So three people advised me from Pruett Foods that they are a Christian company and don’t see drinking alcohol of any kind. I am trying to get a hold of their HQ and see if they really are getting rid of the alcohol sections in the existing uptown grocery stores. If they do what a freaking bummer. I mean I believe in god although I don’t go to church, I will be the first to say the last thing we need in Oklahoma is more religious crap and now inconveniencing people who became accustomed to shopping for good wine at uptown. I hope this isn’t true but it seems like it is.
Why don’t we wait and see. The vast majority of Christians I know drink at least wine. After all, Christ’s first recorded miracle was turning water into wine for wedding guests to celebrate with and enjoy.

Why don’t we wait and see. The vast majority of Christians I know drink at least wine. After all, Christ’s first recorded miracle was turning water into wine for wedding guests to celebrate with and enjoy.
I hear you. I’m hoping it isn’t true. I’m sure the liquor accounts for a large percentage of sales as well.

I remember when the old Williams grocery store ( which used to be Albertsons) on South May didn't sell alcohol..... It didn't last long.

I think in the not too distant future, you will see more and more competition from grocery home delivery and grocery stores shrinking for more specialized things like meat and produce. If you go to Crest on the weekday half the people there are Shipt shoppers. Its super inefficient use of space than just having a warehouse facility. It will only be a matter of time before Amazon and Walmart start building warehouse delivery specifically for grocery.

^

Just wait until Amazon builds out the infrastructure it needs.

They will likely revolutionalize grocery shopping just like they have for most other things.


As a side note, I went into Target to buy a few things and was quickly reminded why Amazon is far superior to just about any brick and mortar. First, it was crazy busy which is annoying in general but these days very worrisome. Then, I simply could not find one of 3 items I was looking for. I spent forever combing the store and finally went up to a stocker (who was doing all she could to avoid eye-contact with anyone) and she was no help. What a ridiculous ordeal and waste of my time and effort. I'm sorry, but Amazon is just 100x better (I could have bought on-line from Target but there was a substantial shipping charge and it would have taken far longer to arrive).

*Amazon or whatever they name the spin-off company (Whole Foods?) when they're forced by the government to break up (not saying I want that, but could see it happening).

I’d like a Trader Joe’s in north Edmond.

The old Ace Hardware at Kelly/Danforth would seem ideal for TJ's

Oooo, great suggestion!

Agreed. Would love to see one in Edmond.

The old Ace Hardware at Kelly/Danforth would seem ideal for TJ's
I thought the same thing the other day but the entire shopping center needs a facelift. There is also an empty storefront in the Bryant Square shopping center that would be perfect for a Trader Joe’s as well.

PS, Edmond will completely redo the Kelly/Danforth intersection sometime in the next few years. They will extend the improvements from the expanded Covell and redo the entire intersection and place medians like 500 feet or so in each direction.

I think in the not too distant future, you will see more and more competition from grocery home delivery and grocery stores shrinking for more specialized things like meat and produce. If you go to Crest on the weekday half the people there are Shipt shoppers. Its super inefficient use of space than just having a warehouse facility. It will only be a matter of time before Amazon and Walmart start building warehouse delivery specifically for grocery.

Walmart has been testing this for a couple of years in Bentonville. They have one store that was built specifically for delivery and pick up.

Peapod and a couple of others tried to kick-start the grocery home delivery business 25 years ago.

The grocery industry is very difficult with low margins, huge competition and consumers with very individual tastes and high standards.

I'm still betting on Amazon to be the first to figure this out on a large scale.

I hear you. I’m hoping it isn’t true. I’m sure the liquor accounts for a large percentage of sales as well.

My wife just returned from Uptown in The Village, and they are, indeed, removing alcohol from the store. She said the wine and beer aisle is practically empty and the cashier confirmed they would stop selling alcohol.

My wife just returned from Uptown in The Village, and they are, indeed, removing alcohol from the store. She said the wine and beer aisle is practically empty and the cashier confirmed they would stop selling alcohol.
I’ve already called and complained and even wrote to them about it. It’s not the end of the world but I do like Uptown and removed convenience sucks.

