Has anyone heard rumors of a Whole Foods opening in Norman? A friend told me that, during his last visit to the WF in OKC a week ago, an employee said that Norman would get a WF. He even mentioned an opening date, although I do not remember when it is. Sunflower Market and Crest Foods are on my radar, but not Whole Foods. If you've heard something, please post.

It seems like Norman would need a higher per capita income to support a Whole Foods.

Norman needs many more high wage jobs.
The City of Norman needs to work harder than they have in the past to attract these good jobs.

It seems like Norman would need a higher per capita income to support a Whole Foods.

Norman needs many more high wage jobs.
The City of Norman needs to work harder than they have in the past to attract these good jobs.

OKC has one, and the per capita income is much higher in Norman.

Rumors of this have been mentioned in other threads on this board. No one seems to know definitively though. I have not seen any mention of this in the media.

OKC has one, and the per capita income is much higher in Norman.

I betcha that if you take the land area associated with that of Norman and apply it to Oklahoma City with the center being Whole Foods, that OKC's per capita would blow away Norman's...just saying.

OKC has one, and the per capita income is much higher in Norman.

OKC has a much larger population base to draw from and even then they received special CHK incentives…..There aren’t enough high income people in Norman right now.
Besides there would be a decent amount of people in Norman who would avoid this Austin Texas based chain.

OKC has a much larger population base to draw from and even then they received special CHK incentives…..There aren’t enough high income people in Norman right now.
Besides there would be a decent amount of people in Norman who would avoid this Austin Texas based chain.

I see we agree.

Besides there would be a decent amount of people in Norman who would avoid this Austin Texas based chain.

You mean like they are with Chuy's? :rolleyes:

You mean like they are with Chuy's? :rolleyes:

Norman has plenty of well-established Tex Mex places and this Chuy’s location is not a particularly good one.
I would be surprised to see them last more than 3 years.

Besides there would be a decent amount of people in Norman who would avoid this Austin Texas based chain.
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. So Norman folks also don't buy Dell computers? The fact that some OU fans might avoid a business that is based out of Austin is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Well, besides the okctalk food thread that said people here would avoid Longhorn Steakhouse because of the name. That's taking fanaticism to another level

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. So Norman folks also don't buy Dell computers? The fact that some OU fans might avoid a business that is based out of Austin is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Well, besides the okctalk food thread that said people here would avoid Longhorn Steakhouse because of the name. That's taking fanaticism to another level

I agree about the ridiculousness. We don't avoid Texadelphia and it's another Austin based chain.
As far as whole foods, it seems like Norman might already be saturated with health food/green type food stores. We already have a Natural Foods, which is very much a smaller version of Whole Foods plus Homeland invested heavy into their organics, plus added specialty cheese and fruit bars.

As if that's not enough we also have local favorites Dodson's, Native Roots, the Earth, and Forward Foods, long time organic and green food sources. For those who don't know, Suzy from Forward Foods won 1st Place at the Cheesemonger Convention in New York City, competing against specialty food stores from all over the country.

As far as the PCI income of Norman, if you factor out the students (who most likely won't be Whole Foods customers) Norman fares very well against Oklahoma City and Edmond.

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. So Norman folks also don't buy Dell computers? The fact that some OU fans might avoid a business that is based out of Austin is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Well, besides the okctalk food thread that said people here would avoid Longhorn Steakhouse because of the name. That's taking fanaticism to another level


I agree. I'm an OU grad, and I am currently typing on a Dell. And I never been to Chuy's in Norman, but I went in Dallas and thought that they serve some of the better tex-mex I've eaten. So, not all of us OU guys are crazy enough about OU football to avoid all things Austin. Some of the best pizza I've eaten was in Austin. But, won't ever go to Longhorn Steakhouse again, not b/c of the name but b/c it sucked the one time I went.

Norman could very well support a Whole Foods, but I'm happier to see a Sunflower Market coming soon.

Norman could very well support a Whole Foods, but I'm happier to see a Sunflower Market coming soon.

Wasn't Sunflower Market supposed to occupy the former Hobby Lobby/OU architecture location on Main? I don't see any activity related to Sunflower market there. I wonder if they decided the Norman market was already at the upper limits? I would be very surprised if WF came to Norman although I would love it.

I bet that Sunflower is being delayed because that store will just go ahead and take on the Sprouts name when it opens (they announced a merger a few months ago).

Norman could stand to become a bit more like Austin, and that's coming from an OU graduate. I've been to Chuy's more times than I can count since it opened... the parking lot is still packed and the wait pretty long during peak times. Texas businesses do very well here. I think a lot of that is because there is a huge Texas ex-pat population in Norman. It's why Rudy's and pretty much all the Texas chains seem to start in Norman before moving into greater OKC. They'll be fine.

