I think Kroger could eventually get involved in the OKC market. They stopped expanding to new markets using the Kroger name over a decade ago. It became too difficult to compete with Walmart and the entrenched grocery stores even in the fastest growing markets. They learned that it was much easier to buy an established local chain and implement their business model on the acquiree. That's exactly what they did with Ralph's in order to get into California.

Crest would probably be a juicy target for them here, but I doubt that the Harroz family would sell out to them. Especially since they seem to be on the upswing. I think they'll get around to updating their old stores, but right now they're in expansion mode. They did spend a decent amount of money on refreshing the Edmond store though.

Homeland could be an alternative target, but they have so many run-down stores, that the capital investment needed would run into the tens of millions of dollars. However, if the local population continues to grow, they could pull the trigger regardless.

They had to update Edmond stores the homes in that area are nice homes the other crest are located in areas where homes are not as nice compare to 104th and May. So I doubt they update the other Crests.

Change the laws to allow Total Wine and everything else will take care of itself.

Shop Wine, Liquor & Beer Online | Total Wine & More (http://www.totalwine.com/)

http://cavegrrl.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/total-wine-interior-2.jpg
Real Ale...a microbrewery out of Blanco, Texas (west of Austin), they have some real good beers. We went to a shop here in Littleton last weekend (Tipsy's Liquor World (http://www.tipsysliquorworld.com/)) that is like a large Whole Foods sized liquor store (80,000 sf), just their beer section or wine section is almost as large as the Spec's that we would go to in Austin which was in a former Academy Sports location.


People finally hit on it why Kroger isn't here...wine sales. Until the laws get changed they won't touch the place. I could totally see them buying up Homeland, but I see them going for only the newer locations or former Albertson locations. The older, smaller locations would probably be closed or not even purchased.
Kroger is here in Colorado under the name King Soupers, under the state liquor laws they can only have one location with wine, high point beer and liquor sales (the store is in Glendale), all the other stores only have 3.2 beer.


Prices at Publix, Kroger and Ralph's aren't any higher than Crest or Homeland.

I doubt the prices are higher at the nice Crests than the bare bones locations.


We aren't talking about carpeted aisles, just raising the standards to those already found just about everywhere else.

With very few exceptions, I get totally depressed when I go into OKC grocery stores. And considering that is a place most people go into at least once a week, it's arguably the most important component of local retail.
There are certain items at Crest that are significantly cheaper than our version of Kroger or Safeway, if we are driving we usually stop at Crest by my parents house (23rd & Meridian) and stock up on those items plus some we can't find in Colorado or that we could find in Austin. We do miss the HEB stores in Texas, when we were down in Midland for two weeks last month (father-in-law in the hospital and subsequent funeral) we stocked up on stuff at HEB before the drive back to Colorado. My father really liked the HEB store by our house in Austin and wished they had them in OKC.


Homeland is just as much to blame.

Long before Wal-Mart staged their bliztkrieg on the local market, they were the main players and very poor. They've done very little since.

They are a spin-off (Oklahoma only) of Safeway, which is still thriving all over the country. And for the most part, Safeways are a million times nicer.


When Homeland split from Safeway, it basically created a very insular situation in OKC, whereby there were virtually zero national chains -- until Wal-Mart came calling.

So, our grocery market was left to the boys from Arkansas and local operators without any sort of larger ties in terms of assets, expertise, desire, pride or perspective. And OKC has suffered acutely because of that.
The Oklahoma Safeway stores were split off because of the Milken junk bond scandal and the need for Safeway (acquired by Milken thru a LBO in 1986) to shed assets to satisfy creditors. The Safeway stores in Houston and Central Texas were spun off into Apple Tree stores and stores in the DFW were divvied up between the existing grocers. Those weren't the only ones, they sold off a bunch of stores including Vons in Southern California. Many of those that they sold have since been reacquired after they became solvent and stable, they acquired Randall's in Texas (based in Houston) after Randall's had acquired Tom Thumb (DFW).


A Fry's would be nice.
Electronics or grocery? I miss Fry's Electronics from Austin and wish we had one in Denver. Micro Center is good but not quite the same.

