The Homeland at Bryant and Danforth is decent, but the one at Britton and May is tops in the area in my opinion. I have been to both many times and there really is no comparison. And a little off the beaten path is the one at Sunnylane and Southeast 29th. It is right at the top of the ones I have been to, maybe just below the one at Britton and May.
C. T

Homeland at Britton and May is nice. The one at 122nd and Rockwell is identical to the Bryant/Danforth one.

The 122nd/Rockwell Homeland location has been re-done recently and is very nice I think. Prices cannot compete with Crest though just down the street (Rockwell/Hefner).

Pete, if you're going to check out grocery stores while you are in town, be sure and go by Homeland's May & Britton store. Presentation, cleanliness, friendliness, it's easily the best mainline grocery store in Oklahoma City (imo).

I think we have a consensus!

I'll be sure to stop by the May & Britton store.

Yesterday, I did some shopping in the Homeland at Danforth & Bryant in Edmond.

It is a decent store. It reminds of Vons (Safeway) in California, which is a notch below Ralphs (Kroger).

Frankly, it was better than I thought it would be.

I'll be sure to stop by the May & Britton store.

Yesterday, I did some shopping in the Homeland at Danforth & Bryant in Edmond.

It is a decent store. It reminds of Vons (Safeway) in California, which is a notch below Ralphs (Kroger).

Frankly, it was better than I thought it would be.

The remodeled Homelands aren't too bad. They are nothing special but at least they are acceptable grocery stores unlike some of the older locations that are so bad you have to wonder if they would pass a health department inspection. The remodeled Homelands like the one in Edmond and the one at 122nd and Rockwell put me in mind of some of the lower-end Harris Teeters in Charlotte.

Was in Tulsa over the weekend and noticed the plot where Trader Joe's will be has already been cleared. No signage telling you what was going there. Will the Nichols Hills location open first since it is a remodel only?

Anyone heard of any chances of a new Crest on the east side of Edmond? That seems like a good location for one of their new concepts.

Anyone heard of any chances of a new Crest on the east side of Edmond? That seems like a good location for one of their new concepts.

I could be wrong but I had heard there was originally one planned for Covell and I-35 but it was killed by NIMBY opposition. I hope that isn't the case because I agree, that would be a perfect location for a new Crest concept.

C'mon, Charlotte is not all that. Lots of hillbillies in and around Charlotte,in fact North Carolina in general. I have no idea why someone would put Charlotte in high regard. It's nothing special.

I know that if Kroger moved into the city I would switch to them asap. Kroger is a great grocery store.

C'mon, Charlotte is not all that. Lots of hillbillies in and around Charlotte,in fact North Carolina in general. I have no idea why someone would put Charlotte in high regard. It's nothing special.


That may be true, but Charlotte is over twice the size of OKC and has a lot of perks that OKC doesn't have simply because of its size and how popular it is with transplants. In many ways its like a mini-Dallas. At its core though, yes its a Southern city and country lifestyle is prevalent around there. Since this thread is about grocery stores, Charlotte is headquarters for Harris Teeter and they are as numerous there as Wal-Marts are in OKC. Harris Teeter is a beautiful grocery store - a step above your average Kroger but not quite Whole Foods. Quite frankly most grocery stores I've been to in Dallas aren't that impressive when you are accustomed to Harris Teeter, let alone OKC which most know could be much improved in this area.



I know that if Kroger moved into the city I would switch to them asap. Kroger is a great grocery store.

I really wish Kroger would open in Oklahoma. They really aren't anything special but they are a step above most OKC grocery stores and they would be a nice alternative to Wal-Mart. They are in every surrounding state but not here. Maybe they will eventually either buy out Homeland or enter the market once alcohol reform happens (if it ever does).

I could be wrong but I had heard there was originally one planned for Covell and I-35 but it was killed by NIMBY opposition. I hope that isn't the case because I agree, that would be a perfect location for a new Crest concept.

IIRC, it was an unnamed store, that folks hoped would be a Crest, but turned out to be a Wal-Mart hometown grocery.

