My sister worked at the Homeland as an assistant manager back when the store opened. The store was originally going to be a "Bakers"--like they had at 23rd and Penn after MegaMarket--but something to do with the wholesaler dispute ended up as the store going to Homeland instead of Bakers. There are still Baker's stores in Nebraska that are owned by Kroger.

BAKERS!! You are absolutely right. The moment I read that the light went off in my head. I do think that one of the "alternate" tenants was, at one point, a BFL, however. The lawsuit threat from Odom was the big thing, because he was at risk of being forced to open Chatenay with an empty grocery space and an unfilled contract from someone promising to provide one.

I do miss Buchanan's and, to a lesser extent, Jim's IGA.

BAKERS!! You are absolutely right. The moment I read that the light went off in my head. I do think that one of the "alternate" tenants was, at one point, a BFL, however. The lawsuit threat from Odom was the big thing, because he was at risk of being forced to open Chatenay with an empty grocery space and an unfilled contract from someone promising to provide one.

I do miss Buchanan's and, to a lesser extent, Jim's IGA.

I lived in Gatewood when Bakers was at 23/Penn We absolutely loved that store. Hated to see it go.

BAKERS!! You are absolutely right. The moment I read that the light went off in my head. I do think that one of the "alternate" tenants was, at one point, a BFL, however. The lawsuit threat from Odom was the big thing, because he was at risk of being forced to open Chatenay with an empty grocery space and an unfilled contract from someone promising to provide one.

I do miss Buchanan's and, to a lesser extent, Jim's IGA.

I can understand your thoughts about the "alternate tenant" idea....Beachlers IGA owned the Food 4 Less in Del City and the one at NW 122 and Penn..at least in the later years of the stores. Possibly there was a talk of a Food 4 Less at this location, but didn't really fit the neighborhood. There were Bakers stores at NW 23 and Penn, NW Expressway and Portland and one in Lawton.
These stores were originally built as MegaMarket....my sister worked there during both store names.
The supplier to the stores was Fleming Foods...who finally filed bankruptcy. Not sure how much this had an effect on the continuous operation of Beachlers, Food 4 Less and Bakers.
There is a Beachlers in El Reno...not sure if it is still owned by the same family.

We lived in Gatewood at that time also. The evening that the 1999 tornado hit I had run in there to get some Crisco to fry chicken for dinner. People started getting worried and left the store pretty quickly even though don't remember that the tornado was that close.

I can understand your thoughts about the "alternate tenant" idea....Beachlers IGA owned the Food 4 Less in Del City and the one at NW 122 and Penn..at least in the later years of the stores. Possibly there was a talk of a Food 4 Less at this location, but didn't really fit the neighborhood. There were Bakers stores at NW 23 and Penn, NW Expressway and Portland and one in Lawton.
These stores were originally built as MegaMarket....my sister worked there during both store names.
The supplier to the stores was Fleming Foods...who finally filed bankruptcy. Not sure how much this had an effect on the continuous operation of Beachlers, Food 4 Less and Bakers.
There is a Beachlers in El Reno...not sure if it is still owned by the same family.

Ahh Fleming Foods...man all these names coming back! Buchanan's was such an integral part of our neighborhood growing up...we had several friends and a few relatives that worked there and at the time (I guess close to 20 years ago now?) so we knew a LOT of the gory details of this situation and some of the early signs Buch's was in trouble. Used to know about this in excruciating detail and actually the Oklahoman ran a story about it in their business section at one point. When Buch's went down, the building went vacant and deteriorated significantly until a revived Drug Emporium entered an agreement with the Buchanan family to do a bunch of upgrades to the building....substantially at Buchanan's expense...under the expectation they'd recoup the cost through rent...until corruption at Drug Emporium was discovered and the chain went bankrupt, leaving Buchanan holding the bag for the upgrades. The building now houses a Goodwill retail contributions and sales site....

Interesting aside about that corner...several years earlier, PB Odom approached Buchanan's about building a brand new store on the south side of 89th, essentially across the street, behind the McDonald's. The idea was for Buch's to get out of an aging building they had maxed out space-wise with expansion over the years but not upgraded the physical plant, and a new building would solve all those problems, plus supposedly Odom was offering Buch's very favorable terms...but Buch's balked. They ended up trying to offer the building to that big Baptist church on the same corner, but they declined when they investigated the building and realizes all the interior expense necessary to make the space usable and up to code...

