Okc Grass Roots Retail Recruitment.

[metro]

Here is the link to request an REI catalog, can't hurt for a bunch of us to blast their request list.

https://www.rei.com/catalogsignup

[Spartan]

Mid/redrunner, Brooks Brothers isn't realistic for this market, yes we could support one, but I'm pretty sure they've been harsh vocally on this market. The other retailers are more likely to expand here, that's why I mentioned them. I'd love to have BB and Ralph Lauren here, but I see it as a farther stretch than some that we could petition and have a shot at.

As far as American Apparel, I never got that trend, it's overpriced solid color tshirts basically.

What has Brooks Brothers said about OKC?

[onthestrip]

What has Brooks Brothers said about OKC?

They said they are trying to upgrade their image and want to locate with other upscale retailers such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, etc.

[okclee]

Hey Lee, this is a good idea in all honesty. Would you like to be the chairman of our efforts? If we organize we can get media attention from Steve Lackmeyer and the Gazette.

I think we should also have a component where we focus on attempting to recruit existing local retailers to actually MOVE downtown from the suburbs. Like Full Circle. How awesome would Full Circle be in say..the Packard Building. I can envision them rocking that block.

Let me think about being the chairman, let's see how many actually participate on Okctalk first.

For now I plan on posting a new potential retail target every few days or so. A request for a downtown full-service Walgreens is my first email I have sent out. I hope that others will follow along and send the email requests too. If you have sent one in previous months or years, please send another. This way there should be a group of us sending out requests in a close proximety time frame.

Remember this is not a wish we had _"name your store"_ in Okc thread. There are plenty of those on Okctalk already.

This will be about actual contact information, copy and paste email links and the reply you receive.

[okclee]

Here is the reply I received from Walgreens. Purely a standard reply. I will do a follow up at a later date if I do not hear back from an individual. I would like to point out some actual addresses for them to consider in downtown areas. Many of you may know of a location that would have the space for this type of store. I am thinking somewhere near 10th and Broadway.

Thank you for your interest in Walgreens.

I have forwarded your e-mail to the individual who reviews potential
Walgreens locations in your area of the country. If there is any
interest, we will contact you.

Again, thank you for considering Walgreens.


Walgreens Real Estate

[Midtowner]

I know that the Chamber closely monitors this board -- if anyone from the Chamber wants to chime in with their expertise, I think it'd be welcome.

[z28james]

I emailed REI a few months a ago. I love that store. I told them it was a good area for a sports store and that since Oklahoma is one of the most diverse state geographically, their diverse sports products would be a good fit. They replied and said they had no idea about OK being so diverse, never thought about OKC really and would take a look, but since it is a co-op they say new store will be slow to come anywhere at this time.

[okclee]

Today's targeted retail store for me is......

retail target = Trader Joe's grocery
potential location = Midtown Okc

Trader Joe's

Let's all send them an email and let them know about America's best kept secret city, Okc. Mention Midtown Okc as a location for them to consider looking at.

I will update once I receive some type of response.

[Spartan]

I remember emailing them on that page a few years ago. Sent another in just now.

[scootinger]

I can understand trying to recruit good retail chains to Oklahoma City, and I'm all for it mostly. But are we seriously that desperate as to be begging for a *WALGREENS* downtown? Surely we can find a local retailer that could fill that gap...or at least a chain that cares more about the character of our community, especially in an area like Downtown.

Anyone remember a few years back when Walgreens wanted to demolish the Gold Dome in order to build a store? Walgreens/CVS/etc do not really care about their communities or fitting in with the architectural character of an area. All they do is build generic cookie-cutter store buildings, which will most likely be abandoned within 15-20 years as they continue to build new stores in more profitable locations. Is that what we want for downtown?

[Spartan]

Fortunately Walgreen's doesn't carry the sway in this town that the name SandRidge does, so I don't think Walgreen's will be doing whatever they want against the community's wishes.

I also believe Walgreen's would be a huge step for downtown retail. The sort of basics that help build a foundation for more interesting things.

[ljbab728]

I can understand trying to recruit good retail chains to Oklahoma City, and I'm all for it mostly. But are we seriously that desperate as to be begging for a *WALGREENS* downtown? Surely we can find a local retailer that could fill that gap...or at least a chain that cares more about the character of our community, especially in an area like Downtown.

