Where are you seeing that comment? I see a statement about them being "app based" but can't find the faith based statement.

I don’t see the statement on the updated website anymore but I did see it previously as well. This could mean a lot of things. Could just be in things they support with donations to things they encourage employee volunteering for as company to how they structure and conduct business. Many things this could mean with a vague statement like that to be honest.

Press release:

***************

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/jackbe042122a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/jackbe042122b.jpg



JackBe Secures $3.75 Million SEED Investment to Reimagine Online Grocery Shopping

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – JackBe, an on-demand, pick-up-only grocery service reimagining how individuals experience grocery shopping, secured $3.75 million in SEED funding for its revolutionary retail grocery concept. The investment is led by Oklahoma-based RCC Ventures with participation from Purpose Equity.

This SEED round is a key investment that supports the opening of the first JackBe grocery store location at 18001 N. May Ave. in Edmond, scheduled to open in early 2023. JackBe

JackBe is completely redesigning the way grocery shopping fits into life.

Though many “online” options exist in the market today, JackBe seeks to solve the problems nearly everyone has experienced–long pick-up times, too many substitutions and poorly selected produce. With JackBe, customers can simply place an order anytime, anywhere, on their easy-to-use mobile app, drive to the nearest location and have fresh, handpicked groceries delivered to their car in minutes.

Alex Ruhter, CEO at JackBe, says the support from investors in closing this round of SEED investment is an important step in the continued growth of JackBe in the key Oklahoma City market. JackBe is currently raising an additional $3.5 million in pre-Series A funding to build two more stores in the Oklahoma City area in early 2023.

“I am thankful for the support of our investors because the concept behind JackBe is a game-changer. Our team has spent years focusing on bringing innovation to every aspect of grocery shopping—all with the purpose of making this common chore nearly fun. JackBe puts the customer first and allows families to spend more time together around the dinner table instead of spending hours shopping at the grocery store,” says Ruhter.

Early investor Chad Merrill says, “I am thrilled to be an early investor in JackBe. JackBe’s innovation and disruption in the grocery industry improves the daily life of its customers. From the concept to the first-rate management team, JackBe was a company I wanted to be a part of from the start.”

With customers and the community at the forefront, JackBe focuses on contributing to and supporting the local community, from partnerships with local suppliers to collaborations with non-profit staffing organizations.

Ultimately JackBe is about people, says Nathan Bocock, managing director at Purpose Equity.

“While grocery is the business, it’s really just a means to care for the community, families and employees. The world has enough inwardly-focused business. JackBe is the opposite and I like that. I want my investments to have the greatest impact possible. JackBe accomplishes this in a real, tangible way as they serve both their employees and their customers,” says Bocock.

Ruhter agreed wholeheartedly, which is why he’s leading a team of innovation reimaging what grocery shopping can become.

“With so many competing priorities in our everyday lives, it’s not difficult to convince others that on-demand access to groceries is the ultimate dream,” he says “We’re ready to make this dream a reality. Now, it’s our opportunity to show the Oklahoma City area this dream of convenience, on-demand grocery shopping can come true,” he says.

###


About JackBe
Founded in 2020, JackBe has a simple mission—to make grocery shopping ‘nearly’ fun. JackBe is an on-demand grocery service reimagining how individuals experience grocery shopping. The innovative, personalized mobile app saves shoppers time and energy by allowing them to place grocery orders and pick them up in minutes. For more information, please visit www.jackbegrocery.com.

Also, this is from their website:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/jackbe042122c.jpg

Glad they've buried their prototype in exurbia.

What kind of service fees are they planning to charge?

It's great to see the optimism in the press release but I'm not sure what the value proposition .... ok blah blah... I wish them luck with the concept.

I'll shut up and observe from a distance.

That “exurbia” is one of the fastest growing areas in the metro area and is really underserved in terms of grocery stores. Perfect area to prototype this, especially with all the young families who may not want to take an hour to grocery shop.

If you really study that map, there is no way those dots in outermost Deer Creek and five miles east of I-35 represent actual future locations. I think they just randomly put dots on the map. The other four seem plausible.

If you really study that map, there is no way those dots in outermost Deer Creek and five miles east of I-35 represent actual future locations. I think they just randomly put dots on the map. The other four seem plausible.

Move every single dot down about 5 miles and then everything makes more sense.
Then it would’ve mwc, norman, Yukon/mustang, south okc, central okc, quail and nw okc

But I agree the dots are probably just random on a graphic made to show they want to expand somewhere.

