Fresh Market

[Pete]

Fresh Market is actively looking at locations in both Norman and Edmond, having identified two possibilities in each. No leases are signed but I'm told they are close in both cities.

I also learned that they originally had a signed Letter of Intent (LOI) to take what is now the Sprouts space at 63rd & May. This was way back in 2008 and when the recession hit, they pulled out. They also made a hard run at French Market Mall but believe it or not, Bed Bath and Beyond has a grocery exclusive for that center and wanted a ton of money to release it.

So, Fresh Market pulled back and by the time they were ready to start looking again Sunflower/Sprouts took their desired spot. Now with Sprouts there and Whole Foods nearby, they opted to go to Tulsa first.

They may still open a location in OKC but that's not in the immediate plans.

They typically open 20,000 square foot stores, so smaller than Sprouts and about the same size as Natural Grocers.


www.freshmarket.com

[zachj7]

I could see a Fresh Marker in Norman, or Spring creek plaza area, or possible NW OKC. I don't think OKC is saturated with nice upscale supermarkets. I believe they would do well if they were to come. it's a great store, expensive but nice and upscale.

[Paseofreak]

I came here from Knoxville, where they have multiple locations in a city about a third the size of OKC. I would trade six Fresh Markets for a Whole Foods any day.

[SoonerDave]

I came here from Knoxville, where they have multiple locations in a city about a third the size of OKC. I would trade six Fresh Markets for a Whole Foods any day.

Maybe they could buy out the Homeland location at SW 104th and Penn. I just don't think Homeland cares much about that location anymore, and it wouldn't surprise me if it were just...gone. Be interesting for it to compete with the rumored Sprouts going in on the west side of S. May at the same intersection.

[Plutonic Panda]

Any updates on this?

Would be cool to see this in Midtown, Wheeler District, or perhaps the Chisholm Creek development

[UnclePete]

It seems as though many people on this blog want stores that are expensive and carry a limited amount of products. OKC needs more general type stores like Kroger, etc. where you can do all your grocery shopping at one store.

[zachj7]

^Too bad Walmart has that share of grocery buyers. It would be nice if a solid grocery store like Kroger came in... Pete, any word on The Fresh Market? I was just at their Tulsa location... Good quality and reasonable prices. I think Fresh Market would go well in Edmond, Norman, and somewhere in OKC.

[bhawes]

SouthWest Oklahoma City n the Moore School district would be a good location.

[zachj7]

Any news on this? Tulsa, Wichita has one... Even Gainesville TX has one.

[Paseofreak]

Had 'emu in Knoxville. Amazing!

[Pete]

Fresh Market was actively looking in Norman and elsewhere in OKC but not sure where they stand now.

[In_Tulsa]

I do know a second location in Tulsa will be announced soon.

[Swake]

I do know a second location in Tulsa will be announced soon.

Utica Square?

[bchris02]

There is a Fresh Market in Midtown Memphis. They seem to be the kind of grocer that does urban locations. It would be great to see them end up in the urban core of OKC. Hopefully with Tulsa getting a second location, OKC is on their radar.

[Brett]

I've visited the Fresh Market location near White Rock Lake in Dallas and was very impressed. I thought it would be a perfect fit for Nichols Hills Plaza but it looks like Trader Joe's beat them to the punch.

[Brett]

The Fresh Market is acquired by Apollo Global Management. Not sure if this is good or bad news. Apollo did a great job in turning around Hostess Brands.

Investment Firm Buys Fresh Market Grocer For $1.36 Billion : The Two-Way : NPR

[Brett]

The Fresh Market in Tulsa dodged a huge bullet but all Texas, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas locations are closing. The Tulsa store is the farthest west location of the North Carolina based grocer.

http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/20...-closing.html/

[terryinokc]

I heard from someone that works in Northpark Mall that The Fresh Market had been looking at the old Jerome's space....and would expand the space to go the west into the parking lot.
Heard they had looked at 2 or 3 times. This could have been before the ownership change....and could change now that they're closing stores in the region...maybe since Tulsa was spared they would still consider coming here...heard anything about this Pete?

[Pete]

Let me check into it.

Last time I talked to their local broker they had cooled off but that was several months ago.

[terryinokc]

That space in Northpark was originally a Safeway when the mall was built. Not sure how long it was there before it moved across the street.

[FighttheGoodFight]

I heard from someone that works in Northpark Mall that The Fresh Market had been looking at the old Jerome's space....and would expand the space to go the west into the parking lot.
Heard they had looked at 2 or 3 times. This could have been before the ownership change....and could change now that they're closing stores in the region...maybe since Tulsa was spared they would still consider coming here...heard anything about this Pete?

My wife was supposed to build a fresh market there next to Shoguns. They owners didn't end up doing it. That was a year ago though.