Whole Foods

[ejillparker]

Hope this is in the right place. Does anyone else agree that we are badly in need of a Whole Foods in OKC? I would even be happy with one in Norman. What do you all think the chances are of us getting one here? I have been sending them emails begging for one for a few years now.

[progressiveboy]

Considering Tulsa has a WF market one would think that the next logical step would be OKC. I am a native OK Cityan who now resides in the Dallas area. WF does fantastic business in the DFW metroplex. I am a bit weary as if OKC would support a WF since they tend to gravitate to foods high in fat, lard and salt etc.... Also, it is a bit pricer since it is organic and natural foods market so I do not think OKC has the extra disposable income to pay higher prices. OKC people are more into Walmart and Buy for less which I consider "less than desireable" grocery stores. Not to sound negative on OKC but once oil and gas prices plummet it will be a "bust" cycle all over again. Maybe I am wrong and they will bring WF to the OKC area but I would be totally "surprised" by it. Tulsa on the other hand, has proven they can support it!

[betts]

The median income in Tulsa is only slightly higher than OKC. Considering that OKC has a bigger population than Tulsa, you've probably got at least as many people in OKC who can afford to shop at Whole Foods as in Tulsa. It's rather a stereotype that people in OKC all shop at Walmart and Buy for Less, and that we all like fatty foods. Most of the people shopping at Whole Foods in any city are unlikely to shop at Walmart if there's not a Whole Foods available. It might hurt Crescent Market, but that would be my biggest concern.

[BFizzy]

Considering Tulsa has a WF market one would think that the next logical step would be OKC. I am a native OK Cityan who now resides in the Dallas area. WF does fantastic business in the DFW metroplex. I am a bit weary as if OKC would support a WF since they tend to gravitate to foods high in fat, lard and salt etc.... Also, it is a bit pricer since it is organic and natural foods market so I do not think OKC has the extra disposable income to pay higher prices. OKC people are more into Walmart and Buy for less which I consider "less than desireable" grocery stores. Not to sound negative on OKC but once oil and gas prices plummet it will be a "bust" cycle all over again. Maybe I am wrong and they will bring WF to the OKC area but I would be totally "surprised" by it. Tulsa on the other hand, has proven they can support it!

Good point. I was just thinking about leaving the rig and going to Wal-mart to grab a salty lard sandwich, since that's all we eat up here.

[progressiveboy]

I am looking at it from the perspective of the retailer. Tulsa has high end retailers such as Saks, Steve Madden, Restoration Hardware where as OKC does not so this tells me that Tulsa has the demographics to support "high" end retailing where as OKC does not or these stores would be in the OKC market place. WF market went into Tulsa knowing that OKC was the bigger of the two cities but what drew them to Tulsa is the demographics and more wealthy citizens. I am sorry to sterotype OKC but it is the truth. Again, it would be nice for OKC to get more grocery options such as WF, Central Market, Traders etc.. but again, not holding my breath on this one. DFW currently has WF, Central Market.

[FritterGirl]

Progressiveboy really has hit the proverbial nail pretty close on the head. It seems, too, that there was discussion about Whole Foods only going into those markets where a specific percentage of the population had a higher education. OKC didn't qualify on that account.

That being said, the rumors of WF coming to OKC are increasing in frequency and volume, making me think we are, indeed, on their "target list" if the right project comes along.

There are several other threads on the forums that discuss the possibility of WF in OKC, so you might look around for those.

[jsibelius]

Houston has repeatedly made the top of the "Fattest City" list, but there are four Whole Foods stores in Houston proper, and at least a few in the various suburbs as well. I don't think a city's general leanings toward "lard" and "fat" and "salt" have anything to do with whether anyone will shop there. But thanks for the good word! I'm sure me and my fellow Wal-Mart hillbillies would never dream of spending a little more money on something as "silly" as food that might actually be better for you.

BFizzy, what time do you want to meet for that lard sandwich?

[progressiveboy]

That's the OKC spirit, "Staying the same and never changing" LOL

[betts]

I am looking at it from the perspective of the retailer. Tulsa has high end retailers such as Saks, Steve Madden, Restoration Hardware where as OKC does not so this tells me that Tulsa has the demographics to support "high" end retailing where as OKC does not or these stores would be in the OKC market place. WF market went into Tulsa knowing that OKC was the bigger of the two cities but what drew them to Tulsa is the demographics and more wealthy citizens. I am sorry to sterotype OKC but it is the truth. Again, it would be nice for OKC to get more grocery options such as WF, Central Market, Traders etc.. but again, not holding my breath on this one. DFW currently has WF, Central Market.