That “exurbia” is one of the fastest growing areas in the metro area and is really underserved in terms of grocery stores. Perfect area to prototype this, especially with all the young families who may not want to take an hour to grocery shop.

Yeah, we've lived a stone's throw away from the first Jackbe location for over 13 years and the entire area is a wasteland as far as grocery, restaurant and general retail business goes. We would much rather have had a regular grocery store on that corner, but we are glad the general area is FINALLY starting to develop. I might even leave early enough on one or two days of the week to take advantage of the Starbucks going in next to Jackbe.

Yeah, we've lived a stone's throw away from the first Jackbe location for over 13 years and the entire area is a wasteland as far as grocery, restaurant and general retail business goes. We would much rather have had a regular grocery store on that corner, but we are glad the general area is FINALLY starting to develop. I might even leave early enough on one or two days of the week to take advantage of the Starbucks going in next to Jackbe.

Corwin1968 is right....this is one of the highest concentrations of population and higher income in Oklahoma City that is vastly underserved. When your options are either going south to Penn/Memorial or east to Edmond's intelligent untimed stoplights, randomly closed train crossings, and lack of any turn lanes, any new retail and dining this far west and north will be welcomed with open arms. The NIMBY's basically gave up when apartments encroached Valencia.

We need some other options then Walmart, Walmart, Walmart. I went into Walmart for the first time in like about 6 to 9 months. The items I went into Walmart to get were all out of stock. Wasted trip. Last few times I've been in Walmart it was the same thing. I gave up going there. Now with this option, sounds like it would be great if a person needed some basic items and did not want to go to walmart and spend 30 min or more and find out the items is out of stock. Easy go and pick it up and be done. Maybe not for everyone but still nice to have this option. I live east of I 35 but if a trip takes me that way and I need a few items, not a bad option.

I agree that that area is sort of a food desert. I wish we could get more options on full service grocery stores, not another Walmart, Crest or Target.

Reminder that Homeland is coming to NW 164th & May.

Reminder that Homeland is coming to NW 164th & May.

I worked for Homeland from 1988 to 1995 and my perception of the company is colored by that experience (I felt it was a dying company before they even changed the name to Homeland) and my observations of Homelands closing all over the place. I've read more optimistic views here on OKCTalk and a few weeks ago, we spent the weekend at Lake Murray and ventured into Ardmore and ended up at Homeland buying food for a cookout. We pretty much stayed on the perimeter of the store but the craft sodas, delicious steak and even more delicious cold deli side dishes we bought have us excited to have a brand new Homeland a mile away. We'll probably still drive over to Crest for our big shopping trips but will probably now go to Homeland for smaller purchases. We won't miss the Neighborhood Market at NW 164th & Western that has been serving in that role. That WM pharmacy has been out of medications so frequently lately that we might sever that tie as well. We have to have so many transferred to the CVS at NW 178th, we might as well start doing business there.

Also, ground work is really getting going at NW 164th & May.

I walk to my mail box :)

I dd not put a bottom in my mail box. It just falls directly into a trash can.

They are planning another location on the SW corner of SW 29th & Mustang Road:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=46906&p=1201734#post1201734

Walls are going up at NW 178th & May.

Saw a post on FB today that they have a $1.1m building/alteration permit for the old Gold's/LA Fitness location on Santa Fe and Danforth.

Saw a post on FB today that they have a $1.1m building/alteration permit for the old Gold's/LA Fitness location on Santa Fe and Danforth.

^ ^
Fantastic!

Saw that too. That would be a HUGE addition to that area. Wal-Mart is Wal-Mart and Uptown is just not as fun as it used to be. Wonder if it will still be online only, or if this one will be in store as well? That's a big location.

^

Jack Be's entire business model is pick-only, so they are not going to build any stores where you can go in and shop.

I am glad to see more pick up options for Edmond. Its not just about covid lots of people rather spend their time doing other things, also for older people its harder to get around large stores. EAsy to just pull up and get your items brought out to you.

JackBe at 178th and May in NW OKC announced they will open January 10.

Jack Be is converting the old Gold's Gym at Danforth and Santa Fe into their 3rd location. This to the east of Kohl's and across from Walmart.

Their first at NW 178th & May will open on January 10th; their second will be at SW 29th & Mustang Road.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/jackbe122522b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/jackbe122522a.jpg

Signage was going up today, December 27, on Store #1 at 178th and May.

