Quality grocery stores in OKC

[bchris02]

Heh, I go to the George's Liquor Warehouse next to it occasionally, and Whittaker's is *always* busy, never been in there, no need to, but they must be super-cheap, that's gotta be the only reason they're still in business.

I went in for the first (and only) time a few days ago just out of curiosity and was shocked by the condition it was in. It's 24 hours though.

As far as Albertson's leaving being the most unfortunate event, it was probably that along with Safeway leaving and letting their stores to go Homeland also. Not sure when all of that happened, as we left in 1995, but grocery-ing in OKC was on a downhill slide before then (used to walk to the Safeway on 63rd/May before it was a Sprouts/Half-Price Books, and it was a good store, I definitely remember that).

It's almost like Homeland destroys everything it touches, with the exception of the N May and Britton store which it actually seems to care about. I don't know why Homeland hasn't been targeted for a buyout by a larger regional chain yet.

[ctchandler]

I went in for the first (and only) time a few days ago just out of curiosity and was shocked by the condition it was in. It's 24 hours though.



It's almost like Homeland destroys everything it touches, with the exception of the N May and Britton store which it actually seems to care about. I don't know why Homeland hasn't been targeted for a buyout by a larger regional chain yet.

Bchris,
The one at Southeast 29th and Sunnylane is as nice as the one at Britton and May. I believe it was formerly an Albertson's. Also, the one at Bryant and Danforth was an Albertson's and it's fairly nice although not as nice as the aforementioned. By the way, I shopped at the Buy-For-Less at Penn and Hefner today and was pleasantly surprised. They have made a lot of changes and the store is much more "shopper friendly". It's also a lot cleaner. Changing the aisles from East/West to North/South and the middle aisle improved a lot. Plus, you no longer have to go through the produce and meat departments to begin shopping for other items if you don't want to. Actually, you do have to pass by about a third to a half of the produce before exiting into the main part of the store.
C. T.

[trousers]

It's almost like Homeland destroys everything it touches, with the exception of the N May and Britton store which it actually seems to care about. I don't know why Homeland hasn't been targeted for a buyout by a larger regional chain yet.

Homeland is a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers. Had a friend that used to be an asst. manager at a location in S. Oklahoma. He claimed that they were just a write-off for AWG.

[ctchandler]

Homeland is a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers. Had a friend that used to be an asst. manager at a location in S. Oklahoma. He claimed that they were just a write-off for AWG.

Trousers,
I thought I had heard that they were "employee" owned, so I googled it and found this (wikepedia). "Homeland was sold to its employees in December 2011". I don't believe everything I find on the internet, but this seems to confirm what I believed to be true. They were a subsidiary of AWG but it appears that has changed.
C. T.

[SomeGuy]

Speaking of a terrible grocery store, the 18th and Classen Homeland has nothing on Whittaker's on 10th. Whittaker's is probably the worst grocery store I have ever been in. I am not sure how it stays open yet there are always cars in the parking lot.

They apparently have really cheap prices, and the El Mariachi grocery store up ahead on 16th is sort of pricey . I wouldn't shop there though because it' looks very outdated inside, dirty and it smells kind of bad IMO.

By the way speaking of local stores, what happened to Warehouse Market in S OKC? I drove past there and the store was completely empty.

[Soonerman]

They apparently have really cheap prices, and the El Mariachi grocery store up ahead on 16th is sort of pricey . I wouldn't shop there though because it' looks very outdated inside, dirty and it smells kind of bad IMO.

By the way speaking of local stores, what happened to Warehouse Market in S OKC? I drove past there and the store was completely empty.

Looks like Warehouse Market shut down in OKC.

[bradh]

Always depressing to come back to OKC from Texas in regards to grocery, but especially liqour stores. I love being able to go to Spec's and get everything I need for a party in one place. They even have frozen pizzas and most other party foods.

[turnpup]

Yeah that Whittaker's looks way too creepy for me. Like something you'd see in a third-world country. And it's always overrun with people, too. I occasionally stop in at George's next door for alcohol, but my husband doesn't like me to go there unless he's with me. Not that that stops me, of course. I figure I'm safe in the liquor store because I'm fairly certain the owner's packing. He seems like a guy who can take care of himself.