If Whole Foods opens in Norman I think a lot of people would make it their main store because it's truly a one-stop. Why go to Forward Foods, Native Roots, Dodson's, and Homeland when you can just go to Whole Foods and get everything you need. I'm a supporter of local business, but when they're not providing what people want and are like a deer staring into the headlights of an approaching supermarket onslaught they need to adapt or go away. Sorry.

Besides there would be a decent amount of people in Norman who would avoid this Austin Texas based chain.

Uh
Austin > Norman

OKC has a much larger population base to draw from and even then they received special CHK incentives…..There aren’t enough high income people in Norman right now.
Besides there would be a decent amount of people in Norman who would avoid this Austin Texas based chain.

Come on now, That would be like OU fans not setting foot in a Whataburger because their colors are orange and white.

Come on now, That would be like OU fans not setting foot in a Whataburger because their colors are orange and white.

OMG. I never thought about that. No more Whataburgers for me.

Come on now, That would be like OU fans not setting foot in a Whataburger because their colors are orange and white.

That happens all the time.
I happen to know someone very well who once knew a member of the corporate management of the Whataburger chain.
Their orange was inspired by UT.
As the saying goes, nothing good comes in orange.

Norman could stand to become a bit more like Austin, and that's coming from an OU graduate. I've been to Chuy's more times than I can count since it opened... the parking lot is still packed and the wait pretty long during peak times. Texas businesses do very well here. I think a lot of that is because there is a huge Texas ex-pat population in Norman. It's why Rudy's and pretty much all the Texas chains seem to start in Norman before moving into greater OKC. They'll be fine.

If Whole Foods opens in Norman I think a lot of people would make it their main store because it's truly a one-stop. Why go to Forward Foods, Native Roots, Dodson's, and Homeland when you can just go to Whole Foods and get everything you need. I'm a supporter of local business, but when they're not providing what people want and are like a deer staring into the headlights of an approaching supermarket onslaught they need to adapt or go away. Sorry.


There is a huge Texas ex-pat population in the Norman area.
I know Austin has some very nice qualities but I would never want Norman / OU to become anything like the Austin / UT culture.

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. So Norman folks also don't buy Dell computers? The fact that some OU fans might avoid a business that is based out of Austin is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Well, besides the okctalk food thread that said people here would avoid Longhorn Steakhouse because of the name. That's taking fanaticism to another level
Apparently you have never consorted with people such as players, coaches and others who take their football seriously. Not all at OU avoid them by any means but I do know plenty of OU people who won’t buy a Dell product and other products from Austin based enterprises…. You need to get out more and out of the Stillwater strip mind set because it actually happens a lot.

As far as the PCI income of Norman, if you factor out the students (who most likely won't be Whole Foods customers) Norman fares very well against Oklahoma City and Edmond.

But there are a much greater number of high income people in OKC area than in Norman.
That’s the difference.

That happens all the time.
I happen to know someone very well who once knew a member of the corporate management of the Whataburger chain.
Their orange was inspired by UT.
As the say goes, nothing good comes in orange.

Hey Whataburger makes a pretty damn good hamburger for a fast food joint if you ask me. Back to topic though, Where would Whole Foods go if they did come to Norman?

Hey Whataburger makes a pretty damn good hamburger for a fast food joint if you ask me. Back to topic though, Where would Whole Foods go if they did come to Norman?

It’s not a bad fast food burger.
I have been given many, many coupons for a free Whataburger, but they are not very healthy…. so I avoid them when I can.

Back to topic though, Where would Whole Foods go if they did come to Norman?

Personally, I'd like to see one go in UNP. Probably a pipe dream, though.

Wasn't Sunflower Market supposed to occupy the former Hobby Lobby/OU architecture location on Main? I don't see any activity related to Sunflower market there. I wonder if they decided the Norman market was already at the upper limits? I would be very surprised if WF came to Norman although I would love it.

The Sunflower market is going to open in the old Hobby Lobby location, they have been working on the interior of said building for at least the past 3 weeks.

The Sunflower market is going to open in the old Hobby Lobby location, they have been working on the interior of said building for at least the past 3 weeks.

by the time it opens I think it will be called sprouts

Apparently you have never consorted with people such as players, coaches and others who take their football seriously. Not all at OU avoid them by any means but I do know plenty of OU people who won’t buy a Dell product and other products from Austin based enterprises…. You need to get out more and out of the Stillwater strip mind set because it actually happens a lot.

Yet these are probably the same people who buy an officially licensed Longhorn sticker to turn upside down on their car.

Sorry, but to avoid businesses that are based out your rival schools city is just absurd. That's when you know you let college football run too much of your life.

Yet these are probably the same people who buy an officially licensed Longhorn sticker to turn upside down on their car.

Sorry, but to avoid businesses that are based out your rival schools city is just absurd. That's when you know you let college football run too much of your life.

