As for Homeland, I really think their best bet is to get bought out by another chain or completely revamped.

I know one of my friends was furious one time because an employee at their store in Edmond told her she was moving slow as sh!t and the manager told her he didn't hear it and he is still working there to this day apparently. She has not been back since.

So if they can't recapture customers and keep loosing them, that is going to be a big problem.

I actually tried to buy something at the deli in that store and I stood there for a long time before the guy working back there made eye contact then he slowly walked over, mumbled 'can I help you' without any trace of sincerity, then gave me my container without another word.

I did have one employee say good morning to me one day and I was almost shocked.
Have you tried to talk to boss guys? I mean the ones who run the whole company? Do these people even live in OKC or Oklahoma?

Post your feedback here.

https://www.facebook.com/HomelandGroceryStores/posts/10154240889383986?comment_id=10154251208543986&reply_comment_id=10154254535973986&total_comments=1&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R3%22%7D

Not sure how much good it will do, but let Homeland know what you think of that location and that if they upgraded it, you would be a loyal shopper.

^

I talked to the guy who is leading that survey and he's a Mesta Park resident doing this on his own and for the betterment of the neighborhood; he wasn't commissioned by Homeland.

However, he did say they seemed receptive and were considering a remodel.


As I've said before, if they don't do it soon it will no longer matter because as soon as someone decent opens in the area, they will be toast.

I've never been in the 18th & Classen Homeland. The horror stories in this thread pretty much ensure that that will remain the case. I have, however, been to the Buy For Less at 23rd & Penn. How does that one compare to Homeland? I know it's not as nice as the BFL at Expressway & Portland, but it's got to be better than that Homeland and easier to reach from downtown.

When I worked as a sacker and clerk for homeland in the mid 90's the management always told us grocers profit 1-3 percent. A quick google search confirms that's still the industry rule. So a 5,000,000 investment between dirt, construction, inventory, training...I think $5mil is frugal at this point. Operating at the bottom one percent (again we could site the liquor laws here). You'd have to see a half a billion dollars in sales just to pay down the note before it turned a profit...that's a lot of milk and eggs. And I don't think anyone's going to lend homeland even a fraction of that to fix up a store, while you have to close it and cease income revenues. Surely that's why wal-mart just bought new lots down the road and abandoned so many old stores during their "super" Walmart phase. I suspect they'll milk stores u till they're no longer profitable then sell the real estate. And despite the fact the core is heating up again I'm the market research shows north edmond or NW expressway as the biggest markets. Hell were all driving up there to shop as it is!

Pete, if it's just a jar of peanut butter or a jug of milk, I spend the extra pennies at Walgreens or cvs on the corner.

Also, not to be inflammatory or standoff-ish, I think the idea of a gold dome full service grocery is crazy. It's an ultra cool pie in the sky. But if you've ever spent time in the "the back" you'd see it takes just as much room in the back as it does on the floor. Who would underwrite a restoration job on a business that profits 1-3%? And don't grocers normally purchase a property and pay down over decades? I know trader joes is an exception but anyone who's ever shopped at one knows they're on a whole different level or retail.

I've never been in the 18th & Classen Homeland. The horror stories in this thread pretty much ensure that that will remain the case. I have, however, been to the Buy For Less at 23rd & Penn. How does that one compare to Homeland? I know it's not as nice as the BFL at Expressway & Portland, but it's got to be better than that Homeland and easier to reach from downtown.

They are really two different animals. B4L in that location has pretty extensive stock, though a considerable amount is skewed to the Hispanic market. But no way is it easier to get to from downtown. Homeland essentially IS downtown; B4L is a mile and a half further away, and you have to drive down 23rd to get there, which is no treat on that stretch.

Location is actually the main (only..?) strength of that Homeland.

No doubt. The buy for less on penn is infuriating anyway. It's laid out so poorly and it's just plain missing items that aren't specialty at all. I know they stock according to their market research, there's 4 aisles of chips and soda, but I can't get an eggplant. And just like the homeland, 17 brands of grape jelly but no preserves. I came out empty handed the other day after looking for Bloody Mary mix and marmalade(we're toast people), had to go to the wal mart neighborhood market. And trust me that is NOT a place you want to be on Saturday morning with a hangover.