IIRC, it was an unnamed store, that folks hoped would be a Crest, but turned out to be a Wal-Mart hometown grocery.

I know there was some conceptual/prelim design work done for a Crest at I-35 and Covell but I don't know what the status is on that project.

I think the Walmart was going to be located at Coltrane & Covell.

I know there was some conceptual/prelim design work done for a Crest at I-35 and Covell but I don't know what the status is on that project.

I think the Walmart was going to be located at Coltrane & Covell.

Oh, you're right.

I wonder if the status of anything on Covell and I-35 is pending on the financing issues with the Edmond convention center being resolved.

Brianna's update.

Oklahoma City's great grocer shake-up continues | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-great-grocer-shake-up-continues/article/5414872)

In interview with Carl Archiniaco, senior associate for retail at the Oklahoma City real estate company Newmark Grubb Levy Strange Beffort.


With about 4,500 housing units now downtown, and another 3,000 units of housing projected for downtown in the next five years, there may finally be enough people to support an urban grocer in downtown or on the outskirts, he said.

“We’re finally getting to a place where we can support a grocery store,”Archiniaco said.

Mark Inman, senior vice president for CBRE in Oklahoma City, said Whole Foods Market is expected to open at least one new metro area store, while Natural Grocers and Sprouts could also add more stores to their rapid expansion into Oklahoma City. Walmart will continue to open smaller format stores like its Walmart Neighborhood Market. Locally owned Crest Fresh Market also will continue its “slow, methodical expansion,” Inman said.

I'd love to see a Sprouts in West OKC, this area really doesn't have any Natural/Organic grocery stores

Where would Whole Foods put a second location in OKC? Did she mean Edmond?

Where would Whole Foods put a second location in OKC? Did she mean Edmond?

Probably Chisolm Creek.

I'd love to see a Sprouts in West OKC, this area really doesn't have any Natural/Organic grocery stores

I'd think a Sprouts would do very well in the Yukon/Mustang area.

I'd think a Sprouts would do very well in the Yukon/Mustang area.

The old grocery store on 66 and Cornwell would be perfect for Sprouts. It would need some renovation work of course but I know Sprouts likes to move into already built locations. I think I remember reading that it is supposed to be torn down, but it still stands.

The new Owaso Sprouts is a build from the ground up and is by the new Sam's club. The Edmond (former Homeland/Safeway) store cost them a bundle to remodel, they ran into a lot of problems with the building after they started work on it. Its suppost to get a remodel soon. I don't know if they have a location for the new stores yet. I was just told that they were planning on putting stores in those locations. I suggested that they need to put one in around Memorial ( Portland)? on the west side, lots of expensive roof tops and not a lot of nearby grocery stores.

I don't get it - does Brianna seriously not know about Native Roots? How can she not mention them in her article? The Daily Disappointment delivers, as usual.

. I suggested that they need to put one in around Memorial ( Portland)? on the west side, lots of expensive roof tops and not a lot of nearby grocery stores.

I'd give a left nut, for them to build one at Memorial/Macarthur.

I wonder how many of these will be built in the metro?

Whole Foods Plans New Chain To Court Millennials (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/06/whole-foods-market-millen_n_7228384.html)

nm/ double post.

Whole Foods is planning to open a new chain of stores that courts millennials with lower prices as it faces intensifying competition as a purveyor of organic and natural products.

Hello Sprouts and Natural Grocers.

Wise move by Whole Foods as they are just too expensive for lots of people.

I know a lot of friends that would shop there if it was cheaper.

Here is the new Uptown Market on N May coming along.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o214/bchris02/IMG_1569_zpsywolhqz1.jpg

Steve and Briana Bailey have both said on multiple occasions that Sprouts is looking to land downtown within the next few years.

Pete, do you have any inside information about this? Do you know where they might end up and how close a deal is to being done?

4th & EKG is what I'm hearing. Perhaps Walgreens as well.

Why is the new Uptown Market oriented to not face the street? I drove by and thought it looked weird.

Why is the new Uptown Market oriented to not face the street? I drove by and thought it looked weird.

