I talked with one of the area managers recently. He said that after opening the 122nd st, Yukon and Stillwater stores this year, there are no immediate plans to open one on the southside of OKC. They also have recently opened a bunch of stores in the KC area. They are expending in the Florida and the east area right now.

Stopped at the 122nd Sprouts today to get some groceries. I was looking for some hot Italian turkey sausage and couldn't find anything. Their manager noticed me and asked what I was looking for and told me that they don't keep turkey sausage on hand, but that he will just have one of the guys grind up some turkey breast and mix their seasoning to make me a fresh batch. He told the guy behind the counter to just make a 5lb batch and stick the rest in the case. Also gave me his card so that I can call ahead next time and shop without waiting.

Very impressed.

Amazon looking to get into the brick-and-mortar grocery business with compact stores relying mainly on on-line purchasing and pick-up.

As Walmart is doing something similar, this seems to be the direction of the grocery industry.

There will always be people who want to go in and hand-pick produce and meat but I have always hated grocery shopping. Usually when I go to a traditional grocery store, I'm looking for a few smaller things (can buy the rest at Sam's) and it always takes *forever* without anyone to help you. You see it every time you go in... People wandering up and down the aisles and zero help available.

Also, I know tons of moms and dads who would love to be able to go get their groceries without dragging their kids inside.

Interesting to see where this goes and give Walmart credit for being out on front of this trend.

http://www.moderncities.com/article/2016-nov-amazon-planning-to-open-2000-drive-thru-grocery-stores#.WBtEG6mynw5.twitter

Amazon looking to get into the brick-and-mortar grocery business with compact stores relying mainly on on-line purchasing and pick-up.

As Walmart is doing something similar, this seems to be the direction of the grocery industry.

There will always be people who want to go in and hand-pick produce and meat but I have always hated grocery shopping. Usually when I go to a traditional grocery store, I'm looking for a few smaller things (can buy the rest at Sam's) and it always takes *forever* without anyone to help you. You see it every time you go in... People wandering up and down the aisles and zero help available.

I love the idea of search on-line and then selecting the specific item I am looking for. BTW, why on earth do grocery stores not have in-store kiosks for searching? ?

Also, I know tons of moms and dads who would love to be able to go get their groceries without dragging their kids inside.

Interesting to see where this goes and give Walmart credit for being out on front of this trend.

http://www.moderncities.com/article/2016-nov-amazon-planning-to-open-2000-drive-thru-grocery-stores#.WBtEG6mynw5.twitter

I can see the appeal, especially on staples, but browsing and finding unexpected stuff is half the fun for me.

I can see the appeal, especially on staples, but browsing and finding unexpected stuff is half the fun for me.

Totally agree and that's why I love Trader Joe's so much.

But for the ordinary shopping, I'd sure like to have this option.


For example, Thanksgiving is coming up and I'll be cooking for about 20. Lots of things that I don't make except for the holidays.

I'll need a big list of things and it will take me forever during a time when the stores are super busy. Absolutely dread this every year.

In this case, I know exactly what I want and would love to just order it and then go pick it up.

Amazon looking to get into the brick-and-mortar grocery business with compact stores relying mainly on on-line purchasing and pick-up.

As Walmart is doing something similar, this seems to be the direction of the grocery industry.

There will always be people who want to go in and hand-pick produce and meat but I have always hated grocery shopping. Usually when I go to a traditional grocery store, I'm looking for a few smaller things (can buy the rest at Sam's) and it always takes *forever* without anyone to help you. You see it every time you go in... People wandering up and down the aisles and zero help available.

I love the idea of search on-line and then selecting the specific item I am looking for. BTW, why on earth do grocery stores not have in-store kiosks for searching? ?

Also, I know tons of moms and dads who would love to be able to go get their groceries without dragging their kids inside.

Interesting to see where this goes and give Walmart credit for being out on front of this trend.

http://www.moderncities.com/article/2016-nov-amazon-planning-to-open-2000-drive-thru-grocery-stores#.WBtEG6mynw5.twitter

Would be awesome if they opened in Oklahoma. We could start collecting sales taxes on Amazon purchases, would be a big positive for state revenue.

I'll need a big list of things and it will take me forever during a time when the stores are super busy. Absolutely dread this every year.

