Whole Foods

[Larry OKC]

Haven't read the paper yet but I thought someone had stated that Costco already operates in states that don't allow it, so not sure why it would be a requirement here?

Sounds like either way, Whole Foods would have to redesign if the law changes. Either design it for wine sales and have to change it if it doesn't pass or design it with no wine and change it if it does...seems more prudent to design for the law as it exists with the flexibility to change when/if the law changes (rearrange the aisles).

[okcpulse]

Haven't read the paper yet but I thought someone had stated that Costco already operates in states that don't allow it, so not sure why it would be a requirement here?

Sounds like either way, Whole Foods would have to redesign if the law changes. Either design it for wine sales and have to change it if it doesn't pass or design it with no wine and change it if it does...seems more prudent to design for the law as it exists with the flexibility to change when/if the law changes (rearrange the aisles).

After reading the Costco article, I think what is happening is that retailers like Costco and Whole Foods would find Oklahoma more attractive if wine was allowed to be sold in the supermarket. Indeed, they do operate in states that do not allow the sale of wine outside a liquor store. Whole Foods was summoned by Aubrey McClendon to open a location in OKC. I don't doubt locations in states that do not allow liquor sales outside a supermarket were opened under special circumstances either because of unusually high demand or an aggressive master plan like Chesapeake.

[workman45]

Snapped a few more pictures yesterday.

Steel mesh over windows.
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Steel mesh over windows.
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Steps to patio.
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Inside eating area. Not a cafe.
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Inside eating area.
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West driveway, landscaping going in.
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West parking, landscaping going in.
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[metro]

Great pics!! Also, don't think anyone meant an actual cafe, WF usually you just buy your food in their warm prepared foods section and then eat in their eating area, not a cafe in the traditional sense.

[workman45]

That sounds right since the eating area doesn't have plumbing or electircal for equipment.

[foodiefan]

Haven't read the paper yet but I thought someone had stated that Costco already operates in states that don't allow it, so not sure why it would be a requirement here?

perhaps a play on the "density" thing?? i.e. . . .other places have the density to make it profitable w/o wine sales. . . either through population and/or # of stores in the area?

[ChargerAg]

Why is there a steel mesh over the windows? Is it just for construction or does it look permanant?

[metro]

Why is there a steel mesh over the windows? Is it just for construction or does it look permanant?

I'm guessing because heavy construction is still around and glass is expensive = less likely to break glass......

[workman45]

Why is there a steel mesh over the windows? Is it just for construction or does it look permanant?

The eating area is covered with it and there are a few panels of it strategicly placed along the front (South) of the building. To me it looked decorative.

[ChargerAg]

I wonder if they are going to grow vines/ivy on it.

[Pete]

Yes, may very well be to grow some sort of climbing plants to help shade that structure.

Also, you can clearly see in one of the photos of the semi-enclosed seating area that there is a door that leads directly from the store, outside just briefly, then into this structure. Every WF I've seen has a seating area in the very front along the glass, so if that is the case at this location, those doors will connect the indoor seating to this semi-enclosed space and the patio beyond. Should be really slick!

[chuck johnson]

The ceiling fans are made by a company called "Big Ass Fans". No joke.

I knew I wasn't alone.

http://www.bigassfans.com/applicatio...estaurant-bar/

[bluedogok]

They make a great fan, I have specified them before and plan on putting one in my house when I build it. The Modern Fan Co. also has some good fans as well.

[metro]

I drove by last night. The text and photos above are deceiving. It looks like and the poster said the mesh was over the windows, but it's on the other side of the sidewalk, and much nicer looking than the photos show. It's clearly for ivy or some sort of plant.

[Pete]

Looks like they are beginning to stock the store (probably just the dry goods) as this morning there were half a dozen big semi trucks on site.

I bet they announce an opening date soon -- I believe the previous announcement said some time in October.

[ChargerAg]

I believe they are having a job fair this week as well.

[Chautauqua]

Related to Whole Foods: It appears they are marching forward on one at 91st and Yale in Tulsa, slated for opening in 2013.

[ChargerAg]

Have they announced exactly what they are doing to the one in Tulsa?

Everytime i see somebody post on this thread i expect it to be the grand opening date. I would guess they will anounce about a month before it opens?

[metro]

The tenant marque sign went up for the triangle at the curve and Whole Foods is on it now, went up. It went up withn the last day or two.

[dankrutka]

So Tulsa will now have 2 Whole Foods, right? They're not moving the one off 41st and Peoria?

[Swake2]

No, it’s a second store. 91st and Yale is 6 or 7 miles from the one on Brookside.

As for the one at 41st and Peoria. They have had Whole Foods signs up in the windows of the stores next to the existing space for like a year. They took the leases of a pharmacy and a gift shop but haven’t done anything yet. The last time they expanded the store it went much faster. They took two restaurants and a bar last time, but that was 5 or 6 years ago and I think it was Wild Oats then.

[BG918]

No, it’s a second store. 91st and Yale is 6 or 7 miles from the one on Brookside.

As for the one at 41st and Peoria. They have had Whole Foods signs up in the windows of the stores next to the existing space for like a year. They took the leases of a pharmacy and a gift shop but haven’t done anything yet. The last time they expanded the store it went much faster. They took two restaurants and a bar last time, but that was 5 or 6 years ago and I think it was Wild Oats then.

I remember asking them at the time what they had planned and one of the employees said larger cafe area. WF could occupy the entire frontage adjacent to the liquor store (how convenient..)

I am surprised it has taken them so long to announce a south Tulsa store. That location is perfect as it will have turnpike access for suburban shoppers and is in between Tulsa's wealthiest neighborhoods outside of midtown (where the one on 41st is in a perfect spot).

Where will OKC #2 be? I think Norman gets the next one.

[iMAX386]

Drove by it today, and there's no noticeable difference from the last pictures. They're still doing landscaping to the creek thing north of WF. The stone work on the shores of that thing have improved since the last time I saw earlier this summer. They added some stonework to cover up the cement. Nothing has changed with that steel mesh stuff on the front of the store.

The "Triangle at Classen Curve" sign looks pretty sharp. Traffic in that area is going to be such a clusterf-ck when WF opens up.

[ChargerAg]

I read that people are outside the store picketing? any idea what that is about?

Maybe they are protesting a lack of a opening date?

[RadicalModerate]

Even though 13 years have elapsed since this was written, perhaps the picketing has something to do with this:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/Corp/wholefood.htm