This

Yet these are probably the same people who buy an officially licensed Longhorn sticker to turn upside down on their car.

Sorry, but to avoid businesses that are based out your rival schools city is just absurd. That's when you know you let college football run too much of your life.

None of the OU fans that I know who won’t buy Austin based products aren’t about to buy a Longhorn sticker and put it upside down because they know that UT receives a royalty from the sale of such merchandise. Doing what you suggested would be hypocritical.
Again you need to get out more and discover there are normal people who have more passion for their sport than you know. While I don’t take it that far, its all part of the spectacle to enjoy. Where I draw a line is the physical fights that were once fairly common between the 2 fan basses. Things are far calmer than 30, 40, 50, 60 years ago.

Uh
Austin > Norman

Uh
based on SOME priority scales... on others the opposite is true.

I drove past Sunflower today and there is activity going on there. It appeared there was some electrical work going on on the Gray side of the building.

Uh
based on SOME priority scales... on others the opposite is true.

Sadly, if the priority scale is development, then Austin has all of the shops I am wanting and almost all of the ones we have talked about in the UNP thread.

Oh yeah and of course Whole Foods is headquartered in Austin.

When I was at Whole Foods a few weeks ago, the cashier said that they were scouting a location in either Edmond or Norman... Too bad Edmond is where the money is... but maybe they might put one in Norman? They might attract the college crowd but probably not enough money... I really hope they open a store here... Better yet, I hope Trader Joes opens a store in OKC metro somewhere...

There is a lot of money in Norman too, a Whole Foods on the west side of town would do well...

Wealth is far more concentrated in Edmond than Norman.

Edmond has 10,000 households with an income of at least 100K, while Norman has 7,000. That's excluding the areas of OKC proper assigned to Edmond zip codes. This despite the fact that there is nearly 30K more people in Norman.

I would bet money WF at least announces an Edmond/Far North OKC location in the next 18 months. Broke college kids in Norman may have "crunchy" tastes but certainly lack the funds.

Wealth is far more concentrated in Edmond than Norman.

Edmond has 10,000 households with an income of at least 100K, while Norman has 7,000. That's excluding the areas of OKC proper assigned to Edmond zip codes. This despite the fact that there is nearly 30K more people in Norman.

I would bet money WF at least announces an Edmond/Far North OKC location in the next 18 months. Broke college kids in Norman may have "crunchy" tastes but certainly lack the funds.

Edmond's population is equally spread out as Norman. Furthermore, culturally Norman is more conducive to supporting a Whole Foods than Edmond. In the end, I imagine both cities will have one, but don't count out Norman.

Also, the "broke college kid" persona is dwindling. While OU has a significant number of non-traditional students and traditional students with limited means, those with expendable income are significant in number and are often not counted in the census numbers.

I don't see why there shouldn't be one in both Norman and Edmond. IMO the metro can support 3 Whole Foods' for 1.3 million people. Tulsa, with just under a million metro-wide, will have a second Whole Foods by this time next year (currently under construction).

When I was at Whole Foods a few weeks ago, the cashier said that they were scouting a location in either Edmond or Norman... Too bad Edmond is where the money is... but maybe they might put one in Norman? They might attract the college crowd but probably not enough money... I really hope they open a store here... Better yet, I hope Trader Joes opens a store in OKC metro somewhere...

This was confirmed months ago in the main WF thread.

Not sure when, or if Norman will get a Whole Foods, but the new Sprouts/Sunflower Market should open in a few months. I personally prefer Spouts over Whole Foods any day.

Also, the "broke college kid" persona is dwindling. While OU has a significant number of non-traditional students and traditional students with limited means, those with expendable income are significant in number and are often not counted in the census numbers.

Exactly. I just graduated from ou (still live in norman for grad school), and I guarantee you that there are plenty of students who will shop there. Granted, they may not go and spend 350 dollars like a mother of 3, but they will buy enough to make an impact. Lots of students here at OU have plenty of money. Granted, there are those who don't, but its not like some people may think.

I go there all the time and bring up friends all the time. They love it! Widh sunflower/sprouts opens soon. Would be nice to have a trader joes...

It's possible to control spending at Whole Foods. You can buy portions that fit exactly what you need, unlike other stores, where they sell "family packs" for everything. Personally, I would rather buy better stuff in smaller quantities.

Also, young folks spend more money on food, drink and entertainment per capita than any other demographic. As an OU grad, also, I can attest that there are a ton of rich kids going to school there.

It's possible to control spending at Whole Foods. You can buy portions that fit exactly what you need, unlike other stores, where they sell "family packs" for everything. Personally, I would rather buy better stuff in smaller quantities.

Also, young folks spend more money on food, drink and entertainment per capita than any other demographic. As an OU grad, also, I can attest that there are a ton of rich kids going to school there.