Interesting. I've never noticed any particular issue with grocery stores being too busy at this time of year (unlike malls). People can only eat so much and they have to buy groceries for it year round. The type of things bought for the holidays is usually different but it doesn't mean taking more time to do it. I would just never be interested in ordering on line and do a pick up. I want to pick out everything myself and don't mind at all the time it takes to do that.

Would be awesome if they opened in Oklahoma. We could start collecting sales taxes on Amazon purchases, would be a big positive for state revenue.

If that would allow them to collect sales tax up front on every Amazon purchase, the State would be wise to literally pay for the whole operation and give it to Amazon. A tax incentive to collect taxes that they should already be collecting :lol2:

Crest posted today that they plan to open at sooner and covell by late 2017 early 2018

In my opinion based on my last visit to Oklahoma City, the grocery store shopping options are now comparable to most other cities. Bunch of good stuff has popped up.

Within two miles of me we now have a great Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Whole Food and Natural Grocers in addition to Target, Walmart, Buy for Less and a brand new Sam's Club. Uptown Market is 5 miles away which is too far to frequent, but great to know it's there.

Soon, I will have a new Aldi and Winco and then will be well satisfied with my nearby options.

Within two miles of me we now have a great Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Whole Food and Natural Grocers in addition to Target, Walmart, Buy for Less and a brand new Sam's Club. Uptown Market is 5 miles away which is too far to frequent, but great to know it's there.

Soon, I will have a new Aldi and Winco and then will be well satisfied with my nearby options.
Midtown remains an absolute desert wasteland, grocery store wise.

In my opinion based on my last visit to Oklahoma City, the grocery store shopping options are now comparable to most other cities. Bunch of good stuff has popped up.

A lot of places have really stepped their game up. There are pockets of town still lacking but for the most part I have no complaints.

Looks like the new Morelo's, going in where Warehouse Market was at 59th and Santa Fe, is set to open this weekend. Shelves looked to be stocked when I drove by this morning and there were cars in the parkin lot (I'm assuming they were employees at 6 AM) and they've done a great job remodeling that location. It looks really nice.

I shop at the Morelo's in Moore a lot so I can't wait to check out this larger option.

Within two miles of me we now have a great Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Whole Food and Natural Grocers in addition to Target, Walmart, Buy for Less and a brand new Sam's Club. Uptown Market is 5 miles away which is too far to frequent, but great to know it's there.

Soon, I will have a new Aldi and Winco and then will be well satisfied with my nearby options.

Heh, we live further away from Uptown than you do and go weekly (usually) - well worth it for us (their meat market is pretty good, but their produce sometimes isn't, then we do Sprouts). When Winco goes in on 39th, we'll see if we switch to it from Uptown for our regular trips.

Here is hoping that this new chain "invades" Oklahoma.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/a-german-grocery-chain-with-the-power-to-crush-whole-foods-and-trader-joes-has-officially-invaded-america-–-heres-what-its-like/ss-BBCIphr?li=BBnbfcL#image=1

I hope so. Then I could use my bags at the right store:
https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13524291_10154179756353213_5908157361195952_n.jpg? oh=967f5c28a51d18a98718c26921a91880&oe=59CFCBE3

I like the quality of the reusable shopping bags they sell in Germany, and I usually pick up a couple every time I visit family.

A couple years ago, while shopping at the Aldi on North Penn, the cashier playfully chastised me and told me "Sie sind hier aber nicht beim Lidl." (You aren't shopping at Lidl)

Anyone know the real reason that Reasor's hasn't built in the OKC area? Know that they had talked about one in Edmond that the neighborhood didn't want.
Is it because there is a 'handshake" deal with Buy For Less or Homeland or Crest that they won't come here?

I guess those kind of agreements still are around....I think there was something like that with TG&Y and Kmart back in the day.

^

The mainstream grocery stores are really hurting these days, being squeezed out by the huge discounters and then the higher end business is being taken by Whole Foods and the like.

I know they looked at Edmond several years ago but even since then things have changed in the grocery marketplace and the trend is against them.

I can see them doing a couple of more in Tulsa just like Crest will likely do a few more in OKC, but that's about it.

Does anybody know if the 18th and Classen Homeland renovation is still in the pipeline?

