The current situation is due to the fact that a group of locals spun off from Safeway and formed Homeland, and thus OKC's dominant chain was completely insulated from all the great evolutionary changes that happened with Safeway, Kroger and the others. Homeland stayed mired in the 1980's and then Walmart came in and pretty much took over.

We are only now starting to recover.

Interesting. I was an employee of Safeway when they changed over to Homeland and continued to work for Homeland until July, 1995. I was a part-timer attending college so I had no knowledge (or really even any interest in) the grocery business but I was always amazed when I would go to Safeways in other states and they were nice, attractive stores. Heck, I thought Safeway had gone out of business when Homeland took over and was surprised to find open Safeway stores in other states.

Most Safeways these days are comparable to Kroger or the other better chains.

Miles and miles ahead of Homeland.

This story ran in the DO yesterday: Multiple new grocery stores are coming to Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/multiple-new-grocery-stores-are-coming-to-oklahoma-city/article/5363952)
Is it possible that the "significant grocer" with property under contract is TJ's? I'd like to dream it's so.

I hope it's TJ's but "under contract" implies a sale, and that is usually not the way Trader Joe's does business.

I wonder what he is referring to in his chat today?



11:04 Comment From CeCe
With the announcement of multiple new grocery stores opening in the Metro, I was surprised none of them would be opening Downtown. Any idea as to why they see market potential in OKC Metro but not the Core?
11:04 Steve Lackmeyer: Just wait... a deal is coming ....

I wonder what he is referring to in his chat today?

Uptown Grocery for Midtown somewhere down the line.

Uptown Grocery for Midtown somewhere down the line.

Wow that'd be great

I like(dislike) how that article said Walmart is defending their home turf with multiple Sam's, neighborhood markets, and super Walmarts. I really hope quality grocery stores see OKC as an option to steal some of that 65% share from Walmart. So far, those that have come in here I believe have been pleasantly surprised.

I like(dislike) how that article said Walmart is defending their home turf with multiple Sam's, neighborhood markets, and super Walmarts. I really hope quality grocery stores see OKC as an option to steal some of that 65% share from Walmart. So far, those that have come in here I believe have been pleasantly surprised.

There are a lot of people who are fed up with Wal-Mart but in OKC, there are many pockets of the city where they are the best choice. When the alternative is a Homeland like the one on N Classen or the one on N May and 122nd, then a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market doesn't look too bad. OKC isn't completely devoid of good grocery stores like it was a few years ago, but they are still few and far between and many quality parts of the city are stuck with dumpy stores. I really like how WinCo is targeting the Supercenters and hopefully they are successful at taking a significant chunk of marketshare. Newer studies say that one-stop shopping, the cornerstone of the Supercenter strategy, is not as important to consumers as it was a decade ago. That will really help stores like WinCo compete.

As for new Wal-Marts, most of the ones I am familiar with being built are in underserved areas such as S Sooner Rd. That area has needed a grocery store for a long time so the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market will be welcome.

It doesn't seem like all the other options affect the King Soopers (Kroger) here in the Denver area, they are packed all the time. Safeway and Albertson's on the other hand are moderately busy to slow most of the time. The same thing happened in Austin where HEB was busy all the time and Randall's (Safeway) was always slow. Albertson's had already vacated the market before I moved.

King Soopers also has their Fresh Fare concept in South Denver which is kind of a Whole Foods/Sprouts hybrid. They did announce a new Whole Foods flagship store (about 56,000 sf) next to Union Station.

King Soopers has always been king of the Denver market. It was the only place I would shop at.

Just heard today that the Save-A-Lot would be on the NE side, which is great as there is so much need in that area.

Somewhere around 23rd & Kelly.

That would be a good fit for the area, they need new grocery stores. Maybe an Aldi's too would be nice.

That would be a good fit for the area, they need new grocery stores. Maybe an Aldi's too would be nice.

Don't forget the Uptown Market that is already planned there.

Went by Health Food Center today, and they seem to be rebranding as Green Acres Market and are adding more organic foods and a deli


Natural organic foods in Wichita | Green Acres (http://www.greenacres.com/)

Just saw some plans come out for bid for a Uptown Grocery store going in at 9515 N May Avenue. Existing car lot(?) will be demolished and the store will be built there. The docks and pharmacy drive-thru will be accessed off of Berkshire Way with the parking lot and front door on the South side.

