Located on the SE corner of SW 104th & S. Penn in the Chateney Square Shopping Center. :) The store used to be an Albertson's before being taken over by Homeland. When it first opened, it was "the" place to shop in that SW area...then the new Crest opened at SW 104th & S. May...and the Homeland did not keep up its interior, etc. The folks who work there are super nice, but the store is just not like it should be. It is comparable to the one at NW 122 & N. May. SoonerDave is spot on in his description!

If there is any truth to the rumor going around that a Sprouts might go in across the street on the property currently for sale, then Homeland is definitely toast. We've heard that story about the "requirement" that there had to be a grocery store in Chateney Square too. Always wondered the basis for that. They could turn the Homeland into a Sprouts, and with a complete remodel, update, etc., it would do well in that demographic area.

I've heard a VERY strong rumor (from folks whom I would deem credible, actually) that the Sprouts project has actually been killed due to pressure from the Greenbriar HOA folks. May or may not yet be public knowledge, but the folks that had this information seem to have a lot of generally pretty accurate info on things relating to city businesses and area projects, so it isn't the garden variety rumor.

The story about Chatenay and the grocery store is pretty odd and interesting. As I heard it, Odom (Chatenay developer) got a contract from the big grocery distributor in town at that time (now, what, 15-20 years ago) to put in a grocery store at his new Chatenay development (May have been Wholesale Grocers, but I don't say that as fact by any means). That was, as I recall, going to be a "Buy For Le$$" grocery store, similar to the one on NW Expy just northwest of Baptist Hospital. Ground broke, construction started, and then something - perhaps relating to the economy, don't remember - fell through the floor and the distributor wanted out of the Chatenay project.

Odom, supposedly, said (in effect), "ahem, no, I have a contract, and I'm building a store, and I expect you to provide a tenant." So, hearing that the Homeland - then at SW 89th and Penn - was getting ready for a big-scale remodel, the distributor approached Homeland about just swapping locations - move their store to the Chatenay space rather than remodel their old existing store. Homeland agreed, and Odom was satisfied. Homeland opened the very nice store there, which went on its way as was noted earlier in the thread....

The loser in all this was Buchanan's, which had been at the corner of SW 89th and Penn and a SW OKC institution since the 1960's. When the WalMart Neighborhood Market went in at SW 104th and Western, Buchanan's just couldn't compete, and tried valiantly to expand, update, and renovate their stores, but it was too little, too late. As an adjunct to all this, supposedly Odom had desperately tried to pursuade Buchanan's to move away from its core location and move across the street to a new building he offered to help build (rather than update the very old existing building), but the Buchanan family didn't want to move.

Now, its worth noting that ALL of this is, of course, second hand, alleged, supposed, relayed from friends, some of whom had family that worked for Buch's at that time, so had good reason to believe what was being told was legit, and knew a lot of the related ins and outs of the other stores. So think the substance of this story is pretty accurate even if some of the details might be a bit wonky. Now that I think of it, I believe the Oklahoman ran a story about this very little grocery store song and dance back in the day....

Thanks for the update on the Sprouts rumor. Not surprised, really. However, it would be a benefit if Homeland there went out, and Sprouts went in. I do believe a Sprouts would do quite well there--even with Crest down the street.

Appreciated hearing the back-story about the grocery situation there. Sounds perfectly logical, given what is known about both parties (Odom & Buchanan).

It was such a lovely store; just hate to see it go down like that. Hubby says that it always has that "going out of business" look about it.

Homeland is closing their NW Expressway and MacArthur location. Shutting down in October. That's all I know.

Good.. That is a sad excuse for a grocery store..

Good.. That is a sad excuse for a grocery store..

No. It wasn't. That is my regular grocery store and I'll go there until it closes. It meets my needs quite well.

I know this is a bit off topic but I am curious if the newly built On Cue Express affected the gasoline sales for the Homeland that is slated to close and accelerated its demise.

I know this is a bit off topic but I am curious if the newly built On Cue Express affected the gasoline sales for the Homeland that is slated to close and accelerated its demise.

That seems unlikely. The other On Cue on NW Expressway is much closer. I usually get gas there with my Homeland card discount and I've never noticed any particular change in the amount of business when I'm there. I think I've only gotten gas from that On Cue one time since it opened.

