no, it would never work downtown.

it would only work if everything in the store cost *at least* 3 times the amount it does anywhere else in the city and if there was an enforced dresscode of only outfits that cost at least $500, nothing off-the-rack.

otherwise it would clash with everything else being built and opened downtown.

+1

I realize this is an old thread but its cracking me up!

Maybe your friend is not in the know. I heard this from a very credible source as has Steve Lackmeyer and he did a post on his blog about it. You sound like an authority on this situation and I hope this happens soon. I cannot wait!

You sound like an authority on this situation and I hope this happens soon. I cannot wait!

This thread was from back in 2008.

Hopefully I am wrong, but I have a feeling that Homeland will be closing this store or converting it to Cash Saver before actually upgrading it. Per Steve though, there is rumors of Sprouts being interested in the downtown market so that may be something to look forward to if it materialists.

I suspect sarcasm.

After only seeing the sad exterior of this store for years and years, I actually went in and shopped there for the first today, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected.

Lots to say for low, low expectations but apart from very cramped aisles (two carts can barely pass each other and you almost can't turn your cart around) it wasn't that terrible.

More than anything it's just too small and compressed. It's certainly dated too but not much more than the rest of their stores.

It reminds me very much of when I lived in downtown Manhattan Beach and there was a Ralph's (Kroger, and thus most are awesome) within easy walking distance and I was so incredibly happy to have a full-service grocer that close, I never even realized how cramped and outdated it was until moving away and stopping in later.

Of course in the case of this particular Homeland, they have tons of land/parking so no reason to be that small. It was one of the old school Safeways that were all of that size and style and they just haven't done a darn thing it decades.

It's just an incredible opportunity being pissed away because they won't do anything. It'd be great to see it taken over and refurbished into a nice Crest or Uptown Market.

I'm sure most the people that live closest (Mesta, HH, Gatewood) do not shop there and thus yes, terrible missed opportunity.

But frankly, it's great to have it there and it would completely suck if they closed it down.

When I saw this thread was updated I was hoping they really were going to remodel the store.

Honestly, this location isn't as bad as its reputation. It's just small and ugly. It is cleaner however than most Wal-Marts. Hopefully it hangs around until there is an acceptable alternative in the urban core.

It's baffling why there isn't a quality urban grocery store here with all the higher-income homes between Western and I-235 stretching from Mesta/HH all the way up to 50th. Homeland is throwing away such a great opportunity.

I would much rather shop here than any of the Wal-Mart stores.

As much as we gripe about this store, I'd really hate to see it go out of business.

I'm sure most the people that live closest (Mesta, HH, Gatewood) do not shop there and thus yes, terrible missed opportunity.

But frankly, it's great to have it there and it would completely suck if they closed it down.

You might be surprised. Most of the HH/Mesta/Gatewood people I know - with whom I've bothered to discuss groceries, though that discussion is more common than you might think - admit to shopping there, and I see someone I know almost every time in, which is at least once per week. It's always pretty busy, and those people have to be coming from somewhere. Completely agree that it is a missed opportunity, however.

I would much rather shop here than any of the Wal-Mart stores.

As much as we gripe about this store, I'd really hate to see it go out of business.

Agreed. I have been using this Homeland since I have moved downtown. It's never packed but always seems moderately busy. Unfortunately it has a bad reputation and a lot of downtowners just don't shop there. They go to Whole Foods, Wal-Mart (Belle Isle), or the NW Expressway Buy for Less instead. I wonder how much business the Homeland is doing and if they might have more incentive to improve it if they did better business.

I'm glad to hear the people in those neighborhoods use it and that it stays somewhat busy.

It's so close and convenient and there isn't a whole lot else anywhere near.

Agreed. I have been using this Homeland since I have moved downtown.

Where did you end up moving?

Agreed. I have been using this Homeland since I have moved downtown. It's never packed but always seems moderately busy. Unfortunately it has a bad reputation and a lot of downtowners just don't shop there. They go to Whole Foods, Wal-Mart (Belle Isle), or the NW Expressway Buy for Less instead. I wonder how much business the Homeland is doing and if they might have more incentive to improve it if they did better business.

I live downtown and maybe should check this out, it just looks nasty. On the other hand I go to that Buy 4 Less on Penn and 23rd or the Wal-Mart just down the street and they aren't great.

This thread was from back in 2008.

Hopefully I am wrong, but I have a feeling that Homeland will be closing this store or converting it to Cash Saver before actually upgrading it. Per Steve though, there is rumors of Sprouts being interested in the downtown market so that may be something to look forward to if it materialists.

Homeland in Guthrie closed their pharmacy a month ago. Word of mouth is Cash Saver is coming but I've not yet seen this presented as fact. Meanwhile, everything inside is changing as they promise huge successes. Let us hope it works.

Double post. I'm sorry.

