WinCo

[Pete]

There is a billboard at I-44 & N. May Ave (Metro Ford of OKC) announcing the MWC location of WinCo will be "opening soon".

August 1st is the date.

[ctchandler]

August 1st? Good to know. I will avoid the area for about two weeks. Actually, since I'm retired, I can go there during the day when hopefully, it's not too busy, and since I live 1.2 miles from there, if it is busy I will just go to the Walmart or back to Crest which is .4 miles from my place. I've been to the Moore store but didn't really do much shopping so it will be interesting to actually spend a little time and check out there regular prices. Lordy it's amazing what old guys like me get excited about! Hey mom, there's a new grocery store in my neighborhood and I can't wait to shop there.
C. T.

[Pete]

39th & Portland:

[Bullbear]

Oh WOW.. I clearly haven't been that direction in a minute.. they are really moving!

[Pete]

Now that they have their Moore store open and distribution trucks running up here all the time from Denton, I'm sure they are anxious to open MWC (8/1) and this store too, as there has to be tons of synergies with multiple locations.

Staffing and training is likely easier once you get a foothold as well.

Can't wait for this store as it is close to my home and I'm a big fan.

[SoonerQueen]

I can't wait for the OKC location to open. We have fallen in love with their fresh made bagels, and they carry my Hawaiian ham at the deli. It will be nice to be able to get it closer to home.

[ctchandler]

Just read that the Midwest City store is opening August 31st. https://www.mustangpaper.com/2017/08...-opens-aug-31/
C. T.

[Pete]

Winco Foods closes on Memorial property as area continues to boom

As we were first to report way back in July of 2013, Winco Foods plans to bring 4 locations to the Oklahoma City area.

The first location opened its first location in the state in Moore this May, and the second will open in Midwest City on Thursday 8/31. The third is well under construction at NW 39th and Portland and will open in late fall.

Winco finally closed on what will be the fourth location on N. Penn near Memorial Road. The sale was delayed due to difficult drainage issues on the site, but on August 2nd, the Boise-based grocer completed the purchase of 10 acres for $2,831,000.

Interestingly, Aldi just renovated and expanded its location directly adjacent to this site.

The new Winco will be yet another big retail and commercial development along the booming Memorial Road corridor.

In addition to the large Walmart and Sam's directly across Penn, Lifetime Fitness is well underway on their massive complex at Quail Springs Mall, Target is renovation its store to one of the very first new concept design in the U.S., Costco is still in negotiations on Western, an Aloft Hotel is well along nearby and several new restaurants are underway in the area, including a new Outback, new Hooters, Torchy's Tacos, Uncle Julio's, and soon to start, Hatch. OKCTalk was first to report all these stories.

WinCo Foods is the seventh largest employee-owned company in the U.S., with gross yearly revenues exceeding $6 billion and operates over 100 stores in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.

The chain opened a $135 million distribution center in Denton, Texas earlier this year to serve the Oklahoma and Texas locations.

The stores operate 24 hours, 7 days a week and the Moore location frequently sees long lines.

[vcat]

When will the 39th and Portland location open?

[shawnw]

Outside looks close to done, but inside doesn't look started, so I'd say early next year at the earliest as a guess.

[Pete]

Yes, given how long it took them in Moore and MWC to move from substantial building completion to opening day, I bet they won't open until early 2018.

[bombermwc]

So ive given the MWC location a few tries now. Its still a very busy place, so that's good. I dont think i'll be going back though. The prices are higher than Crest and i REALLY hate the layout of the store. There's a real lack of logical flow in the regular shelf area. Some things are thrown in because it seemed like they had forgotten them elsewhere. The staff is still very nice and helpful, but you can already see the shift away from the store opening staff to the local staff. The locals are definitely still learning the layout too and it's not making sense to them either. Each person i had to ask something had to get someone else or pull out the map. I'm sure that will get better over time as everyone learns their store.

Really for me higher price was just the end of it for me. Now i should say that i go to Aldi and then Crest each week. It does take a little longer to go to two places, but i usually save ~$30 each week that way. By going to only WinCo, i ate up that savings and then some. But it was still a little more than it would if i had just gone to Crest.

Some positives for WinCo though...the bulk area is quite extensive. So there are a lot of options there, but like anywhere else, it's a bit pricey. But i really like that they have as many options here. They also have a few brands of items that Crest wont consistently carry. So WinCo will probably get me back for the bulk stuff and the random items. Some of these same things, WalMart doesn't consistently have either. An odd one is La Victoria Green Taco Sauce. I know its weird, but i like it better

[Pete]

Pricey? I'd like to see actual price comparison.

As far as the layout, like every other big store you have to figure it out and get used to it, especially a grocery store that is 3 to 4 times the size of anything else. After a few visits to the one I used to shop in California, I had no problem navigating it and always liked you could see across most the store to get oriented and the nice wide aisle that made it easy to move around.

Hope that Crest continues to thrive but Winco is awesome and there is a reason people flock to it.

[Roger S]

Hope that Crest continues to thrive but Winco is awesome and there is a reason people flock to it.

Just my observations during my trips to the grocery store but once the newness of Winco wore off in Moore it really slowed down. I really haven't noticed much of a drop off in the number of people in Crest when I'm there.

Not sure how they have impacted the Walmart Supercenter's grocery sales but for the most part that parking lot still seems to stay pretty full.

I absolutely love Winco's bulk section and I now look there first for big cuts of meat like brisket and pork shoulder.... As mentioned above I've noticed they carry some items/brands not found at other grocery stores but I've also found them to be a little lacking in variety for some items I purchase regularly. ..... Personally I've been splitting my shopping between Winco and Crest depending on what I need.