Looks like it official.

Homeland to close northwest Oklahoma City store | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/homeland-to-close-northwest-oklahoma-city-store/article/5158789)

The location isn't bad at all. The problem is Homeland really let the store go. Last time I was in it, everything looked like a store that Sad because it looks like it used to be a very nice store. The new Wal-Mart a mile to the south was likely the final nail in the coffin. My guess is the 122nd and May store will hang on until WinCo opens and then it too will go the way of the dinosaur. On the other hand, I really like what Homeland has done with their 122nd and Rockwell location.

Something jumped out at me in the NewsOK article where Homeland officially announced they were closing the Northwest Expressway and MacArthur store. We all wonder about all the investment into Britton & May and now 122 & Rockwell while the others just die on the vine. Did anybody else catch the direct quote from the CEO that stated that as Homeland's business plan?

"Darryl Fitzgerald, CEO for Homeland Stores, said in a statement. “In keeping with our strategic decision to prudently invest in historically high-performing stores located in high-growth areas, we could not justify expending capital in this store.”

So, Mr. Fitzgerald, why not sell the rest of the chain that you don't care about and you could maybe even use the money to create another one or two "high-performing stores?"

Bottom line: Your strategy is sad, obviously ineffective, and shows an almost schizophrenic approach to your chain. Either have high standards for ALL of your stores - or close those you plainly state you don't want to invest in. Anything else is small time thinking. Hopefully, Northwest Expressway & MacArthur is the first closure of many.

Something jumped out at me in the NewsOK article where Homeland officially announced they were closing the Northwest Expressway and MacArthur store. We all wonder about all the investment into Britton & May and now 122 & Rockwell while the others just die on the vine. Did anybody else catch the direct quote from the CEO that stated that as Homeland's business plan?

"Darryl Fitzgerald, CEO for Homeland Stores, said in a statement. “In keeping with our strategic decision to prudently invest in historically high-performing stores located in high-growth areas, we could not justify expending capital in this store.”

So, Mr. Fitzgerald, why not sell the rest of the chain that you don't care about and you could maybe even use the money to create another one or two "high-performing stores?"

Bottom line: Your strategy is sad, obviously ineffective, and shows an almost schizophrenic approach to your chain. Either have high standards for ALL of your stores - or close those you plainly state you don't want to invest in. Anything else is small time thinking. Hopefully, Northwest Expressway & MacArthur is the first closure of many.

Thanks for pointing out. I did not catch that in my first read of it. I agree, they should upgrade ALL of their stores or sell the ones they don't care about. The 122nd and May store's days are numbered with Uptown Grocery and WinCo both opening nearby. I wonder if they would actually make MORE money by selling the stores they don't want then letting them run into the ground. I hate to say it but the S May and 104th location will probably whither by neglect as well, which is sad because that was once a very nice location and could still be a great grocery store.

They probably don't have the money to be able to renovate all of them. If you don't have the money to do all the stores to a certain level then you need to close some of the lower performing stores. That is why there are just a few Albertson's stores left here in Denver.

They probably don't have the money to be able to renovate all of them. If you don't have the money to do all the stores to a certain level then you need to close some of the lower performing stores. That is why there are just a few Albertson's stores left here in Denver.

I agree. I wonder if they could see the stores they don't want though to another operator who will make that investment if they cannot. You would think that would be a better option than closing the stores, especially locations that are on their way down but haven't yet passed that point of no return.

Something jumped out at me in the NewsOK article where Homeland officially announced they were closing the Northwest Expressway and MacArthur store. We all wonder about all the investment into Britton & May and now 122 & Rockwell while the others just die on the vine. Did anybody else catch the direct quote from the CEO that stated that as Homeland's business plan?

"Darryl Fitzgerald, CEO for Homeland Stores, said in a statement. “In keeping with our strategic decision to prudently invest in historically high-performing stores located in high-growth areas, we could not justify expending capital in this store.”

So, Mr. Fitzgerald, why not sell the rest of the chain that you don't care about and you could maybe even use the money to create another one or two "high-performing stores?"

Bottom line: Your strategy is sad, obviously ineffective, and shows an almost schizophrenic approach to your chain. Either have high standards for ALL of your stores - or close those you plainly state you don't want to invest in. Anything else is small time thinking. Hopefully, Northwest Expressway & MacArthur is the first closure of many.