My wife has had several conversations with people in the know and they say that getting the liquor laws changed in 2014 is all but a done deal. I think some details with the Naifeh's and other liquor distributors need to be ironed out, but it should happen pretty quickly (for Oklahoma). Can anyone remember what the proposed law was? You could sell cold beer and wine in grocery stores up to a certain alcohol content or something?

I wouldn't be so sure. There will be a massive campaign from the religious right, MADD groups, as well as liquor store owners against any changes. I hope you are right though.

And the law allows a grocery chain to have five stores with wine in the most populous counties in Oklahoma.

I would love to see Oklahoma City get California Pizza Kitchen. And, some type of outdoor lifestyle center in Edmond or Norman; something along the lines of The Summit shopping centers in Birmingham, Reno, and Louisville.

Cost Plus World Market would be a wonderful add to OKC/Norman. Costco would be nice too. Also doesn't Kansas have similar liquor laws as Oklahoma?? Why is Kroger in Kansas and not Oklahoma if thats the case?

Kroger is here in Colorado under the name King Soupers, under the state liquor laws they can only have one location with wine, high point beer and liquor sales (the store is in Glendale), all the other stores only have 3.2 beer.


The difference between OKC and other markets is that for one OKC didn't have a real strong existing chain prior to Wal-Mart's blitzkrieg. It's likely Kroger was well established in places like Denver and Wichita prior to Wal-Mart becoming a big grocery player. Plus, Wal-Mart didn't exercise its market saturation strategy in those markets like it did OKC. Reasor's is a great chain and they were well-established in Tulsa prior to Wal-Mart. Secondly, other chains aren't going to enter the market and try to compete with Wal-Mart unless they can sell wine as a profit cushion as well as to give them leverage. If wine is allowed, a grocery chain will be able to enter the market and offer a superior wine selection beyond anything Wal-Mart will sell. Maybe even have wine tastings like Harris Teeter does in Charlotte. People will shop their for their wine and buy their other groceries while they are at it. That plus all the people fed up with Wal-Mart already, should enable them to really put a dent in Wal-Mart's dominance.

I would love to see Oklahoma City get California Pizza Kitchen. And, some type of outdoor lifestyle center in Edmond or Norman; something along the lines of The Summit shopping centers in Birmingham, Reno, and Louisville.

Agreed. OKC would have an outdoor lifestyle center if it wasn't for the crash of 2008. There were several proposed and then cancelled if I recall.

I'm suprised Reasor's isn't in OKC.

I would love to see Oklahoma City get California Pizza Kitchen. And, some type of outdoor lifestyle center in Edmond or Norman; something along the lines of The Summit shopping centers in Birmingham, Reno, and Louisville.

Not going to lie, I find CPK highly overrated. Upper Crust and the Wedge are both way superior.

The OKC Chamber of Commerce actually employs a full-time person who has the responsibility of recruiting new retailers to the City.

It was Alison Oshel but now it's Jessica Herrera.


I'll get in contact with her and invite her to our OKCTalk gathering. In the meantime, I'll see if she has anything new to share in terms of possible new retailers.

The difference between OKC and other markets is that for one OKC didn't have a real strong existing chain prior to Wal-Mart's blitzkrieg. It's likely Kroger was well established in places like Denver and Wichita prior to Wal-Mart becoming a big grocery player. Plus, Wal-Mart didn't exercise its market saturation strategy in those markets like it did OKC. Reasor's is a great chain and they were well-established in Tulsa prior to Wal-Mart. Secondly, other chains aren't going to enter the market and try to compete with Wal-Mart unless they can sell wine as a profit cushion as well as to give them leverage. If wine is allowed, a grocery chain will be able to enter the market and offer a superior wine selection beyond anything Wal-Mart will sell. Maybe even have wine tastings like Harris Teeter does in Charlotte. People will shop their for their wine and buy their other groceries while they are at it. That plus all the people fed up with Wal-Mart already, should enable them to really put a dent in Wal-Mart's dominance.
The Walmart push into groceries came at the time the others were starting to founder, the lack of strong national chains gave them an easier entry into Oklahoma, no doubt. You also have to remember, the Neighborhood Market concept was launched in Oklahoma, along with Sam's Club. The fact that the Homeland group was the dominant store at the time and the management seemed to just want to take cash out of the company and not improve was one of the reasons for the market stagnation, they were the big player at the time. Albertsons (I worked there in 80-82) went through name changes and buyouts until the debt did them in and they had to shed assets and are a shell of what they were and they never had as large of a presence as Homeland. There were others like McCartney's and Bakers which came in with nicer stores but they could never sustain and grow like they needed to and most of those were before WM entered the grocery business. I still think Kroger could come in without alcohol and kick WM around because it would be a better option. I have never seen the WMNM packed like I see HEB or King Soupers stores, not even the ones in OKC. Crest on 23rd is usually busier than I have ever seen the WMNM at 23rd & MacArthur. I think people want something other than Walmart, I don't think their "hold" on the OKC market is as big as it is perceived, most people that I know who go to Walmart do it with reluctance, not because of any lofty business ideals but from just the drudgery of going through Walmart.