The one in Edmond is the same way. Personally I really like how Uptown Market orients is buildings differently than your typical suburban pad grocery store. It's also a good sign that if they ever open downtown they are likely to respect urban standards.

4th & EKG is what I'm hearing. Perhaps Walgreens as well.

Do you know what the timeline is on this? Do you think it will be announced within the next year or is it more of a "next 3-5 years" thing?

Do we consider Sprouts a "quality" grocery store?

I think Sprouts is awesome.

And they are really growing while Whole Foods is hurting nationally.

Their meat selection is sub par. Their seafood is bad. It's good for a few things though.

As for quality, I would be cool with a decent Kroger-type grocer. Uptown Market would be very good as well, considering the local options. Regarding Whole Foods, their food quality is pretty much unmatched in OKC, with the best seafood and among the best meat and produce. Yes, it's expensive, but the food quality is very high. But just because I'm not a fan of Sprouts doesn't mean the only alternative I prefer is Whole Foods; I'm open to new things. And if I lived downtown I guess anything would be good, but it's hard to get excited about Sprouts when you know what is really needed in that market.

Uptown Market in Midtown would be a dream come true, especially if it was a part of a mixed-use development that included more than just the grocery store. Even if it was just a store like what they have in Edmond or is being built on N May, it would be awesome. A few years ago there were some whispers about that but I haven't heard anything in a while.

Sprouts is decent and having one downtown will be very welcome, but not as good as an Uptown Market would be. With all the housing coming online downtown, I don't know how much longer "not enough rooftops" will be a valid excuse.

Whole foods just comes off to me as a religious cult where you surrender all your assets at the register in exchange for poison koolade, wait no, fair trade %100 organic gmo labeled acai flavored beverage mixed in glacial waters by a Nepalese man who gets a free pair of shoes for every bottle sold, and a purple jumpsuit to help guide you on your ascension to the grocery cosmos. I don't argue for a second that the quality of their proteins are unmatched. Unless you have a whole day to hit up urban agrarian for chicken, Morelos mercado for fajita steaks, Gulfport for fish, etc.

I just think/know there's similar quality without the counter culture environment. And we could do a bit better on the pricing blanket whole foods has to throw to cover the costs of all the over the top items. Like vegan teething bars for your vegan 10 month old...who drinks MILK! Fermented probiotic coconut water. And, if I want non toxic household cleaner is stay home, mix vinegar with baking soda and save $15

. . . As for quality, I would be cool with a decent Kroger-type grocer. anything would be good. . .

Was in the Dallas Kroeger downtown on Maple yesterday. . . OMG. . .killer store for a downtown area!! We can only hope!!

Was in the Dallas Kroeger downtown on Maple yesterday. . . OMG. . .killer store for a downtown area!! We can only hope!!

While a lot of people keep waiting for Kroger or H-E-B to finally enter the OKC market to bring in modern grocery stores, all OKC really needs a local player in the grocery market to expand aggressively similar to the way that OnCue is bringing modern gas stations to the metro.

Crest "Fresh Market" and Uptown Market are every bit as nice as the grocers people take for granted in other cities. It's just both companies are being very cautious in their expansion plans. If one of them wanted to become to OKC what Reasor's is to Tulsa, they could make a huge difference in the grocery market here. Homeland is also capable of being a decent grocery store, but they are overall complacent and actually seems like they are slowly going out of business. When was the last time a new Homeland opened? If they wanted to, they could rebuild their 18th and Classen store and become the much needed quality downtown grocer but they aren't interested in doing that.

While a lot of people keep waiting for Kroger or H-E-B to finally enter the OKC market to bring in modern grocery stores, all OKC really needs a local player in the grocery market to expand aggressively similar to the way that OnCue is bringing modern gas stations to the metro.

Crest "Fresh Market" and Uptown Market are every bit as nice as the grocers people take for granted in other cities. It's just both companies are being very cautious in their expansion plans. If one of them wanted to become to OKC what Reasor's is to Tulsa, they could make a huge difference in the grocery market here. Homeland is also capable of being a decent grocery store, but they are overall complacent and actually seems like they are slowly going out of business. When was the last time a new Homeland opened? If they wanted to, they could rebuild their 18th and Classen store and become the much needed quality downtown grocer but they aren't interested in doing that.

