So I went by just about an hour ago and saw no Chuck at all on the shelves. Apparently it's not in Oklahoma for the present time, and the clerk wasn't sure why. Anyone know?

So I went by just about an hour ago and saw no Chuck at all on the shelves. Apparently it's not in Oklahoma for the present time, and the clerk wasn't sure why. Anyone know?

maybe just not in stock right now for whatever reason? i could have sworn it was there last time i was there at the end of october

I don't know about this particular case but TJ's is famous for constantly running out of things, especially this time of year.

If you're into Chuck at TJ's, check out any of the wine selection at Aldi.

maybe just not in stock right now for whatever reason? i could have sworn it was there last time i was there at the end of october
Bought some there a week or so ago

If you're into Chuck at TJ's, check out any of the wine selection at Aldi.

I saw that; it looks legit!

I got y'all about the running out of things, too. Still new to TJs.

Is the current version Charles Shaw? I saw that in stock at an amazing price, maybe they sold all.

I thought 2 buck chuck couldn't be sold here because of some new distribution law that was passed when we voted to modernize? I don't know details...

I thought 2 buck chuck couldn't be sold here because of some new distribution law that was passed when we voted to modernize? I don't know details...
It’s now $2.99 and sold here.

I got some about a month ago. They must just be sold out being the holidays.

It's a mystery. I have a couple bottles ready to go, at least (Shiraz '15 and Red Blend '16), but I need to get after them before long; i understand that Chuck just doesn't cellar well!

I really ought to have been diligent and sought a manager, but I was in the midst of errands. It's the weirdest thing; I saw the bottles in there a couple weeks ago, a bunch of them! And now they're gone, their space replaced with box wine and another brand at 3.99.

I know with Aldi they haven't gotten everything in they will carry. they have a 2.99 Malbec I wanna try that was tagged when they set up but hasn't been stocked.

My wife and I have been working our way through the 'higher end' Aldi wine (basically, the $6-$9 bottles) and while I do not have the most discerning of palates when it comes to wine, we haven't been disappointed.

The warehouse that serves the metro Aldi stores has serious issues. Often something that was advertised as a weekly special isn't stocked until a week or two later. I thought it might just be the Yukon location, but actually the reason I was happy it was built is this was an on-going issue at the 23rd and MacArthur location, and I've seen the same with the new one in Mayfair, and 59th and May. The manager of the Yukon store gave me the number to customer service, which swore up and down they show the item in stock at the store. When I responded I'm right here at the store and the manager said nobody there has seen it, customer service put me on hold and then hung up on me. It's not a matter of selling out before I get there, and multiple stores have given me the "we never saw it" story, so something is breaking down somewhere between the warehouse and the stores, but customer service doesn't seem to care.

Of course, I could always call the store before I head out there, to see if it is in stock...but Aldi doesn't publish the store numbers.

The warehouse that serves the metro Aldi stores has serious issues. Often something that was advertised as a weekly special isn't stocked until a week or two later. I thought it might just be the Yukon location, but actually the reason I was happy it was built is this was an on-going issue at the 23rd and MacArthur location, and I've seen the same with the new one in Mayfair, and 59th and May. The manager of the Yukon store gave me the number to customer service, which swore up and down they show the item in stock at the store. When I responded I'm right here at the store and the manager said nobody there has seen it, customer service put me on hold and then hung up on me. It's not a matter of selling out before I get there, and multiple stores have given me the "we never saw it" story, so something is breaking down somewhere between the warehouse and the stores, but customer service doesn't seem to care.

Of course, I could always call the store before I head out there, to see if it is in stock...but Aldi doesn't publish the store numbers.

Yah they don't publish numbers or operate that way at all. they are bare bones and don't waste much time with phone calls and inquiries. I have always kind of took it as "what is here is here" I guess I have never had that level of frustration because I don't look at their online ad and plan by that. I tend to go to Aldi at least once a week and outside of my normal list I just kind of look at what is new in the seasonal stuff. I enjoy the rotating stock of season items.

Was in on Sunday and noticed they had the Charles Shaw wine (2-buck chuck) back in full stock.

It actually goes for $2.99 now.