Homeland in Guthrie closed their pharmacy a month ago. Word of mouth is Cash Saver is coming but I've not yet seen this presented as fact. Meanwhile, everything inside is changing as they promise huge successes. Let us hope it works.

That's interesting about closing the pharmacy in Guthrie because I've heard the pharmacy holds a ton of the value in Homeland. If you've been a customer, you notice all of their pharmacists and even techs have been with them forever. They price match everybody too with little to no hassle. We moved all of our prescriptions from Walgreens to Homeland at May & Britton and have never looked back. They are very, very good and you get personal service.

Homeland in Guthrie closed their pharmacy a month ago. Word of mouth is Cash Saver is coming but I've not yet seen this presented as fact. Meanwhile, everything inside is changing as they promise huge successes. Let us hope it works.Just asked the wife. Guthrie is becoming a Cash Saver. And yes, she's in a position to know.

What is a cash saver?

What is a cash saver?

It's the low-budget death rattle before a Homeland closes for good.

Like a controlled clearance?

Homeland's Cash Saver store tries new business model | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/article/5397909)

Found an explanation

Agreed about this Homeland. When I lived at the Classen I shopped there daily. Sure it's not "ideal", but it's fine for many things.

It's the low-budget death rattle before a Homeland closes for good.

LOL. I happen to go inside a Cash Saver last time I was in Memphis. I am thinking it is the same brand here. Long story short, it made Aldi look like Neiman Marcus. Embarrassingly bad. I would be hesitant in eating anything that came out of this store.

LOL. I happen to go inside a Cash Saver last time I was in Memphis. I am thinking it is the same brand here. Long story short, it made Aldi look like Neiman Marcus. Embarrassingly bad. I would be hesitant in eating anything that came out of this store.
Memphis would not be associated with the company here. The only HAC (Homeland Aquisition Corp) holdings are in Ok, Tx and a couple in Ga.

It's the low-budget death rattle before a Homeland closes for good.I'm told the Cash Savers are doing very well so far.

I can't believe people are saying this Homeland is better (and cleaner) than Wal-Marts. This Homeland is by far the worst "name-brand" grocery store I've ever been to. Some people just have irrational hate for Wal-Mart I guess.

I can't believe people are saying this Homeland is better (and cleaner) than Wal-Marts. This Homeland is by far the worst "name-brand" grocery store I've ever been to. Some people just have irrational hate for Wal-Mart I guess.

I detest Wal-Mart's market domination strategy they have here, so I don't like supporting them unless I absolutely have to. Competition and choice is beneficial for everyone. Plus, if you live downtown its much easier to go to the 18th and Classen Homeland than Wal-Mart at Belle Isle. The 23rd and Penn Wal-Mart is pretty filthy. The Homeland has the basics and its cleaner than it used to be. It's just ugly and cramped. I really wish the urban core had a quality grocery store such as Uptown Market, but for now, the Homeland has to do.

I can't believe people are saying this Homeland is better (and cleaner) than Wal-Marts. This Homeland is by far the worst "name-brand" grocery store I've ever been to. Some people just have irrational hate for Wal-Mart I guess.

I don't know about that. I went to the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at 23rd and Penn last night, as I realized very late that I had no half and half for this AM's coffee. I hadn't been in that WNM for quite a few months (as Homeland is much closer and between them and Walgreens I generally have everything covered). When that WNM opened a few years ago I remember thinking how relatively nice it was, and - like a number of other stores - they noticeably renewed/upped their game around the time Whole Foods opened; especially in the produce area.

Last night when I went, I was SHOCKED by how nasty the place was. Many of the shelves and produce fixtures were noticeably picked over and short on product. The produce section specifically was pretty disgusting, and the quality of the produce was bad. Like, bad grapes noticeable in most of the bags. Discolored fruit. Brown lettuce. Just nasty. The dairy cases and dry goods looked like the day before a snowstorm. Picked over, empty, messy, not fronted. I understand things not being fronted when stocking is going on, but that was not happening last night.

I don't have anything against WNM specifically, but I don't see myself going back to that one anytime soon. I will PROMISE you that I will go to the 18th/Classen Homeland happily instead of frequenting the place I saw last night. There is a big difference between being cramped and just being gross.

Memphis would not be associated with the company here. The only HAC (Homeland Aquisition Corp) holdings are in Ok, Tx and a couple in Ga.

HAC simply is licensed to use the name and concept here in Oklahoma. They are in quite a few states and very successful. I think the Cash Saver brand may be owned by AWG, Homeland's old owners.

Cash Savers in Guthrie is now open. Many things I buy cost less than Crest. Selection wasn't terribly extensive much like when it was Homeland. The low cost items have one price on the shelf. At checkout you pay an extra 10 percent of total bill. Too gimmicky, imo.

Example: Cheez-Its, about 2.20 before the added 10%. WTH?

