Sprouts

[bluedogok]

What was the union protesting about?

The fact that they were not a union store, all the UFCW cares about is increasing membership.

[Steve]

I'm hearing it will open in March.

[mcca7596]

I'm hearing it will open in March.

Yep. http://www.sunflowermarkets.com/StoreLocator.aspx

Their website now says opening March 28th.

[Frustratedoptimist]

Sunflower will be, at least I hope it will be, a great catalyst for downtown mixed-use infill. I think the city council needs help coming around to the idea that thier best chance for spurring long-lasting economic development is by investing in the downtown. The Edmond Ideas thread has some incredible ideas, which I plan to share with a council member or two soon. I think thier biggest hang ups are forces, called private developers, who are more-less begging them to invest millions into infrastructure at I-35 and Covell. I, for one, can see the appeal of hotels and restaurants out there, but in my mind, for my tax dollar, it doesn't compare to the potential in downtown. Perhaps if a well-respected, downtown MF housing developer approached the city with a project idea with images and investment estimates, it would make thier choice easier? What do you all think?

[CaptDave]

I have high hopes for the Sunflower Market also. I wish the UCO Jazz Lab/Hideaway complex was closer to the center of downtown. Imagine the possibilities had it been located between Broadway and UCO along Main Street. But I dont see any reason a similar development could not happen in the future.

I would love to move from the "edge" of Edmond to downtown. I drive around the area every now and then hoping to find th perfect property to buy and renovate or a vacant lot that would fit my desires and needs for my family's home.

[redrunner]

There's a vacant building that looks like a former grocery store at the SE corner of Memorial and Bryant just east of Oklahoma Christian and I noticed there's many 18 wheeler trailers parked in the parking lot and the first thing that came to mind is the Sunflower Market that's being renovated in Edmond. When I went inside the convenience store on the corner another customer asked the cashier why all the trailers were in the parking lot and he said something about a new grocery store opening up. I know Sunflower stated they were scouting additional locations in the metro so this wouldn't surprise me if they're opening there.

[Pete]

That was an old IGA but I doubt Sunflower would be opening another location so close to the one at 2nd & Broadway.

But I hope you're right!

[metro]

As Pete said, they are opening at 2nd, just east of Broadway, wouldn't make mch sense, although it is far enough apart to support another.

[Debzkidz]

Yes, the Edmond location, at 2nd and Broadway, is almost complete and will be opening in March. I will be interested to see what other new grocery store might be going in that old location you mentioned. When we first moved here it was a Piggly Wiggly, but it closed not long after that.

[SharkSandwich]

Isn't Sunflower's business model to follow Whole Foods to new markets and quickly open and establish clientele before Whole Foods moves in? If so, does it mean that Whole Foods will be opening a store(s) in Edmond soon?

[rcjunkie]

Now they need to hurry and get the Norman store open.

[johnpwoods]

http://newsok.com/sunflower-farmers-...rticle/3653431

John woods
Norman chamber of commerce

[metro]

Excellent. DT Norman just needs a few condo and loft projects to really turn the corner, main street has really turned around the last 2 years.

[Questor]

Great news!

[Soonerman]

Awesome. Hopefully Whole Foods is next.

[BDK]

And right next to the Cellar so you don't have to worry about those pesky liquor laws.

[venture]

Hopefully we can finally see some upgrades to the areas on the east side of Downtown over to 12th. Its like you go from a very nice downtown area to near ghetto very quickly.

[Soonerman]

And right next to the Cellar so you don't have to worry about those pesky liquor laws.

Except on Sundays

[redrunner]

Sunflower Farmers Market and Sprouts Farmers Market are planning to merge.

http://1farmersmarket.ioocxray.com/1...t/welcome.html

[Pete]

Hmmm.... So if this goes through, everything will be converted to the Sprouts brand.

We have Sprouts here in California and they seem to be very, very similar to the Sunflower concept.

I'm sure the idea is to join forces and battle Whole Foods. WF has done a great job of blazing a trail but there is obviously plenty of room to undercut their prices.

[Pete]

BTW, because many like to claim all the national retailers come to Tulsa before OKC, it should be noted that Sunflower is now planning a third store in the area (Norman) and I don't believe they've announced any Tulsa plans as of yet.

[soonermike81]

I got to Sprouts here in Dallas, and I am a fan.

[bluedogok]

When we were back in Austin doing the last move The Sprouts in Sunset Valley by our house was closed, sign off the building and everything cleared out of the store. The Sunflower store is still open, we went there (or Central Market) more often than Whole Foods.

Here are a couple of articles from the Denver papers. Sunflower is based in Boulder and was started by one of the founders of Wild Oats.
Denver Business Journal - Sunflower Farmers Market to merge with rival Sprouts
Denver Post - Sunflower and Sprouts markets to merge

[fromdust]

Looks like it may happen.
http://newsok.com/sunflower-farmers-...l-finance-news

[Pete]

More discussion on this topic here:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=25405&page=10