Kroger used to be in Oklahoma according to their Wiki page, it was in the 30's though....

I think most of us can agree that as far as retail, good grocery stores are the most lacking thing in OKC - mindnumbingly so. In addition to that however, here is what I would like to see.

1. Bonefish Grill or McCormick & Schmicks
2. Fry's Electronics
3. Costco
4. A 24-hour trailer diner like this: Welcome To The Midnight Diner - Charlotte (http://midnightdinercharlotte.com/)
5. A 24-hour bakery like this: Amelies French Bakery (http://www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com/)

6. IKEA - It isn't going to happen but it's nice to wish

I see so much talk about how people wish we had more places like QT and Im not sure I get it. Its a gas station. You go and get gas, maybe a drink. What else do you need? Are that many people eating their meals from convenience stores? Are QT's taquitos that much better than everyone elses? Do they have a larger candy section? Other than it being somewhat cleaner than 7-11s, what is the big deal about a gas station?

Somewhat cleaner? You've never been to the 7-11 at 31st and Classen.

The big deal is having pumps that work, card readers at the pumps that actually work, and not having to walk across the puke encrusted sidewalk to deal with the comical idiocy inside since said card reader is out of order.

I think people want something other than Walmart, I don't think their "hold" on the OKC market is as big as it is perceived, most people that I know who go to Walmart do it with reluctance, not because of any lofty business ideals but from just the drudgery of going through Walmart.

I laugh when I see the adds regarding WalMart beef on TV. Even if they had the finest dry aged USDA Prime porterhouses at $6.99 per lb., I wouldn't get them. Setting foot in there is beyond depressing. It's the whole experience.

I laugh when I see the adds regarding WalMart beef on TV. Even if they had the finest dry aged USDA Prime porterhouses at $6.99 per lb., I wouldn't get them. Setting foot in there is beyond depressing. It's the whole experience.
Not that I have anything against Walmart, we shop at Sam's more than we do any flavor of Walmart. We typically only go to WMNM to get a few specific items they don't have at Sam's, Costco or King Soupers. I hate going into a Supercenter, if I forget something on one side of the store I usually don't feel like walking back over there to pick it up. They are almost too big in my mind.

I get the obsession with Quick Trip and gas stations in general, as it's used as much or more than a grocery store.

In other words, those are the two places everyone spends most their retailing time and dollars. And in both categories, OKC is abysmal.

Most the time, you only pump gas at the c-store but if it's of the nicer variety, they are darn handy when it comes to using the restroom, getting a drink or a snack, using the ATM, etc.

When I'm in OKC I always stay with my good friend in Oak Tree and I stop at the 7-11 at Danforth & Kelly several times each trip, and it's just a horrific, terrible place. I always mean to plan better but it's convenient and I always end up there for various reasons. Swap that awful place for an OnCue or QT and there would be several interactions a week that are actually pleasant rather than pretty darn lousy.

I wouldn't be so sure. There will be a massive campaign from the religious right, MADD groups, as well as liquor store owners against any changes. I hope you are right though.

And the law allows a grocery chain to have five stores with wine in the most populous counties in Oklahoma.

I don't remember much of a campaign from both sides of the issue when people were asked to vote yes on allowing liquor stores to open at usual hours on election days.

