Results were released from a studying looking into the possibility of a grocery store downtown. The study shows that there simply is no demand for a grocery store downtown.


Laws blamed for lack of downtown grocery

By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman

A report released Tuesday shows downtown Oklahoma City may be at a disadvantage in luring a specialty grocery because of state laws that prohibit them from selling strong beer and liquor.


A preliminary report of the study by The Kilduff Co. also shows no statistical unmet demand exists for a full-service grocery downtown, despite comments to the contrary by residents. And even with a flurry of housing development and a focused recruitment effort, consultant Larry Kilduff warns that an effort to persuade a grocery to open downtown could take three years or longer.

However, Kilduff said downtown also has some strengths for recruiting a grocery.
"There is demonstrated regional drawing power in the trade area," Kilduff reported.

"The downtown sites are well-positioned in the trade area with regard to residential and commercial activity. Existing retail and residential developments are doing well, and significant additional residential is projected."

Kilduff suggested civic leadership and infrastructure assistance from the city will be needed in any recruitment effort.

However, it's the specialty retailers such as Whole Foods, Central Market and Trader Joes that Kilduff believes will be best suited for downtown.

Dave Lopez, president of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., said he's not discouraged by the report. He and Roy Williams, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said they believe the timing is right to recruit a grocery that can serve not just downtown, but the entire metro area.

"With the growth in downtown housing and the strengths pointed out in the study, we can now begin the hard work of attracting a grocer that can be a catalyst and attraction for downtown," Lopez said.

He said more discussion is needed to determine how to address a specialty store's desire to sell strong beer and liquor. Missouri recently changed its laws to allow such sales, while Texas allows it on a county-by-county basis.

"It affirms something we thought might be a vulnerability as we go ahead with trying to get the specialty grocers who sell wine and beer," Lopez said. "What we have to think through is if it's a vital product for a grocer to have, how do we solve that?

"Getting the law changed might be a very big project. Perhaps there is a novel way to have a grocery and liquor store next to each other."

Ron Edgmon, president of the Oklahoma Grocers Association, said he's aware of an initiative petition being circulated to change the state's liquor laws to allow sales at groceries.

"We're not involved," said Edgmon, who couldn't identify the petition's organizers. "They're trying to get it on the ballot in November ... we're not sure how strong this is or who the people are who are trying to get this done."

Edgmon said his organization's board has taken no stance on liquor sales in groceries.
He is convinced a grocery store will open downtown.

"I think a lot of what's going on downtown is the demographics are just now becoming favorable to support a grocery," Edgmon said.
"I think there will most definitely be a grocery store downtown. And with who is moving down there, the demographics will support a Whole Foods or that type of store."