Have you tried to talk to boss guys? I mean the ones who run the whole company? Do these people even live in OKC or Oklahoma?

Homeland Employees Buy Chain From AWG | Latest News content from Supermarket News (http://supermarketnews.com/latest-news/homeland-employees-buy-chain-awg)
OKLAHOMA CITY — A group of employees has acquired the corporate supermarkets that had been operated by Associated Wholesale Grocers of Kansas City, Kan., the companies said Wednesday. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. It was executed effective Dec. 27 through the formation of a new company that will convert to an employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP.

WinCo is also employee-owned. I don't think that means that corporate has no say or that the stores can't be operated to a specific standard.

No doubt. The buy for less on penn is infuriating anyway. It's laid out so poorly and it's just plain missing items that aren't specialty at all. I know they stock according to their market research, there's 4 aisles of chips and soda, but I can't get an eggplant. And just like the homeland, 17 brands of grape jelly but no preserves. I came out empty handed the other day after looking for Bloody Mary mix and marmalade(we're toast people), had to go to the wal mart neighborhood market. And trust me that is NOT a place you want to be on Saturday morning with a hangover.

I agree. That Buy for Less isn't as bad as some of them, but it isn't great either. Given the way traffic flows on 23rd, its actually easier to just go to Whole Foods even though its a little bit farther.

They are really two different animals. B4L in that location has pretty extensive stock, though a considerable amount is skewed to the Hispanic market. But no way is it easier to get to from downtown. Homeland essentially IS downtown; B4L is a mile and a half further away, and you have to drive down 23rd to get there, which is no treat on that stretch.

Location is actually the main (only..?) strength of that Homeland.

Poor word order on my part. I actually meant that 23rd & Penn is easier to reach than Expressway & Portland. This thread is creating the impression that the only viable options for downtown residents are to suck it up and deal with the 18th St Homeland or trek all the way out to Expressway & Portland, which might as well be in Enid for those who dream of a walkable grocery destination. So, my intent was to point out the middle-of-the-road option between the two: not as nice as Expressway & Portland, but not as far a drive, either.

Poor word order on my part. I actually meant that 23rd & Penn is easier to reach than Expressway & Portland. This thread is creating the impression that the only viable options for downtown residents are to suck it up and deal with the 18th St Homeland or trek all the way out to Expressway & Portland, which might as well be in Enid for those who dream of a walkable grocery destination. So, my intent was to point out the middle-of-the-road option between the two: not as nice as Expressway & Portland, but not as far a drive, either.

That isn't far from the truth. B4L at Penn and 23rd is better than the 18th St Homeland but not by much in my opinion. It's also a pain to get to many parts of the day because of traffic. It's a little too far out to serve as a downtown grocer. I do end up shopping there occasionally however.

The entire area of OKC south of NW 50th and between the interstates is so underserved in terms of grocery options its really bizarre. I guess this fact is simply one of the last remnants of what the urban core of OKC used to be.

Has the Homeland at 2205 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, OK 73003 closing been discussed yet?
It was at the corner of Edmond Road (2nd Street) and Kelly in North Edmond.

Drove by there 2 days ago and saw it was gone.. And it's still on Homeland's website

Edmond Homeland's closure disappoints one nonshopper | News OK (http://newsok.com/edmond-homelands-closure-disappoints-one-nonshopper/article/5471513)

The article makes a great point, one I completely agree with. If I am 'shopping', sure, I might go to WalMart, but really only because in Mustang that's literally the only other choice besides Homeland. I would prefer to go almost anywhere else.

But if I just need one or two things, Homeland is the way to go. Selection? Horrible. Prices? Abysmal. But I'm in and out in the time it would take to find parking at WalMart. And really, that makes the prices not 'that' bad in comparison. Bag of chips, $2.19 at WalMart, $2.49 at Homeland. Sure, I paid 30 cents more, but I saved way more than that...again, just in the gas burned trying to find parking at WalMart.