There are over 20 counties in Oklahoma where liquor by the drink is banned. There hopefully won't be too much opposition from those counties if made clear to residents they don't have to worry about wine being sold in their grocery stores, if they vote don't vote no. Those counties tend to be sparsely populated and don't represent a source of much oppostion, anyway. Of course, liquor store owners will be against it. But if enough people want the convenience of buying wine in grocery stores, they'll ignore the oppositon and vote yes.

People on the right didn't want lotteries and casinos legalized, either but they couldn't stop it from happening.

When Kansas was looking at changing their liquor laws they did it the correct way they based it on research. And they put a good proposal on the ballot unlike the hodgepodge attempts we have had lately.

A research paper prepared by KU business professor Art Hall “Common Sense Reform for Kansas: How updating outdated alcohol laws will grow state revenues and spur economic growth”, offers plenty of positive reasons for updating Kansas liquor laws.

A few highlights from the 19 page paper include;

“Deregulation over time could result in 15,000 new jobs, $340 to $350 million in extra wages, and roughly $72 million in increases tax revenues annually to state and local governments once all the economic adjustments took place.”

“Research suggests Kansas would have 25 percent more grocery stores, 34 percent more convenience stores, and 58 percent fewer liquor stores if his proposal were adopted. This means Kansas could expect 116 more grocery stores, 449 more convenience stores, and 341 fewer liquor stores.”

“Deregulation proposal would help viability of convenience and grocery stores in rural areas."

Here is a link for the full report:

http://www.jobsforkansas.com/wp-content/uploads/Common-sense-reform-for-Kansas-01-13-11_D1.pdf

I get the obsession with Quick Trip and gas stations in general, as it's used as much or more than a grocery store.

In other words, those are the two places everyone spends most their retailing time and dollars. And in both categories, OKC is abysmal.

Most the time, you only pump gas at the c-store but if it's of the nicer variety, they are darn handy when it comes to using the restroom, getting a drink or a snack, using the ATM, etc.

When I'm in OKC I always stay with my good friend in Oak Tree and I stop at the 7-11 at Danforth & Kelly several times each trip, and it's just a horrific, terrible place. I always mean to plan better but it's convenient and I always end up there for various reasons. Swap that awful place for an OnCue or QT and there would be several interactions a week that are actually pleasant rather than pretty darn lousy.
When driving between Austin and OKC we would usually stop at the QT in Fort Worth and between Denver and OKC we will stop at one north of Wichita if we need to. In OKC I will usually hit the OnCue at Reno & MacArthur on the way out of town.

Back when I lived in OKC (10 years ago) I preferred the 7-11 stores over most of the other options, I still prefer them over the Southland franchised locations but neither Austin nor Denver have a lot of 7-11 locations. I do think even back then they could have used some updating.

A Fry's would be nice.Amen!!! lol

When Kansas was looking at changing their liquor laws they did it the correct way they based it on research. And they put a good proposal on the ballot unlike the hodgepodge attempts we have had lately.

A research paper prepared by KU business professor Art Hall “Common Sense Reform for Kansas: How updating outdated alcohol laws will grow state revenues and spur economic growth”, offers plenty of positive reasons for updating Kansas liquor laws.


A few highlights from the 19 page paper include;

“Deregulation over time could result in 15,000 new jobs, $340 to $350 million in extra wages, and roughly $72 million in increases tax revenues annually to state and local governments once all the economic adjustments took place.”

“Research suggests Kansas would have 25 percent more grocery stores, 34 percent more convenience stores, and 58 percent fewer liquor stores if his proposal were adopted. This means Kansas could expect 116 more grocery stores, 449 more convenience stores, and 341 fewer liquor stores.”

“Deregulation proposal would help viability of convenience and grocery stores in rural areas."

Here is a link for the full report:

http://www.jobsforkansas.com/wp-content/uploads/Common-sense-reform-for-Kansas-01-13-11_D1.pdf

I wonder how that worked out. I'm all for changing the laws, but I'm always skeptical of predictions of pie-in-the-sky revenue numbers.

As for the original topic:

Z Gallerie - Classen Curve
West Elm - Automobile Alley
Room & Board - Automobile Alley
Cosentino's Market - Midtown
H & M - Sheridan in Bricktown

The Edmond one is decent. It's not SW 104th but I would still say its above standard.