A good clean grocery in the area, BChris, is Eley's Foods on May and 30th. That store is surprisingly clean and has a good selection. The prices are higher than a big box store, but you can get in and out of there quickly so sometimes it's worth paying more.

[zachj7]

Always depressing to come back to OKC from Texas in regards to grocery, but especially liqour stores. I love being able to go to Spec's and get everything I need for a party in one place. They even have frozen pizzas and most other party foods.

Especially when visiting Central Market or even Kroger. Central Market has such unique items especially for a chain Texas store. Love that place. Love the quality. It would be nice if Kroger Signature came in. One in Norman, Moore, Yukon, a few in OKC, one in Edmond, one in NW OKC near Quail. That would be nice. I'm dreaming.

One huge plus for OKC which I don't see mentioned very often is Super Cao Nguyen Market. I am glad we have a place like that. I remember 5 years ago we didn't have Whole Foods, Sprouts, or even Natural Grocers. If memory serves, the only decent store was the Crest out near the Airport. Things have changed so much and will only continue to change in the future.

[Geographer]

Living in DFW now has spoiled me when it comes to grocery stores that's for sure. I shop for groceries almost exclusively at Central Market and Market Street now....so much better than anything I had while living in Oklahoma City/Norman.

[bchris02]

In Charlotte I had the choice of Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Publix, Super Bi-Lo, Lowe's Foods, The Fresh Market, Costco, and SuperTarget, all within a few miles of me. If I wanted something really nice I could go to the flagship Morrocroft Harris Teeter, which was as nice as H-E-B Central Market. I could drive a little bit farther and had Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Earthfare. Food Lion wasn't that different from your typical OKC grocery store but everything else was a huge step up. The typical OKC Homeland wouldn't stay open there because competition was just too stiff. I never had to step foot in a Wal-Mart unless I wanted to.

[Dubya61]

I never had to step foot in a Wal-Mart unless I wanted to.

You still don't have to.

[oklip955]

At least we have a few options other then Walmart. Its good to see that Uptown/Buy 4 Less is expanding the Uptown brand and Sprouts is expanding. I'm still waiting for Fresh Market. They told me that a store is coming. I wish I knew how soon. Its been almost 2 years ago that they told me that they had signed a lease on a location. Maybe that fell through. When Costco finally opens in Tulsa, I'll make a few trips up that way for some shopping.

[zachj7]

At least we have a few options other then Walmart. Its good to see that Uptown/Buy 4 Less is expanding the Uptown brand and Sprouts is expanding. I'm still waiting for Fresh Market. They told me that a store is coming. I wish I knew how soon. Its been almost 2 years ago that they told me that they had signed a lease on a location. Maybe that fell through. When Costco finally opens in Tulsa, I'll make a few trips up that way for some shopping.

Me too. I'm a diehard Costco fan. I am excited that they are opening in Tulsa! Love the Fresh Market also. Glad they have one in Tulsa. Whenever I am up that way, I always stop by.

[bchris02]

Anybody know if there is truth to the rumor that the 122nd and May Homeland is up for sale?

It would be awesome for it to be sold and remodeled. Lately it has almost been as bad as the 18th and Classen location.

[tfvc.org]

The rumorville at the abstract company my dad works for is that Whole Foods is going in at 36th and Main where the Wrights/IGA used to be.

[oklip955]

I know that Sprouts is out looking for more locations. I've been told a few new areas of town where they are looking. I did tell the person that it would be nice if they put one in far northwest OKC. I don't know of them looking in the area.

[gamecock]

The rumorville at the abstract company my dad works for is that Whole Foods is going in at 36th and Main where the Wrights/IGA used to be.

I heard a similar rumor about two years ago . . . that Whole Foods wanted that property, but Wright's/IGA was able to renew their lease . . . I really hope these rumors are true. It would be fantastic to have Whole Foods in Norman.

[bchris02]

I know that Sprouts is out looking for more locations. I've been told a few new areas of town where they are looking. I did tell the person that it would be nice if they put one in far northwest OKC. I don't know of them looking in the area.