Homeland renovation delayed until 2018 (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=414-Homeland-renovation-delayed-until-2018)

After seemingly starting a long-awaited renovation to the Homeland store at NW 18th and Classen, work suddenly stopped and all equipment was removed.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland081517.jpg



As OKCTalk was first to report (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=365-Homeland-to-start-2-million-renovation-on-18th-Classen-store) back in February, Homeland plans to spend $2 million updating the only full-service grocery store near downtown.

Today, OKCTalk spoke to Brian Haaraoja, Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing for Homeland who explained the renovation will still go forward as planned, but has been delayed due to previously unforeseen issues.

According to Haaraoja, once the building permit was issued and work was set to start, it was determined the entire roof and heating and air conditioning system would need to be replaced.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland071917.jpg



That work will be done in the fall and not allow enough time for the store make-over to be complete before the critical months of November and December, thus the decision was made to delay work on the interior until next February.

Haaraoja said all should be complete by next July.

For details on the plans for this store, read our original story here: LINK (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=365-Homeland-to-start-2-million-renovation-on-18th-Classen-store).

Ugh, this place will probably become a Cash Saver and then close for good before they get started on renovations.

And why cant roof and HVAC work be done at same time as other work? Just doesnt make much sense.

Ugh, this place will probably become a Cash Saver and then close for good before they get started on renovations.

And why cant roof and HVAC work be done at same time as other work? Just doesnt make much sense.

My guess is that they can't afford to do both this year. Also, how is it they just now realize they need to replace the roof and HVAC? Didn't they have someone have to take measurements and inspect the building before renovation plans were drawn?

Homeland renovation delayed until 2018 (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=414-Homeland-renovation-delayed-until-2018)



According to Haaraoja, once the building permit was issued and work was set to start, it was determined the entire roof and heating and air conditioning system would need to be replaced.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland071917.jpg
LINK (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=365-Homeland-to-start-2-million-renovation-on-18th-Classen-store).

It is laughable that they didn't known these items would need to be replaced. I'm no contractor or HVAC inspector but it's obvious just eyeballing that roof that it is in disrepair.

This seems like a line and makes me question whether this will go forward.

It is laughable that they didn't known these items would need to be replaced. I'm no contractor or HVAC inspector but it's obvious just eyeballing that roof that it is in disrepair.

This seems like a line and makes me question whether this will go forward.

Right, and the heat and air system requires regular maintenance. Its not like they didn't get a report from their building maintenance crews on its condition.

It is laughable that they didn't known these items would need to be replaced. I'm no contractor or HVAC inspector but it's obvious just eyeballing that roof that it is in disrepair.

This seems like a line and makes me question whether this will go forward.Having spent 40 years in building construction and facility management I can tell you that you wouldn't believe how often building owners are completely oblivious to the condition of roofs, HVAC or other systems on the roof, foundations and anything else they can't see doing a simple walk through. It happens all the time. Out of sight out of mind.
I also know that new shelving and other items for the redo have been delivered to the warehouse. They were scheduled to be delivered and will now be stored until spring. Quite a bit has been spent on the redo already. I have no doubt it will go forward.

They did start work then stop.

Even though they had plans to get going on the renovation, they were still doing final inspections and due diligence.

They probably thought they could get by without completely replacing the roof and HVAC, then discovered otherwise. Those are not small expenses or projects and instead of bagging the whole thing, they are merely doing it in stages.

Credit to Homeland to seeing this through.

Having spent 40 years in building construction and facility management I can tell you that you wouldn't believe how often building owners are completely oblivious to the condition of roofs, HVAC or other systems on the roof, foundations and anything else they can't see doing a simple walk through. It happens all the time. Out of sight out of mind.
I also know that new shelving and other items for the redo have been delivered to the warehouse. They were scheduled to be delivered and will now be stored until spring. Quite a bit has been spent on the redo already. I have no doubt it will go forward.

In my experience I find this to be frequently the case, so it's not surprising to me either.

Speaking of Homeland, how do the Cash Savers seem to be doing? I know that a number of Homelands have been converted in the last few years.

Speaking of Homeland, how do the Cash Savers seem to be doing? I know that a number of Homelands have been converted in the last few years.I know that they move a lot of product. Beyond that I can't say.

What's going on with the building at Mac. and NW Exp?

What's going on with the building at Mac. and NW Exp?

