My point, exactly. I applaud Sunflower and what they offer but as a full service shopping destination, they won't work.

There are, imo, very few "full service shopping" destinations. . .there is usually something that I need that I can get somewhere else for less. . .lower prices on some things are offset by higher prices on others. Most places don't offer everything I want. Even before Sunflower /WF, I usually hit the grocery store at least twice during the week to get the best price and product. . .but it sure is great to have Sunflower/WF with their offerings. . .and be able to pickup a needed item (albiet at a higher price) if it's more convenient.

Are you buying things like staple goods, canned goods, drug department items as well? Are they as reasonable as other places like Crest or Walmart?

We aren't buying many of the HBA/Drug dept goods, but for all staples, canned good, etc yes we buy it all there. Now on a 1 to 1 item basis, most is not cheaper in unit prices but some of them are quite cheaper because as a smaller family (it's just me and my wife) we are able to buy 3 oz of something, instead of a 12 oz jar (that would go bad eventually anyway). I even got them to open a package of 2 lbs of ground pork and make me a package with only 1/2 pound in it because it was all we needed. Some things, like cereal, canned tomatos, sliced wheat bread, etc are about the same as Crest, others are a little more expensive. But on the whole our weekly grocery budget is the same and we're generally buying more natural food items and WAY processed foods (things I like but I'm glad to be without)

We found whole wheat seeded hamburger buns on Sunday. Maybe they were just out by the time you got there?
Follow up: Just got back from a Monday 3 pm shopping trip ... not crowded ... both the whole wheat seeded hamburger buns and the Mission medium chunky salsa were on the shelf. All is good.

Where do you normally buy these things, then? We bought shampoo and soap at Homeland yesterday; the price was about normal for those two items. Razors, however, I get at Sam's so I don't have to buy them often. They may not cost any less, but at least I have a bunch lol.

I don't have a normal routine for that. When I'm getting low on some of those type of things, I usually start comparing prices at various places before I need to purchase them and also scan all of the local ads for specials. I also factor in Homeland's policy of doubling coupons up to $1.00 when comparing prices. I won't drive a long distance to save a few cents but, as an example, I bought a small weekly bill of groceries at Homeland this week. I noticed in a CVS ad that they had milk on sale for $2.99 per gallon. The CVS was across the street from Homeland so I made a quick stop there as well and saved about $2.00. As I said, I like Sunflower and what they offer. They are only about two miles from me and if they have something that I want that's a good value, I'm very happy to buy it there.

Is there an ETA on when this is opening?

All the articles have said "early 2012" so they must be getting close.

Anybody been by that site lately?

I drove by a couple of days ago. The entire front of the store (what used to be the doors/windows) is boarded up with plywood so you can't tell what's happening inside. Also, the entire parking lot is full of trailers (like the 18 wheeler kind).

As of yesterday there was work being done on the exterior.

Their website now says opening March 28th.

I wonder if the Edmond location is going to have the same parking headaches as the OKC store along with union protesters?

What was the union protesting about?

What was the union protesting about?
The fact that they were not a union store, all the UFCW cares about is increasing membership.

I'm hearing it will open in March.

I'm hearing it will open in March.

Yep. http://www.sunflowermarkets.com/StoreLocator.aspx


Their website now says opening March 28th.

Sunflower will be, at least I hope it will be, a great catalyst for downtown mixed-use infill. I think the city council needs help coming around to the idea that thier best chance for spurring long-lasting economic development is by investing in the downtown. The Edmond Ideas thread has some incredible ideas, which I plan to share with a council member or two soon. I think thier biggest hang ups are forces, called private developers, who are more-less begging them to invest millions into infrastructure at I-35 and Covell. I, for one, can see the appeal of hotels and restaurants out there, but in my mind, for my tax dollar, it doesn't compare to the potential in downtown. Perhaps if a well-respected, downtown MF housing developer approached the city with a project idea with images and investment estimates, it would make thier choice easier? What do you all think?

I have high hopes for the Sunflower Market also. I wish the UCO Jazz Lab/Hideaway complex was closer to the center of downtown. Imagine the possibilities had it been located between Broadway and UCO along Main Street. But I dont see any reason a similar development could not happen in the future.

