I like Whole Foods and might shop one if it were relatively close to my home. But I wouldn't go far out of my way.

I remember very clearly when Wal-mart was the underdog. Back then the big retailers were able to keep many of the major suppliers from selling to Wal-mart. But those retailers were only in big cities so Wal-mart went to smaller places.

I also remember many locally owned merchants. A very few I recall fondly and the rest come in pretty much near the "I'm glad they're gone" level. I'm afraid "locals" have been rather idealized and romanticized much more than was ever the reality.

I have noticed that Homeland at 104th and S Penn has definitely made some changes in what I'm certain is anticipation of the new Crest and 104th and S May. And I do appreciate that Sushi bar.

Ok, this has been driving me crazy. WALMART DOES NOT EQUAL WHOLE FOODS! They are not even closely the same or resemble each other in any way, shape, or form. They cater to completely different crowds and they are usually mutually exclusive crowds at that. And having a Whole Foods doesn't make a city either. We have the same exact crap at Akins folks. So if you want it, drive your happy butt over there and get it. Otherwise you're going to same the same exact box of cereal at all of these stores, and at different prices. Pick your building/crowd/etc and go at it. Otherwise stop bitching about it, seriously. It's groceries....if you cook, then be a cook and make the best of what you think is sub-par...or move.

. . ."make the best of what you think is sub-par...or move.". . .and this kind of thinking drives ME crazy!! And. . .Whole Foods (Central Market/Trader Joes) is a world apart from Akins. With the "live with it or move" attitude, think of all the great businesses that have come to OKC (some local, some national. . .but wonderful none the less) in the past ten years. . .pirmarily because we wanted something different or better than what existed. I do buy a couple of things a WM. . .simply because no one else carries them (Cabot White Sharp Cheddar and 8 O'Clock decaf coffee beans). . . but mostly it's Crest/Homeland/Crescent Market. But. . .they are NOT WF/CM/TJ's. Heck. . . I'd drive to Shawnee if one of them went in there. . .just not as often. And yes, I do stop in to WF in Tulsa whenever I'm up there. . .along with Farrell Family Breads. . .just sure wish (and hope) we will have something similar/better here one of these days. But. . .settle or move?? No way.

Geeze bombermwc, a little harsh. And, no, they do not have the same crap at Akins, not anywhere even remotely close to the same "crap". Sure for major "health food" brands they have most of what whole foods does (still nowhere near ALL). But, when it comes to gourmet quality base ingredients, like cheese, fish, meat, poultry, and vegetables (as well as bulk herbs, grains, oils, etc), they aren't even in the same stratosphere and neither are any of our local grocers. They actually cry numerous ingredients that would take you a LONG time to find locally. You could probably assemble almost everything that whole foods sells (and I mean raw materials not the packaged health food stuff) by going to a dozen or more stores in the metro (Forward, Cao Nguyen, India Mart, Crescent, Kamps, Wheelers, Avalon, etc). But never in one place.

I get your point, and to a certain extent I agree with you, make the best of what you have local and think positive. But you obviously aren't a gourmet or health food enthusiast based on your post. So, while I can understand you growing tiresome of this thread, for those of us who would be customers of such a store, is there anything wrong with us desiring one? No matter what you say I still am going to find shopping for groceries at Walmart or Crest to be lacking. If you do cook, and enjoy trying exotic things at home, a store like WF is a god send. All I am saying is, it's not your thing, but it is someone elses. And this kind of "like it the way it is or get out" mentality is purely incendiary and counter productive.

hahaha foodiefan, must've been writing at the same time. Oh yeah, and bombermwc, what year you graduate from MWC? I am a Bomber as well...

EBAH. . .you were much more eloquent than I. . .I just wish someone would make an official announcement and we could put all this wishing/hoping behind us!!

For those who think "What's the deal with all the fuss about WF?" I understand your point of view to some extent, but the best thing about a store like WF coming to OKC is that it will raise the bar for the other grocers in the area. Wal-Mart will not change their model because of the entrance of a WF into this market, but some of the local chains WILL be pushed to be better...it's competition! That is only going to be a good thing for the grocery market in our area.

