Crest killing Homeland in SW OKC

[Doug Loudenback]

Now if we can do something about the Homeland at 18th and Classen.

That's my neighborhood Homeland and over the years (though the faces have frequently changed) it's close and that's where I've done most of my grocery shopping over the past 15 years or so and I like being able to say, "Hi, Michael" (or whoever) when I'm there and kibitzing with a friendly face and person I know for a bit while shopping. I have the impression that Homeland low-balls its employee wages and that's the reason for its frequent employee turnover, but that's only an impression. But, aside from proximity and familiarity, there is no way that my own shopping patterns have not changed since the new southside Crest opened, despite its distance from my Mesta Park home. But, the reality check is that on the interstates it takes only 12-15 minutes to get there from where I live.

While I've pretty much avoided trading at the WalMart grocery west of Penn on NW 23 except for emergencies, I've got to say that my habit of favoring the 18th & Classen Homeland has changed. I've now settled into a new comfortable pattern of going to the new southside Crest about every 2 weeks, just like I did this morning, and dropping $175-$225 there with each bi-weekly visit. I still go to Homeland at 18th & Classen for less complete purchasing on an ad hoc immediate-need basis, but it doesn't get the larger share of my food dollars that Crest now does. So, if I'm a typical example (and I don't know that I am), it's not just the southside Homelands that might be suffering with better competition, it's quite possibly all of them. They simple don't measure up.

It's not just prices, which are way better at Crest, it's what's available. This morning, for example, in addition to picking up a couple of bags of Starbucks whole bean coffee at just under $7 a bag (at Homeland, usually over $9 a bag), I picked up at the southside Crest 1 1/2 pounds of king crab legs which I cannot wait to eat, as well as many other things in their meat and other sections. Get those crab legs them at Homeland at 18th & Classen? No way, no how.

[Lauri101]

I shop regularly at the Homeland on 29th and Sunnylane and love it. It's a former Albertsons and kept up fairly well. I'm known by name, get excellent service at all departments and have been able to get items special ordered with no problem. Overall, I tend to spend about the same amount of money for groceries as I did at WalMart and I buy non-food items at Target.
I've been Wally World free for 6 months and plan to stay that way. I will not, ever, shop at Crest - a personal boycott for 20 years because of the store EEO policies practiced at that time. As long as Crest treats employees as they do and the Harroz family owns the store, they won't get a dime from my house. IMHO - some things are more important than money and I'll economize in other ways.

[Doug Loudenback]

I shop regularly at the Homeland on 29th and Sunnylane and love it. It's a former Albertsons and kept up fairly well. I'm known by name, get excellent service at all departments and have been able to get items special ordered with no problem. Overall, I tend to spend about the same amount of money for groceries as I did at WalMart and I buy non-food items at Target.
I've been Wally World free for 6 months and plan to stay that way. I will not, ever, shop at Crest - a personal boycott for 20 years because of the store EEO policies practiced at that time. As long as Crest treats employees as they do and the Harroz family owns the store, they won't get a dime from my house. IMHO - some things are more important than money and I'll economize in other ways.

I don't know about this, Lauri. Can you explain?

[Wambo36]

Not sure what Laurie's experiences were Doug, but as someone who grew up in MWC, I can tell you that the stories from people who worked for the Harroz family during my high school years are not very flattering. I had one friend who was hired and told he was on a 2 week training period. What he wasn't told, was that the training was at no cost to the employer. When he found out his first 2 weeks had been for free, he quit the job on principle.
In the wake of the May 3rd tornado they were the only grocery store, that I'm aware of, that was selling cardboard boxes to the people who were trying to gather up the remains of their homes. The same cardboard boxes that would have otherwise been incinerated.

Never let it be said that they don't know how to make a buck.

[Lauri101]

Doug - in addition to Wambo's comments and examples(knew about both training periods and boxes), I am also aware of at least two instances where African-American males were hired "just in time", only to be subsequently fired two days after the EEOC came out to investigate a complaint. Employees were intimidated to work unpaid overtime and yelled at in front of customers - I witnessed it personally at the old Crest on Reno at least three times. One elderly female employee was actually in tears because a manager berated her and called her an idiot as she checked the express lane. They have not been good neighbors nor have they been model employers. On principle - I just refuse to support a family who engages in blatant discrimination and abuse.

