Whole Foods

[fromdust]

i think this will kill forward foods over there on western. the walmart of organic grocery stores will crush it. so much for supporting our local businesses.

[HOT ROD]

I think OKC can support both.

[metro]

Well? What's up with the press conference today?

[MikeOKC]

Well? What's up with the press conference today?

It starts at 4:00 CST.

[bwana_bob]

From the Growth & Development section of Whole Foods 2nd Quarter Results financial press release today:

"Since the Company’s first quarter earnings release, the Company has reduced the size of three stores in development by an average of 14,500 square feet each. The Company also recently signed two new leases averaging 40,900 square feet in Wellesley, MA and Oklahoma City, OK – both currently scheduled to open in fiscal year 2011 and beyond."

[SkyWestOKC]

It's confirmed then!

[MikeOKC]

From the Growth & Development section of Whole Foods 2nd Quarter Results financial press release today:

"Since the Company’s first quarter earnings release, the Company has reduced the size of three stores in development by an average of 14,500 square feet each. The Company also recently signed two new leases averaging 40,900 square feet in Wellesley, MA and Oklahoma City, OK – both currently scheduled to open in fiscal year 2011 and beyond."

There you go! We don't need to listen to the 4:00 webcast. Thanks, Bwana_Bob.

[Thunder]

WHOLE FOODS ... it's official ... will open up on the Classen Curve in OKC.
by Ryan Welton / KOCO.com Managing Editor at 4:03 PM

[Steve]

Story going up on NewsOk. Classen Curve.

[kevinpate]

Story going up on NewsOk. Classen Curve.

Which is what you were able to tell us a week back. I dinna really think they were gonna change it on you between then and now. But for those chomping at the bit, I suppose today is a touch of a red letter day.

As for me, I think I'll sit back and wait on Steve's next big scoop.
I have nada against WF, but I don't see me driving up to OKC for my vittles once it gets here.

[OklahomaNick]

Press Release as of 4:00PM today.

No big surprises..
__________________________________________________ _

\Whole Foods Market Press Room
« Back to Pressroom Home

Whole Foods Market® Announces Plans to Build Store in Oklahoma City near Classen Curve Development and Chesapeake Energy Campus
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (May 12, 2010) – Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFMI), the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, is coming to northwest Oklahoma City. The site was announced jointly today by officials from Whole Foods Market and Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK)

“After many months of speculation, we are pleased and excited to officially confirm the much anticipated plan to build a Whole Foods Market store in northwest Oklahoma City,” said Aubrey K. McClendon, CEO of Chesapeake. “Whole Foods Market is a leader in the expanding natural and organic foods business. The Whole Foods Market brand has been built on consistently selling the highest quality natural and organic food products and maintaining high standards of quality, customer service and community involvement. The fact that we have attracted one of the most coveted retailers in the country to our community validates the revitalization we have experienced in Oklahoma City the past ten years.”

Whole Foods Market recently signed a lease enabling Chesapeake to move forward with the construction of a 35,000 square-foot store along North Western Avenue between North Classen and N.W. 63rd Street to anchor the next phase of Chesapeake’s development activities around its 50-acre Oklahoma City headquarters.

“The addition of a Whole Foods Market to the Classen, Western, Grand and N.W. 63rd Street district contiguous to our corporate headquarters campus signifies a major step forward in our vision to create the most vibrant and dynamic urban environment for our employees and neighbors to live, work and play in Oklahoma. Without question, Whole Foods Market is the perfect complement to the upscale local retailers and restaurateurs in Classen Curve, south of the site where the new Whole Foods Market will be built,” said McClendon. “We are taking the retail, entertainment and business environment to a new level in Oklahoma City while simultaneously furthering a mission of sustainability and healthy living with the addition of a Whole Foods Market.”

Scheduled to open by year-end 2011, the new Oklahoma City Whole Foods Market will be the largest natural and organic supermarket in the state. In keeping with Whole Foods Market’s recently announced national initiative to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2010, the supermarket in Oklahoma City will be built to strict green building standards. The Oklahoma City store will incorporate an energy efficient design, alternative refrigerants and advanced eco-friendly systems.

“Whole Foods Market has watched Oklahoma City’s transformation these past ten years with great interest. The area around Chesapeake’s distinctive and beautiful campus, combined with Aubrey’s vision to create an eco-friendly, aesthetically beautiful and people-pleasing environment at Classen Curve, caught our attention,” said Walter Robb, chief operating officer and co-president of Whole Foods Market. “We look forward to bringing our innovative, dynamic food shopping experience to Oklahoma City. As people who have followed our growth know, we do not take a cookie-cutter approach to our stores, but instead will design and build this store with products and ingredients sought out by the Oklahoma City community. We appreciate the genuine warmth we have experienced in Oklahoma City and look forward to serving the community.”

Tom Blanton of Blanton Property Company in Oklahoma City represented Chesapeake in the transaction.

[ChrisEddy]

Hello all, thought I'd go ahead and confirm some of the rumors which have been floating around, here is the official press release from Chesapeake and Whole Foods:

Whole Foods Market® Announces Plans to Build Store in
Oklahoma City near Classen Curve Development and
Chesapeake Energy Campus

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (May 12, 2010) - Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFMI), the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, is coming to northwest Oklahoma City. The site was announced jointly today by officials from Whole Foods Market and Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK).