I would love to move from the "edge" of Edmond to downtown. I drive around the area every now and then hoping to find th perfect property to buy and renovate or a vacant lot that would fit my desires and needs for my family's home.

There's a vacant building that looks like a former grocery store at the SE corner of Memorial and Bryant just east of Oklahoma Christian and I noticed there's many 18 wheeler trailers parked in the parking lot and the first thing that came to mind is the Sunflower Market that's being renovated in Edmond. When I went inside the convenience store on the corner another customer asked the cashier why all the trailers were in the parking lot and he said something about a new grocery store opening up. I know Sunflower stated they were scouting additional locations in the metro so this wouldn't surprise me if they're opening there.

That was an old IGA but I doubt Sunflower would be opening another location so close to the one at 2nd & Broadway.

But I hope you're right!

As Pete said, they are opening at 2nd, just east of Broadway, wouldn't make mch sense, although it is far enough apart to support another.

Yes, the Edmond location, at 2nd and Broadway, is almost complete and will be opening in March. I will be interested to see what other new grocery store might be going in that old location you mentioned. When we first moved here it was a Piggly Wiggly, but it closed not long after that.

Isn't Sunflower's business model to follow Whole Foods to new markets and quickly open and establish clientele before Whole Foods moves in? If so, does it mean that Whole Foods will be opening a store(s) in Edmond soon?

Now they need to hurry and get the Norman store open.

http://newsok.com/sunflower-farmers-market-plans-norman-store-opening-in-2013/article/3653431

John woods
Norman chamber of commerce

Excellent. DT Norman just needs a few condo and loft projects to really turn the corner, main street has really turned around the last 2 years.

Great news!

Awesome. Hopefully Whole Foods is next.

And right next to the Cellar so you don't have to worry about those pesky liquor laws. ;)

Hopefully we can finally see some upgrades to the areas on the east side of Downtown over to 12th. Its like you go from a very nice downtown area to near ghetto very quickly.

And right next to the Cellar so you don't have to worry about those pesky liquor laws. ;)

Except on Sundays

Sunflower Farmers Market and Sprouts Farmers Market are planning to merge.

http://1farmersmarket.ioocxray.com/1farmersmarket/welcome.html

Hmmm.... So if this goes through, everything will be converted to the Sprouts brand.

We have Sprouts here in California and they seem to be very, very similar to the Sunflower concept.

I'm sure the idea is to join forces and battle Whole Foods. WF has done a great job of blazing a trail but there is obviously plenty of room to undercut their prices.

BTW, because many like to claim all the national retailers come to Tulsa before OKC, it should be noted that Sunflower is now planning a third store in the area (Norman) and I don't believe they've announced any Tulsa plans as of yet.

I got to Sprouts here in Dallas, and I am a fan.

When we were back in Austin doing the last move The Sprouts in Sunset Valley by our house was closed, sign off the building and everything cleared out of the store. The Sunflower store is still open, we went there (or Central Market) more often than Whole Foods.

Here are a couple of articles from the Denver papers. Sunflower is based in Boulder and was started by one of the founders of Wild Oats.
Denver Business Journal - Sunflower Farmers Market to merge with rival Sprouts (http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2012/03/09/sunflower-farmers-market-to-merge-with.html)
Denver Post - Sunflower and Sprouts markets to merge (http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20139883/sunflower-and-sprouts-markets-merge)

Looks like it may happen.
http://newsok.com/sunflower-farmers-market-stores-in-the-oklahoma-city-metro-area-may-change-their-names/article/3656394?custom_click=pod_headline_national-finance-news

More discussion on this topic here:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=25405&page=10

From the SFM website it looks like April 4th is the grand opening. I am curious if it will still be names Sunflower Farmers Market or Sprouts?

I'm sure it will still be called Sunflower for the time being, as the merger is not finalized.

We were at OKC Sunflower Market last night, and there seemed to be a lot more employees in the store. Presumably, staff were being trained for the Edmond location. The new store will be fantastic for Edmond.

I drove by yesterday around noon, and the place was packed. I'm gonna give it a couple of days before I attempt to check it out.