[okclee]

A lot can change in 20 years, with people and companies, for better or worse.

[Lauri101]

Yes, it can - but some of the incidents I'm aware of happened when my daughters were at MWC, in 99. As a union person and daughter of a civil rights worker - there are some things that just can't be overlooked. Employers who take advantage of employees - because they can - are the lowest form of life, IMO.

[MustangGT]

Yes, it can - but some of the incidents I'm aware of happened when my daughters were at MWC, in 99. As a union person and daughter of a civil rights worker - there are some things that just can't be overlooked.

12 years is a bit long to remain angry. Things could very well be better today. No doubt you have changed since 99 they could possibly have changed also.

[corwin1968]

I know nothing about Crest's owners or their employment practices but I know that when I worked for Homeland the reason they were so non-competetative was the union. It just was not possible to pay cashiers and stockmen $9.50/hour (back in the late 80's and early 90's) and compete when other grocery stores were paying minimum wage. I have no idea if Homeland is still union but I suspect they are and I suspect that is why the company is dying.

[rickself]

This is the beauty of creative destruction...and I love it because Homeland should have died long ago.

Did someone say Crest was expanding to Norman? That would spell the end of at least two Homelands there.

I understand they are looking to expand into Yukon soon.

[Thunder]

I can support Lauri. Altho, I can't really say things publicly... Just know that I am hanging on for nearly 2 years while most people I know working there for short time before getting fired. Wrongfully fired, that is. Lauri, you can still stop by to visit, get a few things, so I can bring it out to your car. I need all the tips I can get. <3

[windowphobe]

Far as I know, Homeland employees are still represented by UFCW Local 1000.

[SOONER44EVER]

The only thing better about Homeland is that they double coupons and sometimes that still doesn't help them beat the prices at Crest. The only store I can think of with higher prices than Homeland is Crescent Market in Nichols Hills Plaza and the price difference isn't a whole lot.

[Jared6]

The next time you go to Crest, check the expiration dates. I had 3 items that were expired, one by four months.

[CChandler]

I agree, the new southside Crest is wonderful. I drive 20 minutes just to shop there.
Not ALL homelands are bad, there's one in Yukon at I-40 and Cornwell that's very nice, with great customer service. (And yes, it's a former flagship Albertsons).

[cindy]

Homeland is also a local company. Its headquarters is in Edmond. EDIT correction...Homeland in in Edmond but it's a subsidary of AWG....which also owns

* Price Chopper / Price Mart
* Country Mart
* Cash Saver
* Apple Market
* Harps
* SunFresh
* ThriftWay
* Hen House Market

The problem with Homeland is it seems to put all its money into 2 or 3 stores. They are all former Albertsons locations and are all kept up very nice.

For example, you go into Homeland at 18th and Classen and then go into the the Homeland at Britton and N. May and you would never guess it could possibly be the same chain. 18th and Classen needs serious work. North May is clean, customer service is good, and they've kept it as much like the old Albertsons as possible. But I have to agree on other locations. Like I said, it's sometimes hard to believe it's the same chain.

I believe that EVERY major store in OKC (Buy for Less, Homeland, Crest, Eleys, etc.) except for Wal Mart is serviced by AWG (Associated Wholesale Grocers) and AWG owns the Homeland stores.

[John1744]

That is correct, I'm the assistant manager to an AWG owned store, and most of the stores in the OKC area are affiliated with AWG in one way or another. Part of the reason Crest can get their prices so low besides the 5 main reasons they list on their bags, is their massive warehouses. When a company approaches Kraft or someone and says I want to buy thirty or more pallets of X product, they can demand a cheap price. There are very very few stores in Oklahoma with that storage or buying ability. Crest is also directly involved with buying from manufacturers in many cases. Most stores use AWG as the middle man in negotiations and never even speak to a rep from the manufacturer.

[SOONER44EVER]

The next time you go to Crest, check the expiration dates. I had 3 items that were expired, one by four months.

I check the expiration dates at every store I go to.

[megax11]

I love the new Crest, and thanks to the location, it means I no longer support the Walmart Market nearby.

[rickself]

That's our main thing too - no more Wal Mart grocery with bad produce and irradiated meats.