Pete, just realized you went out on Christmas Day to get these drone shots of Danforth/Santa Fe in Edmond of the proposed JackBe location.

There is something unique about completely empty parking lots.

Pete, just realized you went out on Christmas Day to get these drone shots of Danforth/Santa Fe in Edmond of the proposed JackBe location.

There is something unique about completely empty parking lots.

I like to take photos when there is little traffic, typically Sunday mornings.

I usually have a long list of updates and it's much easier to move around the city when there is almost no traffic.

Has anyone tried this out since the first location opened?

Has anyone tried this out since the first location opened?

Drove by there today on the way home, they had 3 cars queued up. Prices seems comparable to the average grocery store, some higher, some lower. A few items may be a higher price on than what you would at a Homeland or Crest. I've had a few co-workers try it out and they said the best part was how quick the service turnaround from order to pickup is. Given the density in this area and lack of other grocery stores, this should be a home run if people can embrace the digital technology.

Several people on our neighborhood FB page have commented on their experiences and all of them mentioned the fast turnaround and good service. I think one person said they even ask you if you would like to check your items (ie, meat & produce) to be sure you were satisfied with them.

^

Checking items while you're there means quick changes/corrections can be made on the spot.

Very interesting concept.

Got a few things yesterday. Some were lower priced than Crest while others were a bit higher. We didn't get a lot of produce, but what we did get was good quality. There were a lot of things out stock and the overall selection is limited on some items, from what I saw, but the process was easy and fast. We didn't have a huge order, but it was a matter of minutes from when we clicked "On My Way" until the order was ready. The app said to pull into a regular parking spot until notified the order is ready, but we got the good to go notification as we were pulling in.

Pete, just realized you went out on Christmas Day to get these drone shots of Danforth/Santa Fe in Edmond of the proposed JackBe location.

There is something unique about completely empty parking lots.

There's a project to send people to capture photos of shopping center parking lots on black friday to show how much land is unnecessarily taken up by parking.

There's a project to send people to capture photos of shopping center parking lots on black friday to show how much land is unnecessarily taken up by parking.

Not for this thread in regards to JackBe, but there seems to be a shift (THANKFULLY) in much more efficient buildings that require less parking. If JackBe can meet 75 to 90 percent of grocery needs, it's footprint is significantly smaller than a traditional grocery with code mandated hundreds of spaces that rarely get used. Scooters, DutchBros, Salad and Go, etc are just some examples of drive thru only locations that eliminate all of the unnecessary parking.

From Pete's pictures above, that Kohls in Edmond has been there for almost 20 years, and probably has only had the lot 50 percent full in pre-online Black Friday days of the early 2000's, the rest of the time, it's maybe 10 percent full. It looks like Jack Be's drive through will be on the east side of the old Gold's Gym. With the bigger footprint of the existing store, it may carry more items than the first built from the ground up store at 178th and May.

^

That Jack Be in Edmond will also serve as their HQ and I believe it will serve as a warehouse for other stores as well.

We did our weekly drive over to HTea0 on N May and since we would be on that side of town we decided to try an order at JackBe. We were very impressed with the ease of the entire process. The associate that brought out our order was very bubbly and nice, loaded our order, and sent us on our way. Cheaper than normal grocery? Well, no cheaper than UpTown Grocers and certainly in line with Kroger delivery or using shopping delivery services like Shipted, etc. The convenience was fantastic.

I will say I'm more of a perusing shopper as I have a list of necessities when we shop but I do like going up and down all the isles of a traditional grocer to just get other things maybe I've forgotten or sound good to cook I haven't thought about. Scrolling through the app for the groceries is cumbersome as I think many of these sites are best for searching and adding to your cart from the search results. We routinely "stop in" at the grocery on some evenings after work on the way home for very fresh vegetables or other sides to go with dinner, so I can certainly see JackBe filling that need for my family once it opens in Edmond, but not sure about a complete grocery run for us.

Does anyone have any insight on how this place is doing?

It's hard to tell how "busy" they are when we drive by since most cars are there for 90 seconds and pull away versus a regular grocery store. Their prices and app seem to be more consistent and I know they have a few more stores in the works.

Just wondering if this model is as successful as they had hoped?

Does anyone have any insight on how this place is doing?

It's hard to tell how "busy" they are when we drive by since most cars are there for 90 seconds and pull away versus a regular grocery store. Their prices and app seem to be more consistent and I know they have a few more stores in the works.