Yeah, it's like the Subway 'footlong'. It's just a marketing term, not an actual description.

Well, I stopped by last night to get a case of 2 buck and not only could I not find cases, but couldn't even locate bottles on the shelf. So, I asked for assistance and it happened to be the manager. I asked if they were out and he said, "actually it's a bit darker than that..." Then he explained that the new law actually had a provision in it that requires any proprietary brands to be provided for other local sellers to sell as well. So if TJs wants to sell 2 Buck they must also provide it to any other retailer that wants to sell it, and those other retailers can sell it at any price they want. Her said that they've been in touch with legislators already about possibly getting it changed, but we all know how that'll go...

They had it just a week ago when I was in there. Strange.

I'd really like to see the relevant section that requires store brands to be offered to others. If that was in there and the people who didn't want the law passed didn't use it in their arsenal, that was an insane missed opportunity. I'd also like more information about said requirement. Does it set the price it is made available to others? A store/proprietary brand wouldn't really have a 'wholesale' price, would it?

I think there's something else going on, considering I've seen it there too. I've also seen them out of something quite a lot, and I think it's pretty general knowledge that some things, if you're not there at the very moment they're stocking the shelves you're not getting it, just like Pete said upthread.

That must not apply to beer. Their "Simple Time" Lager and Pilsner are $2.99 and taste about as good ast the $8.99 to $10.99 six packs.

Best time to go to TJ for product availability is when the first open in the a.m.

Well, I stopped by last night to get a case of 2 buck and not only could I not find cases, but couldn't even locate bottles on the shelf. So, I asked for assistance and it happened to be the manager. I asked if they were out and he said, "actually it's a bit darker than that..." Then he explained that the new law actually had a provision in it that requires any proprietary brands to be provided for other local sellers to sell as well. So if TJs wants to sell 2 Buck they must also provide it to any other retailer that wants to sell it, and those other retailers can sell it at any price they want. Her said that they've been in touch with legislators already about possibly getting it changed, but we all know how that'll go...

Without knowing all of the backend taxation - If there is a wholesaler involved, there will be lost profits with the middle man, but you can still gain a lot of marketshare which is worth something. I don't think it would be hard for them to sell it
to the wholesaler for $15.00/bottle, buy it back for $15.15/bottle and sell it on their own shelves at $3.99.

Of course, though I cannot remember at present I think it also may be illegal to sell at under wholesale pricing.

It's surely all very complicated.

After decades of going and loving TJ's, tonight I had my first bad experience.

Was in there about 6:30 this Thursday night and their entire frozen foods case was way, way picked over.

In fact, 3 of the 5 or so things I was looking to buy were completely gone, and I could see a bunch of others were gone too and most the remainder were sold way down.

I mentioned it to two employees and both just said, "Yeah, we are pretty empty today". They said they typically get new items every night but how the heck can you be out of so many things on an early evening in the middle of the week? No way did they have some sort of crazy daytime rush. They weren't even especially busy when I was there.

It could be as simple as having only 2 stores in the entire state and thus having a hard time getting timely resupplies.

I would see this happen in California stores with one or two items, but those stores would get at least 5x the business and I have never seen anything like I saw tonight.

If it happens to me again, I'll have to think twice before making a special trip over there.

Well, I stopped by last night to get a case of 2 buck and not only could I not find cases, but couldn't even locate bottles on the shelf. So, I asked for assistance and it happened to be the manager. I asked if they were out and he said, "actually it's a bit darker than that..." Then he explained that the new law actually had a provision in it that requires any proprietary brands to be provided for other local sellers to sell as well. So if TJs wants to sell 2 Buck they must also provide it to any other retailer that wants to sell it, and those other retailers can sell it at any price they want. Her said that they've been in touch with legislators already about possibly getting it changed, but we all know how that'll go...

The new laws have nothing to do with it... It’s always been this way. Wines can only be bought from licensed Oklahoma wholesales and they can’t discriminate or pick and choose who they sale it to. It’s also the same price per case no matter who buys it. It’s a very good law especially now that wine is available in grocery stores. It makes all retailers compete on price. Walmart is now the largest wine retailer in the state by far and if it wasn’t for this law, they could use their buying power to force exclusive agreements on all the top selling wines and set the price wherever they wanted.