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43640

The have started work in earnest on the renovation at NW 18th & Classen:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland021618a.jpg

Finally!

I understood the delay in this project was the need to fix, replace, upgrade or do something with the roof, but in your picture it doesn't look like the roof has been touched.

I understood the delay in this project was the need to fix, replace, upgrade or do something with the roof, but in your picture it doesn't look like the roof has been touched.

It was HVAC equipment which was recently replaced.

From post 487...
Today, OKCTalk spoke to Brian Haaraoja, Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing for Homeland who explained the renovation will still go forward as planned, but has been delayed due to previously unforeseen issues.

According to Haaraoja, once the building permit was issued and work was set to start, it was determined the entire roof and heating and air conditioning system would need to be replaced.

So, apparently the roof is ok.

From post 487...
Today, OKCTalk spoke to Brian Haaraoja, Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing for Homeland who explained the renovation will still go forward as planned, but has been delayed due to previously unforeseen issues.

According to Haaraoja, once the building permit was issued and work was set to start, it was determined the entire roof and heating and air conditioning system would need to be replaced.

So, apparently the roof is ok.

Actually, I think the roof will be part of this renovation now but the HVAC work -- at least some of it -- has already been done.

Bottom line...it's good to see Homeland step up and fix this store!

If it matters, during one of the cold stretches a month or two back, I was in there and said something about how cold it was and the cashier said they didn't have heat at the moment, so maybe the work was getting done around that time....

This store needs more than just physical upgrades. Lets hope it translates into better products and service.

FYI Homeland now has delivery via Instacart (third party application that also does Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Sprouts, CVS...). It is zip code specific. After plugging in my zip, I scrolled through options and seems like a solid representation of what I know is carried at the 18th and Classen Homeland when using that zip. You can pay a delivery charge for each delivery, but you can also do an annual charge that gets you unlimited deliveries at no additional charge. During most times they represent that deliveries only take an hour. This seems like an excellent option for downtown dwellers. I'm going to sign up and see how well it works.

https://www.instacart.com/locations/oklahoma-city

This store needs more than just physical upgrades. Lets hope it translates into better products and service.

Regarding this, they brought in a new manager in anticipation of the upgrade. He is currently reworking the product selection and trying to strike a balance in properly serving the customers in the area. Meaning they want to keep prices down as this is area is still home to many low income individuals. All of which I think is laudable. But they are also wanting to bring in a much better selection of products that they know are important to the many upscale customers in the area plus younger and more affluent customers who are moving into the area currently, which they know they have been missing. I think they are aware of their position as the defacto downtown supermarket, at least for now.

I've talked to him several times at length. He is VERY responsive to customer product requests. Every time I have asked him to bring something in, he has done so. Every time. If he didn't have the brand I requested he at least brought in a competing brand of the same type. I'd advise anyone who shops there to do the same. They are looking for these types of requests and customer feedback. As far as I'm concerned this qualifies as pretty excellent customer service, and I've never really had a complaint with the friendliness of availability of checkout staff.

Additional info regarding product selection: since the store has limited square footage the manager has told me that the strategy will be to move out a bunch of things that people now buy at places like Walgreens, Target, even Amazon, and replace with fresh food items, organics, upgraded produce, etc.. As an example he pointed out a huge portion of an aisle that was all feminine hygiene products. He said that numbers tell them they have way too much selection, and that if someone is looking for something very specific they will probably go to Walgreens or CVS anyway. So why bother carrying literally everything on the market? They will want to have a good solid selection so that there is never NOT an option, but stocking everything is a waste of floor space and inventory dollars. The same holds true for many health and beauty items, paper products, cleaning supplies, etc.. So the new strategy is to carry the basics there and truly expand the food options.

Actually, I think the roof will be part of this renovation now but the HVAC work -- at least some of it -- has already been done.


From post 487...
Today, OKCTalk spoke to Brian Haaraoja, Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing for Homeland who explained the renovation will still go forward as planned, but has been delayed due to previously unforeseen issues.

According to Haaraoja, once the building permit was issued and work was set to start, it was determined the entire roof and heating and air conditioning system would need to be replaced.

So, apparently the roof is ok.


If it matters, during one of the cold stretches a month or two back, I was in there and said something about how cold it was and the cashier said they didn't have heat at the moment, so maybe the work was getting done around that time....


