I shop at the Winco on 39th and Crest on 23rd. But have to go over to WM grocery on 23rd Penn to get my 22ct Starbucks kcups. lol.

I'm confused on why Walmart has such a strong hold on the grocery market in OKC? I purposely avoid it at all cost, but nearly all my coworkers still shop there.

When asked, they say their experience isn't great, stores are crowded, lines are long, items are out of stock. Yet, they continue to go.

Bummed that Winco isn't coming closer to NWOKC, I'll still drive to the one on 39th occasionally, but both Crest stores in NWOKC and Edmond are still closer for our grocery shopping.

I'm convinced I live in the optimal location (near Penn Square) for accessing the best in OKC grocery options:

Winco on 39th
Sam's on 39th
Aldi on N. May
Sprouts at 63rd & May
Target at NW Ex & May
Trader Joe's
Whole Foods

Only real gap is no nearby Crest.

I'm convinced I live in the optimal location (near Penn Square) for accessing the best in OKC grocery options:

Winco on 39th
Sam's on 39th
Aldi on N. May
Sprouts at 63rd & May
Target at NW Ex & May
Trader Joe's
Whole Foods

Only real gap is no nearby Crest.

If the winco on 39th is around, is the crest on 36th and meridian too far?

If the winco on 39th is around, is the crest on 36th and meridian too far?

It's at 23rd & Meridian.

I never bother going that far and I'm never over in that area otherwise.

I can vouch that the Crest on 23rd is a clean store with a nice produce area. And they bag your groceries so if I need an unusual amount of groceries I go there. You have to bag your own at winco which is usually no problem for me. I really need to try the Aldi at 23rd and MacArthur, And with Sprouts on N May I like my choices.

I'm confused on why Walmart has such a strong hold on the grocery market in OKC? I purposely avoid it at all cost, but nearly all my coworkers still shop there.

When asked, they say their experience isn't great, stores are crowded, lines are long, items are out of stock. Yet, they continue to go.

Bummed that Winco isn't coming closer to NWOKC, I'll still drive to the one on 39th occasionally, but both Crest stores in NWOKC and Edmond are still closer for our grocery shopping.

Pretty much the entire reason people shop at Walmart is that it's cheap, and that overrides every other concern about their stores/experience.

I'm convinced I live in the optimal location (near Penn Square) for accessing the best in OKC grocery options:

Winco on 39th
Sam's on 39th
Aldi on N. May
Sprouts at 63rd & May
Target at NW Ex & May
Trader Joe's
Whole Foods

Only real gap is no nearby Crest.

My trifecta is Whole Foods, Sprouts and Winco with Sam's for some things (can't beat their rotisserie chicken!!)

I'm close to Crest and glad they are here but use them primarily for need it "right now" purchases. Too often they get in a snit with a brand/supplier and quit carrying it (I'm guessing for price) but they just tell you they can't get it. . .most recently C&H Cane Sugar which they have carried for years. . .now it's only Imperial. Have had this happen several times over the years (going back to the "old store" in MWC) with different products.

I'm convinced I live in the optimal location (near Penn Square) for accessing the best in OKC grocery options:

Winco on 39th
Sam's on 39th
Aldi on N. May
Sprouts at 63rd & May
Target at NW Ex & May
Trader Joe's
Whole Foods

Only real gap is no nearby Crest.

The house we just sold was in Warwick Estates at 122nd and MacArthur. That was a great area for grocery too. Within 2 miles we had Sprouts, an upgraded Homeland, Crest, and Walmart Neighborhood Market. They were all essentially within one square mile. For big WalMart and Sam's I had just a short drive to NW Expressway between Rockwell and Council.

Pretty much the entire reason people shop at Walmart is that it's cheap, and that overrides every other concern about their stores/experience.

I use Wal-Mart quite regularly. It's popular in Oklahoma because Sam Walton spent some time in some small town here. They are cheap, they have massive amount of stock and they have online ordering. They undercut most other pharmacies like CVS if you are self pay. They are a behemouth.
I've never heard of WinCo.

I too have come to love Walmart in the last few years especially since there are none in Hollywood I never realized how much I like them until I didn’t have nearby. I wish they’d build one or two in Hollywood and west LA.