[Stew]

I too tried Winco a few times and probably won't be back. I couldn't care less about a bulk section, I don't pay attention to prices and the rest of the store is meh. I'm with Bono on this one. Still haven't found what I'm looking for (on the east side).

[stile99]

I probably won't be back either, to be honest. I very much enjoyed the store, and the prices were just fine for me, but just simply not worth the drive to Moore. I'm really not sure the 39th and Portland location will make much of a difference, but who knows. I'm in that area a tad more often than I am Moore or MWC though.

[Hondo1]

Recently was out in MWC and decided to make a visit. I was most interested to see what organic produce was carried and I didn't pay a lot of attention to layout or price comparison. The only organic produce I found was a container of Dole lettuce. Maybe there was more organic produce elsewhere in the store, but I didn't see it.

[John1744]

I'm a grocery boy, been in the industry for over a decade and same as what people have said, I just didn't care much for Winco. Pricing seemed inline if not a hair higher than Crest on many things, significantly higher on HBA/HBC items. The store layouts are uhhh interesting to say the least, the weird half aisles in the center store that basically lead you through a maze of aisles, the building is very basic. I've gotten so used to great decor in stores lately it was weird going into one with very little. It was so utilitarian and industrial looking it felt so stiff inside it. Bulk goods didn't do much for me, didn't understand the point of about half the bulk goods.

And while a lot of my customers have made it out to Winco to check it out I haven't heard much praise for them, and many many are totally turned off by the sack your own grocery system. The independent grocers have spoiled customers with over the top bagging and carry outs.

[FighttheGoodFight]

I'm a grocery boy, been in the industry for over a decade and same as what people have said, I just didn't care much for Winco. Pricing seemed inline if not a hair higher than Crest on many things, significantly higher on HBA/HBC items. The store layouts are uhhh interesting to say the least, the weird half aisles in the center store that basically lead you through a maze of aisles, the building is very basic. I've gotten so used to great decor in stores lately it was weird going into one with very little. It was so utilitarian and industrial looking it felt so stiff inside it. Bulk goods didn't do much for me, didn't understand the point of about half the bulk goods.

And while a lot of my customers have made it out to Winco to check it out I haven't heard much praise for them, and many many are totally turned off by the sack your own grocery system. The independent grocers have spoiled customers with over the top bagging and carry outs.

I'm always amazed by people who haven't been to Crest. I tell them how great it is and once they try it they love it. For some reason people just love Walmart or Homeland (here in Norman).

[Pete]

There is no Crest remotely close to me and I suspect that's true for most people in the area.

Most are not going to drive more than a few miles to get groceries, myself included. So, I've never been in one and won't unless they build a location much closer.

The Winco model is more like Sam's Club where people go much less frequently and stock up.

[RustytheBailiff]

Not sure where you live exactly, but there is a Crest at 23rd and Meridian which is a couple or five miles from the midtown/downtown areas. Albeit, it's not the full-size Creest found in Edmond.

That said, Since Winco has opened it Moore location, I've only been to Crest once. For what I buy, it seems Winco provides at least a 10% savings over Crest and significantly more savings over all other full-service competitors. It takes maybe three trips to get used to the layout. Midwest City and Moore locations ares substantally the same so knowing the lay out of one is to know the layout aff all the stores, I assume 39th and Portland will be the same also. The bulk items offer substainial saving onve individually packaed goods and seem to be 20-30% lower than the bulk items in sprouts. They have about 800 bulk items, many of them I will never purchase-but the selection is available and I'm sure they draw a diverse group of shoppers with different tastes so that most bulk items sell enough to be profitable - or they will change the product mix as time goes by. Their Meat Section claims all cuts are choice or better and is competitive with the Chef's Market prices. Fruits and Vegetables beat or equal all competition.

I am surprised as so much negativie on this thread for these stores. My biggest complain is that I find it extremely difficult to press the Go button for the grocery treadmeal at the checkout.

[Pete]

I live near Penn Square so that Crest at 23rd and Meridian is a good drive with no fast route.

Same reason I don't go to Aldi, as the closest is at 23rd & MacArthur, but that will soon change when the store at 47th & May opens.

[oklip955]

I'm not sure what most people call getting groceries close by. I live 3 miles east of I-35 in Edmond. The Crest is being built will about 5 miles from my house. That will be the closest grocery store to me. I have Walmart at 15th and I-35 but most times drive the 11 miles to Sprouts. I am looking foreward to the new Winco at Memorial and Penn. Thats around 25 miles. As I shop weekly and some stores monthly I'll add it to my monthly mix. Kind of like I do with Sam's club and Trader Joes. Time will tell. I haven't set foot in a Winco yet. I might take a drive to MWC one day to check it out. MWC and Moore are just not on my radar for shopping.

[AP]

I live near Penn Square so that Crest at 23rd and Meridian is a good drive with no fast route.

Same reason I don't go to Aldi, as the closest is at 23rd & MacArthur, but that will soon change when the store at 47th & May opens.

We live south of PS at 42nd and Classen and those two aren't even on our radar because of the drive. We do the majority of our shopping at TJ and Target.

[Urbanized]

I'm not sure what most people call getting groceries close by. I live 3 miles east of I-35 in Edmond. The Crest is being built will about 5 miles from my house. That will be the closest grocery store to me. I have Walmart at 15th and I-35 but most times drive the 11 miles to Sprouts. I am looking foreward to the new Winco at Memorial and Penn. Thats around 25 miles...

I'm a little bit off-topic with this post, but this is why I always roll my eyes when people talk about there being no grocery store in downtown. Between Native Roots, Homeland at 18th and Classen, Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at 23rd and Penn and even Whole Foods on Western, downtown has options equal to and often better than a huge number of homes in the outer rings of the metro.