Big retailer is eyeing OKC & Tulsa

[bluedogok]

In Austin we pretty much only bought appliances at Conn's. They just seem to have an odd product mix.

I know that I got spoiled with Fry's in Austin, Micro Center is an acceptable substitute but I still wish we have Fry's here in Denver.

[bchris02]

Conn's reminds me very much of HHGregg on the east coast.

[bluedogok]

Conn's reminds me very much of HHGregg on the east coast.

I hadn't thought about that but it really does. Conn's is out of Beaumont, Texas so they are all over Texas.

[HangryHippo]

So, we still have no idea in regards to Pete's original question?

[redrunner]

Actually talking about Walmart and the idea that it might keep other grocers out of OKC is on topic.

Not quite, you might want to check this thread out if you want to talking about Walmart keeping other grocers out of OKC.

http://www.okctalk.com/ask-anything-...tml#post672375

[ljbab728]

Not quite, you might want to check this thread out if you want to talking about Walmart keeping other grocers out of OKC.

http://www.okctalk.com/ask-anything-...tml#post672375

I'm well aware of that thread. It doesn't change my point in the least.

[zachj7]

Soooooo do we know which retail is coming in?

[Video Expert]

Pete...does "West Coast Retailer" mean what you are hearing would be only WA, OR, and CA based chains looking for 90,000 sq. feet space? Or could that also mean a chain with a large West Coast presence with a headquarters in a neighboring state?

[Zuplar]

I would love to have an REI. I find that the employees there tend to have a lot more knowledge than the staff at Academy. They also tend to have a lot more camping, survival gear which I really like. We have Academy, Bass Pro, and Dick's which I sort of put in that category, but really REI is off on it's own. I think with the watersports we have here, we can support an REI. I imagine we get one sooner rather than later, regardless if this is their attempt to come.

[bchris02]

We all have retailers that we wish for. I think at this point trying to guess is like shooting into the wind. As soon as there is something more to go on than a "west coast retailer" then some educated guesses can be made.

[Plutonic Panda]

What is the word on this????

[bluedogok]

I would love to have an REI. I find that the employees there tend to have a lot more knowledge than the staff at Academy. They also tend to have a lot more camping, survival gear which I really like. We have Academy, Bass Pro, and Dick's which I sort of put in that category, but really REI is off on it's own. I think with the watersports we have here, we can support an REI. I imagine we get one sooner rather than later, regardless if this is their attempt to come.

I wish we had Academy up here to go along with the other sporting goods retailers we have (Sports Authority which is based here, Dick's, Big 5, REI, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain and soon to open Cabela's), for some things it is just hard to beat Academy.

[Zuplar]

I wish we had Academy up here to go along with the other sporting goods retailers we have (Sports Authority which is based here, Dick's, Big 5, REI, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain and soon to open Cabela's), for some things it is just hard to beat Academy.

Very true. I'd like us to get a Cabela's, but really I think REI would be a better fit.

[Video Expert]

Very true. I'd like us to get a Cabela's, but really I think REI would be a better fit.

Not saying that REI isn't looking at OKC, but I'm fairly sure they aren't the "mystery retailer" that Pete mentioned at the start of this thread. The newest REI stores that are being opened are less than 30,000 sq. ft...no where near the 90,000 sq. ft. space being scouted.

I've heard the possible "West Coast" retailer scouting space that size in OKC and Tulsa is a grocery store chain (not Safeway). I'll post more info as soon as I get better confirmation.

[bchris02]

Not saying that REI isn't looking at OKC, but I'm fairly sure they aren't the "mystery retailer" that Pete mentioned at the start of this thread. The newest REI stores that are being opened are less than 30,000 sq. ft...no where near the 90,000 sq. ft. space being scouted.

I've heard the possible "West Coast" retailer scouting space that size in OKC and Tulsa is a grocery store chain (not Safeway). I'll post more info as soon as I get better confirmation.

Is 90,000 sq feet to large for a Trader Joe's?

[Video Expert]

Is 90,000 sq feet to large for a Trader Joe's?

According to Pete, 90,000 Sq. ft. is "way to big" for a Trader Joe's.

[bchris02]

According to Pete, 90,000 Sq. ft. is "way to big" for a Trader Joe's.

I have no idea what to guess then. If its a grocery chain from the west coast but not Safeway or Trader Joe's, what else could it be?

[GaryOKC6]

I know the real estate person that is showing them properties. He will not say who it is. I know him pretty well and he will not say anything until it is a done deal. He has said the same things as Pete. 90000sf in okc and Tulsa. I will ask him again this week how it went.

[Plutonic Panda]

Are choosing between Tulsa and OKC or going in both markets?

[bchris02]

Now I'm really curious. I am starting to think maybe its Costco, coming into Oklahoma with slightly smaller stores. We'll see though.

[Plutonic Panda]

I hope Costco doesn't downsize their stores.

[GaryOKC6]

I got the impression from him that they are looking at both markets. I asked him if it was Costco and he said no, but then again he would not say who it was so it could be. It has been a couple of weeks so I will ask him again.

[sgt. pepper]

Whoever it is, Tulsa will get the better store...Bass Pro for example...I hope it is REI

[bchris02]

I think it is too big to be REI. I could be wrong though.

[Video Expert]

I have no idea what to guess then. If its a grocery chain from the west coast but not Safeway or Trader Joe's, what else could it be?

Trader Joe's is opening a new store in Boca Raton, FL right at 12,500 sq. ft. Again, it's not them scouting space that large.

I posed an earlier question for Pete and await a response from him. I believe the retailer scouting the spaces in OKC and Tulsa is quite possibly a grocery store chain with a large West Coast presence, but is not headquartered on the West Coast. I was actually in California last week at one of these stores. They are in a rapid eastward expansion mode, and their stores are typically 90,000 to 92,000 Sq. Ft. in size. They also have shown the proclivity to lease existing space in big box centers as opposed to building new stores in some cases. If I'm correct, this retailer could really be a real competitor and low price alternative to Wal-Mart in this market. (I know that won't be good news to the crowd who loves the trendy grocery chains with the high prices.) I'm still looking into getting more solid and substantive info on this. But don't rule out Costco either...