Couldn't it just be a different way of saying they don't want to throw good money after bad?

I mean, yeah, accusing the guy of being "schizo" and "not caring" is a lot sexier in a public forum like this than taking the comments at face value, but I don't know of too many businesses that are perpetually engaged in throwing money at aspects of the business that show little to no promise of return. Mind you, won't say I agree with how Homeland is managed right now in terms of their price-competitiveness, but just hurling the brickbats doesn't seem to help...anything.

Couldn't it just be a different way of saying they don't want to throw good money after bad?

I mean, yeah, accusing the guy of being "schizo" and "not caring" is a lot sexier in a public forum like this than taking the comments at face value, but I don't know of too many businesses that are perpetually engaged in throwing money at aspects of the business that show little to no promise of return. Mind you, won't say I agree with how Homeland is managed right now in terms of their price-competitiveness, but just hurling the brickbats doesn't seem to help...anything.

I think the point is that Homeland's strategy of investing in a few of its stores and just letting the rest slowly die on the vine like what happened to the NW Expressway and MacArthur store is a bad way to manage a business. It would make more sense to sell the stores they don't want than to just let them rot away, am I wrong?

Couldn't it just be a different way of saying they don't want to throw good money after bad?

I mean, yeah, accusing the guy of being "schizo" and "not caring" is a lot sexier in a public forum like this than taking the comments at face value, but I don't know of too many businesses that are perpetually engaged in throwing money at aspects of the business that show little to no promise of return. Mind you, won't say I agree with how Homeland is managed right now in terms of their price-competitiveness, but just hurling the brickbats doesn't seem to help...anything.

Wow. Where did that come from? I did not call Mr. Fitzgerald "schizo" and "not caring" was meant in a business sense. It IS a schizophrenic kind of business model. I didn't write any of that with the thought of it being in the slightest bit "mean." I didn't mean it any other way than a lot of people see the chain. "Sexy?" "Hurling the brickbats?" I saw in his own words the explanation for the strategy - it's intentional - I did take his words at face value. That was the purpose of my post. I'm not looking for fights today, SoonerDave, but you took all of that wrong.

Wow. Where did that come from? I did not call Mr. Fitzgerald "schizo" and "not caring" was meant in a business sense. It IS a schizophrenic kind of business model. I didn't write any of that with the thought of it being in the slightest bit "mean." I didn't mean it any other way than a lot of people see the chain. "Sexy?" "Hurling the brickbats?" I saw in his own words the explanation for the strategy - it's intentional - I did take his words at face value. That was the purpose of my post. I'm not looking for fights today, SoonerDave, but you took all of that wrong.

Sorry, zoo, just read the words you typed:


So, Mr. Fitzgerald, why not sell the rest of the chain that you don't care about

...shows an almost schizophrenic approach to your chain

Not looking for fights, either, zoo, but to try and parse what you said as something you didn't say is more than fractionally disingneuous. That's all. The guy's a businessman, making imperfect decisions about a vastly imperfect grocery store chain that isn't likely to survive in the OKC area much longer. Just didn't see the point in the additional piling on, that's all.

SoonerDave, Please. I'm sure Fitzgerald can handle somebody posting a thought about his grocery chain on a message board without it feeling like "piling on." My post was about as benign as they come. I don't understand your problem with my post. Much, much worse is said about stores all the time. But I can't use the metaphor of "schizophrenic" when talking about the chain? Walk in one and it's beautiful - walk in another and it's horrible. As for the "you don't care about..." That's what it looks like. Really, Dave? People say ten times worse about things all the time around here. I've posted so many pro-Homeland posts at OKCTalk, always praising Britton and May, and I got the scoop on this store closing on Northwest Expressway and then gave a VERY mild critical opinion, based on the CEO's own words and I catch this from you? Disingenuous? Yeah, we're all human beings, all imperfect, all with successes and failures, why is Fitzgerald immune to criticism (mild) without you calling me out?

In fact, my guess is this comment of yours would bother him much more than mine:

"grocery store chain that isn't likely to survive in the OKC area much longer."