After decades of going and loving TJ's, tonight I had my first bad experience.

Was in there about 6:30 this Thursday night and their entire frozen foods case was way, way picked over.

In fact, 3 of the 5 or so things I was looking to buy were completely gone, and I could see a bunch of others were gone too and most the remainder were sold way down.

I mentioned it to two employees and both just said, "Yeah, we are pretty empty today". They said they typically get new items every night but how the heck can you be out of so many things on an early evening in the middle of the week? No way did they have some sort of crazy daytime rush. They weren't even especially busy when I was there.

It could be as simple as having only 2 stores in the entire state and thus having a hard time getting timely resupplies.

I would see this happen in California stores with one or two items, but those stores would get at least 5x the business and I have never seen anything like I saw tonight.

If it happens to me again, I'll have to think twice before making a special trip over there.I had this happen to me a couple months ago. They told me a truck was coming that night. I went back a couple days later and it was well stocked. Still very annoying.

I did go back just a couple of days later and 2 of the 3 things I wanted were re-stocked but the whole freezer case still looked pretty sold down, and this was early in the evening.

I haven't been to Trader Joe's since the pandemic hit. Does anyone know if the line to get in is still wrapped around the building? Thanks.

I haven't been to Trader Joe's since the pandemic hit. Does anyone know if the line to get in is still wrapped around the building? Thanks.

It generally is not. They've upped the capacity that is allowed in the store at one time.

The last two times I was there, I walked straight in. But that may be different at peak weekend times.

Also, for a while TJ's didn't want you to bring in your own bag.

But on my last visit, they said shoppers are free to do that once again.

Time for another Trader Joe's

When are we going to get another Trader Joe’s further north?

When are we going to get another Trader Joe’s further north?

Not anytime soon. The demographics just don’t support it, especially at this point in the cycle.

Not anytime soon. The demographics just don’t support it, especially at this point in the cycle.
I beg to differ. A Trader Joe’s in Edmond would absolutely kill it. I bet Norman-Moore area with SW OKC would support one as well.

^

As with all retailers, it's not just a matter of if a new store will generate good business.

They are constantly making decisions about which locations to prioritize. And if you've been anywhere near a TJ's in California, you'll know they are slammed every hour of every day. There were 2 of them within a few minutes of my suburban house and they were always crazy busy; much more so than the one here. When a third was opened even closer, it was equally busy and the others remained the same.

They can only add so many stores at any given time and I'm sure they just have a lot of higher priorities.

Have you heard any rumblings about a new TJ in the metro? I’m also curious about how the one in NH has been performing? If it is like many other new to market retailers it should be a high performance store that would surely capture the attention of executives.

Have you heard any rumblings about a new TJ in the metro?

No.

Nor in Tulsa, which actually opened before in OKC.


I don't think we'll see another TJ's in the state for a long time. Just like there is no real movement on adding another Whole Foods in the metro (at least as far as I can tell in talking to developers and brokers).

Also, for a while TJ's didn't want you to bring in your own bag.

But on my last visit, they said shoppers are free to do that once again.

i noticed that sprouts still does something similar... they have a sign saying not to put your bag on the conveyer. after scanning your items, they will put them in a cart so that you can fill your bag there.

I noticed that the food sample station at the back of the store has been done away with. Not sure if that was from COVID-19 or all of the listeria recalls.

i noticed that sprouts still does something similar... they have a sign saying not to put your bag on the conveyer. after scanning your items, they will put them in a cart so that you can fill your bag there.

which is now silly ... since we have learned more about covid (it doesn't transfer from surfaces )

which is now silly ... since we have learned more about covid (it doesn't transfer from surfaces )

that was back in april... i don't recall if the signs are still up. but, yeah, even then it was a bit of a stretch in logic. i want to say that they filled customer's bags like normal the last time i went around 2 weeks ago... but i wasn't paying close attention.

My guess about the bags is that not all people keep a clean house. Ie someone emptied their bags and left them on the floor. Floor covered in dog hair and who knows what else. Now bags taken back to store and they dont want someones pet hair and .... on their convaier and register area or want to touch it . Ops fluffy had an accident on the bag. Yahh some people are gross and dont mind things like that. Cashiers dont want to touch other peoples gross stuff.