I'm a little surprised Reasor's hasn't made a more aggressive move down the turnpike and started competing.

I'm a little surprised Reasor's hasn't made a more aggressive move down the turnpike and started competing.

I agree. It would be great if they would enter the OKC market and I think they would be a hit. It's unfortunate the Edmond location that almost happened was killed by NIMBY's. That location would have certainly led to a more aggressive push into the market. I wonder if they have any alternate plans?

What do others think of having a grocery store at NW 16 and Broadway? There is enough land and it would be directly connected to the NE side of town which is underserved.

What do others think of having a grocery store at NW 16 and Broadway? There is enough land and it would be directly connected to the NE side of town which is underserved.

I was actually thinking about this last night. I would love to see an Uptown Market there. That would be a perfect spot for one and is at the crossroads between several underserved neighborhoods.

This may be a bit off topic, but one of my big complaints about the grocery stores in OKC and OK in general is the lack of private label/store brand selection. Virtually every store is supplied by the same warehouse, and the only store brands available are Best Choice and Always Save. I buy a lot of things in the store brand....and it's these brands or Wal Mart brands...or nothing.
There are several Kroger and Safeway brands that I shop for when I'm at Dillons in Kansas or Tom Thumb or Kroger in Dallas.
I have applauded Buy For Less for changing their supplier this year and offering Shurfine brands in their stores. Many of the Shurfine items are very good--some better than the national brand.
Just heard thru the grapevine though that Buy For Less is going back to their old supplier...and the Shurfine will be replaced back to the Best Choice items that every other store offers.
I was shopping at Buy For Less a lot because of the variety of brands they offered..now I guess you can go to Crest, Homeland, Buy For Less or almost any other independent store and get the same stuff.

This may be a bit off topic, but one of my big complaints about the grocery stores in OKC and OK in general is the lack of private label/store brand selection. Virtually every store is supplied by the same warehouse, and the only store brands available are Best Choice and Always Save. I buy a lot of things in the store brand....and it's these brands or Wal Mart brands...or nothing.
There are several Kroger and Safeway brands that I shop for when I'm at Dillons in Kansas or Tom Thumb or Kroger in Dallas.
I have applauded Buy For Less for changing their supplier this year and offering Shurfine brands in their stores. Many of the Shurfine items are very good--some better than the national brand.
Just heard thru the grapevine though that Buy For Less is going back to their old supplier...and the Shurfine will be replaced back to the Best Choice items that every other store offers.
I was shopping at Buy For Less a lot because of the variety of brands they offered..now I guess you can go to Crest, Homeland, Buy For Less or almost any other independent store and get the same stuff.

You know who typically makes that private label stuff right?

You know who typically makes that private label stuff right?

Yes,, but I don't like having to pay the name brand prices for the same stuff that's packaged in other labels...but not every store brand is made by the same name brand company,

You know who typically makes that private label stuff right?

Pahdz,
No, I don't, clue me/us in.
C. T.

Has anyone heard when we can expect the new Uptown Grocery on May to open? The last time I drove past it it looked really far along but not completely finished. I had hoped they'd be open by Thanksgiving, but that's obviously not happening.

^

Best estimate is January.

We have a separate thread for that store if you want to monitor it for updates:

Uptown Grocery to the Village - OKCTalk (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Uptown%20Grocery%20to%20the%20V illage)

So, after being here for a couple of months and shopping at most the decent grocery stores around town, I've come to the conclusion that Walmart Neighborhood Market is probably going to be my every day store.

I just did $200 worth of shopping at the Homeland on Classen and it was a horrible experience, of course. Their prices aren't good and their produce is terrible. As in, I really regret buying what I did there and may go re-buy elsewhere. And of course, it's just a junky, old, depressing place with surly employees who all give you the distinct impression they hate their jobs. It's really as bad a modern-day grocery store as you are going to find.