Just saw some plans come out for bid for a Uptown Grocery store going in at 9515 N May Avenue. Existing car lot(?) will be demolished and the store will be built there. The docks and pharmacy drive-thru will be accessed off of Berkshire Way with the parking lot and front door on the South side.

I wonder if this is the "significant grocer" referred to in the article? This has been known about on OKCTalk for 6+ months now.

I wonder if this is the "significant grocer" referred to in the article? This has been known about on OKCTalk for 6+ months now.

I'm not sure, but there has been a sign up at the property stating, that Uptown Grocery was being built there. The signage has been there for maybe 4-6 weeks. The location itself, was the old Jackie Cooper Lincoln/Mercury dealership, then later on BMW lot. (Just North of May/Britton on West side of May.) The dealership has actually been vacant for a long time..(almost 10 years??) and the buildings were leveled a long time ago as well. I would find it hard to believe that this would be the "significant grocer" coming soon...as I'm pretty sure plans for this location have been around for a good while.

Not my neck of the woods so I didn't know about the building being gone or the sign. At any rate project is out to bid for General Contractors for the end of the month so construction should start in December and be complete April - June 2015.

Not my neck of the woods so I didn't know about the building being gone or the sign. At any rate project is out to bid for General Contractors for the end of the month so construction should start in December and be complete April - June 2015.

That's surprising to me because there is work going on at that site right now. It looks like drainage work. Maybe that is seperate?

I wonder if this is the "significant grocer" referred to in the article? This has been known about on OKCTalk for 6+ months now.Why would Uptown be the significant grocer if they are already in the state? Didn't it say out of state?

That's surprising to me because there is work going on at that site right now. It looks like drainage work. Maybe that is seperate?

The grading, excavation, water, sewer, and storm lines are listed as Existing Conditions so you may be correct and this portion has been contracted separately.

That was the BMW lot before it moved up near Edmond. The old Wiley Post hanger was to the north of it, the original Cooper Lincoln-Mercury lot was everything between Berkshire and the old Albertson's parking lot.

Why would Uptown be the significant grocer if they are already in the state? Didn't it say out of state?

It said "new-to-market." I assumed that meant new to the OKC area but not necissarily new-to-state, meaning it could be Reasor's. Uptown would only be a possibility of the writer of the article meant "new to OKC proper," being that there are no Uptown Groceries currently in OKC itself.

It said "new-to-market." I assumed that meant new to the OKC area but not necissarily new-to-state, meaning it could be Reasor's. Uptown would only be a possibility of the writer of the article meant "new to OKC proper," being that there are no Uptown Groceries currently in OKC itself.I would think the market would encase the metro, but maybe not.

"Under contract" implies a sale and that is not TJ's m.o.

Not sure who it is but I'll see what I can find out.

Save-A-Lot is really bad -- I'd rather they stay out of OKC.

Pete, have you heard anything about Publix maybe moving in to the market? In the Journal Record article about the I-40 and Czech Hall Road development, it said the companies boasts of relationships with Publix Supermarkets and a bunch of other companies we already have in the metro (Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Target, Academy, Walgreen's, Best Buy, Dollar General, Ross, Old Navy, etc).

That was the BMW lot before it moved up near Edmond. The old Wiley Post hanger was to the north of it, the original Cooper Lincoln-Mercury lot was everything between Berkshire and the old Albertson's parking lot.

Wiley Post Hanger? Where was that? Not out by Wiley Post Airport?

Pete, have you heard anything about Publix maybe moving in to the market? In the Journal Record article about the I-40 and Czech Hall Road development, it said the companies boasts of relationships with Publix Supermarkets and a bunch of other companies we already have in the metro (Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Target, Academy, Walgreen's, Best Buy, Dollar General, Ross, Old Navy, etc).

Publix would be a dream come true for the OKC market. It is among the best of the mid-range grocers and I would easily place them above Kroger. It's stronghold is in the Southeastern United States though and they aren't yet in any of the states bordering Oklahoma. It would surprise me to see them come here.

Pete, have you heard anything about Publix maybe moving in to the market? In the Journal Record article about the I-40 and Czech Hall Road development, it said the companies boasts of relationships with Publix Supermarkets and a bunch of other companies we already have in the metro (Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Target, Academy, Walgreen's, Best Buy, Dollar General, Ross, Old Navy, etc).

I looked at the developer's website and primarily they operate centers in the southeast, which would explain their relationship with Publix.

But for a grocery chain to move in, they would have to have distribution facilities nearby, which is why we will only get WinCo after they first went to DFW and then opened a distribution facility there.