Look for four more conversions to CashSaver soon. I wish I knew which stores but my lovely source only knows store numbers and has no idea where each store is. The existing CashSaver stores are doing better than the Homelands they replaced so more poorly performing Homeland stores are being set for conversion.

Saw on the news last night that Homeland is indeed converting several stores to the Cash Saver banner. It didn't say which locations....I would be interested in hearing if anyone knows.
I know that Mustang and Edmond are announced....and there have been recent conversions in Guthrie and Purcell. The Purcell location was a United Supermarket---Homeland bought the United chain a few years back. United used to be one of the best small grocery stores around---great meat, friendly employees and floors so clean you could eat off of them. Last one I was in had been "Homeland-Ized"---no explanation needed there. When United was privately owned...it was an integral part of small towns across the state. My understanding was that Homeland had to agree to leave the United name on the stores until they reached their 100th anniversary--I think that is this year. Wouldn't be surprised if some more of the United stores change to Cash Saver---especially in towns where there is currently a Homeland and a United. Elk City, Clinton and Bartlesville come to mind.

There's a cashsaver on Rockwell. Somewhere closer to 39th

There's a cashsaver on Rockwell. Somewhere closer to 39th

There's one at 23rd & Rockwell.

I saw the one on edmond, 33rd and boulevard?

Our here in Del City Homeland stores - S.E 29th and S. Sunnylane Rd. They are start working remodels and they will change new name CashSavers stores very soon. But we were there inside store looking change different aisles looking weird not that before.I said ohhh okay just about...... weird.

I was in the Homeland in Del City this week and chatted at length with one of the employees. She said the store would close for 2 days this week and reopen (I think) on Thursday, 6/16 as Cashsaver. Supposedly, Cashsaver will show prices at cost and then add a surcharge at the register. Meh - it will still be my store of choice for a couple of months until I move to Poteau.
Walmart and persons with disabilities are not compatible. Thank goodness Poteau has another grocery besides just Wallyworld. I have not set foot in a WM in 4 years and I don't plan on it again!

Huge, exclusive news:


Homeland to start $2 million renovation on 18th & Classen store (www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=365-Homeland-to-start-2-million-renovation-on-18th-Classen-store)

After years of lobbying, residents of Midtown and surrounding neighborhoods will get their wishes granted as Homeland has started the process of performing a major renovation of the dated store at 1108 NW 18th.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homelandelevations.jpg


In an interview with OKCTalk, Homeland President and CEO Marc Jones said the company intends to spend $2 million updating and renovating the 22,000 square foot store which was constructed in 1973 and is currently the only full-service grocery store near the downtown area.

Plans call for a new north facade and signage and a significant renovation to the interior, where every area of the store will be touched.

A new entry vestibule will be constructed on the east end leading to a brand new and open fresh foods area, focusing on healthy ready-made items and a greatly expanded produce section with a good mix of organic items.

Along the east wall will be a new bakery and deli, which will feature artisan breads, made on site sushi, made to order pizza and other fresh items. Heat-and-eat and ready-to-eat meals will center on fresh and healthy items such as salmon over rice and chicken breast with couscous.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homelandfloor.jpg


At the back of the store, a service meat counter will be added with upgraded offerings of meat, poultry and fish.

A brand new restroom will be constructed for customers and employee areas will be renovated as well.

In addition to the new north facade, the highly visible west exposure along Classen will receive glass block windows and re-texturing. The small pharmacy will remain in the northwest corner of the store.

Homeland had received a great deal of feedback from nearby residents and will try to incorporate as many suggestions as possible but is somewhat constrained due to the the size of the store.

Jones said Homeland's goal is to best serve the surrounding neighborhoods and invites feedback via the Contact Us section of their website, homelandstores.com. In-person meetings with neighbors to help finalize plans may also be held.