Does anybody know if the 18th and Classen Homeland renovation is still in the pipeline?

Yes, the plan has been to start next month.

I noticed just a couple of weeks ago they replaced some HVAC equipment on the roof.

They seem very committed to getting this done.

I've started Whole30 this month and I've come to really respect the fervor that people have for Trader Joe's. A lot of their products are made with healthy, simple ingredients! I've been looking for plantain chips that aren't fried but roasted and Trader Joe's has them! Plus Trader Joe's brand ghee!

Yes, the plan has been to start next month.

I noticed just a couple of weeks ago they replaced some HVAC equipment on the roof.

They seem very committed to getting this done.Yes they are. I can confirm that the new store fixtures and equipment are at the distribution warehouse ready to go. They’ve already invested a lot of money so they’re not going to change their minds now.

I wonder if OKC could ever be a potential market for these stores?

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42769096

Unlike most of your traditional middle-market grocery chains, Amazon is a strong company that's in expansion mode. This could be the solution to OKC's grocery store issue and it could finally give Wal-Mart some formidable competition.

I've started Whole30 this month and I've come to really respect the fervor that people have for Trader Joe's. A lot of their products are made with healthy, simple ingredients! I've been looking for plantain chips that aren't fried but roasted and Trader Joe's has them! Plus Trader Joe's brand ghee!

They have a frozen pizza with broccoli, tomato, and pesto. Like anything pre-packaged it has a good amount of sodium and the cheese gives it a good percentage of fat - but for what it is, it's absolutely freaking delicious and it's a relatively healthy dish by US standards. It's one of the wife and I's favorite "we don't want to cook but we also don't want to order out and we don't want anything too heavy" dishes.

I can't really understand the complaints people levy against it considering that it's not particularly expensive.

It’s got a hipster rep, and it’s hip to hate on hipsters and the stuff they find hip.

I thought that was for bars and clothing stores.

It’s got a hipster rep, and it’s hip to hate on hipsters and the stuff they find hip.
Trader Joe or Amazon? Trader Joe’s has been around since 1958 .... way before hipsters were born. Lots of blue hairs shop at TJ.

We’re the Blue Hairs that excites that we had a store opening here?

Trader Joe or Amazon? Trader Joe’s has been around since 1958 .... way before hipsters were born. Lots of blue hairs shop at TJ.

So we were into Trader Joe's before it was cool? :)

So we were into Trader Joe's before it was cool? :)

I think TJs has always been cool. Our local hipsters (along with the Nichols Hills crowd) are just now finding out how cool. Who would have thought OKC hipsters and NH residents would hang out together. LOL

Hipsters already ruined PBR and skinny ties for me. Hands off my Trader Joe's.

#grumpyoldman

TJ’s has always been hipster. My description of hipster is “strives to be different, even though some of those differences could be considered flaws.”

Harps Food is purchasing the Country Boy Markets in Harrah at SE 29th and Harrah Road and the store in Little Axe by Lake Thunderbird. This will be the most westward stores Harps has. They are predominately in the Tulsa area, Kansas and Arkansas. We believe this is a step towards an approach to the OKC market for them. The stores will be supplied by AWG of OKC and out of Harp's warehouse.

Harp's is much more well-run than Homeland in my opinion and is a solid mid-tier grocery store (like Reasor's). Having them in OKC would be a significant step up over current choices. However, they are typically rural-market stores. It will be interesting if they attempt to make inroads into the OKC market. Right now, the NW Arkansas area is the only non-rural market they are in. They don't even have any stores in the actual Tulsa metro (though they are in small towns surrounding Tulsa).

If there is still a niche for mid-tier grocery stores I think there is definitely an opening in this market, especially with SQ 792 coming on line.

https://core-secure-graphics.grocerywebsite.com/GraphicsStoreLocator/Images/s_48_127_127.jpg

I'd like to see a Luckys Market a chain from Boulder, if Columbia MO can support one why not Midtown?

https://www.luckysmarket.com/
and even better if we got a
https://www.luckysmarket.com/luckys-bakehouse-creamery/gallery/

I thought this would be a good topic to banter over. I think the article is successful at making the point that these stores do provide a basic need to those with no grocery options near by, but whether or not they do more harm than good is subject to debate...