We would have a better chance for Kroger, but I'd put that at 1% vs. .01% for Publix. Those mid-markets grocers are getting killed at the high end by Whole Foods and the like, and at the low end my Costco, WinCo and Walmart.

What about Dillon's? They are in Wichita. Or is that what you are referring to as Kroger? They are a division of Kroger.

What about Dillon's? They are in Wichita. Or is that what you are referring to as Kroger? They are a division of Kroger.

Kroger (or some brand owned by them) is in Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas. It wouldn't be unthinkable for them to expand into Oklahoma.

Using the criteria that they are already in or near the area, of the top 10 chains (according to Consumer Reports) these would be new to OKC (number 5 is Sprouts...already here):

2. Trader Joe's (408 stores in 30 states)
Consumer Reports Reader score: 87. Best service, Good perishables, Best prices, Best cleanliness

4. Costco (648 stores worldwide)
Consumer Reports Reader score: 84. Okay service, Best perishables, Best prices, Good cleanliness

10. WinCo Foods (93 stores in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Texas)
Consumer Reports Reader score: 81. Okay service, Okay perishables, Best prices, Okay cleanliness

And, for those that think Walmart is the bottom of the barrel, CR says everyone thinks so too:

The bottom five on Consumer Reports' ranking:
51: Pick 'n Save: Reader score: 72
52. Acme: Reader score: 70
53. Pathmark: Reader score: 70
54. Shaw's: Reader score: 69
55. Wal-Mart Supercenter: Reader score: 67


Best Supermarkets In America - Business Insider (http://www.businessinsider.com/best-supermarkets-in-america-2014-3)

I've enjoyed shopping at Market Street since I've been in DFW. The fresh produce/meat quality is rather high and the boxed/canned goods are way cheaper than Whole Foods/Central Market/Sprouts.

Market Street (http://www.marketstreetdfw.com/)

You have to think that Reasor's may be the chain most likely to come to the the OKC area.

We know they already took a hard look at Edmond, so they are interested. That deal fell through due to opposition to the development, not them pulling out.

And obviously, they already have local distribution facilities.

If I was Reasor's I would enter the market and strategically place locations in order to drive out Homeland. They have already run Homeland out of Tulsa and if they played the game right they could do it in OKC.

The shopping center at 33rd and blvd is looking more and more like its being set up for a grocery store. I could see a Reasors going in there. I could also see a Fresh Market. About a year and a half ago, I spoke with the store manager of the Tulsa store. He said that they had just signed a lease on a location in the Okc metro area but would not tell me the area. I'm hoping for one of the two.

I would also setting for a Trader Joes going in there. Hopefully some news soon.

You also have to think a lot of these grocers are affiliated with Associated Wholesale Grocers which is a pretty tight knit group of folks. Reasors makes sense moving into OKC but since they use AWG would they think they'd be stepping foot on their fellow affiliates?

You also have to think a lot of these grocers are affiliated with Associated Wholesale Grocers which is a pretty tight knit group of folks. Reasors makes sense moving into OKC but since they use AWG would they think they'd be stepping foot on their fellow affiliates?

Reasor's and Homeland co-existed in Tulsa for a long time so I don't see why they couldn't here. Just in the past year, Homeland closed their last Tulsa location.

I would also setting for a Trader Joes going in there. Hopefully some news soon.

I think its too large for a Trader Joe's. They are usually about the size of an Aldi.

Wiley Post Hanger? Where was that? Not out by Wiley Post Airport?
The land there at Britton & May was an airfield back in the 20-50's, the hanger was part of that. Wiley Post airport was moved out to Rockwell years later.
WileyPostHanger.com (http://wileyposthangar.com/about.php)

Pete, have you heard anything about Publix maybe moving in to the market? In the Journal Record article about the I-40 and Czech Hall Road development, it said the companies boasts of relationships with Publix Supermarkets and a bunch of other companies we already have in the metro (Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Target, Academy, Walgreen's, Best Buy, Dollar General, Ross, Old Navy, etc).

Their website also shows that they have a relationship with Sprouts. That could also be a possibility.

Wiley Post Hanger? Where was that? Not out by Wiley Post Airport?The original Wiley Post airport was on the NW corner of Britton and May. It was established originally for Post himself. The one now using that name was originally Tulakes Airport, established in 1942 as the replacement OKC commercial field, after the Army Air Corps took over Will Rogers Field for use as a training site.