Anyone remember a few years back when Walgreens wanted to demolish the Gold Dome in order to build a store? Walgreens/CVS/etc do not really care about their communities or fitting in with the architectural character of an area. All they do is build generic cookie-cutter store buildings, which will most likely be abandoned within 15-20 years as they continue to build new stores in more profitable locations. Is that what we want for downtown?

I'm not a Walgreens advocate but anyone hoping to locate that type of business in the downtown area would have to be capable of absorbing losses for a few years until the business develops. I'm not sure a local business could do that.

[kevinpate]

Just curious. Was it Wal-Greens that wanted to thrash the Gold Dome spot, or was it a property developer who wanted to thrash it so he could clear the spot and bring in a Wal-Greens, or something else if WG dinna come?

Either way, happy it dinna happen.

[metro]

I can understand trying to recruit good retail chains to Oklahoma City, and I'm all for it mostly. But are we seriously that desperate as to be begging for a *WALGREENS* downtown? Surely we can find a local retailer that could fill that gap...or at least a chain that cares more about the character of our community, especially in an area like Downtown.

Anyone remember a few years back when Walgreens wanted to demolish the Gold Dome in order to build a store? Walgreens/CVS/etc do not really care about their communities or fitting in with the architectural character of an area. All they do is build generic cookie-cutter store buildings, which will most likely be abandoned within 15-20 years as they continue to build new stores in more profitable locations. Is that what we want for downtown?

Actually it was more the DEVELOPER wanting to tear down the Gold Dome, not so much Walgreens. Read the article about Calhoun (the developer), there is a recent thread where we're actually talking about it and it has his quotes from an article written several years ago.

[Larry OKC]

It is because of the dirty deal he pulled over at 23rd & Meridian, that to this day I have not set foot in that Walgreens

[bluedogok]

It was the developer pushing that site to Walgreen's in spite of concerns from us (the design team), Walgreen's property group and Bank One.

Walgreen's will do "urban" stores if the demographics support building one. They of course have them in the more traditional large cities like Chicago (they are based in a Chicago suburb) and NYC but they also have some in cities outside those large cities. There was one right by our hotel in Downtown Denver along with a CVS and Rite-Aid stores, we have a CVS here in Downtown Austin that has been there a long time. All of those locations are tenant finish outs of lease space and not typical standalone stores.

[okclee]

Today's targeted retail store for me is......

retail target = Trader Joe's grocery
potential location = Midtown Okc

Trader Joe's

Let's all send them an email and let them know about America's best kept secret city, Okc. Mention Midtown Okc as a location for them to consider looking at.

I will update once I receive some type of response.

Response email.

Aloha and thank you for your interest in our stores. Emails have been flooding in with suggestions for new store locations in neighborhoods all over the U.S. We love that!

Rest assured, every email is read and your recommendation will be passed along to our real estate folks.

The best place to find new info concerning which neighborhoods we’ll be in next is the Trader Joe’s Locations page at http://www.traderjoes.com/static/find_a_tjs.asp

We hope to see you soon!

Mahalo (thanks)

Another generic, thanks but no thanks, reply.

[lasomeday]

I got the exact same response from Trader Joes.

What business are we targeting this week/day?

[SkyWestOKC]

I also got the same response.

[lasomeday]

I think we should target Costco. I haven't found who to email or send letters to, but I am looking.

Please post if you see a place to send letters/emails.

They have two locations in KS, 17 in TX, and even some in AL. We need at least one!

[okclee]

I got the exact same response from Trader Joes.

What business are we targeting this week/day?

So far the past two weeks, I have emailed Walgreens, REI, In&Out Burgers and Trader Joes.

[lasomeday]

How about we email Landrys about getting one of their Ocean's Journey Aquariums downtown or by the river!

Downtown Aquarium - Houston

I have emailed REI and Trader Joes this week.

[Larry OKC]

is this the same Landrys that have the seafood places? LOL Reminds me of being able to get a fish sandwich at Sea World...seemed sort of odd somehow

[Spartan]

I don't see the Houston restaurant groups expanding to OKC (Pappa's, Landry's, others).

[progressiveboy]

I don't see the Houston restaurant groups expanding to OKC (Pappa's, Landry's, others).

Why do you not see them expanding in OKC? Do you work for them? Do you have inside information? Did they publish something stating they would not locate in OKC? Your perception is based on feeling/emotion because you state, I don't see them expanding to OKC? I am questioning your statement Spartan? What is your rebuttal?