I hope this comes about. There was a rumor a while back about Sprouts coming to MacArthur and 122nd but that seems to have died down. Far NW OKC is hugely underserved on quality grocers for such a nice area of town. Since the remodel the Homeland at 122nd and Rockwell is a little better, but it would be nice to have a Sprouts, Uptown Grocery, or one of the newer format Crests.

[OKCRT]

I remember back in the 80s (I believe) when Food Lion came to OKC area. I think they opened 4-6 stores right out of the gate. I remember that some sort of bad rumor about them came out and they closed up about as fast as they opened. Does anyone remember what the rumor was about? Might have already been discussed in the thread but haven't read this whole thread.

I also remember a little farther back that IGA had a good amount of stores in the area. Seemed like decent enough grocery stores but they have all but vanished. Never understood why there were no Kroger stores around these parts. They are in states around us but none here that I am aware of.

I have been to Whittakers in the past,long time ago for something or another and it was fairly late,prob around midnight. The store was pretty filthy but there were quite a few folks shopping there. There used to be several other Whittaker stores around town. I think the orig Whittaker dies years ago and the other stores closed up,sold off or whatever. Don't know if the one on 10th/May is still in the Whittaker family

[Jim Kyle]

I remember back in the 80s (I believe) when Food Lion came to OKC area. I think they opened 4-6 stores right out of the gate. I remember that some sort of bad rumor about them came out and they closed up about as fast as they opened. Does anyone remember what the rumor was about? Might have already been discussed in the thread but haven't read this whole thread.

I also remember a little farther back that IGA had a good amount of stores in the area. Seemed like decent enough grocery stores but they have all but vanished. Never understood why there were no Kroger stores around these parts. They are in states around us but none here that I am aware of.

I have been to Whittakers in the past,long time ago for something or another and it was fairly late,prob around midnight. The store was pretty filthy but there were quite a few folks shopping there. There used to be several other Whittaker stores around town. I think the orig Whittaker dies years ago and the other stores closed up,sold off or whatever. Don't know if the one on 10th/May is still in the Whittaker family

The Food Lion rumor had to do with tainted meat, apparently started and spread as part of a union dispute. The only one I remember in the city was at Hefner and Rockwell; the building between Walgreen's and Walmart Neighborhood Market was built for them.

IGA was a marketing group for one of the big food distributors, either Scrivner or Fleming but I don't remember which. After both distributors died, IGA itself vanished. I think Snyder's was one of the last IGA mini-chains in the area, with stores at NW 23 and Council and at NW 23 and Meridian, plus some elsewhere.

The only Whittaker's that I ever patronized was on the south side of NW 39, a block or so east of MacArthur. It wasn't anything great. They also had a convenience store, called Whit's Little Store, a bit south of Britton Road on Council.

[ljbab728]

I remember back in the 80s (I believe) when Food Lion came to OKC area. I think they opened 4-6 stores right out of the gate. I remember that some sort of bad rumor about them came out and they closed up about as fast as they opened. Does anyone remember what the rumor was about? Might have already been discussed in the thread but haven't read this whole thread.

I think this is what you are referring to.

Issue Review: Food Lion vs. Prime Time Live -- 02/01/1997 - MediaNomics

[Prunepicker]

IGA was a marketing group for one of the big food distributors, either Scrivner or Fleming
but I don't remember which. After both distributors died, IGA itself vanished. I think Snyder's
was one of the last IGA mini-chains in the area, with stores at NW 23 and Council and at
NW 23 and Meridian, plus some elsewhere.

There was one in Yukon at Cornwell and US 66.

[Prunepicker]

The only Whittaker's that I ever patronized was on the south side of NW 39,
a block or so east of MacArthur. It wasn't anything great. They also had a
convenience store, called Whit's Little Store, a bit south of Britton Road on
Council.

My Dad went to school with the Whittaker's in Cushing. The one on NW 10th
was supposedly separate from the other Whittaker's but still part of the family.
That's what Dad said.

[Prunepicker]

Except for their produce I like Aldi.