yeah, that's been posted, BUT if you scroll back, several people stated that's actually quite common until a store opens or is at least under construction, as media like that can potentially nix deals. there have been several very reputable people behind the scenes claiming they hear promising news so, I wouldn't cross this one off the list yet Doug.

Hope you're right.

Just read on top blog section of Journal Record that an assignment editor for KFOR just blogged that WF has signed a lease to locate a store on Classen Blvd near the Chesapeake Energy complex? Surely, Channel 4 would not make themselves look bad like Channel 9 did a few months back. Sounds like perhaps it is a go?? Stay tuned.

I just read in the Journal Record tonight under the top blog section that an assignment editor for KFOR is reporting that Whole Foods has signed a lease to locate a store on Classen Blvd very near the Chesapeake Energy complex. It sounds like a deal has been struck, but then again, we know what happened with Channel 9 a few months back, so it sounds pretty legit this time around? Stay tuned!

Ah, the allure of rumors. My husband was just told there will be an Anthropologie in Classen Curve as well, but I'm not holding my breath. I hope Aubrey is aggressively trying to get some of these better national stores for OKC though. I take my dog to Central Park sometimes and I did notice there was some earth moving going on on that spot near the cemetery where the apartment building was torn down. I must say it would be a teensy bit disappointing to have to drive all the way up there to go to Whole Foods, but I never really did think we'd get it downtown.

Oh how I miss the days of old fashioned journalism.
Coffee shop owner to reporter: Hey, did I tell you that MR. CEO was in here with some guy talking about how they've finished a lease for Whole Foods to come to OKC?
Reporter to coffee shop owner: No, but I've been hearing that for months (maybe, maybe not, but it sounds good). I'll check into later this week when I get the chance.
FIVE MINUTES LATER, REPORTER SHOWS UP IN NEWSROOM OUT OF BREATH, VERY EXCITED
Reporter to editor: hey boss, just heard a rumor that Whole Foods is coming to town.
Editor to reporter: Go get it!
Reporter to Whole Foods: Are you coming?
Whole Foods flack: We're not confirming or denying.
Reporter: (whines a bit) Come on, everyone knows you're coming. Are you in talks to come to OKC?
Whole Foods flack: No comment.
Reporter calls property owner: Hey, we're doing a story about Whole Foods coming to OKC and that you've landed the deal. You must be pretty happy.
Property owner: I'm not in a position to discuss any such deal.
Reporter: Look, we're doing a story (big bluff). I just need to get your reaction.
Property owner: Nice try. And oh, by the way, you do realize I can buy and sell you several times over.
Reporter: Can you just provide me some details? How big will the store be? When will it open?
Property owner: Give me your paw. Sit. Roll over!
Reporter goes to editor: Boss, they're not confirming on the record, but I've got loads of sources saying Whole Foods is coming.
Editor: Nail it down. Go away.

Didn't take long....

****************************
From the JR blog:

"Apparently the news about Whole Foods having signed a lease on Classen Blvd. near Chesapeake Energy’s campus in Oklahoma City was a false alarm. The assignment editor at KFOR that posted the original information on Twitter saying that Whole Foods had signed a lease has now removed the post. His latest update states that Whole Foods has in fact not signed a lease and that the upscale grocer is still in the midst of negotiations regarding their first Oklahoma City store. He added that the story is still evolving and to stay tuned. "

Steve - what does "the story is still evolving" mean in journalism speak?

:tiphat:

If it's to be on Classen, it must be the old Hahn Cook site -- which would be perfect for them.

Meaning Phil's boss has told him and his reporters to "nail it down."
It means that twitter aside, KFOR committed good journalism tonight.
I could tell you that I've got damn good sources who have been telling me about this deal since summer. I could tell you I'll be shocked if WF doesn't come to OKC. And I might have said as much to my very excited mother a long time ago. And I could also tell you that as good as my sources are, I've not seen a lease and I don't have anything from Whole Foods.
But what I could tell you, and what I'm willing to report, are two different things. I hope you expect me to have my facts nailed down before I put out a story. I expect you to give me hell and quit reading my stuff if I carelessly go about putting out rumors without the facts to back them up.

Um, yeah ..... about that....

Just read Steve's blog. OKC Central - Information about Oklahoma City, Bricktown and beyond (http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/)

Maybe Okc will get their Whole Foods for Christmas.

Thanks Santa. (maybe)

That would be great news. I must say, since I hadn't seen it in awhile, classen curve is looking really good. I'm assuming balliet's is going into the 2 story building on western.