NW OKC needs a few of these Crests in a pretty bad way. If that were to happen, the grocery situation would be a lot better in this city and I think most people would stop complaining about it. They should start with the Gaillardia area. A lot of people live there but its a good drive from a grocery store period, let alone a decent one. From there, they should upgrade the existing stores and add another one on NW Expressway and one down in the Penn Square Mall area.

Dude...just go to Buy For Less on Expressway & Portland. It's just as nice if not nicer than the Crest Temple on May & SW 104th everyone is going gaga over.

Dude...just go to Buy For Less on Expressway & Portland. It's just as nice if not nicer than the Crest Temple on May & SW 104th everyone is going gaga over.

I disagree that it's nicer than the Crest on SW 104th but it is the best in NW OKC (for regular grocery shopping) and that is where I usually shop if I can.

The fact people are so excited about Crest on SW 104th really exemplifies the problem with the grocery market here. That store is STANDARD in other cities, yet people get excited about it here because its far above and beyond what people are used to. It also shows there is a market for better stuff and the people of OKC want better than Wal-Mart or Homeland. Every time I've been to that Crest it's been so packed its almost not worth the hassle.

As for the original topic:

Z Gallerie - Classen Curve
West Elm - Automobile Alley
Room & Board - Automobile Alley
Cosentino's Market - Midtown
H & M - Sheridan in Bricktown

I agree Classen Curve would be perfect for Z Gallerie. That and a Container Store or Crate & Barrell. Hopefully stuff like that is in the pipes now that it appears Classen Curve is opening itself up to chains.

When driving between Austin and OKC we would usually stop at the QT in Fort Worth and between Denver and OKC we will stop at one north of Wichita if we need to. In OKC I will usually hit the OnCue at Reno & MacArthur on the way out of town.

Back when I lived in OKC (10 years ago) I preferred the 7-11 stores over most of the other options, I still prefer them over the Southland franchised locations but neither Austin nor Denver have a lot of 7-11 locations. I do think even back then they could have used some updating.

I don't think the gas stations in OKC are that much better or worse than in other places. Maybe because people think of Tulsa where there are QTs on every corner, but most cities have the same gas station brands as OKC does. Circle K is my preference.

I wonder how that worked out. I'm all for changing the laws, but I'm always skeptical of predictions of pie-in-the-sky revenue numbers.

They just changed the laws in 2012 so the jury is still out on the results. Kansas liquor laws differed from OK and other states in that they did not allow Sunday sales of 3.2 beer so Kansas was losing lots of liquor tax revenue to other states. So we probably won't see the tax revenue increase that they did and also why their increase in revenue might seem high.

I like the fact that they did have a study by a respected source, that said study recognized that they could improve the system that they had, that they would lose some businesses and they would gain some. They had information and facts from someone other than lobbies and lobbyist.

I know that town I grew up in (pop 1200) doesn't have a liquor store but has a locally owned grocery store and that the owners would probably add liquor sales if the laws were changed. And that most of the locals would rather support one of their own rather than a business owner located in another town and county.

Really all that's missing for my family is Costco. We would REALLY like one of those and then, well, we would be all set around here. The grocery situation vastly improved late in the summer of 2011, and now I don't even feel like I would utilize a Trader Joe's all that much. But Costco, man we would pull our Sam's membership in a heartbeat. I really hope that get serious about being here. Their product mix and quality just match our lifestyle/tastes better than Sam's.

Really all that's missing for my family is Costco. We would REALLY like one of those and then, well, we would be all set around here. The grocery situation vastly improved late in the summer of 2011, and now I don't even feel like I would utilize a Trader Joe's all that much. But Costco, man we would pull our Sam's membership in a heartbeat. I really hope that get serious about being here. Their product mix and quality just match our lifestyle/tastes better than Sam's.

I believe Costco is already planning on opening in Tulsa. The word is if it does well they will open in OKC. Hopefully if the liquor laws get changed in 2014, that will put a fast track on their OKC plans.

1. REI
2. Trader Joe's
3. Costco
4. Cydwoq Shoes (amazing guys shoes)
5. Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware
CB2

That's all I miss, really.

This same subject has been discussed here before.

http://www.okctalk.com/general-civic-issues/5372-businesss-you-would-like-see-come-okc.html

It's interesting that some of the same stores are still being mentioned and that some from this thread are now here.