We moved here from Orlando about 6 months ago, and we do not miss Publix (or the new WF we got down there just before we moved... for that matter) as much as we thought we would. We really went to WF more as a restaurant than as a grocery store.

We shop some at Homeland (which is not really that bad...carry some local and organic things) Target, and love shopping the Oklahoma Food Cooperative (we have had family and friends visit us from Oregon, Colorado, and Washington DC who were VERY impressed by the CoOp).

Even if WF did not come, we would be happy with our existing mix. But a WF would give us a little bit more of a sophisticated reputation with some people...improving perceptions.

All in all, our supermarket situation could be a lot worse. If we are grateful for what we already have, we will probably get what we want!

For those who think "What's the deal with all the fuss about WF?" I understand your point of view to some extent, but the best thing about a store like WF coming to OKC is that it will raise the bar for the other grocers in the area. Wal-Mart will not change their model because of the entrance of a WF into this market, but some of the local chains WILL be pushed to be better...it's competition! That is only going to be a good thing for the grocery market in our area.

We moved here from Orlando about 6 months ago, and we do not miss Publix (or the new WF we got down there just before we moved... for that matter) as much as we thought we would. We really went to WF more as a restaurant than as a grocery store.

We shop some at Homeland (which is not really that bad...carry some local and organic things) Target, and love shopping the Oklahoma Food Cooperative (we have had family and friends visit us from Oregon, Colorado, and Washington DC who were VERY impressed by the CoOp).

Even if WF did not come, we would be happy with our existing mix. But a WF would give us a little bit more of a sophisticated reputation with some people...improving perceptions.

All in all, our supermarket situation could be a lot worse. If we are grateful for what we already have, we will probably get what we want!

Better? Define better in relation to supermarkets. If you think people being stupid enough to pay higher prices for food that is not treated for pests better, then I really don't know what to say. Give me food I know is pest free instead of this "organic" liberal crap any day!

Smooth, not sure why you're getting political here (I'm actually on the conservative side of the ledger). Conservatives can love the environment too.

When I say better, I just mean a better overall shopping experience...updated stores, greater variety, etc. The look and feel of many of the local stores here is not great...they feel quite dated. I have seen lots better stores in other markets (even much smaller ones) from coast to coast.

And while I do not buy organic all of the time, many of the practices used in producing organic foods just promotes better stewardship of the land and our animals. I am not a Sierra Club member, a vegetarian or an animal rights activist, just someone who likes to see people make responsible choices in their businesses (especially when it comes to food production) and I try and make that known with my consumer vote...my shopping dollars. That is why I mostly shop the OK Food CoOp, even though it is a bit more expensive, I like supporting our state's farmers and other small producers. Why not keep our money right here!

I'm not sure why I'm posting this, but I'll give it another try. Some folks say, "you're going to same the same exact box of cereal at all of these stores, and at different prices," and others say, "pay higher prices for food that is not treated for pests...give me food I know is pest free instead of this "organic" liberal crap any day!" Again, it's not about the food. I won't even be going there to buy the "organic liberal crap" or the cereal. In fact, I will still buy cereal at Walmart, Target, or Homeland. But we'll go for the experience...have a few samples, get something at the bakery, buy some fresh fruit or some cheeses you can't find at Homeland, take something tasty from the hot bar, and so on. That's why Akins doesn't do it. Some people still don't get it.

If all you want is Kraft or store brand cheese (and other items), then you wouldn't get the difference in a Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts, Newflower/Sunflower and a regular grocery store. Down here we have the liquor retailer Spec's which gives all of them a run for their money when it comes to cheese and deli meats and other specialty items. It isn't just about organic/vegetarian items, it is about a whole lot more than that.

BTW - HEB is planning expansion for this year but unfortunately still staying in Texas.
San Antonio Business Journal - H-E-B plans to open new stores, hire 5,000 people statewide (http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2010/01/04/daily22.html)

Better? Define better in relation to supermarkets. If you think people being stupid enough to pay higher prices for food that is not treated for pests better, then I really don't know what to say. Give me food I know is pest free instead of this "organic" liberal crap any day!

Is this supposed to have the little sarcasm sign next to it? If so, nice comedy!

some of the local chains WILL be pushed to be better...it's competition!