Work is expected to start in late spring or early summer and conclude before the end of the year and will
remain open during construction with some areas sectioned off as needed.

CEO Jones also said that after years of expansion, Homeland now wants to focus on its roots, planning to remodel 4-5 Oklahoma stores in 2017 including at least 2 more in the Oklahoma City area. Jones joined the company last April, coming from Greensboro, NC based Fresh Market.

Homeland operates 31 stores in Oklahoma, 10 of which are in the OKC metro area and is headquartered in Oklahoma City.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland3.jpg

Well, that's pretty damn exciting! I didn't realize they had a new leader from Fresh Market - sounds like he brought some good ideas.

Yes, and they have a new VP of Marketing as well.

They have shed all their stores outside of OK and seem committed to upgrading all their current locations and focusing on fresh, quality items.

This is certainly the best start to that plan. Big deal for residents of downtown, Gatewood, etc.

Great news! I went in this weekend for a few items and was reminded again why I never go in. This is long overdue.

It wasn't long ago we joked about it being dozer bait. Glad to see a renovation.

"CEO Jones also said that after years of expansion, Homeland now wants to focus on its roots, planning to remodel 4-5 Oklahoma stores in 2017 including at least 2 more in the Oklahoma City area."

Unfortunately, recent events have made this a valid question:

When they say planning to remodel, do they mean remodel and remain Homelands, or remodel and convert to Cashsavers?

As hard as we've all been on that store, I give Homeland a lot of credit for doing this because that is a small store that they could have easily abandoned.

It is also a good sign they will start renovating more stores in 2017.

Improve or die in today's world.

This is fantastic news and great reporting! Thank you, Pete. So excited to stop referring to our closest grocer as "Homicide Homeland" ;)

Awesome news! Glad to see this confirmed.

I don't shop Wal-Mart and other than this Homeland, the nearest thing that isn't Wal-Mart is Buy 4 Less on NW Expressway, which is a pain to rely on as your primary grocer if you live near downtown. I never liked the 18th and Classen Homeland (its small and they seem to always be out of stock on what I need) but I shopped there anyways because it is the only thing that is convenient.

I would go as far as to say this is a game changer for downtown OKC, especially if the remodel makes the store anything like the N May and Britton store, which from the description sounds like will be the case.

I wish there was room for expansion, as this store is so much smaller than the one on May.... but a $2mm renovation will go a long way in such a relatively small space. Really excited for this.

Excellent news! Long overdue. (I hope they also retrain their checkout personnel!)

It's a weird time. They were lucky that they didn't get the competition from the Gold Dome, although I don't think that NG would directly compete against Homeland for most people. And they also lost a big competitor with Buy For Less shutting down on 23rd street. This is their opportunity to grab that slice of the metro and make it their own, so I hope it works out for Homeland as well as the people living in that area.

Amazing news! glad to see Homeland saw the potential for that location!

Regarding expansion, they could build a store almost double the size on the north lot, tear down the old building, make it parking, add more frontage to Classen....

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It doesn't look like they're changing the exterior much at all. I am glad Homeland realizes that this is no longer acceptable, but they still don't appear interested in competing for the urban professional grocery dollar that's really just there for the taking.

It doesn't look like they're changing the exterior much at all. I am glad Homeland realizes that this is no longer acceptable, but they still don't appear interested in competing for the urban professional grocery dollar that's really just there for the taking.

Full service meat counter... artisan breads.... made to order healthy food options.... sushi... made to order pizza...

Ok, I'll bite.... What are they missing?

YAYYYYYY!!!

Super-excited to hear, and so glad they're keeping the little pharmacy. We have Blue Cross insurance, and they informed us a few months ago that they will no longer support CVS prescriptions. As a result, I decided to use the Homeland pharmacy at the 18th and Classen location near where we live. The pharmacy manager said it's usually never busy, and even if it is, they can generally get to you within maybe ten minutes. I've filled 3 or 4 prescriptions there, and each time they've filled it on the spot with no waiting at all. It's incredible, like an old-fashioned small town drug store. The manager just chats with you while he counts out the pills and bottles them himself. When's the last time that happened at a big pharmacy?