Just wondering if this model is as successful as they had hoped?

I've been wondering the same thing. I drive by daily and often there is just one car parked in the front and none at the pick-up locations. There might be other employee cars in the back that I don't see.

Is May and NW 178th st in Edmond? Wtf

https://okcfox.com/news/local/drive-thru-grocer-jackbe-to-open-location-on-west-danforth-edmond-alex-ruhter-north-may-mustang-app-corporate-headquarters-grocery-business-square-feet-openings-may-3-2023#

Is May and NW 178th st in Edmond? Wtf

https://okcfox.com/news/local/drive-thru-grocer-jackbe-to-open-location-on-west-danforth-edmond-alex-ruhter-north-may-mustang-app-corporate-headquarters-grocery-business-square-feet-openings-may-3-2023#

No, just typical shoddy journalism. It's not even Edmond schools, it's Deer Creek.

I have noticed lately that at any given time, there are far more cars in the pick-up lanes at Jack-Be, so maybe it just took a bit for people to find out they are open and/or make the plunge to give it a try.

I'm impressed that the Danforth location is already opening. That renovation went fast.

Is May and NW 178th st in Edmond? Wtf

https://okcfox.com/news/local/drive-thru-grocer-jackbe-to-open-location-on-west-danforth-edmond-alex-ruhter-north-may-mustang-app-corporate-headquarters-grocery-business-square-feet-openings-may-3-2023#

Its an Edmond zip code, in OKC. So according to US postal service and google maps its an Edmond address.

Edmond zip code, Deer Creek Schools, Oklahoma City utilities. If someone wants to physically go there, the address says Edmond. It is what it is and is nothing new. When I lived on the southside it was the same thing with Moore and Oklahoma City, the edges of cities are blurred. I don't know why some think it's such a big deal but Edmond citizens are the only ones that are outraged by it.

When all the houses in OKC city limits, west of Edmond city limits were being built in that area, a new post office apparently wasn't in the plans, so I believe that whole area over there is served by the Edmond post office at 33rd/Kelley, and all their zip codes are Edmond, therefore according to the Post Office, you have an Edmond mailing address.

Edmond zip code, Deer Creek Schools, Oklahoma City utilities. If someone wants to physically go there, the address says Edmond. It is what it is and is nothing new. When I lived on the southside it was the same thing with Moore and Oklahoma City, the edges of cities are blurred. I don't know why some think it's such a big deal but Edmond citizens are the only ones that are outraged by it.
I know some Edmonites do seem to get worked up over but I wouldn’t say it’s too prevalent. I also understand that Edmond addresses do extend west into OKC just didn’t know it went as far as SH-74 which is what shocked me. I thought it stopped at Penn.

Just out of curiosity, why is this so? What is the point of having a zip code claiming to be part of a city it physically isn’t in? Why not create a new zip code for NW OKC?

When all the houses in OKC city limits, west of Edmond city limits were being built in that area, a new post office apparently wasn't in the plans, so I believe that whole area over there is served by the Edmond post office at 33rd/Kelley, and all their zip codes are Edmond, therefore according to the Post Office, you have an Edmond mailing address.
Just read this lol. Interesting. Never really gave much thought into zip codes but that makes sense. So I wonder if that will change in the future. I know I’d prefer a post office in NW OKC if I lived there instead of having to drive into Edmond.

Just read this lol. Interesting. Never really gave much thought into zip codes but that makes sense. So I wonder if that will change in the future. I know I’d prefer a post office in NW OKC if I lived there instead of having to drive into Edmond.

We lived at NW 164th/May for 7 years, never had to drive to the PO, always were able to get things delivered/redelivered, and there are plenty of other places on the way to/from work, etc. to send packages or buy stamps. The main thing about that PO that was super-annoying is that I subscribed to some expensive magazines that arrived folded in half (MOJO, Frank Lloyd Wright magazine, etc.), so I had to get a separate address to deliver those to. That post office had the new design of vertical square slots that everything would go into, so they just folded the magazines, no matter how many times I asked them not to. Our current PO (we're at NW 36th/May now) has the older style flat slots that magazines just lay in (city-style slots, the PO calls them).