“Although dollar stores sometimes fill a need in places that lack basic retail services, there’s growing evidence that these stores are not merely a byproduct of economic distress. They’re a cause of it,” write ISLR co-authors Marie Donahue and Stacey Mitchell. “In small towns and urban neighborhoods alike, dollar stores are leading full-service grocery stores to close. And their strategy of saturating communities with multiple outlets is making it impossible for new grocers and other local businesses to take root and grow.”

https://www.fastcompany.com/90278384/why-dollar-stores-are-bad-business-for-the-neighborhoods-they-open-in

^

That's interesting.

I don't understand why people shop at these places in towns like OKC where there are tons of other options, even very nearby.

Yet, they are everywhere in OKC, and not just in food deserts.

My first reaction to reading the post was "Yeah right, show me ONE case where Dollar General caused a real store to close!'.

Then I clicked on the link. First two paragraphs shut me right up, Very interesting indeed.

Powerful article there.

I'm guessing that's why many of these places have upped the anty and installed coolers and freezer units to expand grocery options to bread, juice and things like frozen pizza. Hmm, maybe cold beer now too. Almost no need to go to a grocery store unless you do want the fresh fruit and meat option. I wonder how much Aldi meets or could further meet the needs of these food deserts.

In the grocery industry and we've attended a ton of seminars about Dollar General. They're handy, usually close and in rural areas other stores won't enter into. They can be built fast with very little overhead (have you ever seen a well taken care of Dollar Store?) The local dollar store tried to poach me for store manager, offered me 20K less than I was currently making and told me straight up in the interview that whatever hours I didn't have available at the end of the week I was expected to make up since I was salary and free labor after 45 hours. They sold it as a way to make sure you get your bonus each year by hitting labor. So many of their managers work 60-70 hours a week to get a $3-4K bonus.

But for consumers it doesn't even make sense to shop at the dollar store most of the time. All big manufacturers now make specialty sizes for dollar stores so you perceive you're getting a deal but you aren't in actuallity. One example, Walmart carries a 50oz Tide probably for about $6.99 most of the time. DG will carry a 32oz Tide for $4.99 the bottle will look similar but has less liquid in it. Price per oz? WM Tide: $.14, DG Tide = $.155, they always come out higher in the long run. Even if they do have a decent deal on a gallon of milk or pop I guarantee you they're making it up with the bag of candy you bought or a few of their impulse items.

I'm rambling but it really sucks seeing people on EBT assistance spending a hundred dollars at a store like DG when they could get so much more for their buck at a Crest or even a Walmart.

In the grocery industry and we've attended a ton of seminars about Dollar General. They're handy, usually close and in rural areas other stores won't enter into. They can be built fast with very little overhead (have you ever seen a well taken care of Dollar Store?) The local dollar store tried to poach me for store manager, offered me 20K less than I was currently making and told me straight up in the interview that whatever hours I didn't have available at the end of the week I was expected to make up since I was salary and free labor after 45 hours. They sold it as a way to make sure you get your bonus each year by hitting labor. So many of their managers work 60-70 hours a week to get a $3-4K bonus.

But for consumers it doesn't even make sense to shop at the dollar store most of the time. All big manufacturers now make specialty sizes for dollar stores so you perceive you're getting a deal but you aren't in actuallity. One example, Walmart carries a 50oz Tide probably for about $6.99 most of the time. DG will carry a 32oz Tide for $4.99 the bottle will look similar but has less liquid in it. Price per oz? WM Tide: $.14, DG Tide = $.155, they always come out higher in the long run. Even if they do have a decent deal on a gallon of milk or pop I guarantee you they're making it up with the bag of candy you bought or a few of their impulse items.

I'm rambling but it really sucks seeing people on EBT assistance spending a hundred dollars at a store like DG when they could get so much more for their buck at a Crest or even a Walmart.

It's all about perception and they do it very well. There are 3 Dollar General's within 4 miles of my home, County Line and Memorial, and they are always busy. There is one just down from the Crest on Rockwell and Hefner and it is pretty busy from what I can tell. It really just blows my mind, they are filthy and cluttered yet people flock to them like they are selling the miracle to life.

That’s the free market. The only reason they’re in business is because people support. The government telling them how many stores they can build is NOT the answer.