I'm a price shopper. I used to be one of those coupon freaks back in the day that would get $200 worth of grocery for $20. I hate to bust some bubbles on this website but Walmart is not the cheapest for grocery.

Walmart's not the cheapest.

Winco is more expensive than Crest. It's as simple as that. They're really on-par with Wal-Mart. People go to Wal-Mart THINKING it's cheaper but then if you compare your receipts, it really isn't. But what you do get at Wal-Mart is one-stop shopping. So if someone wants to pick up a shirt/wine/food/can of paint/etc...well they can do all those things at Wal-Mart. And lazy people don't like to bag their own groceries either.

Personally, i go to Aldi/Crest/Sams for my rotation of items and avoid Wal-Mart whenever possible. I tried to like Winco, but i just couldn't. And the layout drives me bonkers.

Winco is more expensive than Crest. It's as simple as that. They're really on-par with Wal-Mart. People go to Wal-Mart THINKING it's cheaper but then if you compare your receipts, it really isn't. But what you do get at Wal-Mart is one-stop shopping. So if someone wants to pick up a shirt/wine/food/can of paint/etc...well they can do all those things at Wal-Mart. And lazy people don't like to bag their own groceries either.

Personally, i go to Aldi/Crest/Sams for my rotation of items and avoid Wal-Mart whenever possible. I tried to like Winco, but i just couldn't. And the layout drives me bonkers.

This is SO fab. This is so right.

Winco is more expensive than Crest. It's as simple as that. They're really on-par with Wal-Mart. People go to Wal-Mart THINKING it's cheaper but then if you compare your receipts, it really isn't. But what you do get at Wal-Mart is one-stop shopping. So if someone wants to pick up a shirt/wine/food/can of paint/etc...well they can do all those things at Wal-Mart. And lazy people don't like to bag their own groceries either.

Personally, i go to Aldi/Crest/Sams for my rotation of items and avoid Wal-Mart whenever possible. I tried to like Winco, but i just couldn't. And the layout drives me bonkers.

One stop shopping is the best that is why I missed my Meijer when I moved down here from Indiana. Meijer was the best. Crest over all is the cheapest but winco will have things on sale that are cheaper. That is another reason I don't like Wal-mart they never have anything on sale or wow deals like Crest or Winco will.

I've enjoyed shopping at Meijer when visiting my daughter in Michigan

Meijer looks awesome. Have you ever been to Hy-Vee in Iowa? My personal favorite. I did Google WinCo and now I remember it vaguely from my time in Idaho. I don't remember it being anything special, so other than price, I don't understand the affection for them.

One complaint that I have about Winco Foods and other grocery stores that use the automated shopping cart pushing robot is that it distorts the front caster wheel alignment of most, if not all, of the shopping carts. At the 39th & Portland store, almost every shopping cart has the right front caster wheel about a half an inch higher than the left front caster wheel which causes the cart to teeter-totter. I believe it is due to the weight of the train of carts along with the turning radius and angle of the ramp used to bring the shopping carts into the corral (just an educated guess, I'm not a professional engineer).

Have to say, that is certainly one of the most specific complaints I have seen levied on this thread.

Meijer is excellent. WinCo and Crest don't quite have the "one stop" selection of Meijer and Wal-Mart, but they at least do alright in the toiletries department.

I wish I had other good options closer to me. I hate shopping at Walmart but I end up going there by default, as the three closest (non-ethnic-specialty) grocery options to me are either Walmart or Walmart Neighborhood Market. If I want to go to Crest, Sprouts, or Winco, each of those options are well out of my way. The inner-city southside desperately needs more grocery options that aren't Walmart. I personally think a Winco would make a killing if they built somewhere near SE 59th and Santa Fe, or along Shields just north of I-240.

I do think they would do well but is it up to their standard? Since they chose not to build near Memorial and Penn. I doubt they will be building anytime soon.

Yep I've repeatedly been told that Crest reacted to Winco way faster than Winco anticipated and also they greatly underestimated the stranglehold Crest / Walmart had on the market and the customer that they tend to try and attract. They couldn't beat Crest on prices after the initial opening budget ran out and had less services such as baggers available. And some of their perks they typically have in other markets, such as being employee owned or their meat selection were not really prized here in OKC where other stores match them pretty easily at better prices. Another factor has been distribution, their nearest distribution center is the Denton facility which is 3 hours away from OKC, whereas OKC has a major AWG distribution center just minutes away from most non walmart stores in the area, leading to daily stocking at large volume stores.