Holy crap - 30 Wal-marts?

Maybe I need to watch the documentary "Walmart: The high cost of low prices". I have been avoiding it but maybe it is worth a look.

Okay, I finished watching it and let me say - it is not what I thought it was. I was expecting some left-wing hack job about how walmart hates unions (which apparently they do BTW). However, Walmart is the just the poster child for what has gone wrong in America (profits at all cost to satisfy Wall Street). Even the small businesses who have been put out of business by Walmart and were featured in the movie were doing their part to destroy Main St. America - so they won't be getting sympathy from me.

Anyhow, I would like to say this documentary has caused me to boycott Walmart, but I don't shop there anyhow. However, if some of you do shop at Walmart you might want to give this documentary 90 minutes of your time.

I would like to append my list of.....

1) Sportsman's Warehouse

to include

2) Someplace to get good sausages similar to Siegi's in Tulsa or Kuby's in Dallas.

I just don't understand why it's so hard to find good, fresh or cured, sausages in this town.

People finally hit on it why Kroger isn't here...wine sales. Until the laws get changed they won't touch the place. I could totally see them buying up Homeland, but I see them going for only the newer locations or former Albertson locations. The older, smaller locations would probably be closed or not even purchased.

Wine sales isn't the reason at all. Conway, Arkansas has a Kroger super center and its a dry county. Heck, most of Arkansas is dry and they have 34 Krogers.

I just don't understand why it's so hard to find good, fresh or cured, sausages in this town.

Whole Foods has a nice selection of fresh sausages, all in natural casings.

Wine sales isn't the reason at all. Conway, Arkansas has a Kroger super center and its a dry county. Heck, most of Arkansas is dry and they have 34 Krogers.

It may not be the only reason, but it's certainly a factor. In Ohio, each voting precinct decides whether or not to allow liquor sales. While living in Dayton, I saw Kroger start to build a building, the precinct voted to ban liquor sales during construction, and then Kroger built a new location 1/4 mile away to be able to sell wine and beer.

Whole Foods has a nice selection of fresh sausages, all in natural casings.

So does Crest on SW 104th.

Wine sales isn't the reason at all. Conway, Arkansas has a Kroger super center and its a dry county. Heck, most of Arkansas is dry and they have 34 Krogers.

In Arkansas, Kroger is anchored in Little Rock which is in a wet county that does allow wine sales. Also, believe it or not, Wal-Mart isn't near as entrenched in Central Arkansas as it is OKC.

NW Arkansas however, being Wal-Mart's base, is in a similar position to OKC. They really don't have many quality choices.

Whole Foods has a nice selection of fresh sausages, all in natural casings.

Yep.... Unfortunately I have yet to find a sausage from Whole Foods that wowed me. Sunflower Market has them also but I wasn't impressed with those either.

Best I have found in OKC come from Bill Kamp's but they have a very limited selection.

So does Crest on SW 104th.

Crest's fresh sausages earned the distinction of the first sausage I ever spit back out of my mouth.

Homeland is making some fresh sausages now that they sell for $1 each that are ok but still not the quality I get at Siegi's or Kuby's.

Crest's fresh sausages earned the distinction of the first sausage I ever spit back out of my mouth.

Interesting. I have never had one of them, I just always see a wide selection of them at the meat counter.

In terms of Wal-Mart and it's affect on towns and businesses, I found the book "The Wal-Mart Effect" to be very informative. Each chapter kinda alternates from a pro to a con on Wal-Mart.

I forgot to also mention, I think a Lifetime Fitness up on Memorial somewhere between MacArthur and Council would be wonderful. I know it's an extremely overpriced gym but I loved working out there when I lived in Phoenix.

I see so much talk about how people wish we had more places like QT and Im not sure I get it. Its a gas station. You go and get gas, maybe a drink. What else do you need? Are that many people eating their meals from convenience stores? Are QT's taquitos that much better than everyone elses? Do they have a larger candy section? Other than it being somewhat cleaner than 7-11s, what is the big deal about a gas station?