Yes where you live is a big deal. Why because if you need to get a building permit then you have to go to the city you live in to get it. (or if you are in unincorporated Oklahoma county then you get it from them) Also if you call 911, it does matter as to who responds. If you have an issue with say a problem in your area then you have to call the correct city hall. If you dont like a business moving in to your area then you have to talk with the correct city. The reason for school districts not following city limits is that back in the day, there where the one room school houses and their districts. In the mid 50s a law was passed that said any school or school district with less then 15 students and to consolidate with another district. More consolidations resulted in school districts lines. Next cities annexed land and they did not follow school districts. They are not the same entity. Postal districts are a thing to themself since its is done by the postal service. Phone numbers are a thing of the phone company. This is why things dont line up.

As a retired firefighter, city limits are important to emergency response agencies. Fire dept respond in their jurisdiction.

exeption being when they are asked to go by the authority. If they get called by someone, they ie dispatch will call the correct agency to respond.

i think the point is it is lazy for any media entity to "report" something and use facts that are incorrect ..

I noticed that precast concrete wall sections are being erected at the future Jack Be location on Mustang Rd.and SW 29th St.

They are suspending operations at their Danforth location in Edmond.

They are suspending operations at their Danforth location in Edmond.

I had been wondering about them.

I never seen any promotion or hear anyone talk about them. I guess locations at NW 178th & May and SW 29th & Mustang will continue. That Danforth spot also contains their corporate offices and a warehouse.


I'm sure it hasn't helped that Kroger entered the market and is pushing hard for business.

The idea was good. It's just a few years too late. People have moved on to grocery delivery.

I had been wondering about them.

I never seen any promotion or hear anyone talk about them. I guess locations at NW 178th & May and SW 29th & Mustang will continue. That Danforth spot also contains their corporate offices and a warehouse.


I'm sure it hasn't helped that Kroger entered the market and is pushing hard for business.

We have ordered from Kroger numerous times, even though we live near a Jack Be. The prices were really the deal breaker. Kroger essentially has the same prices as their stores with the $7 delivery fee. Every time we thought about JackBe the item was either out of stock or priced higher than competitors. While the on-demand aspect is nice, with the new Homeland open at 164th and May has turned into our "need an item or two" for tonight store.

We have ordered from Kroger numerous times, even though we live near a Jack Be. The prices were really the deal breaker. Kroger essentially has the same prices as their stores with the $7 delivery fee. Every time we thought about JackBe the item was either out of stock or priced higher than competitors. While the on-demand aspect is nice, with the new Homeland open at 164th and May has turned into our "need an item or two" for tonight store.

Margins are incredibly low in groceries, so it comes down to buying power and that's where Kroger or Walmart can crush the competition.

Even Homeland struggles to stay price competitive so not sure how a very small operation like Jack Be is going to do it.

Amazon hasn't even really gotten into the grocery delivery game yet. If they ever upgrade their vans to something that can support refrigeration, watch out. I still think having "Personal shoppers' roam the stores isn't the most efficient use of labor. Next gen Walmarts may have bigger warehouse space.

The Penn and Memorial has their grocery pickup and delivery storage space on the other side of the building from the grocery section.

^Doesn't whole foods already do delivery?

^Doesn't whole foods already do delivery?

Yes, but it's limited to pantry type of items.

man i just hate the idea of delivery. I'm not even a fan of online ordering. I know it is convenient but not everything conveninent is good. All social interactions are going away.

As an aside, doesn't it seem odd that we are going back in time for groceries? the concept of online ordering and pickup is not far removed from how grocery stores originally operated. Give the clerk what you want and they go get it for you.

^

With Kroger, you have the option of either having them leave your order on the porch without even knocking on the door, or meeting their delivery person at the door and checking everything before they drive off. If there is an issue with the order, they will do their best to deal with it on the spot and at the very least, get the right items quickly delivered. Kroger drivers are employees trained in customer service, not just a 3rd party throwing stuff down and then rushing off.

It's understandable that many want to go into a grocery store and hand-select their own produce, meat, etc. But I've had a fantastic experience with Kroger: great prices (you can use coupons just like any grocery store), on-time delivery, orders have been complete. But what I like most is being able to see exactly what they have on-line and the pricing. I spent hours running around trying to find a certain type of flour and then I signed on to Kroger, saw they had it, and it was dropped right on my doorstep.

It's particularly fantastic for the elderly or people who have a hard time getting out, temporarily or otherwise. Or those at home with small children where dragging them along and through a store is a big ordeal.


Frankly, it's just a better way IMO. And Kroger's aggressive strategy has forced Walmart/Sam's to up their delivery game. Both are pretty darn great.