Checked out the store on opening day. The extra space is nice because you do not feel so cramped. The selection is pretty much identical to the store at NW 63rd and May Ave. I did notice a few products that the OKC store doesn't stock. SFM will give Uptown Grocery Co. a run for its money.

I am kind of surprised about the lack of comments about this store, particularly compared to the numerous comments when the OKC store opened. I tust it is a similar success.

It's great. I've been several times. I don't think it's as constantly crowded as the OKC store, but maybe its just the time of day I'm going. I think its a bit larger than the OKC store, but the layout is the same. I'm thrilled to have it here.

It seems like the ceiling is higher,too. It just feels roomier and has more light. I prefer it actually. I went last Saturday evening about 6:30 or so and it was quiet.

Went last night and loved it as much as the OKC store. It'll be a great addition for Edmond and that area of 2nd street in particular.

Love their prices on produce!!!

Do they know how to properly prepare a Frenched 9-Rib Rack O' Pork at the "butcher counter"?
If so . . . minimal produce is required for a maximal meal . . .
(you know...like tater and leeks and other producesequestuff . . .

I missed this Sprouts update but went to Sunflower tonight and got a Sprouts bag. The cashier said that the computer system changed over to Sprouts last night so he knew what he was doing yesterday and today he had to look at a book. I hope they continue to have the silly eggs. They are the best eggs I've found that didn't come directly from under a hen at my grandmother's house.

I've noticed a few "Sprouts" labeled products on the shelves at the Edmond store for more than a month. I wondered when it would completely change over.

According to their website, its looks like Sunflower and Sprouts are merging.

That is correct, it was announced awhile back...dont blame you for not digging thru the thread...I didn't either...LOL

they will all be named sprouts very soon

Sunflower has merged with another company and will be changing their name to SPROUTS. Instead of being strictly organic and local produce - they will include items from Pepsi Corp. ... this will be a major turnoff to many customers.

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_20733251/sprouts-sunflower-natural-grocers-complete-merger

Sunflower has merged with another company and will be changing their name to SPROUTS. Instead of being strictly organic and local produce - they will include items from Pepsi Corp. ... this will be a major turnoff to many customers.

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_20733251/sprouts-sunflower-natural-grocers-complete-merger

I'm pretty sure they never were strictly organic and certainly not all local.

Have they changed the name to Sprouts Farmers Market?

If its one in the same as the one on 63rd & May, Id imagine the answer is 'yes'.

I've gone to the one on 63rd and i like it. Good quality items and not as pricey as whole foods.

Yes, Sunflower and Sprouts merged. Actually, I've seen stuff with the Sprouts label on the shelves of Sunflower since shortly after the Edmond store opened.

They still haven't changed the signage at the ones in SE Denver, still have the Sunflower signage on them.

Went into Sprouts this week and really didn't notice that very much had changed from it being Sunflower. While I was waiting for my sandwich to be made I noticed some of the new signage around the store and especially the huge wall sign over the beer area said "Cold Beer & Fine Wines". Knowing that grocery stores aren't allowed to sell wine at this point I was curious about it. Had a pleasant talk with the manager about our crazy laws and while we are trying to get them changed I suggested that they might want to do something about the huge sign advertising that they sell wine when they don't (and to do so would be breaking the law). I said I realize this is just probably a stock sign for them and rather than to go to the trouble/expensive of getting a custom sign made, that they take some of the faux Sprout crates (cardboard boxes) that were already atop the beer cooler and stack them in some sort of display to hide that part of the sign (and avoid someone who might file a lawsuit for false advertising or something). He did make some comment that they were allowed to sell wine, but they just hadn't got it in yet and that area of the store would be where it was located. Given the fact that the petition to allow the larger counties isn't even going to be on the November ballot (think they said it won't be up for a vote until 2014?) and then if it passes there will have to be another election in those counties to see if the voters there will allow it, it could be 3 years or more before the sign will be valid. Of course the Legislature could get their act together on the issue and pass something before the petition comes up, but that seems unlikely.

I noticed the sign had changed on the Edmond store a couple of weeks ago.