I would say that OKC is full of options for places to "go and get gas, maybe a drink." Unfortunately, with only a few exceptions, that ALL we have here in OKC. Much like the whole discussion about the low standard set with grocery stores, we also have the same low standard for gas stations/convenience stores. Heaven forbid we expect a clean, well managed place to get gas and convenience items... The new larger OnCue's are a great start, but we need a lot more of them... in lieu of getting QT's, that is....

1. actual 7 11's
2. neiman marcus
3. costco
4 kroger
5. DQ

Somewhat cleaner? You've never been to the 7-11 at 31st and Classen.

The big deal is having pumps that work, card readers at the pumps that actually work, and not having to walk across the puke encrusted sidewalk to deal with the comical idiocy inside since said card reader is out of order.

I'm pretty sure there are bad QTs out there, too. Those of you in love with QT must have forgotten about the bad QT stores.

I get the obsession with Quick Trip and gas stations in general, as it's used as much or more than a grocery store.

In other words, those are the two places everyone spends most their retailing time and dollars. And in both categories, OKC is abysmal.

Most the time, you only pump gas at the c-store but if it's of the nicer variety, they are darn handy when it comes to using the restroom, getting a drink or a snack, using the ATM, etc.

When I'm in OKC I always stay with my good friend in Oak Tree and I stop at the 7-11 at Danforth & Kelly several times each trip, and it's just a horrific, terrible place. I always mean to plan better but it's convenient and I always end up there for various reasons. Swap that awful place for an OnCue or QT and there would be several interactions a week that are actually pleasant rather than pretty darn lousy.

But if it were swapped out, would you go there more often than the 7-11? Do you really think people in Tulsa go to QT more than I go to 7-11? I like going to 7-11 for gas and a big gulp or (faux) cappuccino? I know the product well and the gas prices are often quite competitive. Maybe I just am use to them, but I really don't think I need a cleaner place to buy gas or a soda.

I don't remember much of a campaign from both sides of the issue when people were asked to vote yes on allowing liquor stores to open at usual hours on election days.

There are over 20 counties in Oklahoma where liquor by the drink is banned. There hopefully won't be too much opposition from those counties if made clear to residents they don't have to worry about wine being sold in their grocery stores, if they vote don't vote no. Those counties tend to be sparsely populated and don't represent a source of much oppostion, anyway. Of course, liquor store owners will be against it. But if enough people want the convenience of buying wine in grocery stores, they'll ignore the oppositon and vote yes.

People on the right didn't want lotteries and casinos legalized, either but they couldn't stop it from happening.

Agree. I think the spectre of the religious right presents a more powerful force than the actual religious right. Billy Joe Bob and Billie Jolene both might find themselves more in favor of buying stronger cold beer or wine more conveniently than you imagine, bchris02.

But if it were swapped out, would you go there more often than the 7-11? Do you really think people in Tulsa go to QT more than I go to 7-11? I like going to 7-11 for gas and a big gulp or (faux) cappuccino? I know the product well and the gas prices are often quite competitive. Maybe I just am use to them, but I really don't think I need a cleaner place to buy gas or a soda.

I can say without a doubt I personally visited QT WAY MORE OFTEN when I lived amongst them, than I go into the hepatitis trap 7-11's around here. And, just to put it in perspective... If QT were in this market, I wouldn't even look at gas prices. QT would be where I go and get gas no matter the cost.

I disagree that it's nicer than the Crest on SW 104th but it is the best in NW OKC (for regular grocery shopping) and that is where I usually shop if I can.

The fact people are so excited about Crest on SW 104th really exemplifies the problem with the grocery market here. That store is STANDARD in other cities, yet people get excited about it here because its far above and beyond what people are used to. It also shows there is a market for better stuff and the people of OKC want better than Wal-Mart or Homeland. Every time I've been to that Crest it's been so packed its almost not worth the hassle.

You must be going on paydays or some other odd time. I've never had to wait more than one cart back in line, there. pahdz, is right, though. It's hyped here so much that people who go there for the first time after reading this thread are bound to be disappointed. I like it because it's on the way home from work, I can count on good dairy prices and good butcher services. My appreciation for those factors make it so I also like the Crest in Midwest City. Same points: (more or less) on my way home, good dairy prices and reliable meats.