Whole Foods fans, go to this link and comment, we have a strong showing in their forums...

Forums | WholeFoodsMarket.com (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/forums/index.php?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat%3ab7a46641-decf-4337-a3a5-93b2342d08bfForum%3abbfb0510-f536-4fab-9cec-ae561906a267Discussion%3a00fa2343-532e-4075-afe3-0b1381c0a3fb&plckCategoryCurrentPage=0)

God I hope we get one!

Whole Foods fans, go to this link and comment, we have a strong showing in their forums...

Forums | WholeFoodsMarket.com (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/forums/index.php?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat%3ab7a46641-decf-4337-a3a5-93b2342d08bfForum%3abbfb0510-f536-4fab-9cec-ae561906a267Discussion%3a00fa2343-532e-4075-afe3-0b1381c0a3fb&plckCategoryCurrentPage=0)

Thanks for the link.

maybe if everyone on this forum who wants a Whole Foods move into OKC, went into their forum and posted - they could see the market potential of the metro. Personally, I think WF would do extremely well in the OKC area because they would have virtually NO competition, it would be a complete grab of a 1.3metro area's upper income demographic.

I think this even if there was more than just a downtown store. I think OKC could also support a store in the Penn Square/Classen area, N. OKC near Edmond, SW OKC near Moore, and Norman in addition to a small yet very upscale downtown store in the OKC town center development.

That's all it would take - they would make a KILLING. I must say I am very concerned that much smaller cities have WF

(but rest assured Seattle just got one only a few years ago. ...).

Don't we have some sort of "team" in OKC that tries to attract business to OKC? Hell we have been begging about this for quite some time now.. Our economy is in a great position.. Someone throw money at them and get them here...

(but rest assured Seattle just got one only a few years ago. ...).

Someone call Clay Bennett.

Someone throw money at them and get them here...

That's exactly what Chesapeake is doing.

That's exactly what Chesapeake is doing.

Throwing money at Whole Foods?

I think it's pretty much a given that they are providing some kind of financial incentive for them to build at Classen and Western.

It could be nothing more than building the building for them, but they are behind it.

I think it's pretty much a given that they are providing some kind of financial incentive for them to build at Classen and Western.

It could be nothing more than building the building for them, but they are behind it.

So they are coming?

2 news stations have now reported on it. Off the record, it sounds like it's happening but no one will comment until they're pretty much starting on the building.

Is there a worse kept secret in this town than WF is coming?

Hope you're right.

We stopped at Whole Foods in Tulsa & they told us that the Whole Foods for OKC was a done deal and it would be here in 12-18 months.

That's very good news.

We stopped at Whole Foods in Tulsa & they told us that the Whole Foods for OKC was a done deal and it would be here in 12-18 months.

If this is true.. Hallelujah!!

We stopped at Whole Foods in Tulsa & they told us that the Whole Foods for OKC was a done deal and it would be here in 12-18 months.

Where have I heard this before...sigh...so was it a sacker, prep cook, or was it someone in management? Even so, its not corporate, so...my heart has been stabbed too many times with the letdowns, I just can't take it anymore <sobs uncontrollably>

At least MAPS III is looking positive this evening :-)):kicking:

until we change our liquor laws we won't have upscale grocery stores.

why is this Nextlevel?

Tulsa has a whole foods, and is in Oklahoma. Are the liquor laws different for them?

Our liquor laws aren't nearly as bad as they've been made out to be. We'll do fine getting high end grocery stores. New York's liquor laws are very similiar to Oklahoma's and I don't see them suffering because of it.

States where liquor for off-premise consumption is available only in liquor stores:

Alaska (some exceptions)
Delaware
New Jersey (most areas)
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Wyoming



States where only beer is available in grocery stores. Other alcohol (for off-premise consumption) must be purchased in liquor stores.

Colorado
Connecticut
Kansas
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New York
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Utah

You also have city laws that are sometimes stricter than the state laws. I know the Whole Foods in Boston (near Beacon Hill) has no alcohol sales in the store. I think they still use the "package store" concept. I still think Dallas county has some of the screwiest with their wet/dry areas by voting district but allowing "private clubs" in the "dry" areas.

I think we are pretty restricted here in Washington (state) as well. I know liquor is sold from the STATE like in Oklahoma, and we can buy beer and wine in supermarkets. Im not sure if OKC can buy wine in supermarket - but that is a MUST change if it is not possible.