They are still doing fine, just they are only doing roughly half the volume they were anticipated to be doing in this market.

I live off 46th and Classen which is about a mile East of Pete and can concur that it's the best location for grocery (actually, literally the best location to live period in the entire Metro). Mine is slightly better located than Pete for Trader Joes and Whole Foods (but WF is too expensive) and puts the Homeland @ Classen/18th in an acceptable range. Unfortunately though I'm worse located against Sprouts, Aldi, and WinCo. This ends up with me at Wal-Mart for at least 40% of our groceries unfortunately.

We do try and do our big produce runs to Sprouts and then keep stocked on our Trader Joe's goods which are mostly frozen things and snacks, so it does make up a good amount.

Still, I did a Wal-Mart run in 8 minutes the other day. I could not believe it. Most people can't even get to a Wal-Mart parking lot in 8 minutes but from the time I stood up from my computer and then sat back down having grabbed a pastry and soda in between, 8 minutes.

So hard to get over convenience.

The 39th & Portland WinCo was surprisingly close when I lived around 30th & Walker, mostly because I-44 pretty much slingshots you directly into their parking lot lol

The 39th & Portland WinCo was surprisingly close when I lived around 30th & Walker, mostly because I-44 pretty much slingshots you directly into their parking lot lol

Did you take 36th to 235 or Western direct to I-44?

Did you take 36th to 235 or Western direct to I-44?

30th -> Classen -> NW Expressway -> I-44 was my preferred route.

I'm today years old finding out there's another grocery store on 3601 N May called Eley's Has anyone been there? Nextdoor app someone commented on their excellent meat department. I need to go see what they're like.

I'm today years old finding out there's another grocery store on 3601 N May called Eley's Has anyone been there? Nextdoor app someone commented on their excellent meat department. I need to go see what they're like.

I went in there about 2 years ago - it definitely felt like I was going to the Super Thrift that used to be at 122nd and MacArthur back in the 90s

I'm today years old finding out there's another grocery store on 3601 N May called Eley's Has anyone been there? Nextdoor app someone commented on their excellent meat department. I need to go see what they're like.

I'm just a few blocks away and it's an excellent go-to for just a few things. Their meat counter is pretty good. It's also never very crowded, but many things are priced a little higher.

I'm today years old finding out there's another grocery store on 3601 N May called Eley's Has anyone been there? Nextdoor app someone commented on their excellent meat department. I need to go see what they're like.

Have been many times as it's the closest grocery to my gf's house. It's great for quick trips for a few need-for-dinner-tonight items. Maybe not so much for big shopping. Probably the best thing is if you go enough and they start recognizing you, you can start asking if they'll order things for you, which has worked for us a couple times.

Loses points for lack of bike rack.

I'm today years old finding out there's another grocery store on 3601 N May called Eley's Has anyone been there? Nextdoor app someone commented on their excellent meat department. I need to go see what they're like.

Used to go there all the time until the pandemic, then they didn't care about masking or social distancing (I talked to the mgr about it the last time we went there and he basically shrugged) and we haven't been in since (over a year).

In my experience during the pandemic they were mostly masked, but distancing was not a thing, and they certainly didn't enforce masking with customers. However, with the mandate gone so is any sign of masking.

Used to go there all the time until the pandemic, then they didn't care about masking or social distancing (I talked to the mgr about it the last time we went there and he basically shrugged) and we haven't been in since (over a year).Same thing with me. I just figured that it would be crowded and many no maskers, not worth the risk. Instead of cheap I am going with safe these days. Shopped ace hardware for items that could have been cheaper at Lowe's but did not want to deal with the people. This morning for most of my shopping time only one other shopper in the store.

Same thing with me. I just figured that it would be crowded and many no maskers, not worth the risk. Instead of cheap I am going with safe these days. Shopped ace hardware for items that could have been cheaper at Lowe's but did not want to deal with the people. This morning for most of my shopping time only one other shopper in the store.

I believe you are talking about Winco while TheTravellers was referencing Eley's on N. May.

I shopped at the WinCo at NW 39th St and Portland yesterday and noticed there was no egg nog at all. I figure it is either supply chain issues or the Grinch.