“After many months of speculation, we are pleased and excited to officially confirm the much anticipated plan to build a Whole Foods Market store in northwest Oklahoma City,” said Aubrey K. McClendon, CEO of Chesapeake. “Whole Foods Market is a leader in the expanding natural and organic foods business. The Whole Foods Market brand has been built on consistently selling the highest quality natural and organic food products and maintaining high standards of quality, customer service and community involvement. The fact that we have attracted one of the most coveted retailers in the country to our community validates the revitalization we have experienced in Oklahoma City the past ten years.”

Whole Foods Market recently signed a lease enabling Chesapeake to move forward with the construction of a 35,000 square-foot store along North Western Avenue between North Classen and N.W. 63rd Street to anchor the next phase of Chesapeake’s development activities around its 50-acre Oklahoma City headquarters.

“The addition of a Whole Foods Market to the Classen, Western, Grand and N.W. 63rd Street district contiguous to our corporate headquarters campus signifies a major step forward in our vision to create the most vibrant and dynamic urban environment for our employees and neighbors to live, work and play in Oklahoma. Without question, Whole Foods Market is the perfect complement to the upscale local retailers and restaurateurs in Classen Curve, south of the site where the new Whole Foods Market will be built,” said McClendon. “We are taking the retail, entertainment and business environment to a new level in Oklahoma City while simultaneously furthering a mission of sustainability and healthy living with the addition of a Whole Foods Market.”

Scheduled to open by year-end 2011, the new Oklahoma City Whole Foods Market will be the largest natural and organic supermarket in the state. In keeping with Whole Foods Market’s recently announced national initiative to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2010, the supermarket in Oklahoma City will be built to strict green building standards. The Oklahoma City store will incorporate an energy efficient design, alternative refrigerants and advanced eco-friendly systems.

“Whole Foods Market has watched Oklahoma City’s transformation these past ten years with great interest. The area around Chesapeake’s distinctive and beautiful campus, combined with Aubrey’s vision to create an eco-friendly, aesthetically beautiful and people-pleasing environment at Classen Curve, caught our attention,” said Walter Robb, chief operating officer and co-president of Whole Foods Market. “We look forward to bringing our innovative, dynamic food shopping experience to Oklahoma City. As people who have followed our growth know, we do not take a cookie-cutter approach to our stores, but instead will design and build this store with products and ingredients sought out by the Oklahoma City community. We appreciate the genuine warmth we have experienced in Oklahoma City and look forward to serving the community.”

Tom Blanton of Blanton Property Company in Oklahoma City represented Chesapeake in the transaction.

# # #





About Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is one of the largest producers of natural gas and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on discovering and developing unconventional natural gas and oil fields onshore in the U.S. Chesapeake owns leading positions in the Barnett, Fayetteville, Haynesville, Marcellus and Bossier natural gas shale plays and in the Eagle Ford, Granite Wash and various other unconventional oil plays. The company has also vertically integrated its operations and owns substantial midstream, compression, drilling and oilfield service assets. Further information is available at Chesapeake Energy - America's Champion of Natural Gas.

About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFMI), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 53,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2009, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 280 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

[Midtowner]

A decent press release, but wuzzup with using Aubrey McClendon's first name when referring to him? Isn't that a bit familiar? Good info, but that just strikes me as odd.

[soonerguru]

Wow! This is so cool! I do wish it wouldn't take them 15 months or more to get the store open.

Something tells me that the store itself is going to set a new standard for Whole Foods, however.

[soonerguru]

A decent press release, but wuzzup with using Aubrey McClendon's first name when referring to him? Isn't that a bit familiar? Good info, but that just strikes me as odd.

It was in a quote. It sounds friendly.

[SkyWestOKC]

Year-end 2011. Not bad.

[OklahomaNick]

CHK trying to one up Devon and their new Tower??
Has this been mentioned yet?

[okclee]

I really enjoyed all of the speculating throughout the years.

Now we need something new to start speculation and rumors. What should it be?

[OKCisOK4me]

"construction of a 35,000 square-foot store along North Western Avenue between North Classen and N.W. 63rd Street"

I see this in the article but I can not see it in my head. Is it suppose to be on the west side of the street between Flips and that office building on the SW corner of the intersection of N. Western & NW 63rd? Cause... that's not really Classen Curve..

[onthestrip]

CHK trying to one up Devon and their new Tower??
Has this been mentioned yet?

One up a $800 million tower? Rrright...

[metro]

[diesel]

I wonder what that is going to do to Forward Foods on Western? I would imagine they are going to sell basically the same things as Whole Foods?? And I am sure that they will not have a credit card limit like Forward Foods on Western has. I do not carry cash and so trying to buy something simple like a drink, I was rejected saying that they have a $4.00 limit on credit/debit cards. I though that was illegal?

[metro]

I really enjoyed all of the speculating throughout the years.

Now we need something new to start speculation and rumors. What should it be?

I'll start it now, since I started the WF rumor 5 years ago as Spartan linked back to the original article. We'll have an Urban Outfitters within 5 years!

35,000 square-foot store

How does this compare to the size of their other stores? I've been to many of their stores, but don't know the sq. footage.

[diesel]

Also does anyone know what is the size of the Tulsa store??

[MikeOKC]

I wonder what that is going to do to Forward Foods on Western? I would imagine they are going to sell basically the same things as Whole Foods?? And I am sure that they will not have a credit card limit like Forward Foods on Western has. I do not carry cash and so trying to buy something simple like a drink, I was rejected saying that they have a $4.00 limit on credit/debit cards. I though that was illegal?

If it was Visa/Mastercard it's a violation of the merchant agreement. American Express allows a minimum purchase limit.