They'll be around if only with a half dozen stores. They aren't going anywhere. A few of their stores make money hand over fist. They are employee-owned and their parent overhead is very low.

Very judgmental of me, Dave.

If a solid mid-level grocer like Kroger, Harris-Teeter, Publix, Reasor's, etc were to enter the OKC market then yes Homeland's days are numbered. As is though, Homeland fills a niche, even if they aren't great at filling it. A handful of locations will likely remain open even if the crappy ones do close.

I was at the NW 122nd and May location Saturday morning and there were only three other people in the store besides myself. I will be very surprised if that location isn't the next one to shutter. There were several birds flying around in it as well.

Hopefully the nice one at May and Britton can hold its own even with Uptown Grocery and Natural Grocers opening nearby.

Bchris02,
I must have missed something, where is an Uptown Grocery opening up "nearby"? I know that one is opening at MLK and 23rd, but's that's all I had heard about.
C. T.
Hopefully the nice one at May and Britton can hold its own even with Uptown Grocery and Natural Grocers opening nearby.

Uptown Grocery is opening up at May and Britton on the other side of Britton from the current Homeland location.

The Uptown Grocery is supposed to go in where the abandoned car sales place used to be. This just happens to be just north of the building that Albertson's left to move to the south side of Britton Road some time before they became a Homeland location. I like that Homeland and do over half my grocery shopping there. However, if Uptown is competitive cost/value-wise I will be switching to them. Because they will be in the city limits of The Village . . . like that old Albertson's used to be.

In the old Jackie Cooper BMW lot.

In case anyone is interested, this store is selling anything they have left for 20% off.

Enjoying the speakerbox concert and fireworks. Who knew this area was so awesome.

Enjoying the speakerbox concert and fireworks. Who knew this area was so awesome.

huh?

huh?

He is promoting Heritage Hills.

From the most recent Alliance for Economic Development report:


SEPTEMBER
Held discussions with city partners Homeland about long term plans for location at 18th and Classen.

From the most recent Alliance for Economic Development report:

I've been going in here over the past month when I run out of the bare essentials, and now realize what others have said. The quality and condition of this store is absolutely terrible, even for Homeland standards. This is such a prime location for a quality grocery store, is there anything to Alliance (or anyone else for that matter) can do to improve things here?

I've been going in here over the past month when I run out of the bare essentials, and now realize what others have said. The quality and condition of this store is absolutely terrible, even for Homeland standards. This is such a prime location for a quality grocery store, is there anything to Alliance (or anyone else for that matter) can do to improve things here?

I think it is interesting that when I'm in there, I never see people actually doing their real shopping. It is always people like myself that are only buying a few items that they absolutely need.

I think it is interesting that when I'm in there, I never see people actually doing their real shopping. It is always people like myself that are only buying a few items that they absolutely need.

Why would people do their real grocery shopping in such a place? The Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market and Buy for Less at Penn and NW 23rd aren't very far away and they are much, much better grocery stores. Right now, the Homeland probably stays in business simply on those people who are there just to by a few essentials or pick up things they forgot when doing their real grocery shopping.

If Homeland would remodel/rebuild the store however, it could become a place where a lot of people would do their real grocery shopping. I am not sure why the owners of Homeland don't see this and don't wan to seize this opportunity before somebody else does.

Why would people do their real grocery shopping in such a place? The Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market and Buy for Less at Penn and NW 23rd aren't very far away and they are much, much better grocery stores. Right now, the Homeland probably stays in business simply on those people who are there just to by a few essentials or pick up things they forgot when doing their real grocery shopping.

If Homeland would remodel/rebuild the store however, it could become a place where a lot of people would do their real grocery shopping. I am not sure why the owners of Homeland don't see this and don't wan to seize this opportunity before somebody else does.

I've lived downtown for over a year and have yet to set foot in there. My wife went once for a cake mix, if I recall and she ended up at Walmart on 23rd because the store was dirty and disorganized. Time for a change.

I've lived downtown for over a year and have yet to set foot in there. My wife went once for a cake mix, if I recall and she ended up at Walmart on 23rd because the store was dirty and disorganized. Time for a change.

I'm new to this area so good to know there are other, better, options, although I try and stay away from Walmart as much as possible. But it quite possibly the most disorganized store I've been in.