I couldn't find a couple of things there I needed so I finally broke down and went to the WM on 23rd and Penn. Way, way, way better store. And way, way better prices. Plus, open 24 hours (I'm a notorious early riser and often out late) and self-check out. And, much wider aisles, decent selection, etc.

Not sure why these stores get such a bad rep, apart from the WM association.

I went into the Buy for Less at NW Expressway and Portland and was not impressed. Really like Sprouts but it's too far away and hard to get to for regular visits. Target is okay but it's a tremendous hassle since the store is so big and the groceries are in the back, plus there are the typical limited hours and checkout is almost always quite long.

Pete, what is the deal with WinCo? Are you sure this is still happening?

Pete, what is the deal with WinCo? Are you sure this is still happening?

Yes! They are just taking their time but they have already purchased property at 3 locations.

But living downtown, I'm not likely to go to 39th & I-44 very often. Still, love their stores and operation.

Yeah. That's exciting even though I won't be here, it'll still be nice to have them.Where are you going to Walmart NM though? I didn't realize there was one that close to the core. If Uptown Grocery comes downtown or perhaps Crest decides to go urban, they have reasonable prices and great stores.

There is a Walmart Neighborhood Market at 23rd & Penn. I rent a storage unit at Shepherd Storage right near there and am over there all the time, so it's pretty convenient.

One thing that seems to be quite different between WMNM and a regular Walmart: the former has wide aisles that aren't cluttered with stuff piled up everywhere.

The 24 hours and self-checkout are huge advantages as well.


I just don't think I can handle that Homeland. It's just a horrible shopping experience to the point of being downright depressing.

Having recently moved downtown, we're stuck in the same boat as Pete. We just got back from the 18th and Classen Homeland ourselves. Pete is spot on about that sad, sad store. It's laid out funny. The baskets are all rusty and old. They don't have things you'd expect (things that are common even at a limited-grocery Target), like frozen pre-cooked plain chicken breasts. At least I couldn't find any.

The employees do appear sullen and/or dissatisfied with being employed there. I made an attempt to cheer up the lady who was at the register we checked out from. She did warm up to us after we chatted for a while. I asked her if she had heard any rumors or information about whether or not that store would renovate/update. She laughed and said she figured it'd close before doing anything like that. That's only anecdotal, but her demeanor and response to our question made it clear that that store doesn't have much pride or effort placed into it.

Pete, make sure you get one of the Homeland customer value cards (or whatever they are). Our total was $240, and then the cashier asked if we had a card. My husband said he had one but couldn't find it, and the cashier went ahead and swiped her card for us. It took the total tab down to $199! I've never been a fan of having my purchases tracked, but if it saves that kind of money, then so be it!

Yeah it'd be nice to get a development like this with a Walmart or Crest.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/03/22/Local/Images/07a3b1be-54c7-11e0-96fb-9be28f8f60ab_UUIDWALMART23_1300827420.jpg

http://blumbergcapitalpartners.com/BCP-news/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Tysons-West-rendering.jpg

Yeah, I have one of their cards. But honestly, I hate those things (I give them my phone number and they always enter it wrong, then we do it again) and it's yet another advantage to WMNM, Sprouts and Winco because they don't require cards and that extra little bit of hassle.

Really, really hope we get a Sprouts downtown. Uptown Market would be great too but that probably won't happen for a few years, if then.

Yeah, I have one of their cards. But honestly, I hate those things (I give them my phone number and they always enter it wrong, then we do it again) and it's yet another advantage to WMNM, Sprouts and Winco because they don't require cards and that extra little bit of hassle.

Really, really hope we get a Sprouts downtown. Uptown Market would be great too but that probably won't happen for a few years, if then.They have a new Sprouts on La Brea close to Fountain which they are opening. It's a cool development. I'll try and get a picture of it soon.

Is the reason the Homeland at 18th and Classen has not been updated and improved just the lack of competition? They renovated the one at NW 122nd and Rockwell about a year ago and it's nice - new floors, produce area, great cheese area, etc. Prices are way higher than Crest and quite right you have to use their card to make it even close to reasonable. Still, would think they'd do something like this at 18th. Went in there to get milk late one afternoon and was sorta shocked how bad it is compared to other stores.