The original hangar was carefully dismantled when the original Wiley Post was razed for development in the mid-50s, and I believe it's stored at the new Wiley Post in hopes of evenrually rebuilding it there as part of an OKC Air Museum...

I'd feel bad if something major came into downtown. Not for consumers but for Native Roots. I truly feel like they've done some much to help get things started.

Just saying my peace. I'm partial to the early adopter.
I certainly understand that and wish them well. I think they can continue to serve a very important niche but they are not in a position to serve all of the basic needs of a vastly expanding downtown population.

Not sure if this is news to anyone, but I work as a department manager at a store here in the city, and I was told the new WinCo stores are being supplied by AWG, at least at first. Apparently this was done behind the backs of the AWG stores here, and it pissed off Binkowski and now the Buy For Less stores will be serviced by Affiliated out of Nebraska or Kansas. This could mean that a chain could move in without needing access to their own distribution center.

Not sure if this is news to anyone, but I work as a department manager at a store here in the city, and I was told the new WinCo stores are being supplied by AWG, at least at first. Apparently this was done behind the backs of the AWG stores here, and it pissed off Binkowski and now the Buy For Less stores will be serviced by Affiliated out of Nebraska or Kansas. This could mean that a chain could move in without needing access to their own distribution center.

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing that perspective.

Regarding Native Roots, it seems the like scenario will be an Uptown Market on 10th & Hudson a few years down the road.

Even in that situation, I believe NR could still thrive, as that is still a fair distance between the two and of course, they would be very different types of stores.

Hopefully there will be enough population in Deep Deuce and Bricktown to continue to support NR. I'm sure plenty of people in those areas would still strongly prefer to stroll over and get fresh items, rather than having to get in their car (or streetcar) and go to Midtown.

So does this mean somebody like Kroger entering the market is more of a possibility?

Wow I'm surprised that's leaked about Buy For Less. I've heard the same and Hanks supposed to make a decision at the first of the year. Probably conveniently after he gets his royalty check from AWG of course.

Speaking of a terrible grocery store, the 18th and Classen Homeland has nothing on Whittaker's on 10th. Whittaker's is probably the worst grocery store I have ever been in. I am not sure how it stays open yet there are always cars in the parking lot.

In regards to OKC's grocery scene, I think probably the most unfortunate turn of events in recent history was Albertson's leaving the market and their locations getting taken over by Homeland. Many of the former Albertson's locations seem like they were once nice grocery stores that Homeland has simply let go. Had they remained Albertson's or went to another company that actually cared, I am sure the situation would be much better.

Speaking of a terrible grocery store, the 18th and Classen Homeland has nothing on Whittaker's on 10th. Whittaker's is probably the worst grocery store I have ever been in. I am not sure how it stays open yet there are always cars in the parking lot.

In regards to OKC's grocery scene, I think probably the most unfortunate turn of events in recent history was Albertson's leaving the market and their locations getting taken over by Homeland. Many of the former Albertson's locations seem like they were once nice grocery stores that Homeland has simply let go. Had they remained Albertson's or went to another company that actually cared, I am sure the situation would be much better.

Heh, I go to the George's Liquor Warehouse next to it occasionally, and Whittaker's is *always* busy, never been in there, no need to, but they must be super-cheap, that's gotta be the only reason they're still in business.

As far as Albertson's leaving being the most unfortunate event, it was probably that along with Safeway leaving and letting their stores to go Homeland also. Not sure when all of that happened, as we left in 1995, but grocery-ing in OKC was on a downhill slide before then (used to walk to the Safeway on 63rd/May before it was a Sprouts/Half-Price Books, and it was a good store, I definitely remember that).

Heh, I go to the George's Liquor Warehouse next to it occasionally, and Whittaker's is *always* busy, never been in there, no need to, but they must be super-cheap, that's gotta be the only reason they're still in business.

I went in for the first (and only) time a few days ago just out of curiosity and was shocked by the condition it was in. It's 24 hours though.


As far as Albertson's leaving being the most unfortunate event, it was probably that along with Safeway leaving and letting their stores to go Homeland also. Not sure when all of that happened, as we left in 1995, but grocery-ing in OKC was on a downhill slide before then (used to walk to the Safeway on 63rd/May before it was a Sprouts/Half-Price Books, and it was a good store, I definitely remember that).

It's almost like Homeland destroys everything it touches, with the exception of the N May and Britton store which it actually seems to care about. I don't know why Homeland hasn't been targeted for a buyout by a larger regional chain yet.