I was told the OKC Trader Joe's did $40 million in revenue last year.

As good as it is doing, I'm surprised they haven't opened up a couple more locations.


I was in there around 5PM last Friday, which is about as busy as it gets. But they had all checkout lanes open and I breezed right through there. They do such a great job.

how does 40M rank among their stores?

how does 40M rank among their stores?

Not sure but they did about $13.3B in revenue divided by 530 stores which equals a $25 million average.

I was told the OKC Trader Joe's did $40 million in revenue last year.

As good as it is doing, I'm surprised they haven't opened up a couple more locations.


I was in there around 5PM last Friday, which is about as busy as it gets. But they had all checkout lanes open and I breezed right through there. They do such a great job.

I know there are a plethora of reasons why it would never set up shop there, but the new Mayfair would be a cool place for TJ's if/when it's finished.

I'd love a location southside/moore/or Norman. Too far for me to go very often.

how does 40M rank among their stores?

Can’t speak for TJ but a steady traditional (say like a Homeland) 30-40,000 square foot grocer will do 18 million a year. A busy one a little bigger can do 20-25 million.

We never get out of TJ's without spending at least $60-80 and that's just stopping in for a handful of products we like and impulse purchases.

I wish they would build one in far NW OKC or far West Edmond.

Interesting. That's roughly $136,000 a day. Not exactly chump change.

If you happen to be in there just before they get the trucks to replenish their stock, you'll get some idea how much inventory they go through in a day or two.

I've seen the large majority of their frozen items completely sold out. It's common for them to be out of all types of things.

Then the trucks roll in, they stock up and it begins again, truckload after truckload.

If you happen to be in there just before they get the trucks to replenish their stock, you'll get some idea how much inventory they go through in a day or two.

I've seen the large majority of their frozen items completely sold out. It's common for them to be out of all types of things.

Then the trucks roll in, they stock up and it begins again, truckload after truckload.Yes, it's unreal. We don't go to TJ's that often but when we do we stock up. But if we hit it at the wrong time we nearly come back empty handed and end up making a second trip the next day or so and like magic we get nearly everything else!

I'd love a location southside/moore/or Norman. Too far for me to go very often.

A store on the southside would do very well. I've heard a lot of people say they don't go to TJs or Whole Foods because they are too far north. At least we have Sprouts and Natural Grocers. Both stores seem to be doing very well.

This has been posted a few times on an Edmond Facebook page. But by Carol Hefner that I think is the same “Carol Hefner” from the mayor election :rolleyes::rolleyes:
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This has been posted a few times on an Edmond Facebook page. But by Carol Hefner that I think is the same “Carol Hefner” from the mayor election :rolleyes::rolleyes:
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It''s the old Westlake Ace Hardware location at Danforth and Kelly. I think the Sprouts on 2nd Street fits more of what TJ's goes after for walkability with its location close to Downtown Edmond and UCO. HOWEVER, the Danforth and Kelly shopping center does fit the frugality of being in the "cheaper" area of a high income place. That shopping center is older and just south of a very nice Kelly/Covell corner...and the space available would be just right for a TJ sized store.

This has been posted a few times on an Edmond Facebook page. But by Carol Hefner that I think is the same “Carol Hefner” from the mayor election :rolleyes::rolleyes:
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Her father owns several strip centers. She might actually know.

I don't understand her post...

It sounds like she is hoping they sign a deal at North Oaks and is trying to get the City of Edmond to help somehow?

Later in the comments she states that TJ rep called her and is actually interested..?

Later in the comments she states that TJ rep called her and is actually interested..?

She states they own the center in one of her comments.

Later in the comments she states that TJ rep called her and is actually interested..?Wow. There might not be a worse way to handle that as a property owner than to blast it on social media. Assuming they did call and express interest, they probably called 5-10 centers in Edmond (and potentially even Norman, or for NW OKC, and who knows where else) to gather information, and will analyze it. Then narrow it down to 2-3 and try to negotiate. Or drop it if their analytics aren't met. But blasting info online doesn't endear you to corporate reps.