Actually comparing the pics from August and February do reflect a pretty dramatic change on the roof HVAC wise.
14480

Additional info regarding product selection: since the store has limited square footage the manager has told me that the strategy will be to move out a bunch of things that people now buy at places like Walgreens, Target, even Amazon, and replace with fresh food items, organics, upgraded produce, etc.. As an example he pointed out a huge portion of an aisle that was all feminine hygiene products. He said that numbers tell them they have way too much selection, and that if someone is looking for something very specific they will probably go to Walgreens or CVS anyway. So why bother carrying literally everything on the market? They will want to have a good solid selection so that there is never NOT an option, but stocking everything is a waste of floor space and inventory dollars. The same holds true for many health and beauty items, paper products, cleaning supplies, etc.. So the new strategy is to carry the basics there and truly expand the food options.

^^^ This. It kind of feels like they’re stuck in the TG&Y way of business model. When I worked at large (large for the era) Homeland in the mid 90’s it was astonishing how much crap they had, an entire isle of pet food and supplies, toys, a full working pharmacy with full lines of health, beauty, and hygiene products, staitionary and office supplies, kitchen wares, there might have even been a little display of tools & hardware, and “the managers counter” where one could cash checks, pay utilities, wire money, buy money orders, long distance phone cards & beyond.

They need to be thinking more every mans Whole Foods or Sprouts, I don’t go to any of those places looking for razor blades or 50lb sacks of dog food.

Sides have been painted gray. Vestibule in front is gone. Inside there's some new shelving in the process of going in (didn't photograph), they moved the freezers to the west side of the store, and the tile is being pulled up. In some areas you can see that they are just polishing the bare concrete once the tile is up.

14542
14543

Stopped in this weekend. I'm happy to see they have started making progress, but the construction work has (understandably) shuffled a lot of the aisles around. There is no rhyme or reason to the order, the signage does not match that aisle's contents, and there was no attempt from signage or staff to point customers in the right direction. Wish they had used more customer service in their approach through this process.

Stopped in this weekend. I'm happy to see they have started making progress, but the construction work has (understandably) shuffled a lot of the aisles around. There is no rhyme or reason to the order, the signage does not match that aisle's contents, and there was no attempt from signage or staff to point customers in the right direction. Wish they had used more customer service in their approach through this process.

Man this is one of those things where I just say “oh well” if that’s what it took to finally get this moving and finished relatively quickly. If the disorganization is so bad that I can’t shop there, I’ll just go down the street to Walmart, sprouts, or Whole Foods until it’s done.

The good news is they really want to get this over with as quickly as possible.

I was in tonight, yep, it's a mess, but people where dealing with it. I think we're just so glad it's happening, it makes it a little easier. It should look really nice when finished.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland041918.jpg

^^^^^^^^
The inside is currently cut down to maybe 2/3 of the regular footprint as they work on everything behind that new entrance (where the blue sheathing is), and the register lanes and front areas have yet to be touched, but it is ALREADY a better shopping experience despite the noise, dust and some disorder. You can clearly see the direction it is headed, both from a finish standpoint AND a product standpoint. Polished concrete floors, more upscale black gondolas and display racks, all new refrigeration units. The racks are actually set closer together, but I will bet that the type of cart used will be more of the smaller Whole Foods type variety so it won't really be a problem. It will definitely allow for more product selection.

As for product, it looks to me that the selection is already dramatically better thanks to weeding out a bunch of crap and non-essential non-grocery items. I think they also are stocking fewer of each item, so that instead of having multiple facings of one thing they might only have one or two, which allows for greater selection. Of course this also means they will have to stay more on top of stocking, so hopefully they are committed to this. Super anxious to see the finished product inside. I'm really encouraged.

^^^^^^^^
The inside is currently cut down to maybe 2/3 of the regular footprint as they work on everything behind that new entrance (where the blue sheathing is), and the register lanes and front areas have yet to be touched, but it is ALREADY a better shopping experience despite the noise, dust and some disorder. You can clearly see the direction it is headed, both from a finish standpoint AND a product standpoint. Polished concrete floors, more upscale black gondolas and display racks, all new refrigeration units. The racks are actually set closer together, but I will bet that the type of cart used will be more of the smaller Whole Foods type variety so it won't really be a problem. It will definitely allow for more product selection.