Excellent point!

Hahn-Cook on Classen is now demolished. I guess we will see if there's an announcement anytime soon, or if a sign goes up on that lot.

Doesn't the City require a permit for demolition that describes plans for the property?

I looked at the permit on the OKC website (it was issued way back in May) but it doesn't say anything about future plans.

Doesn't the City require a permit for demolition that describes plans for the property?........

No, there is no such requirement for a demo permit.

Finally had the opportunity to actually visit a Whole Foods store (Louisville KY) to see what the fuss is about. All in all, I liked it quite a bit - the prices on staples really aren't that much higher than other places and the meats looks really good. There was a lot more variety in things like cheese and the prepared food looked outstanding. I don't think I would shop there exclusively, but I can definitely see a combination of Crest and Whole Foods providing high quality, pesticide-free, organic food at a reasonable cost. This is coming from a single dad with two teenage boys and daughter to feed too!!!

Recently visited a large HEB store in San Antonio followed by a visit to Whole Foods.

The HEB reminded me of Wal-Mart although with significantly more food choices. Plenty of checkouts but long line in each. Not a lot of help in finding things. Crowded and huge.

Upon entering the Whole Foods we were greeted by an employee who asked if he could help us. We asked the location of an item and he asked if we'd shopped there before. We said we were new and he took us to where our item was stored. Made us feel really good about the entire experience if the visit had ended then. But that level of service was repeated several times during our short stay.

Reminded me of going to Coteney's or Buchanan's of my childhood except with about a thousand times more choices. If all the Whole Foods stores provide that kind of exceptional service it is easy for me to understand why people are repeat shoppers.

We were in Tulsa last weekend and made a point of stopping by Whole Foods. It was the first time we had been to that particular store. Given what others have said, I expected it to be small. While it was smaller than some of their large stores, the experience was still fantastic--a huge produce selection, huge variety of cheeses, hot bar, bakery, and so forth. The store was packed (2PM on a Sunday). Some folks were eating inside; others were sitting at tables outside enjoying some of their purchases. I just can't believe we don't have one yet in OKC. There is absolutely nothing like it around here, and it is a shame.

If all the Whole Foods stores provide that kind of exceptional service it is easy for me to understand why people are repeat shoppers.

You just have to remember that you pay for what you get. Whole Foods is more expensive and you can't go there to buy Cheerios and Dr. Pepper. It's a different type of store with different brands and is probably 20-40% more expensive than regular stores.

You just have to remember that you pay for what you get. Whole Foods is more expensive and you can't go there to buy Cheerios and Dr. Pepper. It's a different type of store with different brands and is probably 20-40% more expensive than regular stores.

You also have to remember that you can't find/buy things at Walmart, Target, Homeland, or Crest that you can find/buy at Whole Foods. And as for being "more expensive", you get what you pay for, not just in quantity but quality.

You also have to remember that you can't find/buy things at Walmart, Target, Homeland, or Crest that you can find/buy at Whole Foods. And as for being "more expensive", you get what you pay for, not just in quantity but quality.

You are right but the difference is what Oklahoma Citians, in general, are used to. When they see the prices and the "organic" products, will they buy there in sufficient numbers?

You betcha, Red Ryder!! We're salivating in anticipation!!

You are right but the difference is what Oklahoma Citians, in general, are used to. When they see the prices and the "organic" products, will they buy there in sufficient numbers?

Absolutely! Heck, many already do at the Super Targets and other places. I'm tired of driving 6-10 times a year to WF in Dallas and Tulsa. We don't have anywhere that has a "Bulk Food" section, I guess Forward Foods sort of does but you have to drive to Norman until the one on N. Western opens up. Many items aren't any more than you'd pay elsewhere as others stated, other products you will pay quite a bit more. The average grocery bill ends up being about $50 higher at WF than Walmart SuperCenter, the majority of the difference on meats.

Going to Denver this weekend. I may have to drop by Whole Foods and see if there's anything I can bring home!

Going to Denver this weekend. I may have to drop by Whole Foods and see if there's anything I can bring home!

