SHAWNEE – A section of downtown Shawnee was closed to traffic Wednesday afternoon after a two-story building collapsed next to the historic Ritz Theater. No injuries were reported.
The Shawnee Fire Department reported the collapse occurred around 4 p.m. The town shut down the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Main Street, and the stretch of Main Street between Broadway and Beard avenues.
The building at 6 W Main Street most recently housed a marijuana dispensary and previously a computer store. an adjoining storefront within the collapsed building was formerly Stompin’ Sensation Studio. The building had been vacant for approximately three years following a fire.
An employee of the Ritz Theater told The Oklahoman the landmark appeared undamaged. A Saturday concert by the band Showdown has been cancelled, and an engineer will inspect the theater.
Another historic building across the street from Wednesday’s collapse was lost in 2023. That building, once home to the Ole Town Shawnee Flea Market and featuring a vintage Dr.Pepper mural, was torn down after being damaged by fire. It was built in 1907.