I'm new to this area so good to know there are other, better, options, although I try and stay away from Walmart as much as possible. But it quite possibly the most disorganized store I've been in.

Mostly Native Roots and Whole foods. I sometimes go to the crest at 104th and may.

Mostly Native Roots and Whole foods. I sometimes go to the crest at 104th and may.

I meant new to the midtown area, I could have been more clear. It's good to know that there better options nearby though.

I meant new to the midtown area, I could have been more clear. It's good to know that there better options nearby though.

I just keep hoping for a trader joes.

I meant new to the midtown area, I could have been more clear. It's good to know that there better options nearby though.

Its been years since I have been in a wal-mart and don't plan on visiting any time soon. .I live in Crestwood and I forget that homeland even exists. I wish the buy 4 less at Penn and 23rd was cleaned up more like the expressway location but not sure that is happening. I tend to do all my shopping at Crest at 23rd and Meridian. great prices and they ALWAYS have enough cashiers to get you out in a flash.

Why would people do their real grocery shopping in such a place? ......... I am not sure why the owners of Homeland don't see this and don't wan to seize this opportunity before somebody else does.

Yes it wasn't clear but that was my point too. The store owners must know that most of their customers are only purchasing a few items. That Homeland is nothing more than a convenience store for 90% of the people in there.

Their management is out of touch, they see their low (or maybe average -- I don't know their books) numbers as a reflection of the market, and not a reflection of their service. In their eyes, they see a weak market and not a weak product offering as the reason for under performance. If they were as bullish on the downtown market as some of the other business in the metro, they would make this their absolute priority to be remodeled and expanded product offering. They are just out of touch, that is all. They are probably ran by the same type of individual thinks you get shot downtown after 530pm.

It's shocking to me that any business in this day and age -- especially one of decent size and substantial resources -- could operate like this.

To me, that tells you everything you need to know about Homeland.

Many things at this store could be fixed by merely making a bit of an effort (organization, cleanliness); things that wouldn't necessarily cost them a dime. Yet, they still can't be bothered.

Homeland is completely out of touch. Is there any chance they may ever sell to a better company or will they just die a slow death?

I guess my experience has been different than others on this thread. I have stopped by this location to pick up a few items on my way home from work many a time. Dingy, well worn, dated, crowded merchandise... definitely. While it is not an aesthetically pleasing experience, I've never seen dirty floors or spills. The merchandise is in the same shape as Walmart and Crest. The checkers are friendly and helpful. I do agree Homelands in general do not create a pleasant shopping experience.

I guess my experience has been different than others on this thread. I have stopped by this location to pick up a few items on my way home from work many a time. Dingy, well worn, dated, crowded merchandise... definitely. While it is not an aesthetically pleasing experience, I've never seen dirty floors or spills. The merchandise is in the same shape as Walmart and Crest. The checkers are friendly and helpful. I do agree Homelands in general do not create a pleasant shopping experience.

"Dingy, well worn, dated, crowded merchandise" = words that never should be used to describe a grocery store, hence the negative comments.

My post wasn't a criticism of people expressing negativity. Express away. I just have a different perspective.

There are rumors that the 18th and Classen Homeland may be slated for closure. Can anybody confirm or deny that? If so, it's beyond mindboggling being that it is such an underserved yet growing part of the city. The store is unsuccessful because its run down and filthy, not because there isn't a market for a grocery store in the area. It's sad that most people I know who live downtown either drive to the Belle Isle Wal-Mart or the S 104th and May Crest to do their grocery shopping. Anybody who thinks downtown OKC has arrived needs to wrap their minds around that.

There are rumors that the 18th and Classen Homeland may be slated for closure. Can anybody confirm or deny that? If so, it's beyond mindboggling being that it is such an underserved yet growing part of the city. The store is unsuccessful because its run down and filthy, not because there isn't a market for a grocery store in the area. It's sad that most people I know who live downtown either drive to the Belle Isle Wal-Mart or the S 104th and May Crest to do their grocery shopping. Anybody who thinks downtown OKC has arrived needs to wrap their minds around that.

Where did you hear that rumour?

Where did you hear that rumour?

