Anyone Know When the new Crest at S.W. 104th and May is Opening?

[Spartan]

LOL. Ok.

I thought your objection to the Bass Pro building was the design itself and not where they chose to put the design. My mistake.

Well, it aint brick, despite being in Bricktown. I guess that's a lot of objections I have about both, design and location. And site plan, a third component that stands alone (and that Bass Pro sucks at).

[Larry OKC]

Say it aint so! It isn't brick? How did THAT get by the design approval committee (especially since we paid for/built it)?

Isn't it in Lower Bricktown (which could imply a lower standard)

[earlywinegareth]

I drive by it every day. It looks sharp...tons better than any wal-mart. I like the 'farmer's market' styling alot...it has stone masonry from the ground up to about 4 foot. Can't wait for June 23rd.

[warreng88]

Crest Foods prepares to open new upscale market in south Oklahoma City
Crest Fresh Market, at SW 104 Street and S May Avenue, opens Wednesday.

BY JENNIFER PALMER
Published: June 19, 2010
Crest Foods opens its newest store, an upscale Fresh Market, Wednesday in south Oklahoma City.

"I think we're going to surprise a lot of people when they walk in,” said company President Bruce Harroz.

The 95,000-square-foot grocery store is receiving the finishing touches this week. Construction crews have been working on the project at SW 104 Street and S May Avenue for about a year.

The 24-hour store will include features similar to other major grocery chains, such as a Bank of Oklahoma branch. But it also will feature a drive-through pharmacy and wellness clinic. It also marks the first time Crest has added a sushi bar and fresh floral department, Harroz said.

Premium, natural beef with no hormones or antibiotics will be sold in the meat department and the produce is up front — emphasizing the store's focus on freshness, he said.

The company researched grocery store trends here and in other markets, such as Kansas City and Dallas, before deciding what amenities to incorporate into the store. Harroz said although the store is a new, more upscale look for the Edmond-based grocer, the "rock bottom prices” will remain.

"We're proud of this. It's a big step for us,” said Vice President Kevin Ergenbright.

Crest had looked at the property years ago but decided to build stores in Edmond and Moore first. And because the company owns their stores and avoids carrying debt, new stores are typically opened several years apart, Harroz said.

Market research told Harroz the newest Crest store would be in one of the city's wealthiest ZIP codes — 73170 — and a fast-growing area.

Harroz said he listens to customers when deciding where to locate.

"People were e-mailing us and sending us letters and saying 'please come to south Oklahoma City,'” Harroz said.

Residents here are not lacking for grocery stores, however. There's a Homeland one block east at Chatenay Square, on SW 104 and S Pennsylvania Avenue, and a Walmart Neighborhood Market another block east at S Western Avenue.

Harroz said there are plenty of shoppers in the area and Crest's easy access to Interstate 44 (a mile to the west) will be a boost to sales, Harroz said.

Murals, colorful signage and nods to the company's roots in Midwest City can be seen throughout the new store, including a black-and-white photo of Harroz's father and company founder, Nick Harroz Jr., at his first store — Nick's Brett Drive Grocery opened in 1946 — inside the front entrance and a huge sculpture of him in front of the store.

Crest Fresh Market will employ about 300 people and become the seventh Crest Foods store in the Oklahoma City metro area.

Crest Foods prepares to open new upscale market in south Oklahoma City | NewsOK.com

[Spartan]

There's a Homeland one black east at Chatenay Square -- he means one mile. Obviously..

I think this is interesting because of how badly S OKC lacks retail options. We're also getting a McAlister's at 104th and Western now, which I'm pretty excited for. Hopefully this may make Target take another look at the area. This new store reminds me a lot of some of the pretty decent HEBs that are in all of Houston's nicer burbs, like Katy, Bear Creek, Conroe, Sugar Land, La Marque, etc.

[ljbab728]

There's a Homeland one black east at Chatenay Square -- he means one mile. Obviously..

I think this is interesting because of how badly S OKC lacks retail options. We're also getting a McAlister's at 104th and Western now, which I'm pretty excited for. Hopefully this may make Target take another look at the area. This new store reminds me a lot of some of the pretty decent HEBs that are in all of Houston's nicer burbs, like Katy, Bear Creek, Conroe, Sugar Land, La Marque, etc.

And obviously, Western is another mile to the east instead of another block. You would think retailers would begin to take notice of how much money is centered in far south OKC and begin to cater to them.

[Larry OKC]

Shucks guys you beat me to it...that "one block" thing jumped right out at me too

[earlywinegareth]

Actually, the writer is a "she" who made the mistake...Harroz was not being quoted with saying blocks instead of miles.

There is tons of land set aside for commercial/retail down here...I could see a Target go in on 134th near I-44.

[SoonerDave]

Actually, the writer is a "she" who made the mistake...Harroz was not being quoted with saying blocks instead of miles.

There is tons of land set aside for commercial/retail down here...I could see a Target go in on 134th near I-44.

Someone on this very site insisted that Target was en route to that very location about a year ago, and it never happened. Alas.

Those of use who live in the area would argue about the "density" of groceries. Our family has all-but written off WalMart Neighborhood Slum for its refusal to stock more than one brand of anything, while Homeland's prices are simply too high for regular shopping.

Rumblings I heard from an acquaintance was that WalMart is "scared to death" of Crest. Good.

I'm delighted at McAllister's Deli coming in.

We just need a Barnes and Noble or Borders in this area now. As I recall, back when a WalMart SuperSlum was destined for 104th and May, rumblings were that a B&N was in the works across the street on the east side. When WM pulled out, so did B&N. Always thought that was a strange pairing, but whatever.