We moved to Denver from Edmond 2 months ago. There are 3 Whole Foods within 10 minutes of our house. I can't begin to tell you the difference in our eating habits since we moved somewhere with a decent food selection. I have yet to set foot in a Wal Mart since we got here. The quality and selection at WF (or King Soopers for that matter) makes Wal Mart look like the McDonalds of grocery shopping. It's a shame that OKC is relegated to crappy grocery stores.

We moved to Denver from Edmond 2 months ago. There are 3 Whole Foods within 10 minutes of our house. I can't begin to tell you the difference in our eating habits since we moved somewhere with a decent food selection. I have yet to set foot in a Wal Mart since we got here. The quality and selection at WF (or King Soopers for that matter) makes Wal Mart look like the McDonalds of grocery shopping. It's a shame that OKC is relegated to crappy grocery stores.

Just rub it in why don'cha? Bad enough I have to see yours and Sh****a's tweets about the mountains, great cafes and Whole Foods. Now you have to go and rub it in here! :wink:

We moved to Denver from Edmond 2 months ago. There are 3 Whole Foods within 10 minutes of our house. I can't begin to tell you the difference in our eating habits since we moved somewhere with a decent food selection. I have yet to set foot in a Wal Mart since we got here. The quality and selection at WF (or King Soopers for that matter) makes Wal Mart look like the McDonalds of grocery shopping. It's a shame that OKC is relegated to crappy grocery stores.

Yep, they were far better there. What part of town?

We moved to Denver from Edmond 2 months ago. There are 3 Whole Foods within 10 minutes of our house. I can't begin to tell you the difference in our eating habits since we moved somewhere with a decent food selection. I have yet to set foot in a Wal Mart since we got here. The quality and selection at WF (or King Soopers for that matter) makes Wal Mart look like the McDonalds of grocery shopping. It's a shame that OKC is relegated to crappy grocery stores.

What? King Soopers sucks... I'd take Walmart over KS anyday. Now WF is another story though. I'd give up all our Walmarts for one WF.

What? King Soopers sucks... I'd take Walmart over KS anyday. Now WF is another story though. I'd give up all our Walmarts for one WF.

I'd give up one WalMart for one Whole Foods. Heck, I'd just take a Whole Foods. Everyone else can keep WalMart. I refuse to shop there anyway unless I'm really really desparate and don't feel like trekking the full 3 miles to Crest.

What? King Soopers sucks... I'd take Walmart over KS anyday. Now WF is another story though. I'd give up all our Walmarts for one WF.

Nope, I gotta disagree. I lived in Denver for several years until recently and found the King Soopers stores near our house in the south metro were all far nicer than any Wal Mart. They were a bit more expensive and I had a problem with KS about trying to insinuate certain items were on sale when, in fact, they weren't but overall the stores were very nice.

Yep, they were far better there. What part of town?

Congress Park. We've only been here a couple of months but we love it so far. OKC will always be home though :)

KS doesn't know what it wants to be. It reminds me of Big Lots trying to do a grocery store. Selection isn't any better than a Walmart or Homeland, the middle of their stores is like a CVS or Big Lots with random crap. The only plus they have going for them is they have a small hot bar and olive bar, etc. in which 99% of OKC grocery stores do not.

I'd give up one WalMart for one Whole Foods. Heck, I'd just take a Whole Foods. Everyone else can keep WalMart. I refuse to shop there anyway unless I'm really really desparate and don't feel like trekking the full 3 miles to Crest.

I must be the only person in OKC who can find about 20 alternatives to Walmart Grocery shopping(that doesn't include homeland, crest or super Target).

Congress Park. We've only been here a couple of months but we love it so far. OKC will always be home though :)

Nice old neighborhood. Good luck to you there. If you are an OU fan, they meet at Jackson Sports bar next to the baseball stadium downtown and televise all the football games. There have been some that 200+ have attended. Its fun to yell at the TV with everyone else and a bunch of nice people - a good place to meet some new folks.

Recently visited a large HEB store in San Antonio followed by a visit to Whole Foods.

The HEB reminded me of Wal-Mart although with significantly more food choices. Plenty of checkouts but long line in each. Not a lot of help in finding things. Crowded and huge.
Was that a HEB Plus store? That is their Supercenter concept, so it is more like a Wal Mart Supercenter than a typical HEB store. They have quite a few of them scattered around here, the closest to us is in Kyle.