Nm

I've heard a mix of the new owner's are not selling alcohol based upon morals, but have also been told it has nothing to do with them being opposed to alcohol, it is more of wanting to support local liquor store owners.

Given their current locations in small towns across southwest Oklahoma and southeast Arkansas, I can see the desire to support other local businesses. They go head to head with Walmart in these smaller towns (Broken Bow, Holdenville, Ada, Atoka, Durant, Hugo, etc) and have survived, so they must be doing something right.

Looking at the Google Map Street View history, they have done a good job in renovating the older grocery stores, at least the store fronts, that were under other names, before they were a Pruett's location. I am hoping they can keep the level of quality and store experience that Uptown Grocery offers, and potentially update the NW Expressway Buy For Less.

Are they keeping the Uptown Grocery and Buy For Less names or will these three stores be rebranded as Pruett's?

Well that settles it for me. I will no longer patronize any of their locations. I will also cease all online grocery delivery from Uptown Market on principle alone. Bye bye.

I respect any business that is willing to back up their principles with the loss of their bottom dollar or livelihood even if I don't agree with the principle. Caveat....as long as supporting their principles isn't illegal discrimination

Peapod and a couple of others tried to kick-start the grocery home delivery business 25 years ago.

The grocery industry is very difficult with low margins, huge competition and consumers with very individual tastes and high standards.

I'm still betting on Amazon to be the first to figure this out on a large scale.

This, especially the individual tastes part. We regularly shop at 3 stores in Edmond, and I still stop at WF when I can, because none of them carry everything we like to use.

I have reached out to Pruett's Food for confirmation and explanation.

We enjoy the Covell UG location and hope it doesn't change too much.

Anyone know of any plans for a grocery store in far NW OKC, somewhere in the area of 178th/194th and Portland/May? We are really, really hoping for a Sprouts in that area. The Edmond location and the MacArthur & 122nd location seem far enough away to justify one in that area. I think I've read here that at least one grocery store had been tentatively planned for this area.

^

I haven't seen any building permits or purchases by a grocer in that area.

I respect any business that is willing to back up their principles with the loss of their bottom dollar or livelihood even if I don't agree with the principle. Caveat....as long as supporting their principles isn't illegal discrimination

Sure, it just makes it less convenient for me to shop there if I have wine or beer on my shopping list. Considering we have a pretty good Homeland at Britton and May, it's not a big deal for me to just shop over there. Plus, Homeland's rewards program is easier and offers better incentives.

I've got nothing against the new owners, I just don't think it's a great decision for a store in a bigger market than maybe they're used to. Then again, I have no idea about the business of grocery stores, so maybe it won't affect anything.

Removing beer and wine from Uptown Grocer flies against its up-market focus.

They have a huge section of prepared foods, cheeses, etc.

This seems like the last grocery store that should be removing what had been a good assortment of craft beer and good wine.


Still waiting for them to confirm and explain their reasoning.

Removing beer and wine from Uptown Grocer flies against its up-market focus.

They have a huge section of prepared foods, cheeses, etc.

This seems like the last grocery store that should be removing what had been a good assortment of craft beer and good wine.


Still waiting for them to confirm and explain their reasoning.

Yeah, it seems like economic suicide. I don't really buy that line of reasoning. They already struggle for market share. Just makes it even easier for the customer to choose Walmart or Crest over them.

Yeah, it seems like economic suicide.


Perhaps I’ll be proven wrong, but what ever quality, upscale food will soon disappear, and Uptown Market will be priced downward.

Anyone know of any plans for a grocery store in far NW OKC, somewhere in the area of 178th/194th and Portland/May? We are really, really hoping for a Sprouts in that area. The Edmond location and the MacArthur & 122nd location seem far enough away to justify one in that area. I think I've read here that at least one grocery store had been tentatively planned for this area.