I went in for the first (and only) time a few days ago just out of curiosity and was shocked by the condition it was in. It's 24 hours though.



It's almost like Homeland destroys everything it touches, with the exception of the N May and Britton store which it actually seems to care about. I don't know why Homeland hasn't been targeted for a buyout by a larger regional chain yet.

Bchris,
The one at Southeast 29th and Sunnylane is as nice as the one at Britton and May. I believe it was formerly an Albertson's. Also, the one at Bryant and Danforth was an Albertson's and it's fairly nice although not as nice as the aforementioned. By the way, I shopped at the Buy-For-Less at Penn and Hefner today and was pleasantly surprised. They have made a lot of changes and the store is much more "shopper friendly". It's also a lot cleaner. Changing the aisles from East/West to North/South and the middle aisle improved a lot. Plus, you no longer have to go through the produce and meat departments to begin shopping for other items if you don't want to. Actually, you do have to pass by about a third to a half of the produce before exiting into the main part of the store.
C. T.

It's almost like Homeland destroys everything it touches, with the exception of the N May and Britton store which it actually seems to care about. I don't know why Homeland hasn't been targeted for a buyout by a larger regional chain yet.

Homeland is a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers. Had a friend that used to be an asst. manager at a location in S. Oklahoma. He claimed that they were just a write-off for AWG.

Homeland is a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers. Had a friend that used to be an asst. manager at a location in S. Oklahoma. He claimed that they were just a write-off for AWG.

Trousers,
I thought I had heard that they were "employee" owned, so I googled it and found this (wikepedia). "Homeland was sold to its employees in December 2011". I don't believe everything I find on the internet, but this seems to confirm what I believed to be true. They were a subsidiary of AWG but it appears that has changed.
C. T.

Speaking of a terrible grocery store, the 18th and Classen Homeland has nothing on Whittaker's on 10th. Whittaker's is probably the worst grocery store I have ever been in. I am not sure how it stays open yet there are always cars in the parking lot.

They apparently have really cheap prices, and the El Mariachi grocery store up ahead on 16th is sort of pricey . I wouldn't shop there though because it' looks very outdated inside, dirty and it smells kind of bad IMO.

By the way speaking of local stores, what happened to Warehouse Market in S OKC? I drove past there and the store was completely empty.

They apparently have really cheap prices, and the El Mariachi grocery store up ahead on 16th is sort of pricey . I wouldn't shop there though because it' looks very outdated inside, dirty and it smells kind of bad IMO.

By the way speaking of local stores, what happened to Warehouse Market in S OKC? I drove past there and the store was completely empty.

Looks like Warehouse Market shut down in OKC.

Always depressing to come back to OKC from Texas in regards to grocery, but especially liqour stores. I love being able to go to Spec's and get everything I need for a party in one place. They even have frozen pizzas and most other party foods.

Yeah that Whittaker's looks way too creepy for me. Like something you'd see in a third-world country. And it's always overrun with people, too. I occasionally stop in at George's next door for alcohol, but my husband doesn't like me to go there unless he's with me. Not that that stops me, of course. :Smiley122 I figure I'm safe in the liquor store because I'm fairly certain the owner's packing. He seems like a guy who can take care of himself.

A good clean grocery in the area, BChris, is Eley's Foods on May and 30th. That store is surprisingly clean and has a good selection. The prices are higher than a big box store, but you can get in and out of there quickly so sometimes it's worth paying more.

Always depressing to come back to OKC from Texas in regards to grocery, but especially liqour stores. I love being able to go to Spec's and get everything I need for a party in one place. They even have frozen pizzas and most other party foods.

Especially when visiting Central Market or even Kroger. Central Market has such unique items especially for a chain Texas store. Love that place. Love the quality. It would be nice if Kroger Signature came in. One in Norman, Moore, Yukon, a few in OKC, one in Edmond, one in NW OKC near Quail. That would be nice. I'm dreaming.

One huge plus for OKC which I don't see mentioned very often is Super Cao Nguyen Market. I am glad we have a place like that. I remember 5 years ago we didn't have Whole Foods, Sprouts, or even Natural Grocers. If memory serves, the only decent store was the Crest out near the Airport. Things have changed so much and will only continue to change in the future.

Living in DFW now has spoiled me when it comes to grocery stores that's for sure. I shop for groceries almost exclusively at Central Market and Market Street now....so much better than anything I had while living in Oklahoma City/Norman.