KS doesn't know what it wants to be. It reminds me of Big Lots trying to do a grocery store. Selection isn't any better than a Walmart or Homeland, the middle of their stores is like a CVS or Big Lots with random crap. The only plus they have going for them is they have a small hot bar and olive bar, etc. in which 99% of OKC grocery stores do not.
KS is a Kroger chain, the ones that I have been to in Denver aren't that much different than the Kroger's in Dallas or Little Rock that I have been to. Just like with most of them, there are some junky ones and some nice ones, usually depending upon how old they are. The smaller ones always feel junky.

Was that a HEB Plus store? That is their Supercenter concept, so it is more like a Wal Mart Supercenter than a typical HEB store. They have quite a few of them scattered around here, the closest to us is in Kyle.Yes, H-E-B Plus near 281 and Evans. I thought it was about the size of a Super Target or Wal-mart Super Center.

It had a good selection of organic foods and a nice, large produce section. There was a bakery and deli and several other things. There was even a crawdad table. Parking lot was very busy and this was about noon on a Friday. But I understand H-E-B has more than 60% of the market there.

It was more the facility size and number of people that reminded me of Wal-mart. Probably if I lived there I'd drive 2 miles to a Super Target just to avoid the crowds for normal shopping.

What impressed me so much about the Whole Foods was the level of service. I'd shop it for that reason alone.

We pretty much shop at HEB or Central Market about 90% of the time, they are significantly cheaper than Randall's (owned by Safeway, known as Tom Thumb in DFW) or Super Target. We also have the Wal Mart Supercenters but no WM Neighborhood Markets, all the Albertson's closed around here a few years ago. We do have a more Hispanic oriented large grocery store named Fiesta, I think there are two locations, one on North I-35 not too far from the UT campus and one on South I-35 a few miles east of us. The Newflower and Sprout's opened up not too long ago but we still go to Central Market more often than those new stores. The closest Whole Foods is the Downtown location, I drive by the current North location on the way home from work but it is a small store and a hassle to get in/out of, they had a new one planned in The Domain (where my office is located) but it was put on hold along with the rest of that phase (along with the new Nordstrom's and a Sak's relocation). I may have been to the MGH/Beacon Hill Whole Foods in Boston more than the ones here, it is right by where we stay when going to Boston.

I know my dad wishes that HEB would open up in OKC after going to the ones around here. The Plus concept was only open up in Round Rock at that time, I still haven't been in one yet.

This has nothing really to do with Whole Foods or H-E-B but I was amazed at the amount of traffic and the obvious population growth in San Antonio and even more in Austin. It had been nearly 30 years since I'd visited San Antonio and about 12 since being in Austin.

In fact I was surprised by the traffic all the way down I-35. I used to stop at Salado when my kids were small and eat at the restaurant behind the Stagecoach Inn. Sometimes we'd stop in Georgetown and I remember it being a kind of sleepy little place.

The Whole Foods in San Antonio was in an upper scale center that I thought was really hard to get in and out of because of traffic. But after driving around in San Antonio a while I decided it was just normal traffic now.

Really astonishing population growth to me.

The growth in just the past seven years since I moved to Austin from OKC has been exceptional, the increase in traffic has been there as well. Six years ago I was commuting to Dallas (up on Mondays, back on Thursdays) and the traffic on I-35 was just horrible, it is worse now, sometimes when we head up to OKC on Fridays we take 281/I-44 just to avoid the traffic on 35.

There used to be a gap between Georgetown and Round Rock, that is gone it reminds me of the changes in Dallas from the time that I lived that until I moved back to OKC in 1993. Most of that area in the burbs of North Dallas was nothing but open fields and two lane roads (like 121) back then. I also did an office building in San Antonio five years ago on 1604 just west of 281 and it was somewhat out by itself, the strip center that was part of the same development was one of the few things in the area. I went down to our San Antonio office last year in that area and 1604 has been built up so much.

The WF in San Antonio is in Alamo Quarry, I have heard that it can be difficult to get in/out of. THat is the only SA location.