This was from 2015, but I don't know the current status. At one time, there were plans for a grocery store of sorts at 192nd and May: https://agenda.okc.gov/sirepub/cache/2/sski5z45fi0vt2552vpo5qqi/303570701042021032553928.PDF

https://agenda.okc.gov/sirepub/cache/2/sski5z45fi0vt2552vpo5qqi/30357050104202103271171.PDF

Perhaps I’ll be proven wrong, but what ever quality, upscale food will soon disappear, and Uptown Market will be priced downward.

this. .

I live about a mile from Uptown but go to Homeland for most things. Homeland is a larger store with a much bigger variety of basic groceries.
Uptown currently offers Charmin tissue and Bounty paper towels where Homeland doesn't and I occasionally get something from their prepared food departments (much better variety than Homeland but also much more expensive). I never looked for wine there. Grand Cru is in the same center with Homeland and they carry just about anything I might want at very reasonable prices.

This was from 2015, but I don't know the current status. At one time, there were plans for a grocery store of sorts at 192nd and May: https://agenda.okc.gov/sirepub/cache/2/sski5z45fi0vt2552vpo5qqi/303570701042021032553928.PDF

https://agenda.okc.gov/sirepub/cache/2/sski5z45fi0vt2552vpo5qqi/30357050104202103271171.PDF

Neither link works. Was a grocer ever named or was it just a preliminary step toward a TBA grocer?

I live about a mile from Uptown but go to Homeland for most things. Homeland is a larger store with a much bigger variety of basic groceries.
Uptown currently offers Charmin tissue and Bounty paper towels where Homeland doesn't and I occasionally get something from their prepared food departments (much better variety than Homeland but also much more expensive). I never looked for wine there. Grand Cru is in the same center with Homeland and they carry just about anything I might want at very reasonable prices.

Weird because the couple times I've been to Grand Cru it seems like its the highest priced liquor store in the city.

Weird because the couple times I've been to Grand Cru it seems like its the highest priced liquor store in the city.

It is absolutely 10-20% higher than any other liquor store, but their stock beats almost every store I've visited. I've found plenty of beers there I can't find anywhere else. I still drop in on the odd occasion I need something special, because I know they'll have it. On those occasions, the higher price is worth it to save me driving all over the city.

Neither link works. Was a grocer ever named or was it just a preliminary step toward a TBA grocer?

Not sure why the links did not work, it was straight copy and paste.

I do not believe a specific grocer was named at the time.

If you are interested it was listed as PUD-1604

Here is the agenda from that particular meeting: https://agenda.okc.gov/sirepub/meeting.aspx?cabinet=published_meetings&docid=86899

Today I went to pick up my insta cart order from another store. All my desert items were cancelled. ugh. i was driving by the Uptown in Edmond and decided to try to run in the entrance by the bakery to pick up some cake quickly. An employee was stocking that area and a manager was speaking to him. I did ask the manager if they are planning on keeping the cake/bakery area as well as the large cheese area the same with the upcoming sale. He said yes that is the plan. Just wanted to pass this on. They seem to have the best cheese selection in OKC metro area.

All my desert items were cancelled. ugh.
Oh no! No cacti? 😉

...They seem to have the best cheese selection in OKC metro area.

That is the one thing I miss since we don't go to the Uptown on May/Britton anymore, but Whole Foods has a very respectable selection, so that's a bit of consolation.

Not a grocery store, but Mediterranean Imports on North May has a terrific cheese selection.

It is absolutely 10-20% higher than any other liquor store, but their stock beats almost every store I've visited. I've found plenty of beers there I can't find anywhere else. I still drop in on the odd occasion I need something special, because I know they'll have it. On those occasions, the higher price is worth it to save me driving all over the city.

I'm a scotch drinker and I absolutely assure that what I buy is comparable or less than any other places I have looked for what I want.

You forgot to mention Mediterranean's olives and lot more good stuff in a small store.

Weird because the couple times I've been to Grand Cru it seems like its the highest priced liquor store in the city.

Their pricing is absurd. The Well on Memorial has much better pricing and has a great selection.

Not a grocery store, but Mediterranean Imports on North May has a terrific cheese selection.

this. . !!plus lots other delectables!!

Not a grocery store, but Mediterranean Imports on North May has a terrific cheese selection.