I can see, and agree - that the state should sell/regulate the 'hard stuff'.

I think we are pretty restricted here in Washington (state) as well. I know liquor is sold from the STATE like in Oklahoma, and we can buy beer and wine in supermarkets. Im not sure if OKC can buy wine in supermarket - but that is a MUST change if it is not possible.

I can see, and agree - that the state should sell/regulate the 'hard stuff'.

Actually, liquor is not sold from the state in Oklahoma. Privately owned liquor stores sell liquor, wine and beer. They aren't state-owned and operated like in Washington. Liquor stores in Oklahoma are only regulated by ABLE.

I agree that wine should be sold in grocery stores in Oklahoma. There is legislation in the works, but it is slow-moving.

Even the most conservative people I know think wine should be sold in grocery stores.

Even the most conservative people I know think wine should be sold in grocery stores.

mm, can't wait to see Sam's Choice brand wine on the aisle.

When I lived in Louisiana, you could by hard liquor off the shelves at Winn Dixie.

Actually, liquor is not sold from the state in Oklahoma. Privately owned liquor stores sell liquor, wine and beer. They aren't state-owned and operated like in Washington. Liquor stores in Oklahoma are only regulated by ABLE.

I agree that wine should be sold in grocery stores in Oklahoma. There is legislation in the works, but it is slow-moving.

Thanks for the correction Pulse :) I'm happy to share as much as I know of about Seattle - that could help OKC and IMPROVE Oklahoma City!

If the state can revise the liquor laws to allow wine in supermarkets, I think that could be the kicker for OKC. And I am glad to hear so many agree that wine should be sold in stores - can you imagine a nice dinner (that you buy in a supermarket) without wine?

To me, they go hand in hand and represent a significant revenue source for markets and stores up here in Seattle.
On the other hand, I just dont think hard liquor should be allowed in stores, it should be regulated.

Thanks for the correction Pulse :) I'm happy to share as much as I know of about Seattle - that could help OKC and IMPROVE Oklahoma City!

If the state can revise the liquor laws to allow wine in supermarkets, I think that could be the kicker for OKC. And I am glad to hear so many agree that wine should be sold in stores - can you imagine a nice dinner (that you buy in a supermarket) without wine?

To me, they go hand in hand and represent a significant revenue source for markets and stores up here in Seattle.
On the other hand, I just dont think hard liquor should be allowed in stores, it should be regulated.

Anytime, HOT ROD. A lot of people do think that Oklahoma's liquor stores are state-owned because stores only have one location per business entity (required by state law), it can easily be misunderstood.

ya, I guess I wasn't thinking. I am aware of Byron's liquor warehouse - it just didn't occur to me that it was private (haha).

So there can be no liquor store chains? Interesting. Never knew that or really noticed that there weren't.

So there can be no liquor store chains? Interesting. Never knew that or really noticed that there weren't.

A statute under Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution specifies that any limited partnership or business entity can obtain only 1 off-premise liquor license.

The law was put on the books to protect mom and pop liquor stores from corporate take-overs.

I think OKC especially the downtown area (think near Bass Pro) could use a Publix instead. It is not a super up-scale chain, but it is not a run down chain either. They offer good prices, a good selection, and a clean and nice looking store. Although, they don't have any stores outside of TN, GA, FL, AL, and SC.

I think one of these would fit in nicely.

I think a Publix would be great downtown. I'd be thrilled.

When I lived in Louisiana, you could by hard liquor off the shelves at Winn Dixie.
I spent a summer working at Fort Polk and needless to say it was interesting. Leesville (and I assume the rest of that part of Louisiana) has some "unique" liquor laws as well. Liquor stores seemed to be open all the time, there was a daiquiri stand that had like 30 frozen drink machines in it and you bought it in plastic jugs like milk, it was open 24 hours until midnight Sunday, at midnight on Sunday it was closed until 12:01 AM on Monday morning. The beer coolors at the convenience store were padlocked and brown paper put up in the window. All the bars closed at midnight, it was just a bit odd to go from one extreme to the other.


Anytime, HOT ROD. A lot of people do think that Oklahoma's liquor stores are state-owned because stores only have one location per business entity (required by state law), it can easily be misunderstood.
There are similar laws down here in Texas regarding ownership but there are "chains" here like Spec's (62 stores) but they get around it by pooling family ownership rights which is how they figured out how to get around the limits that do exist. Spec's actually has many "family owners", each family owner can have up to five stores licensed.

