Top 5 stores (retail, grocery or otherwise) you wish we had in OKC

[Roger S]

So does Crest on SW 104th.

Crest's fresh sausages earned the distinction of the first sausage I ever spit back out of my mouth.

Homeland is making some fresh sausages now that they sell for $1 each that are ok but still not the quality I get at Siegi's or Kuby's.

[warreng88]

Crest's fresh sausages earned the distinction of the first sausage I ever spit back out of my mouth.

Interesting. I have never had one of them, I just always see a wide selection of them at the meat counter.

[bradh]

In terms of Wal-Mart and it's affect on towns and businesses, I found the book "The Wal-Mart Effect" to be very informative. Each chapter kinda alternates from a pro to a con on Wal-Mart.

I forgot to also mention, I think a Lifetime Fitness up on Memorial somewhere between MacArthur and Council would be wonderful. I know it's an extremely overpriced gym but I loved working out there when I lived in Phoenix.

[MikeLucky]

I see so much talk about how people wish we had more places like QT and Im not sure I get it. Its a gas station. You go and get gas, maybe a drink. What else do you need? Are that many people eating their meals from convenience stores? Are QT's taquitos that much better than everyone elses? Do they have a larger candy section? Other than it being somewhat cleaner than 7-11s, what is the big deal about a gas station?

I would say that OKC is full of options for places to "go and get gas, maybe a drink." Unfortunately, with only a few exceptions, that ALL we have here in OKC. Much like the whole discussion about the low standard set with grocery stores, we also have the same low standard for gas stations/convenience stores. Heaven forbid we expect a clean, well managed place to get gas and convenience items... The new larger OnCue's are a great start, but we need a lot more of them... in lieu of getting QT's, that is....

[SomeGuy]

1. actual 7 11's
2. neiman marcus
3. costco
4 kroger
5. DQ

[Dubya61]

Somewhat cleaner? You've never been to the 7-11 at 31st and Classen.

The big deal is having pumps that work, card readers at the pumps that actually work, and not having to walk across the puke encrusted sidewalk to deal with the comical idiocy inside since said card reader is out of order.

I'm pretty sure there are bad QTs out there, too. Those of you in love with QT must have forgotten about the bad QT stores.

[Dubya61]

I get the obsession with Quick Trip and gas stations in general, as it's used as much or more than a grocery store.

In other words, those are the two places everyone spends most their retailing time and dollars. And in both categories, OKC is abysmal.

Most the time, you only pump gas at the c-store but if it's of the nicer variety, they are darn handy when it comes to using the restroom, getting a drink or a snack, using the ATM, etc.

When I'm in OKC I always stay with my good friend in Oak Tree and I stop at the 7-11 at Danforth & Kelly several times each trip, and it's just a horrific, terrible place. I always mean to plan better but it's convenient and I always end up there for various reasons. Swap that awful place for an OnCue or QT and there would be several interactions a week that are actually pleasant rather than pretty darn lousy.

But if it were swapped out, would you go there more often than the 7-11? Do you really think people in Tulsa go to QT more than I go to 7-11? I like going to 7-11 for gas and a big gulp or (faux) cappuccino? I know the product well and the gas prices are often quite competitive. Maybe I just am use to them, but I really don't think I need a cleaner place to buy gas or a soda.

[Dubya61]

I don't remember much of a campaign from both sides of the issue when people were asked to vote yes on allowing liquor stores to open at usual hours on election days.

There are over 20 counties in Oklahoma where liquor by the drink is banned. There hopefully won't be too much opposition from those counties if made clear to residents they don't have to worry about wine being sold in their grocery stores, if they vote don't vote no. Those counties tend to be sparsely populated and don't represent a source of much oppostion, anyway. Of course, liquor store owners will be against it. But if enough people want the convenience of buying wine in grocery stores, they'll ignore the oppositon and vote yes.

People on the right didn't want lotteries and casinos legalized, either but they couldn't stop it from happening.