If you count young urban professionals as "young folks," then I agree with you. If you're just talking about college kids, then absolutely no way that is accurate. There were plenty of rich kids around when I was at OU, but I wasn't one of them and I definitely wouldn't be shopping there. In fact, I think even some of the kids that come from money would still opt or Wal-Mart, Crest, Sprouts, or whatever is available and cheaper than Whole Foods. I bet it's a small percentage of kids who come from money that get an unlimited spending account from their parents. Even rich kids need to learn to be thrifty while in college.

If you count young urban professionals as "young folks," then I agree with you. If you're just talking about college kids, then absolutely no way that is accurate. There were plenty of rich kids around when I was at OU, but I wasn't one of them and I definitely wouldn't be shopping there. In fact, I think even some of the kids that come from money would still opt or Wal-Mart, Crest, Sprouts, or whatever is available and cheaper than Whole Foods. I bet it's a small percentage of kids who come from money that get an unlimited spending account from their parents. Even rich kids need to learn to be thrifty while in college.

You should spend a day or two on OU's campus and you'll see it's different.

My husband works for 7-11 and he can tell you, there are quite a lot of rich college kids in Norman. There are plenty of broke ones too, but they're not all broke!

I sort of like the idea of a Whole Foods in Norman, but I also like places like Forward Foods...

But there are a much greater number of high income people in OKC area than in Norman.
That’s the difference.

Greater number, absolutely, and Whole Foods on the edge of Nichols Hills is geographically located near many high income households.
But, if you go by percentages of total population and driving distances to a store, then Norman compares very favorably to OKC.
Edmond may have an even greater concentration of higher income households but I suspect many Edmond folks are currently utilizing
the WF market on Western as they commute from work back to home.

Whole Foods would be hugely successful in the new shopping center. Especially with the new overpass from west Norman. There are lots of upscale people in Norman who hit up Whole Foods when they are in OKC.

I don't expect Whole Foods to be coming to Norman any time soon. That said, I think a potential site would be in the area of NW36 and Rock Creek.

I don't expect Whole Foods to be coming to Norman any time soon. That said, I think a potential site would be in the area of NW36 and Rock Creek.

Somewhere at the south end of UNP at 24th & Robinson is better IMO, close to the west side and still not far from central Norman (both locations will have equal numbers of WF shoppers).

That happens all the time.
I happen to know someone very well who once knew a member of the corporate management of the Whataburger chain.
Their orange was inspired by UT.
As the saying goes, nothing good comes in orange.

If you will look at the entrance to the Norman store you will see a Crimson stripe in observance of OU.

If you will look at the entrance to the Norman store you will see a Crimson stripe in observance of OU.

So I have been told…. They are also sponsors of some OU athletic events.

Personally I'd love to see a Whole Foods in Norman.

They also have the Crimson Stripe in Moore as well.

whole foods screwed the pooch and decided against norman, went to okc instead. big mistake in my eyes. natural foods are hot in this university town..

Whole Foods did not make a mistake in going to OKC first. Their business is booming and way above their expectations.

whole foods screwed the pooch and decided against norman, went to okc instead. big mistake in my eyes. natural foods are hot in this university town..

I think Norman needs a Whole Foods, but the OKC Whole Foods has been wildly successful, so your argument is screwy.

With Tulsa's second Whole Foods opening this fall, I wonder if we will hear about a second OKC metro location soon? Hopefully it will be in Norman, though they have more competition now with Crest at 24th & Robinson opening next year, and newcomers Natural Grocers and Sunflower Market on Main.

Where would be the best location for a new Whole Foods in Norman? I originally said the south end of UNP but not anymore with Crest going in there, plus SuperTarget and Homeland nearby. West side most likely. A dark horse would be the NW corner of Lindsey & Berry in place of the strip center and gas station which would be close to some of central Norman's nicest neighborhoods.

With Tulsa's second Whole Foods opening this fall, I wonder if we will hear about a second OKC metro location soon? Hopefully it will be in Norman, though they have more competition now with Crest at 24th & Robinson opening next year, and newcomers Natural Grocers and Sunflower Market on Main.

Where would be the best location for a new Whole Foods in Norman? I originally said the south end of UNP but not anymore with Crest going in there, plus SuperTarget and Homeland nearby. West side most likely. A dark horse would be the NW corner of Lindsey & Berry in place of the strip center and gas station which would be close to some of central Norman's nicest neighborhoods.

If they come to Norman I think they should definitely try to go with an urban setting and try Central Norman...either Downtown or like you mentioned on Lindsey. There is a lot of high dollar homes in that area and property values keep increasing in that area. It would definitely help spur additional urban development there with a new pedestrian and bike friendly Lindsey.

Some design ideas...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/943054_582640648436413_1777772991_n.jpg

http://bettercities.net/sites/default/files/1700DukeSt.jpg

http://www.dccondoboutique.com/images/whole_foods_p_street_500.jpg