A friend of mine told me about it so I am not sure if there is actually truth to the rumor or of its just hear-say. The store is in such bad shape that if it doesn't get upgraded, it won't be long for the world if Uptown Grocery opens a Midtown location in a few years like is rumored. It would be awesome if Homeland would simply bulldoze it and build a new store but that's dreaming.

I may be wrong, but I believe Safeway and Albertsons used to be in many of the Homelands in the OKC metro? Safeway and Albertsons may have been crappy back in the 80s but if you visit their stores on the west coast, they are pushing for quality. Once Homeland moved in, their quality has continued to deteriorate. Getting grocery stores in inner city locations has always been tough. Most cities in the midwest have had issues pulling in grocery stores closer in.

This particular location was a Safeway before a local group spun off all those stores to become Homeland.

It was absolutely the worst thing that could have ever happened to the OKC grocery scene, as the Homeland group became an stagnant island while the rest of the world moved forward with redesigns and new concepts. Then Walmart stepped into the void and here we are.

For all of its life, Homeland has made every possible wrong decision. They've gone bankrupt how many times now? It's amazing that they are still around because anything they built has closed. It seems like most of the stores still open, are ones they bought from someone else...ie 29th/Sunnylane (was a new Albertson's). Buy For Less is slightly better, but they tend to let things fall too, like the newish Albertsons at 15th/Post.

Margins are incredibly tight with grocers, but when you have poor management, you're doomed. If you can't compete in a price war with WalMart and Crest, you're not going to make it. Homeland's are typically little piece of crap stores too that don't have enough room to hold enough variety to make them worth going in the doors.

I would say Albertson's leaving the market was another severe blow. Had they remained it's very possible they could have upgraded many of their stores by now. Homeland seems to be content in letting them die slow deaths like the one at NW Expressway and MacArthur did. A national chain, even one with problems like Albertson's had in the mid 2000s when they pulled out of the market, would be better than Homeland.

I haven't seen any other city with as low quality grocery stores as OKC. Tulsa at least has Reasor's, a quality local chain that is growing and competing. One thing that could fix the situation here is for Homeland to be bought out but I have no idea what the chances are of that happening. One would think that national players may see opportunity in OKC. Maybe alcohol sales is the issue? Many here reluctantly shop at Wal-Mart and would be open to going elsewhere if they had another option.

As for the inner city, a quality grocery chain be it Reasor's or one of the nationals would be jumping on the opportunity that is the 18th and Classen store rather than letting it rot.

This particular location was a Safeway before a local group spun off all those stores to become Homeland.

...the Homeland group became an stagnant island while the rest of the world moved forward with redesigns and new concepts.

Why does this always happen to OKC? This and 7-11 and it seems like there's one other example of this that I'm forgetting right now.

Fortunately, both Homeland and 7-11 are being worked around now by enterprising competitors.

OnCue is getting much more aggressive and basically stepping into the QuickTrip void.

Other grocery stores are starting to do the same.

Thank goodness. Crest continues to step it up however which is great. Homeland is destined to fail and they don't seem to be doing much about it. Do they not care?

With homeland falling apart (hopefully) there seems to be a unique opportunity for a national chain to come in.

I wonder if Walmart neighborhood market will make an attempt to be at that location... eventually.

Heard a rumor that the Homeland at 23rd and Rockwell in Bethany is changing the name to Cost Plus Market? I see they're undergoing a renovation...anyone else heard this?

Nope but Cost Plus has to be the worst wording for a grocery store name I've ever heard...... I guess maybe they might have been going for truth in advertising.

Just learned they will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and reopen Thursday as Cash Saver.

The store is still owned and operated by Homeland, but it's a cut-price concept where they supposedly sell everything at 'cost'.

They have done only some slight remodeling but claim the prices will be lower.

Nope but Cost Plus has to be the worst wording for a grocery store name I've ever heard...... I guess maybe they might have been going for truth in advertising.

in the early 90's there was a grocery on sw 89th & western that used exactly the same name. the idea was that every item was marked as "cost" and at the register you paid cost plus 10%... it was probably the worst grocery store concept i've ever seen. hopefully this store in bethany won't be doing the same thing. -M

They did the same thing with the 39th and Penn store before it eventually went out of business. I would say that store's days are numbered. Cash Saver has failed at every other location that they've tried it.

It may be just an exit strategy they use when a store is on its last legs.