University Town Center

[Jersey Boss]

Having a semi-senior moment. Old Navy space at the mall was at one time Service Merchandise. But was it something else in between?

One corner of the brain says yeah, it was ... oh darn, what was it. Other areas are telling me no way just shush up, go back to your nap and stop bothering folk.

Other than vacant space, I don't remember any other tenant. Course, I'm as old, if not older than you.

[ShiroiHikari]

I only remember it being Service Merchandise. If it was ever anything else, it was before I was old enough to be coherent. :P What I want to know is what used to occupy that space where Stein Mart used to be. Or did they add that on...? Sorry, I'm getting off-topic.

Holy crap. Think they have enough parking surrounding that business park? Nothing wrong with parking garages. Or would that require too much effort? Also how long do you think that pond will last before it falls into disrepair and gets drained?

I guess I'm just a Negative Nancy today.

[zachj7]

Man that office park is ugly. Naturally Norman would have something like that. I guess its better than nothing. I'd much rather see buildings closer to the street or a better landscape than all that parking. Hopefully some of this action will actually produce a decent grocery store up there. I am sick of crapland and walmart. The only decent place to get groceries is either at Target. Natural Grocers is a start but lacking. Please bring Spouts, trader joes, whole foods, or The Fresh Market to Norman!

[rcjunkie]

Man that office park is ugly. Naturally Norman would have something like that. I guess its better than nothing. I'd much rather see buildings closer to the street or a better landscape than all that parking. Hopefully some of this action will actually produce a decent grocery store up there. I am sick of crapland and walmart. The only decent place to get groceries is either at Target. Natural Grocers is a start but lacking. Please bring Spouts, trader joes, whole foods, or The Fresh Market to Norman!

Where have you been, Sprouts and Crest are both under construction.

[ChargerAg]

Where have you been, Sprouts and Crest are both under construction.

I keep wondering how sprouts did not end up a UNP. It sure seems like it would be a better fit then on main.

[ShiroiHikari]

I'm glad Sprouts is going on Main. UNP already has Target, is about to have Crest, and has Homeland less than a mile away. Then a little ways down the street, you have Walmart. I think the westside is pretty well-served already, thank you very much.

We need more decent grocery stores closer to the eastside/campus area. I'm sick of driving all the way across town for a more enjoyable shopping experience. Plus, someone needs to occupy that big hulking space where Hobby Lobby used to be.

[venture]

I'm glad Sprouts is going on Main. UNP already has Target, is about to have Crest, and has Homeland less than a mile away. Then a little ways down the street, you have Walmart. I think the westside is pretty well-served already, thank you very much.

We need more decent grocery stores closer to the eastside/campus area. I'm sick of driving all the way across town for a more enjoyable shopping experience. Plus, someone needs to occupy that big hulking space where Hobby Lobby used to be.

Agreed. Many need to realize the city isn't centered on I-35. Those are the western sections of the city. Need to start filling in the core with basic services.

[zachj7]

Where have you been, Sprouts and Crest are both under construction.

Really!? I guess I'm out of the loop! Where exactly is the crest going to be up at target? I am glad Sprouts is going to be closer to OU campus more in the heart of Norman! I am too busy with school to realize these stores are finally going to come. No more driving waaaay up into OKC for some decent groceries though It would be nice to have a whole foods in Norman!

I agree, West Norman needs something. Same with south east Norman.

[venture]

Really!? I guess I'm out of the loop! Where exactly is the crest going to be up at target? I am glad Sprouts is going to be closer to OU campus more in the heart of Norman! I am too busy with school to realize these stores are finally going to come. No more driving waaaay up into OKC for some decent groceries though It would be nice to have a whole foods in Norman!

I agree, West Norman needs something. Same with south east Norman.

West Norman has plenty already...that is where all this development (UNP) is located. Central and East Norman need more. Well...I guess you could say Central since Norman includes everything out past the lake. LOL

[rjstone208]

For what it's worth, talked to an assistant at Whole Foods when we were there Saturday who said the next WF will be in Norman. According to him WF had a spot picked but couldn't close the deal and are now looking for another location in Norman. He did say, however, that WF is very methodical when it comes to opening new stores and last he heard it will be 2014 or so before anything is definitized.

[kevinpate]

Really!? I guess I'm out of the loop! Where exactly is the crest going to be up at target? ...

Crest will go in to the east (behind) the IBC bank, and the strip of shops that includes Five Guys, Mattress Whichever, Zio's, a game store and a Pearl's eyewear. Initial site work is now underway.

[ShiroiHikari]

For what it's worth, talked to an assistant at Whole Foods when we were there Saturday who said the next WF will be in Norman. According to him WF had a spot picked but couldn't close the deal and are now looking for another location in Norman. He did say, however, that WF is very methodical when it comes to opening new stores and last he heard it will be 2014 or so before anything is definitized.

I'll believe it when it's built and open for business.

[rjstone208]

Yeah, me too. I kinda take these with a grain of salt until I see dirt moving and a coming soon sign.

[venture]

I honestly can't see Whole Foods going into UNP...you are going to have Homeland on the South end, Crest right across the street with Target, and then Walmart NM on the north end. That's just too much in one area. Perhaps a location near downtown would work for them. It would be a short distance from campus and the thousands of people there. It also wouldn't be too difficult to reach by the rest of the Norman populace.

[rcjunkie]

I honestly can't see Whole Foods going into UNP...you are going to have Homeland on the South end, Crest right across the street with Target, and then Walmart NM on the north end. That's just too much in one area. Perhaps a location near downtown would work for them. It would be a short distance from campus and the thousands of people there. It also wouldn't be too difficult to reach by the rest of the Norman populace.

Not trying to change the subject, but they have started the dirt work for the new Walmart NM

[DowntownMan]

What happened to the hotel across from the embassy. Seems like it was announced and they cleared the LAN and now the plot is for sale again.

[blink]

There seems to be no discussion of this... when did the Starbucks open in UNP? I drove by and saw it bustling with activity yesterday.

[kevinpate]

There seems to be no discussion of this... when did the Starbucks open in UNP? I drove by and saw it bustling with activity yesterday.

Hadn't noticed. But I also forgot one was even erected in UNP.

[DowntownMan]

I believe it opened in August or September. Seems to be staying busy even with one across the street in Target and also a mile over on 36th.

[ShiroiHikari]

Yeah, it's been open for a few months now. When it first opened it was a great place to go write because nobody knew it was there yet. Now it's crowded all the time just like all the other locations. *sigh*

[BoulderSooner]

update on the crest and 2 other stores

Grocers bite in Norman market; the city expects a Crest Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market and Walmart Neighborhood Market in 2013 | News OK

[ChargerAg]

update on the crest and 2 other stores

Grocers bite in Norman market; the city expects a Crest Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market and Walmart Neighborhood Market in 2013 | News OK

that sure doesn't look like much brick in the artist rendering.

[metro]

yeah that is a crappy rendering.

[G22]

What businesses are going in next to Academy? It looks like several stores are being added to the current building.

[j7m7l7]

DSW and Homegoods are the two additions I am aware of at this time.