As for product, it looks to me that the selection is already dramatically better thanks to weeding out a bunch of crap and non-essential non-grocery items. I think they also are stocking fewer of each item, so that instead of having multiple facings of one thing they might only have one or two, which allows for greater selection. Of course this also means they will have to stay more on top of stocking, so hopefully they are committed to this. Super anxious to see the finished product inside. I'm really encouraged.

I second that. Even with all the chaos and construction mess right now, it is already 100 times better even at 2/3s the size of a full store. It’s amazing what even a minimal transformation has already done to improve the store. This is going to be such a major improvement for core when finished.

I am so glad to hear good things about the upgrade. I hope it really does become a store that is shopped at my many.

Here are some more photos of the renovation at NW 18th & Classen.

The last one is of the far east end (behind that under-construction new facade) which will be where the biggest changes will be seen, including a new deli and produce section.

Just having that manky old deli out of there makes a big difference.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland042218a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland042218b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland042218c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland042218d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland042218e.jpg

Not sure where to put this.

http://m.newsok.com/article/5593245

Not sure where to put this.

http://m.newsok.com/article/5593245

As usual, the Oklahoman's source is here. It's been discussed in This thread (www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43844&page=3)

As usual, the Oklahoman's source is here. It's been discussed in This thread (www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43844&page=3)

Ah, ok! I figured as much! Thank you for the redirect!

There really making progress on this. One of the employees today said the renovation would be complete and the store fully operational by July 1.

If I was CEO of Homeland, I would start thinking about the new liquor laws and how to implement a more extensive beer/wine selection than what Wal-Mart and Target will be able to offer. Mid-range grocers greatly benefit this way in other markets. When I lived in Charlotte, Harris Teeter (Kroger) had a huge, very extensive wine/beer section while Wal-Mart and Target typically only had a basic selection of domestic beers and bottom shelf wines.

That would probably get them back into the game in a relatively quick fashion.

I have my fingers crossed that they have a decent produce section once the renovations are finished. The produce in the Belle Isle Wal-Mart is horrible, and I'd love a closer option than the new WinCo or the Crest at 23rd and Meridian. Can anyone speak to how the produce is at the Save-A-Lot at 36th & Lottie?

^^^^^^^
This Homeland really stepped up their produce shortly after announcing the renovation, then it languished a bit while the renovation groundbreaking dragged out, but I noticed again that it seems to be much better already, even on the current temporary aisle. It's pretty amazing to me that the store FEELS like it has far more selection right now despite the fact that it is occupying about 2/3 the square footage it did, while the other 1/3 is under construction. Gives me great hope for the finished product.

^^^^^^^
This Homeland really stepped up their produce shortly after announcing the renovation, then it languished a bit while the renovation groundbreaking dragged out, but I noticed again that it seems to be much better already, even on the current temporary aisle. It's pretty amazing to me that the store FEELS like it has far more selection right now despite the fact that it is occupying about 2/3 the square footage it did, while the other 1/3 is under construction. Gives me great hope for the finished product.

That's awesome to hear. Might have to check it out tomorrow just to see how it compares to the stores I mentioned, even with the ongoing renovations. It's by far the closest grocery store to my location, so I'll be really happy if it can end up being a viable option.

To add to the positive comments posted previously, I've got to say that this Homeland has the most awesome pharmacy staff. They remember you by name, and you can just walk up, hand them your prescription, and they'll get it ready within just a few minutes. It's never a hassle. These are some pleasant folks, despite one of their drop off windows having been boarded up now for a couple of months, no doubt leaving them feeling claustrophobic. They're looking forward to when the renovations make it over to their little area.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland052018.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland060318.jpg

i can't quite tell because of the lighting but is the existing west facade (right side of the picture) being painted gray?

i can't quite tell because of the lighting but is the existing west facade (right side of the picture) being painted gray?

Yes, all the sides except north now have gray paint over those tilt-up concrete aggregate panels.

Yes, all the sides except north now have gray paint over those tilt-up concrete aggregate panels.

gotcha... those probably look way less dated with some paint on them.

gotcha... those probably look way less dated with some paint on them.

Yes there is no doubt at all about that. They look about 10000X better now.

I'm disappointed they took down the sign with the antique car that said parking in the corner of the parking lot. I just liked how they labeled something that was so obvious

These are from yesterday.

They are cutting out concrete to make room for trees and some of the new signage is up.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland061218a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/homeland061218b.jpg

Is a parking lot redo part of the plan?