during our saddest and happiest moments,” Kingfisher Mayor Roxie Alexander said.

A collector of TG&Y memorabilia, Dennis’ collection was included in the nationally recognized Chisholm Trail Museum’s “TG&Y: An Original Oklahoma Icon” exhibit.

Dennis said that accompanying the museum’s curator Adam Lynn to accept the Leadership in History Award of Merit in Louisville, Ky., “was a big highlight of my Kingfisher career.”

Involvement in the community has also been a big part of Dennis and Tammy’s lives.

Among a number of other volunteer positions, Dennis has served on the Kingfisher County Development Foundation, as a District 10 trustee for Pioneer Telephone Cooperative and two terms on the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce Board (one term as president).

He is also currently active and has served in multiple capacities in the Oklahoma Florist Association.

Tammy recently completed two terms as a Kingfisher city commissioner and was involved in Mother’s Club and they are both very involved in the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

They have three adult children – Tyler, Dane and Macy – as well as two grandchildren.

“Dennis and Tammy have ‘staying power’ and have become a vital part of keeping our downtown business district a welcoming, colorful, buzzing place to be,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shauna Rupp said.

Their dependability, influence and mentorship have also encouraged many starting small businesses, she added.

When asked why he and his wife have invested so much into the downtown business district, Dennis said he loves history – especially Kingfisher history.

“I feel like the town has a lot to offer tourists and in bringing people to Kingfisher,” he said. “There is lots of history here.”