I think the retailers have a mistaken notion of the difference in demographics between OKC and Tulsa, and so stores go into Tulsa that would be supported as well or better here in OKC. Tulsa doesn't support Saks very well....it doesn't even carry Louis Vuitton there, whereas OKC has supported a Chanel store for years, and Balliets is filling the void of other high end stores like Saks and Neimans in OKC. It will be very interesting to see what retailers Aubrey can pull in to Classen Curve, as the demographics in that area are pretty impressive. I don't think most retailers look as closely at disposable income as they should, because our low cost of living and taxes give us as much disposable income as many other cities with a far higher median income.

[BFizzy]

Yeah and Dallas is sooo "progressive".

You won't see salt and lard at any of the billion mexican and burger joints down there.

[Pete]

WF market went into Tulsa knowing that OKC was the bigger of the two cities but what drew them to Tulsa is the demographics and more wealthy citizens.

They didn't actively seek a Tulsa location, that one came to them when they bought Wild Oats.

Wild Oats stores weren't as large and upscale as the new Whole Foods locations.

[BFizzy]

OKC will have a Whole Foods or an equivalent... it's just a matter of time. OKC has seen many new businesses come recently and our support for them has continually exceeded expectations.

This market is starving for new concepts unique to the area.

[progressiveboy]

Yeah and Dallas is sooo "progressive".

You won't see salt and lard at any of the billion mexican and burger joints down there.

Actually Dallas is quite progressive! Thanks for pointing this out. They are in the the midst of building a new $400 million dollar peforming arts center to completed next year. Also our new $1 billion dollar stadium for the Dallas Cowboys. Not to mention, a couple of weeks ago AT&T announced they are moving their "corporate" headquarters to Big D. Comerica Bank which was based in Detroit moved there bank holding and corporate headquarters to Dallas. Also, we have 5 new skyscrapers going up in downtown Dallas. What you will see restaraunt wise BFizzy is fresh seafood restaurants, Vegetarian restaurants in Dallas and yes throw in a couple of mexican and burger joints. It sure would be nice to have that success in OKC but again, I am not holding my breath.

[mecarr]

I thought the holdup in getting a Whole Foods in Oklahoma had to do with the state's liquor laws, meaning that whole foods couldn't sell wine in their stores. I guess that doesn't make sense since Tulsa seems to have a Whole Foods (or is it wild oats?)

I would be careful not to link the increasing chatter about an OKC Whole Foods with the chances of it actually happening. I think more and more people are talking about how it would be cool, but I haven't seen much evidence that Whole Foods is considering OKC, unfortunately.

[betts]

This should not be an us against Dallas competition. Dallas is a huge city. Huge cities have more of everything. That doesn't mean there aren't people in OKC who would support a Whole Foods. And, let's get real. There are vegetarian restaurants in OKC, there are some great restaurants in OKC that are unique and as good as anything you can find anywhere, just not as many. There are many people in OKC who aren't Walmart shopping fat food guzzlers. When you've got a population of over a million people, stereotypes fail to look at the diversity that has to exist.

[BFizzy]

Thanks, progboy. I'm familiar with Dallas. OKC is a microcosm of Dallas.

[Pete]

I thought the holdup in getting a Whole Foods in Oklahoma had to do with the state's liquor laws, meaning that whole foods couldn't sell wine in their stores. I guess that doesn't make sense since Tulsa seems to have a Whole Foods (or is it wild oats?)

Wild Oats didn't put nearly the emphasis on beer & wine so it wasn't as big a deal when they went into Tulsa.

The selection process for new Whole Foods locations is very different. They have moved to a larger, more upscale concept and that's what they are seeking to roll out.

Even here in California, they are trading locations built just 10-15 years ago for new, larger ones very nearby.

[progressiveboy]

They didn't actively seek a Tulsa location, that one came to them when they bought Wild Oats.

Wild Oats stores weren't as large and upscale as the new Whole Foods locations.

Thanks for the update. I did not realize WG in Tulsa was previously Wild Oats. "I stand corrected". Have a great one

[jsibelius]

I thought the holdup in getting a Whole Foods in Oklahoma had to do with the state's liquor laws, meaning that whole foods couldn't sell wine in their stores. I guess that doesn't make sense since Tulsa seems to have a Whole Foods (or is it wild oats?)

I would be careful not to link the increasing chatter about an OKC Whole Foods with the chances of it actually happening. I think more and more people are talking about how it would be cool, but I haven't seen much evidence that Whole Foods is considering OKC, unfortunately.

Now that you mention it, I remember a news story about that a few months ago, but I sure can't find a trace of that story now.