Its kinda ridiculous in a city the size of OKC that two large booksellers have their only presence in, what, three stores on the north side of town within just a few miles of each other, with *zero* presence on the south side. I guess there's someone out there perpetuating the persona that no one south of Reno can read....

-soonerdave

[earlywinegareth]

I remember the B&N rumors. I also remember when the WM neighborhood mart opened on Western...there was a grocery store (Buy 4 Less maybe?)across the street in the Palagio (sp?) bldg, and it closed down the very next week. I shop at both WM and Homeland, sort of alternate visits to get different items. Homeland has upgraded their produce section...added a sushi bar...and I occasionally find good deals (2 for 1s)...so even with the new Crest, I'll just add it to the rotation unless it hands down beats the other 2 with variety and price. I hope so, I much prefer to support an Oklahoma company.

Now I'm curious what will end up going onto the pads or whatever they're called...the open spaces in front of the Crest parking lot facing May...fast food most likely but I can't help but to think we are due for quality dining.

[Doug Loudenback]

Say it aint so! It isn't brick? How did THAT get by the design approval committee (especially since we paid for/built it)?

Isn't it in Lower Bricktown (which could imply a lower standard)

Bass Pro is fine by me. But I came to this thread wondering about the new Crest shop ... silly me.

[old okie]

Went to the Crest pre-opening celebration this afternoon/evening. It is a VERY nice store; most attractive inside. So many there expressed the wish that they had let us shop instead of just getting to look around.

They are still doing a few finishing touches, but the store is fully stocked and ready for the anticipated crowd in the morning.

[ljbab728]

We just need a Barnes and Noble or Borders in this area now. As I recall, back when a WalMart SuperSlum was destined for 104th and May, rumblings were that a B&N was in the works across the street on the east side. When WM pulled out, so did B&N. Always thought that was a strange pairing, but whatever.

Its kinda ridiculous in a city the size of OKC that two large booksellers have their only presence in, what, three stores on the north side of town within just a few miles of each other, with *zero* presence on the south side. I guess there's someone out there perpetuating the persona that no one south of Reno can read....

-soonerdave

I'm not trying to change this to a bookstore thread, but maybe you missed this. It's been discussed previously in another thread.

Bookstore to open new chapter in Oklahoma City | NewsOK.com

[Larry OKC]

...Rumblings I heard from an acquaintance was that WalMart is "scared to death" of Crest. Good. ...

The same thing was happening when Crest and Wal-Mart opened in North Edmond a mile(?) from each other on Santa Fe. Can't recall which one was quoted as saying it but they were "going to put the other guy out of business". As far as I know, a few years later, both seem to be doing just fine.

[SoonerDave]

I'm not trying to change this to a bookstore thread, but maybe you missed this. It's been discussed previously in another thread.

Bookstore to open new chapter in Oklahoma City | NewsOK.com

Yeah, I heard about half-price, which made me want to throw up in my mouth a bit. This side of town could easily sustain a Barnes and Noble.

Sorry for bringing bookstores into the thread. I'll go away now, and hide out in the front of Crest...which, fortunately, is literally walking distance away

[SoonerDave]

I remember the B&N rumors. I also remember when the WM neighborhood mart opened on Western...there was a grocery store (Buy 4 Less maybe?)across the street in the Palagio (sp?) bldg, and it closed down the very next week. I shop at both WM and Homeland, sort of alternate visits to get different items. Homeland has upgraded their produce section...added a sushi bar...and I occasionally find good deals (2 for 1s)...so even with the new Crest, I'll just add it to the rotation unless it hands down beats the other 2 with variety and price. I hope so, I much prefer to support an Oklahoma company.

Now I'm curious what will end up going onto the pads or whatever they're called...the open spaces in front of the Crest parking lot facing May...fast food most likely but I can't help but to think we are due for quality dining.

There was a chain of stores called "Food Lion" that had opened a location on the land now occupied by Wal Mart Neighborhood Slum. When Food Lion went down, WalMart bought the property, tore down the Food Lion, and built their store. Across the street had been a long-standing Albertson's grocery store, which moved to the Chatenay location upon WalMart's opening, then was sold off to Homeland. (Ironically, the Chatenay store originally opened as a Homeland, but they struggled to remain competitive, leading to the sellout to Albertson's). The former Albertson's location was "repurposed" (how I hate that word) into an upscale strip shopping center (Palagio) that seems to have maintained about 70% occupancy as best I can tell.

[PennyQuilts]

Yeah, I heard about half-price, which made me want to throw up in my mouth a bit. This side of town could easily sustain a Barnes and Noble.

Sorry for bringing bookstores into the thread. I'll go away now, and hide out in the front of Crest...which, fortunately, is literally walking distance away

Okay, I'll get back to the thread in a second too, but I stumbled on halfprice bookstore on the northside and loved it - got a bunch of books that I had on my wish list and some gifts, too. It was clean, very nice, staff was friendly and the prices were amazing. I'm excited that one is coming to the south side and will be back.

Back to topic.

[mark]

wife and i stopped in this location friday night to pick up a few things. checker saw our mustang address and told us they were just told stores are being planned in yukon and norman. she didn't know when they were planned to open or the exact locations.

[ljbab728]

wife and i stopped in this location friday night to pick up a few things. checker saw our mustang address and told us they were just told stores are being planned in yukon and norman. she didn't know when they were planned to open or the exact locations.

I hadn't heard about a possible Yukon location but the Norman location has been talked about for several months.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=25494

[sgt. pepper]

i have always heard a new Crest will go in right across the street from the new Yukon high school