I shopped at the WinCo at NW 39th St and Portland yesterday and noticed there was no egg nog at all. I figure it is either supply chain issues or the Grinch.

I tried my hand at homemade. It was fairly simple, but definitely not as thick as the store bought stuff. You should give it a go. Just cook it to get to 165-ish to help thicken it up. I figure that is where mine failed.

You might stop and check Sprouts or Natural Grocers. I buy the Kalonia eggnog. Its the best I have ever found. I bit pricey but so good with spices that you have to shake up and thick with cream. Yummy. Don't ask about the calories.

Braum's also carries egg nog.

Braum's also carries egg nog.
And it's damn good.

And it's damn good.

Yep, almost can't beat it, only thing we buy from them.

Urban Agrarian had some when i stopped to get cream for homemade butter yesterday.

The one on 39th street got rid of the Italian beef in their deli. Ugh. Only reason I really went to Winco. Who else has shaved Italian Beef in the deli section. Does uptown grocery carry it?

As of August 1st Winco will no longer take credit cards. Due to inflation.

As of August 1st Winco will no longer take credit cards. Due to inflation.

that is comedy ..

As of August 1st Winco will no longer take credit cards. Due to inflation.

So Winco only recently started accepting credit cards within the last couple of years - they're just going back to the way they used to operate pre-pandemic. They don't like the high transaction fees that Visa/MC are charging for credit cards. However, just like before, they'll continue to accept debit cards, EBT & WIC, checks, cash, and gift cards.

So Winco only recently started accepting credit cards within the last couple of years - they're just going back to the way they used to operate pre-pandemic. They don't like the high transaction fees that Visa/MC are charging for credit cards. However, just like before, they'll continue to accept debit cards, EBT & WIC, checks, cash, and gift cards.

exactly... so i don't really think the issue has anything to do with inflation, I think it's more this was a change they made during the pandemic and are going back to pre-pandemic when they didn't have to worry about those fees.

As of August 1st Winco will no longer take credit cards. Due to inflation.

This makes no sense

For a long time, Winco didn't take credit cards because they said the fees charged worked against their lowest price possible strategy. For many years Costco didn't take them either for the same reasons.

WinCo recently changed that and is now going back to its old way of doing things. You can still use a debit card, which is all I ever use anyway.

I'm sure they are struggling to keep prices down and still make a profit.

For a long time, Winco didn't take credit cards because they said the fees charged worked against their lowest price possible strategy. For many years Costco didn't take them either for the same reasons.

WinCo recently changed that and is now going back to its old way of doing things. You can still use a debit card, which is all I ever use anyway.

I'm sure they are struggling to keep prices down and still make a profit.

Sams was also the same way for the longest time. Unless it was one of their branded cards.

. . .sad, because this had become a regular stop on my grocery rounds. . .but I don't do debit transactions due to less protection to fraudulent charges.

lol wow this seems like a very bad decision

For a long time, Winco didn't take credit cards because they said the fees charged worked against their lowest price possible strategy. For many years Costco didn't take them either for the same reasons.

WinCo recently changed that and is now going back to its old way of doing things. You can still use a debit card, which is all I ever use anyway.

I'm sure they are struggling to keep prices down and still make a profit.

are they also lowering their prices across the board a few % the same day .. other wise it seems like a money grab

but I don't do debit transactions due to less protection to fraudulent charges.

Might have been true years ago but not today.

Might have been true years ago but not today.

Thx. . .I'll revisit

WinCo locations in OKC metro to stop accepting credit cards due to inflation

https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-city-metro-winco-credit-cards/40587600

Seems like a weird, shortsighted move that will likely backfire on them! But that’s just like, my opinion, man.

Credit card companies charge a big fee to merchants for the convenience of using cards. I think it's an admirable move by a budget-driven grocer.

I’ll say this, I’ve heard a few people I know gripe, and not one of them have ever been to this store. I think those that really like Winco will still go, including myself.

I used Winco in Portland and never had a problem using debit cards there. I guess this would be a problem for me now as I exclusively only use credit cards for all transactions. Cash if I absolutely have to. When my 3 debit cards expire I will just request ATM cards from now, as I haven’t used a debit transaction in months or possibly even years now.

I really liked Winco, I wish there was one where I live. They are a well run, no frills grocer.