I have not been yet, however WF just had their grand opening yesterday in Dallas for another new store located at Park Lane and 75 (Central Expressway). It showed it on the local news here in Dallas where shoppers will be able to purchase a glass of wine while doing their shopping. It also offers an escalator where you will be able to put your basket on it and it will move your cart down when your finished shopping. This store has underground parking so this is why they have the escalator. Located east side of Central very near Northpark Mall.

I have not been yet, however WF just had their grand opening yesterday in Dallas for another new store located at Park Lane and 75 (Central Expressway). It showed it on the local news here in Dallas where shoppers will be able to purchase a glass of wine while doing their shopping. It also offers an escalator where you will be able to put your basket on it and it will move your cart down when your finished shopping. This store has underground parking so this is why they have the escalator. Located east side of Central very near Northpark Mall.

The booze will be helpful, I spend more when I am drinking. That $10 cheese won't sound so bad when I am buzzed. LOL

Going to Denver this weekend. I may have to drop by Whole Foods and see if there's anything I can bring home!

I'm in Denver all week. As Lord Helmet pointed out, there are 3 frickin' Whole Foods in about a 10 mile radius, about 7 total throughout the metro area (not counting the 4 in Boulder that I saw). Boulder is tiny! 4???? Absolutely ludicrous. I know I know, everyone up there is granola, yada yada. Just went food shopping, I'm eating well this week :-)

Why lord, why why why????? Just ONE in OKC. One! We don't ask for much. <points angry fists at sky>

I'm in Denver all week. As Lord Helmet pointed out, there are 3 frickin' Whole Foods in about a 10 mile radius, about 7 total throughout the metro area (not counting the 4 in Boulder that I saw). Boulder is tiny! 4???? Absolutely ludicrous. I know I know, everyone up there is granola, yada yada. Just went food shopping, I'm eating well this week :-)

Why lord, why why why????? Just ONE in OKC. One! We don't ask for much. <points angry fists at sky>

No wonder they're the healthiest state in the country!! They have QUALITY grocery stores..

I'm in Denver all week. As Lord Helmet pointed out, there are 3 frickin' Whole Foods in about a 10 mile radius, about 7 total throughout the metro area (not counting the 4 in Boulder that I saw). Boulder is tiny! 4???? Absolutely ludicrous. I know I know, everyone up there is granola, yada yada. Just went food shopping, I'm eating well this week :-)

Why lord, why why why????? Just ONE in OKC. One! We don't ask for much. <points angry fists at sky>

This is the hardest thing to understand . . . how other areas of the country can have 3 or 4 of these right nearby and yet we can't get just one here. Again, based on my trip to Tulsa a few weeks ago, that Whole Foods store appears to be doing great business, so the support seems to be there. We were in Dallas this past weekend and stopped at Central Market. How long will we have to wait here for something like this?

I'm telling you, once the liquor laws change, they will come. Alcohol is a huge profit margin for them and not being able to sell wine and such in thier store is a huge turn off.

I don't buy that, there are DFW stores, NY, Philly, Colorado and elsewhere that don't have liquor in their stores. It's population density and income level that retailers look at more than anything. Stats OKC will never achieve until we deannex some land.

I don't buy that, there are DFW stores, NY, Philly and elsewhere that don't have liquor in their stores. It's population density and income level that retailers look at more than anything. Stats OKC will never achieve until we deannex some land.

There are 18 Whole Foods stores in Colorado and their laws prohibit liquor and wine from being sold in grocery stores.

I agree, it is a density and income issue. I would also toss out an education issue.

It's population density and income level that retailers look at more than anything. Stats OKC will never achieve until we deannex some land.

OKC's population density is not reflected when a demographic ring study is done. Income level is not a problem, especially now that a snowball effect has kicked off in northwest OKC where high-income people are beginning to concentrate. They will be able to see the population density and income levels of 73162, 73142 and 73134.

Education is also taken into account in a demographic ring study, which again makes nw OKC a perfect candidate for a location.

I think the only REAL hurdle is development. I am not sure of Whole Foods builds their own buildings or if they lease from a retail complex.

just wanted to share some information i put together for a project.

just wanted to share some information i put together for a project.