Have to check it out, been there once to eat and shop and mainly concentrated on eating, thx for the tip.

I'm a scotch drinker and I absolutely assure that what I buy is comparable or less than any other places I have looked for what I want.

That is not typical of Grand Cru, as a whole. I'm not knocking them at all, since I do frequent them, but if you did a sampling of their wine, beer, and cigar offerings compared to other metro stores, you'd find they are higher. I've compared for myself, but I also don't drink Scotch. As I said before, I also don't mind paying more for convenience.

I'm a scotch drinker and I absolutely assure that what I buy is comparable or less than any other places I have looked for what I want.

What kind of scotch?

Not a grocery store, but Mediterranean Imports on North May has a terrific cheese selection.

One of OKC's Gems - Also a really good place to buy spices.

Yes, truly a gem! Now to derail this thread a little further: it's also a great place for hummus and tabouli among other delectables as detailed earlier in this thread. Absolutely wonderful. It's a great place for lots of deli and grocery items. You may want to shop away from meal times as it is somewhat difficult to socially distance in there. We started shopping at Medit Deli when is was located at 36tth and MacArther way back when. Always loved the quality and attention to detail.

What kind of scotch?

Lauders or Inverhouse. I never buy expensive scotch to drink at home. Inverhouse had been the least expensive but the price recently went up slightly so I'm buying Lauders now. I used to buy my scotch at Pancho's on N. Meridian when I lived near there and the prices were comparable but never less.

Something is going on with the Buy For Less location at NW Hiway/Portland. I went in to purchase a couple of money orders. The customer service office has closed permanently.

The SUPER SAVER affiliate in Norman is having a closing sale.

I went into the NW Hiway/Portland store Thursday evening (1/14). One of the cashiers informed me the store has already changed owners and is now owned by Pruett's Food based in Ada, OK. Some of the floor displays have been cleared out, but shelves are still stocked. I was also told the new owners will sink about $2 million into some remodeling of that location. No info about the bakery or deli. The other location under the Pruett name is the location in Edmond.

This is some absolute BS, I went to Uptown in Edmond today, closest store to me, and they had no alcohol at all. Cashier said it was new owners decision. Unfortunately when wife wants Sunday morning Mimosas I can't go to the liquor store so I have to go 4 miles further south to Crest. I loved that Uptown but will no longer be shopping with them.

I just went to the Edmond Uptown today (after picking up beer at the liquor store down the street...sigh) and learned they no longer accept American Express. They put signs up saying it's because of the high fees. I don't have much hope for the future of this place.

No Amex and no wine/beer is not compatible with running a high end deli or grocer. Unless they are doing away with the whole "Uptown" concept, this is not going to end well.

I think that is where its headed. Less high end and more economy stuff. I like the deli/cheese and bakery sections and a lot more. I hope they don't turn it into some kind of economy type store.

Well the grocery store scene in OKC just took a step backwards it seems then.

This is some absolute BS, I went to Uptown in Edmond today, closest store to me, and they had no alcohol at all. Cashier said it was new owners decision. Unfortunately when wife wants Sunday morning Mimosas I can't go to the liquor store so I have to go 4 miles further south to Crest. I loved that Uptown but will no longer be shopping with them.

Fortunately, the liquor stores near us have chosen to open on Sundays. Comes in handy when I forget to plan ahead and have to buy liquor.

Most gas stations have champagne good enough to drown in OJ.

I think that is where its headed. Less high end and more economy stuff. I like the deli/cheese and bakery sections and a lot more. I hope they don't turn it into some kind of economy type store.

"Cash Saver" here ya come!!:mad:

I went in the Edmond store today. Employees not wanting to social distance after I asked them to. Also I was looking at the cakes in the bakery. An employee with about a 6 ft or longer floor mop broom thing tried to basically push me out of the way. No way to treat a customer. My knee was not doing good today, I'm older ie retired. I went to check out and an employee jumped in front of me as I put my stuff on the check out counter. You don't treat customers like that.

Just tried to call them, no answer, mail box full. ugh