Agree. I think the spectre of the religious right presents a more powerful force than the actual religious right. Billy Joe Bob and Billie Jolene both might find themselves more in favor of buying stronger cold beer or wine more conveniently than you imagine, bchris02.

[MikeLucky]

But if it were swapped out, would you go there more often than the 7-11? Do you really think people in Tulsa go to QT more than I go to 7-11? I like going to 7-11 for gas and a big gulp or (faux) cappuccino? I know the product well and the gas prices are often quite competitive. Maybe I just am use to them, but I really don't think I need a cleaner place to buy gas or a soda.

I can say without a doubt I personally visited QT WAY MORE OFTEN when I lived amongst them, than I go into the hepatitis trap 7-11's around here. And, just to put it in perspective... If QT were in this market, I wouldn't even look at gas prices. QT would be where I go and get gas no matter the cost.

[Dubya61]

I disagree that it's nicer than the Crest on SW 104th but it is the best in NW OKC (for regular grocery shopping) and that is where I usually shop if I can.

The fact people are so excited about Crest on SW 104th really exemplifies the problem with the grocery market here. That store is STANDARD in other cities, yet people get excited about it here because its far above and beyond what people are used to. It also shows there is a market for better stuff and the people of OKC want better than Wal-Mart or Homeland. Every time I've been to that Crest it's been so packed its almost not worth the hassle.

You must be going on paydays or some other odd time. I've never had to wait more than one cart back in line, there. pahdz, is right, though. It's hyped here so much that people who go there for the first time after reading this thread are bound to be disappointed. I like it because it's on the way home from work, I can count on good dairy prices and good butcher services. My appreciation for those factors make it so I also like the Crest in Midwest City. Same points: (more or less) on my way home, good dairy prices and reliable meats.

[warreng88]

But if it were swapped out, would you go there more often than the 7-11? Do you really think people in Tulsa go to QT more than I go to 7-11? I like going to 7-11 for gas and a big gulp or (faux) cappuccino? I know the product well and the gas prices are often quite competitive. Maybe I just am use to them, but I really don't think I need a cleaner place to buy gas or a soda.

Whenever I visit my parents in Bartlesville or friends in Tulsa, I always make it a point to stop at the QT to get gas right before the turnpike when coming home. Nine out of ten times, I also get a drink and chips or candy for the drive. I can tell you without a doubt, if the 7-11 this is at 23rd and Penn were there instead of the QT, I would stop for gas and that is about it.

I also have friends who come to stay with us who ask us where any nicer convenience stores are where they could feel safe. They always like the OnCue on 23rd and I-235 instead of the 7-11 near my house.

[Dubya61]

Kroger Agrees to Buy Harris Teeter

Not entirely pertinent to this thread, unless you consider that Kroger might not be in a position to buy out Homeland after spending $2.5B on Harris Teeter, darnit.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cincinnati-based Kroger will pay $49.38 for each of the supermarket chain's shares. The price represents a 2 percent increase over the company's Monday closing stock price.

Harris Teeter operates 212 stores in eight southeastern and mid-Atlantic states and Washington D.C., along with a pair of distribution centers and a dairy facility in North Carolina. Its fiscal 2012 revenue totaled about $4.5 billion.

In comparison, Kroger operates 2,419 stores in 31 states. In addition to its flagship brand of supermarkets, it also owns Ralphs, Fry's, Food 4 Less and other brands. The acquisition adds another three states to its store footprint.

After the deal closes, Harris Teeter will become a Kroger subsidiary and will continue to be led by members of its current senior management. There are no plans to close stores and the division will remain based in Matthews, N.C.

[jdcf]

Ralph's Pharmacy is being built at Edmond Rd and Western. Just read that Ralph's is an affiliate of Kroger.

Are there expansion plans for more Ralph's stores? Any comments about Ralph's? I personally am not a fan of Walgreens nor CVS. We use Homeland pharmacy.

[bchris02]

Yeah, Harris Teeter is a great grocery chain in fact one of my favorite. A lot of people in Charlotte are disappointed about this in that they perceive Kroger to be a downgrade.