[metro]

"progressiveboy" your posts in this thread and others seem to be very stereotypical. Last time I checked, stereotyping wasn't "progressive", but being open-minded is. Just curious, how often do you visit OKC? As others have said, OKC has many vegetarian, sushi and other healthy restaurants, just not as many as Dallas we aren't a metro of 6 million people either, but we are a metro of 1 million. Are you progressive enough to think a metro of 1 million should have all the exact same options of a metro of 6+ million? Come on! Have you tried Saturn Grill in OKC? Saturn Grill


The Crescent Market - Good Things to Eat

Akin's Natural Foods - Home Page

Native Roots Market - Home

Forward Foods

Gourmet Food Store – Oklahoma – Local Gourmet Food Store and Shop Information

These are just some of many upscale and healthy food places/ grocery stores around the metro. FYI...I usually get my groceries at Akins, SuperTarget, Native Roots, farmers markets (we have a bunch, even two downtown soon to be 3), Forward Foods and other places. I don't make a TON of money (they aren't looking at my demographic from an income/masters education standpoint) and yet I buy these things and know tons of college students and young professionals that choose to eat healthy, shop upscale organic, use recyclable bags, etc. NO QUESTION OKC CAN SUPPORT AT LEAST 1 WHOLE FOODS OR EQUIVALENT.

Your theory doesn't pan out, OKC has many upscale retailers Tulsa doesn't have. OKC has supported Dior and Chanel for years ( I don't believe Tulsa has those stores). We also have Forever 21, Balliets, Mr. Ooleys, Spencer Stone, Apple store (I believe first in Oklahoma), 1st Cheesecake Factory in Oklahoma, and many other fine retailers in Penn Square Mall with many more on the way to Nichols Hills Plaza and Classen Curve.

Truth is, we've been an underserved and neglected market so we've had no choice BUT Walmart and BuyForLess (which you clearly haven't been to in years because they are pretty much hispanic grocery stores now). WalMart and other grocers have been carrying more and more organic and whole grain type stuff just due to the demand, let alone all the small boutique grocers poppoing up. Now that our numbers are looking good nationally, these retailers who look at big numbers (which we didn't have before or there were more alluring markets), are finally saturated elsewhere and coming to smaller secondary markets (OKC). You WILL see more and more of a health conscious shift in OKC. Look at our SuperTargets, they carry TONS of organic, natural and upscale food items.

[Red Dirt Girl]

I'll ignore all the ridiculousness that says all Oklahomans are fat. Yes, we are a bit chubby on the nationwide rankings, but hey, that doesn't mean we don't deserve a Whole Foods.

ONE IS IN THE WORKS! I've heard it over and over. Say what you will about Aubrey McClenden, but he's helping to bring a Whole Foods. Apparently Whole Foods execs have been in Rand Elliot's (major big time architect) office in recent months. It's all very promising.

[redcup]

Shoot all my weight comes from Classic Coke!!

[ejillparker]

I'll ignore all the ridiculousness that says all Oklahomans are fat. Yes, we are a bit chubby on the nationwide rankings, but hey, that doesn't mean we don't deserve a Whole Foods.

ONE IS IN THE WORKS! I've heard it over and over. Say what you will about Aubrey McClenden, but he's helping to bring a Whole Foods. Apparently Whole Foods execs have been in Rand Elliot's (major big time architect) office in recent months. It's all very promising.

That would be so awesome! We need a Whole Foods Now! Just need to work on those darn liquor laws!

PS, Rand Elliot built my parents' house and I am scratching my head as to how he plays in to this darn Whole Foods thing. Oh well, I don't care as long as we get our Whole Foods!

[taylor83]

I would love to see a Whole Foods here, especially near the MidTown or downtown areas. However (and I hate to be a debbie downer) based on their latest financial results it looks like it will be a bit longer until we see them here. See links below:

Whole Foods profit drops, halts dividend - MSNBC Wire Services - CNBC.com

Whole Foods plunges after disappointing 3Q results - MSNBC Wire Services - CNBC.com

[OKCMallen]

Houston has repeatedly made the top of the "Fattest City" list, but there are four Whole Foods stores in Houston proper, and at least a few in the various suburbs as well. I don't think a city's general leanings toward "lard" and "fat" and "salt" have anything to do with whether anyone will shop there. But thanks for the good word! I'm sure me and my fellow Wal-Mart hillbillies would never dream of spending a little more money on something as "silly" as food that might actually be better for you.

BFizzy, what time do you want to meet for that lard sandwich?

Houston is also like the 3rd or 4th biggest city in the country.