But again, that data doesn't look at cost of living at all. I remember prior to the Sonics moving here, I kept hearing that OKC was too poor to support a team. So, for fun, I looked at average income and average household income in Seattle versus Oklahoma City. Then I looked at the median cost of a house in both places, and calculated insurance and property tax costs, as well as mortgage costs. What I found was that my rather crude estimate of disposable incomes in both cities showed it was remarkably similar. Although income was significantly higher in Seattle, home costs were about 3x what they are here, which increases insurance and property tax costs. That's what I don't think retailers look at when determining where to locate stores.

I don't buy that, there are DFW stores, NY, Philly, Colorado and elsewhere that don't have liquor in their stores. It's population density and income level that retailers look at more than anything. Stats OKC will never achieve until we deannex some land.

I've seen GIS-assisted demos of how grocery stores locate. The analysis is much more in-depth than pure density and income city-wide.

They analyze locations of competing stores, income levels at the Census block/tract or zip code level, buying habits based on consumer research, etc. All of that data is available from 3rd party analysts in neat packages. Large chains, probably even smaller, regional chains as well, use this data all the time to research new corporate or franchise locations.

I've been researching things like this for other work reasons lately, and I'd bet we meet the qualifications (as others have noted) in the Classen Curve area...

No offense, but this topic is beginning to bore me. This Whole Foods store may be one of the worst kept secrets in town ... I hear some PR people may be too clever for their own good.

Steve,

Can you actually confirm that this is indeed happening?

just wanted to share some information i put together for a project.

How recent is your data? You may also want to keep in mind you are comparing OKC to well established, larger markets with a long history of corporate residents. OKC has been making some serious inroads since 2001. Heck, look at the per capita income of OKC in those days compared to 2008.

They're hard at work tearing down the building adjacent to the recently demolished Hahn-Cook building. There's a lot of land in that block and it all belongs to Aubrey.

I say we follow them on twitter and bombard them with OKC requests!!!

I've seen GIS-assisted demos of how grocery stores locate. The analysis is much more in-depth than pure density and income city-wide.

They analyze locations of competing stores, income levels at the Census block/tract or zip code level, buying habits based on consumer research, etc. All of that data is available from 3rd party analysts in neat packages. Large chains, probably even smaller, regional chains as well, use this data all the time to research new corporate or franchise locations.

I've been researching things like this for other work reasons lately, and I'd bet we meet the qualifications (as others have noted) in the Classen Curve area...

I'm aware of that but was trying to keep it basic as not to bore experts like Steve. I do Marketing & PR for a good sized regional company that adds locations frequently, I'm quite aware of the thought process that goes into it, but yes you are correct, traffic counts, buying patterns, competitors (although some companies look at it from opposite spectrums, ie Walgreens/CVS), the list goes on. I'm anxious for the 2010 data to be calculated, but that probably won't be released until 2011 or 2012.


I say we follow them on twitter and bombard them with OKC requests!!!

Agreed. I've been doing it regularly and encouraging my followers to RT. The other day I tweeted a link to the article about OKC being the #2 Metro in the U.S. with the highest level of income increase. Bombard them with social media until they make an official announcement. Believe it or not, but there is power in this and does put pressure on retailers to deliver some sort of statement.

Steve,

Can you actually confirm that this is indeed happening?

Several very good sources have told me and others it is happening. But neither Whole Foods or Chesapeake are willing yet to comment. So I'll leave it to each of you to make your own conclusions.

I'm in Denver all week. As Lord Helmet pointed out, there are 3 frickin' Whole Foods in about a 10 mile radius, about 7 total throughout the metro area (not counting the 4 in Boulder that I saw). Boulder is tiny! 4???? Absolutely ludicrous. I know I know, everyone up there is granola, yada yada. Just went food shopping, I'm eating well this week :-)

Why lord, why why why????? Just ONE in OKC. One! We don't ask for much. <points angry fists at sky>Some of the locations in Denver and I think all of them in Boulder were part of the Wild Oat's chain that Whole Foods acquired, just like the Tulsa WF location. Wild Oat's was based in Boulder. We only have two Whole Foods in Austin (Downtown and North Austin) and this is their HQ city.