Here's a little background on the law here in a blog piece in the Austin paper: Statesman.com - Who gets to own liquor stores? (http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/investigative/entries/2009/07/08/who_gets_to_own_liquor_stores.html)

I think a Publix would be great downtown. I'd be thrilled.I wondered whether Hy-Vee might be a fit for Oklahoma City. I know they are in northern Kansas. Remind me of Publix on a smaller scale.

Hy-Vee is also a nice grocery store, I think. They've just opened in Nebraska, as well, as the town my mother lives in has one. I don't know why a good grocery store chain doesn't see this city as ripe for expansion, but again, I wonder if it's our lousy looking demographics. Don't know.

Sprouts (http://www.sprouts.com/) was interested in Oklahoma before the recession struck. I like that concept a lot, too. Arizona based but located in TX, AZ, CO, and CA they are geographically possible for Oklahoma.

The smaller store concept and fresh food emphasis might be a fit for downtown.

Both Sprout's and Sunflower (Newflower here in Texas) are smaller organic/health oriented food markets. Sprout's is quite a bit smaller, they opened up a few months ago in what was a CompUSA store here in South Austin. Newflower opened up in a former Safeway store (from many, many years ago) that was most recently a Hobby Lobby. All of the stores they have opened here have been much more suburban.

Both Sprout's and Sunflower (Newflower here in Texas) are smaller organic/health oriented food markets. Sprout's is quite a bit smaller, they opened up a few months ago in what was a CompUSA store here in South Austin. Newflower opened up in a former Safeway store (from many, many years ago) that was most recently a Hobby Lobby. All of the stores they have opened here have been much more suburban.Yes. Those concepts seeking expansion as the economy improves will have a good selection of less expensive real estate in other markets. On the other hand there are market opportunities here and the real estate was never as expensive here as in other areas.

Eventually there will surely be some kind of grocer downtown but it seems hard to make a case to me right now at least.

Hy-Vee is also a nice grocery store, I think. They've just opened in Nebraska, as well, as the town my mother lives in has one. I don't know why a good grocery store chain doesn't see this city as ripe for expansion, but again, I wonder if it's our lousy looking demographics. Don't know.

Wal-Mart.

The last food store expansion I remember was the Food Lion stores that opened in the early 1990's. It's a foreign owned company but still rather large. I think the ABC report on Food Lion was more responsible for them closing stores here than anything else. But now a similar concept would have to compete directly with Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets.

I still think an Aldi could work downtown.

I still think an Aldi could work downtown.I forgot about Aldi coming in to the area.

You're probably right. The stores are fairly small and very tightly controlled. I have the feeling they don't need huge volume to make it.

I've only been in one a few times but I think the quality is pretty good but more limited on choices. I noticed I had to buy a package of green peppers and a package of bananas and several other things were like that. But the produce was pretty good.

The one I was in took debit cards now but used to take only cash. The checkout system was pretty fast though and I don't mind bagging my own groceries at all. Putting a quarter in to get a cart is a little strange at first. No cross over aisles and ,lots of stuff is displayed in shipping boxes.

added: store size is about 15,000 sf. Once in everyone has to exit through checkout.

I forgot about Aldi coming in to the area.

You're probably right. The stores are fairly small and very tightly controlled. I have the feeling they don't need huge volume to make it.

I've only been in one a few times but I think the quality is pretty good but more limited on choices. I noticed I had to buy a package of green peppers and a package of bananas and several other things were like that. But the produce was pretty good.

The one I was in took debit cards now but used to take only cash. The checkout system was pretty fast though and I don't mind bagging my own groceries at all. Putting a quarter in to get a cart is a little strange at first. No cross over aisles and ,lots of stuff is displayed in shipping boxes.

added: store size is about 15,000 sf. Once in everyone has to exit through checkout.

Please tell me your joking, talk about 2 steps back!!!!

Please tell me your joking, talk about 2 steps back!!!!Why do you think that?

Other building sizes:
Wal-mart Neighborhood Market - ~ 40,000 SF
Dollar General - ~ 9,000 SF
Fresh and Easy - ~ 15,000 SF
Braum's - ~ 6,000 SF

Why do you think that?

The only thing that Aldi offers that you can get at Walmart is the crowds, Walmart offerrs their own brand that compares in quality and price to Aldi's. With the advancement that OKC has made in the past 4--5 years, we need (deserve) a grocery market like a Whole Foods, Lund's, Fresh Market.

I shop and appreciate what Walmart offers, I just think it's time for OKC to have better choices.