"
I'm rambling but it really sucks seeing people on EBT assistance spending a hundred dollars at a store like DG when they could get so much more for their buck at a Crest or even a Walmart"
So as you mentioned, and the article as well, those EBT customers could also be getting fresh fruit and healthier options at a full service grocery, and extending the dollars received. Thanks for that info

What is the attraction???


When I lived in SoSA there was a Family Dollar at 11th and Classen and since I could walk, I tried to use it.

It was just so horrible. Cluttered is a nice word. Junky and jammed full of crap spilling onto the floor is more accurate. And the aisles are ridiculously narrow.

And the parking lot was always just full of trash. Like people would go outside, eat/drink/whatever and throw garbage down and it would sit there for days until it blew away.


As much as I hated the Homeland on Classen before the remodel, it was still a million times better.

I just don't understand why people shop at these places.

That is a trashy Family Dollar, the other one on 23rd by Broadway was nicer (!) and the newer Dollar General is ok as well.

I'm a coupon guy. Shop for the best price. Dollar General is cheaper on some things especially when you use digital coupons on top of manufacturer coupons. Crest is cheaper on some things then Winco. Winco is cheaper then some things at Crest. It really just depends on sales and what your after. Homeland and Walmart are by far the most expensive when it comes to grocery. Even braums is cheaper then Walmart in the produce department most of the time. Really just comes down to where you like to shop. Oh and Aldi has some things cheaper but off brand. Buy for less is Meh for me. Maybe if they had cleaner stores i would go there more. Anyway for me it's Crest, Winco, Dollar General, Buy for less, Braums, Aldi, Homeland, Walmart.

I love Winco because they have such a massive assortment.

I went tonight and had a long list and as big as that place is, I found everything I need pretty quickly.

Big fan of that store.

When I had my shop on South Western, there weren't any close convenient grocery options, but there was a family dollar in the shopping center, and a nice dollar general down the road. I imagine the attraction for many is the same reason folks will pay the convenience tax at on cue or 7-11. Close and quick in and out.

I'm a coupon guy. Shop for the best price. Dollar General is cheaper on some things especially when you use digital coupons on top of manufacturer coupons. Crest is cheaper on some things then Winco. Winco is cheaper then some things at Crest. It really just depends on sales and what your after. Homeland and Walmart are by far the most expensive when it comes to grocery. Even braums is cheaper then Walmart in the produce department most of the time. Really just comes down to where you like to shop. Oh and Aldi has some things cheaper but off brand. Buy for less is Meh for me. Maybe if they had cleaner stores i would go there more. Anyway for me it's Crest, Winco, Dollar General, Buy for less, Braums, Aldi, Homeland, Walmart.

With all of those places on the list, is it worth the extra time in gas and traveling to stop by all of those places?

How did the old IGA places fair? I remember alway going to the Snyder's IGA in Yukon when growing up. My father never shopped anywhere else. But I believe they went out of business before I started making the grocery runs myself, so I can't really compare what they were like to what we have now. All I know is I used to love going to Snyder's to get the free cookie!!

With all of those places on the list, is it worth the extra time in gas and traveling to stop by all of those places?

People always use the gas argument when the topic of shopping around is discussed, and the answer is always yes, it's worth it. I don't consider Dollar General to be a grocery store option at all (I'd think of Braums for grocery store before Dollar General), so when I discuss shopping options in Mustang I say there's just two. Fake Homeland (whatever they changed the name to when they went on their "cost plus 10%" scam, I don't care) and Walmart that doesn't know how to stock. So...basically no options. There's a weekly run to Yukon where the options are fake Buy For Less, Sprouts, Aldi, Walmart, Walmart Grocery, two real Homelands. About a monthly run to Sam's Club. I'll agree that it would be silly to drive to WinCo or Crest from Mustang just to shop, but that's really only due to time and distance, not prices. Even factoring in the cost of gas it would be worth the trip.

Here's the thing with gas. It's crazy expensive, but it's also not. At $4/gallon (nowhere in the metro is charging this that I know of, many places I drive past are below $2 for the last couple weeks) and 15 MPG (this car sucks, dude), you're looking at a touch over 26 cents/mile. We've already used ridiculous numbers but let's go ahead and raise that to 30 cents. If I drive 10 miles and save three bucks, it's worth it in the crappy gas-guzzling car that I filled up at double the normal price, after we rounded up.