Homeland employees still there including the pharmacy worker. The pharmacist was canned a few days before the pharmacy closed.

Cash Savers in Guthrie is now open. Many things I buy cost less than Crest. Selection wasn't terribly extensive much like when it was Homeland. The low cost items have one price on the shelf. At checkout you pay an extra 10 percent of total bill. Too gimmicky, imo.

Example: Cheez-Its, about 2.20 before the added 10%. WTH?


I think the shelf price is the wholesale price (what they pay to stock the items) and the 10% at the end is their markup.

HAC simply is licensed to use the name and concept here in Oklahoma. They are in quite a few states and very successful. I think the Cash Saver brand may be owned by AWG, Homeland's old owners.All of that is true. But one shouldn't judge a franchisee here by what a franchisee halfway across the country does. Let's let C-S make it or not here based on what they do here. And I have a personal interest in them working here if that wasn't obvious already.

All of that is true. But one shouldn't judge a franchisee here by what a franchisee halfway across the country does. Let's let C-S make it or not here based on what they do here. And I have a personal interest in them working here if that wasn't obvious already.

Do you know if there are any plans to remodel/expand the 18th and Classen store?

And I agree, Cash Saver should be judged on how they compete here, not in other markets.

Do you know if there are any plans to remodel/expand the 18th and Classen store?

And I agree, Cash Saver should be judged on how they compete here, not in other markets.They were looking upgrading the Classen store, much like the 122nd and Rockwell store. Then they started putting all their effort into converting the low performing stores to Cash Savers. Guthrie is supposed to be the last conversion so hopefully they'll turn their attention back to the Classen upgrade.

They were looking upgrading the Classen store, much like the 122nd and Rockwell store. Then they started putting all their effort into converting the low performing stores to Cash Savers. Guthrie is supposed to be the last conversion so hopefully they'll turn their attention back to the Classen upgrade.

The 122nd and Rockwell store turned out really well. If they upgrade the Classen store to be that nice, it will be a big win for downtown.

Hate to get my hopes up but it would be fantastic if this Homeland could be renovated / updated.

They would increase their business dramatically.

Hate to get my hopes up but it would be fantastic if this Homeland could be renovated / updated.

They would increase their business dramatically.

122nd and Rockwell used to be a ghost town before the remodel and now its always busy. I am sure the same would be the case for 18th and Classen. Plus, that Homeland has virtually no competition. It would be a huge win for them.

I received an email earlier this week informing me that representatives from Homeland would like community help completing the survey linked below in order to gain insight on how to make the Homeland at Classen and 18th more enjoyable to shoppers.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Homeland153

Please, please, please take the survey so that Homeland can capture our feedback and strive to better provide for the community's needs. Feel free to pass along the link as well!

Thanks for posting that. You should post it to the Mesta and HH neighborhoods on NextDoor as well.

I completed the survey but probably rated one thing much lower than most. I put organic food at the bottom of my list. I do hope they improve that offering because I know many crave it, however, I had to answer honestly and I never buy organic.

Homeland should completely rebrand that store at 18th and Classen. City Market, or Urban Market or something that makes more sense. The Homeland brand is tired and the advertising is odious.

They should stock that store in a manner that fits the needs and interests of the surrounding urban neighborhoods. And they should reskin and renovate the store along with a total rebranding effort. That could work.

I completed the survey but probably rated one thing much lower than most. I put organic food at the bottom of my list. I do hope they improve that offering because I know many crave it, however, I had to answer honestly and I never buy organic.

then you must like the meat and produce they currently carry, no?

then you must like the meat and produce they currently carry, no?
I am perfectly happy with the meat and produce that Homeland sells. It meets all my needs and I eat quite well. As I said, many others want more options, and I hope they will supply what the public wants.

I saw it posted on Nextdoor last night so I'm assuming that was her. Thanks for posting Jessica!

What's funny is I think it was posted on nextdoor first then someone reminded about this thread.

Can someone please post the exact communication from Homeland about this?

Did they send an email to residents, post to Nextdoor, etc?

Thanks for posting that. You should post it to the Mesta and HH neighborhoods on NextDoor as well.

And Reddit. A lot of people in OKC post there.

Someone on Nextdoor recently posted that they had heard from "Homeland's VP of Marketing and VP of Construction" shortly after attempting to begin a letter-writing campaign advocating a remodel of this store. Supposedly they have hired an architect and a number of changes are planned, with a "target date" (not sure if this refers to completion or start of remodel) of January 2017.

Someone on Nextdoor recently posted that they had heard from "Homeland's VP of Marketing and VP of Construction" shortly after attempting to begin a letter-writing campaign advocating a remodel of this store. Supposedly they have hired an architect and a number of changes are planned, with a "target date" (not sure if this refers to completion or start of remodel) of January 2017.

That would be really nice, though we've heard similar things before and nothing so far. Hope this time it's for real.