Chickasaws open welcome center, chocolate store

The Chickasaw Nation Thursday opened the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center and Bedré Fine Chocolates retail store at the southwest corner of I-35 and S.H. 7 at Exit 55 in Murray County.

Governor Bill Anoatubby said the new welcome center continues a strategic tourism effort that includes major projects in Davis, Sulphur, Chickasha and Thackerville areas.

“This welcome center is the gateway for many family-friendly attractions and cultural destinations in south central Oklahoma,” Anoatubby said. “This is an excellent location for us to share the heritage of the Chickasaw people as well as to create an educational experience and a comfortable, inviting spot to take a break for the thousands who travel along I-35 each day.”

The 5,500-square-foot center features information about the hundreds of destinations and lodging options in Chickasaw Country as well as two interactive kiosks. The kiosks will enable visitors to customize a travel route from hotel to attraction to restaurant and everything in between.