So like I said, it's not the cost of gas, it's the cost of time. I'm looking at 25 minutes (one way) to the nearest WinCo, and a similar time to the Crest on 23rd (if I'm going to 39th and Portland, this would be the best option). I could go to Moore, where there's both stores, but about a 30 minute drive. I wouldn't have to save much to pay for the gas, it's the driving time and then the time in the two stores that's the real problem.

I go to the Family Dollar around the corner a couple times a week. I'm over 50, so I just want to make a quick strike and get out. Shopping is not fun; rather I hunt and gather. Those dollar stores are great for buying a handful of packaged items without standing in a long line. They aren't anything new, they are filling the niche that Ben Franklin, TG&Y and the earlier Wal-Mart stores used to fill.

I used to work at an IGA in the late 70s. They did a great job of being a locally owned, full service store in about 10,000 square feet. The rule was that-as a checker-you could have the customer you were checking and one person behind them before you had to call for back up. I think we as a society decided we would rather wander mammoth warehouses and stand in long lines in order to save 5-10%. Economies of scale, and all that.

People always use the gas argument when the topic of shopping around is discussed, and the answer is always yes, it's worth it. I don't consider Dollar General to be a grocery store option at all (I'd think of Braums for grocery store before Dollar General), so when I discuss shopping options in Mustang I say there's just two. Fake Homeland (whatever they changed the name to when they went on their "cost plus 10%" scam, I don't care) and Walmart that doesn't know how to stock. So...basically no options. There's a weekly run to Yukon where the options are fake Buy For Less, Sprouts, Aldi, Walmart, Walmart Grocery, two real Homelands. About a monthly run to Sam's Club. I'll agree that it would be silly to drive to WinCo or Crest from Mustang just to shop, but that's really only due to time and distance, not prices. Even factoring in the cost of gas it would be worth the trip.

Here's the thing with gas. It's crazy expensive, but it's also not. At $4/gallon (nowhere in the metro is charging this that I know of, many places I drive past are below $2 for the last couple weeks) and 15 MPG (this car sucks, dude), you're looking at a touch over 26 cents/mile. We've already used ridiculous numbers but let's go ahead and raise that to 30 cents. If I drive 10 miles and save three bucks, it's worth it in the crappy gas-guzzling car that I filled up at double the normal price, after we rounded up.

So like I said, it's not the cost of gas, it's the cost of time. I'm looking at 25 minutes (one way) to the nearest WinCo, and a similar time to the Crest on 23rd (if I'm going to 39th and Portland, this would be the best option). I could go to Moore, where there's both stores, but about a 30 minute drive. I wouldn't have to save much to pay for the gas, it's the driving time and then the time in the two stores that's the real problem.


You beat me to the correction. I meant to say time AND gas.

If you have been in the Walgreen's at NW 23rd & May and wonder why it has more coolers than the others built around the same time this is why. The extra coolers were added late to the construction, it was about 75% complete at that point and about 45 days from fixturing. I drew it up and sent it to the contractor for a change order price as the additional coolers were across from the existing coolers and all power/plumbing and floor in place. Got the price and they went ahead with it which required cutting the slab for power, plumbing drain and refrigerant lines. They felt the additional cost was worth it based on demographics and competition in the area.

"
I'm rambling but it really sucks seeing people on EBT assistance spending a hundred dollars at a store like DG when they could get so much more for their buck at a Crest or even a Walmart".


I think with a lot of people it's just too big of an ordeal to shop for food at places like Wal-Mart, due to the huge size of the stores. Also harder to find a good parking place for a short walk to the door. It probably helps explain why convenience stores do good, besides the fact they also sell gas. People are also likely too lazy to comparison shop the prices. Maybe Wal-Mart hopes to compete well with the dollar stores through its Neighborhood Markets in the bigger cities, but even they may be too big.

Distance is always a very big factor. It doesn’t matter how much more someone could get at Walmart if they don’t have the transportation to go shopping there.

Does OKC have a 24-hour grocery store anywhere in the urban core anymore?

Since Wal-Mart stopped being open 24-hours I don't think there is any.