But if it were swapped out, would you go there more often than the 7-11? Do you really think people in Tulsa go to QT more than I go to 7-11? I like going to 7-11 for gas and a big gulp or (faux) cappuccino? I know the product well and the gas prices are often quite competitive. Maybe I just am use to them, but I really don't think I need a cleaner place to buy gas or a soda.

Whenever I visit my parents in Bartlesville or friends in Tulsa, I always make it a point to stop at the QT to get gas right before the turnpike when coming home. Nine out of ten times, I also get a drink and chips or candy for the drive. I can tell you without a doubt, if the 7-11 this is at 23rd and Penn were there instead of the QT, I would stop for gas and that is about it.

I also have friends who come to stay with us who ask us where any nicer convenience stores are where they could feel safe. They always like the OnCue on 23rd and I-235 instead of the 7-11 near my house.

Kroger Agrees to Buy Harris Teeter (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/jul/09/kroger-agrees-buy-harris-teeter-25-billion/)

Not entirely pertinent to this thread, unless you consider that Kroger might not be in a position to buy out Homeland after spending $2.5B on Harris Teeter, darnit.


Under the terms of the agreement, Cincinnati-based Kroger will pay $49.38 for each of the supermarket chain's shares. The price represents a 2 percent increase over the company's Monday closing stock price.

Harris Teeter operates 212 stores in eight southeastern and mid-Atlantic states and Washington D.C., along with a pair of distribution centers and a dairy facility in North Carolina. Its fiscal 2012 revenue totaled about $4.5 billion.

In comparison, Kroger operates 2,419 stores in 31 states. In addition to its flagship brand of supermarkets, it also owns Ralphs, Fry's, Food 4 Less and other brands. The acquisition adds another three states to its store footprint.

After the deal closes, Harris Teeter will become a Kroger subsidiary and will continue to be led by members of its current senior management. There are no plans to close stores and the division will remain based in Matthews, N.C.

Ralph's Pharmacy is being built at Edmond Rd and Western. Just read that Ralph's is an affiliate of Kroger.

Are there expansion plans for more Ralph's stores? Any comments about Ralph's? I personally am not a fan of Walgreens nor CVS. We use Homeland pharmacy.

Yeah, Harris Teeter is a great grocery chain in fact one of my favorite. A lot of people in Charlotte are disappointed about this in that they perceive Kroger to be a downgrade.

Ralph's Pharmacy is being built at Edmond Rd and Western. Just read that Ralph's is an affiliate of Kroger.

Are there expansion plans for more Ralph's stores? Any comments about Ralph's? I personally am not a fan of Walgreens nor CVS. We use Homeland pharmacy.

That Ralph's Pharmacy is independent and not affiliated with Ralph's grocery stores, which are operated by Kroger.

I'm pretty sure there are bad QTs out there, too. Those of you in love with QT must have forgotten about the bad QT stores.

Not really. QuikTrip replaces old stores, often just building a new store in the same location as the old store. There are old OnCue stores out there however. I was at a pretty bad one in Stillwater not too long ago.

Not really. QuikTrip replaces old stores, often just building a new store in the same location as the old store. There are old OnCue stores out there however. I was at a pretty bad one in Stillwater not too long ago.

Then you've never been to a QT in Ponca City. Maybe they only focus on the Tulsa stores.

I'm sure it can happen with any store, but I purchased their Italian sausage for use two days later, and when I took it out of the refrigerator it was spoiled and I had to throw it away. That's too soon to go bad. At least the name brand (including Lovera's from Krebs) have a use or freeze by date on them. The Crest sausage didn't. Made me wonder how long it had been in the meat case. I have found eggs beyond their date and when I gave a carton to the manager, he at least appeared angry and sent a couple of people to remove any egg cartons past their date. A couple of other things kind of bothered me so I generally won't shop there. I do stop in once in a while but don't do normal/periodic grocery shopping.
C. T.
Interesting. I have never had one of them, I just always see a wide selection of them at the meat counter.

Then you've never been to a QT in Ponca City. Maybe they only focus on the Tulsa stores.

There is no Quiktrip in Ponca City. Maybe you have it confused with something else?

On edit, look at every Quiktrip location in Wichita, KS on Google Maps. All are new, landscaped and irrigated, clean, functional, pedestrian friendly.