We shop there for basic grocery or toiletry items when we don't want to venture out to Target or Walmart. It'll be so nice for the experience to be more pleasant aesthetically, and for there to be more quality offerings. And I like the size of the store. It's just right for our needs. As for the staff, well, I think they've gotten better lately in terms of friendliness.

Pete, great job on the exclusive!

Yes, this has the potential to be a really great local store.

When I lived in Manhattan Beach there was a Ralph's about that size within walking distance and I grew to love it. Compact but had everything I needed and I knew all the checkers by name.

You can't blame the current employees for being a little surly now as the store is thoroughly depressing to be in for 15 minutes, let alone all day every day.

^^^^

So true. And it's got to be hard on the cold days standing there checking with the ice cold wind blowing in on you every time the door opens. Good to hear they're changing the vestibule and its orientation.

Yes, the current door faces north, is very close to the checkers and there isn't any real vestibule just a non-enclosed windscreen.

Very exciting! I'll definitely be going to this Homeland more often as it's the nearest grocery store near me.

I recently moved into the area and I'm super excited about this. As someone who likes to bike a lot, I was really surprised to find out that they didn't have a rack at this location. I wrote their customer service team an email to let them know how excited I am about this renovation and how much I'd like to see a bike rack added to the store.

^

Such a great idea about the bike rack!

I wrote them and asked that they contact Embark to become a spokies sponsor to have a kiosk for downtowners shopping...

I'm excited and happy. The new CEO has been holding employee meetings saying that there is a plan to turn things around and he has a lot of confidence and energy. But no real details which is normal and pretty much expected. I just need HAC to hang in there for 10 to 12 years.

Full service meat counter... artisan breads.... made to order healthy food options.... sushi... made to order pizza...

Ok, I'll bite.... What are they missing?

Can they improve what the Britton and May store has?, I would not consider it has artisan baked goods or a very attractive organic section, etc.

I've felt both sad for and grossed out by the sickly checkers when they are stuck there freezing as the doors open every 30 seconds during those cold north winds.

I bike there probably weekly just to grab some bananas and whatever things are cheap(sort of, but not real good deals there) in the advert that week, and use the metal cart corral for my bike chain up location. Thought they used to have a crappy bike rack over on the corner of the building, NE corner, but it was one of those you have to drive your wheel into and its kind of clunky depending upon the type of bike lock being used. They have some dillhole security guards there usually its in the evening, who hunt you down if you enter the store with a backpack, they make you go stash it somewhere by the Coinstar machine, its pretty annoying to treat customers like that, but during the afternoon, they don't have security guards and no employees or managers have ever harassed me for having a backpack, AND they do give me a $ .03 "re-usable bag" credit for using a backpack, hows that for some irony!

Whatever they do for a bakery will be a step up, since I've noticed if one were to buy a "fresh baked" french loaf, they are sometimes still cold, as they must have come in frozen from one of the other stores that has a bakery.

Last time I was there, while checking out, a young man approached the checker and asked her where are the coloring books, she didn't know of any, so the man quickly left. sigh...

http://newsok.com/new-homeland-draws-interest-from-readers/article/5538592

KFOR's video update.

http://kfor.com/2017/02/22/oklahoma-city-homeland-store-getting-much-needed-face-lift/

Is the !8th and Classen store still going forward?

Is the !8th and Classen store still going forward?

Yes, but I went by there just yesterday and no sign of starting yet.

The building permit has not yet been issued.

I meant to post previously that there's an attractive looking rendering inside the store, should have taken a picture

13775

My compliments to the artist. He/she did an excellent job capturing the way people park. Especially the one parked juuuuuuust right so he's taking up four spots.

My compliments to the artist. He/she did an excellent job capturing the way people park. Especially the one parked juuuuuuust right so he's taking up four spots.

For an added bonus, you have the white van travelling the wrong way down Western, too.

Is the bike rack really going to be that far away from the door?