[Pete]

Ralph's Pharmacy is being built at Edmond Rd and Western. Just read that Ralph's is an affiliate of Kroger.

Are there expansion plans for more Ralph's stores? Any comments about Ralph's? I personally am not a fan of Walgreens nor CVS. We use Homeland pharmacy.

That Ralph's Pharmacy is independent and not affiliated with Ralph's grocery stores, which are operated by Kroger.

[Shake2005]

I'm pretty sure there are bad QTs out there, too. Those of you in love with QT must have forgotten about the bad QT stores.

Not really. QuikTrip replaces old stores, often just building a new store in the same location as the old store. There are old OnCue stores out there however. I was at a pretty bad one in Stillwater not too long ago.

[Dubya61]

Not really. QuikTrip replaces old stores, often just building a new store in the same location as the old store. There are old OnCue stores out there however. I was at a pretty bad one in Stillwater not too long ago.

Then you've never been to a QT in Ponca City. Maybe they only focus on the Tulsa stores.

[ctchandler]

I'm sure it can happen with any store, but I purchased their Italian sausage for use two days later, and when I took it out of the refrigerator it was spoiled and I had to throw it away. That's too soon to go bad. At least the name brand (including Lovera's from Krebs) have a use or freeze by date on them. The Crest sausage didn't. Made me wonder how long it had been in the meat case. I have found eggs beyond their date and when I gave a carton to the manager, he at least appeared angry and sent a couple of people to remove any egg cartons past their date. A couple of other things kind of bothered me so I generally won't shop there. I do stop in once in a while but don't do normal/periodic grocery shopping.
C. T.

Interesting. I have never had one of them, I just always see a wide selection of them at the meat counter.

[Buffalo Bill]

Then you've never been to a QT in Ponca City. Maybe they only focus on the Tulsa stores.

There is no Quiktrip in Ponca City. Maybe you have it confused with something else?

[Buffalo Bill]

On edit, look at every Quiktrip location in Wichita, KS on Google Maps. All are new, landscaped and irrigated, clean, functional, pedestrian friendly.

[Just the facts]

I wonder if I went to any other city in the world and asked, "What 5 retailers do you wish you had in your city?", if anyone else would list a gas station convenience store.

[Dubya61]

There is no Quiktrip in Ponca City. Maybe you have it confused with something else?

Must have. Grew up there, but haven't been there since '79, really. Maybe when I was growing up all carbonated soft drinks were Cokes, facial tissues were Kleenexes and convenience stores were QTs.

[bchris02]

I wonder if I went to any other city in the world and asked, "What 5 retailers do you wish you had in your city?", if anyone else would list a gas station convenience store.

Probably not. People in most cities take these things for granted and would probably laugh if they saw this thread. I personally don't see what the big deal is about QT, but a lot of people probably think the same thing about having nicer grocery stores. To me a Circle K or 7-11 is fine, and to others they may not wish for more than the Super Wal-Mart. Nonetheless, its the lack of these smaller amenities that can really make the adjustment to OKC from other cities more difficult. I think its stuff like this that also helps keep OKC's negative perception alive.

I think it also somewhat stems from OKC's still somewhat alive inferiority complex vs Tulsa. Tulsa was once significantly ahead of OKC. Recently the gap has narrowed significantly but there still are pleasantries available in Tulsa that are hard to come by in OKC, nice grocery and convenience stores among them. That being the case or not, there is no reason OKC shouldn't have these basic things they take for granted anywhere else.

[BoulderSooner]

I wonder if I went to any other city in the world and asked, "What 5 retailers do you wish you had in your city?", if anyone else would list a gas station convenience store.

if they were a tulsa transplant in a city with no QT they would .. i just don't get it

[bradh]

but there still are pleasantries available in Tulsa that are hard to come by in OKC, nice grocery and convenience stores among them. That being the case or not, there is no reason OKC shouldn't have these basic things they take for granted anywhere else.

And a Lifetime Fitness, did I mention I really want one here?