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Unread 09-02-2008, 02:55 PM
 
3 posts, read 12,388 times
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Default Why are there no quality grocery stores in OKC?

I am still wondering this after living here for 10 years... I have heard it is because of the liquor laws that prevent alcohol from being sold in groceries or b/c of Walmart or b/c of non-unionized workers. What do you all think? would anyone be willing to form a group that could work on making a grocery store here or in Edmond? I don't have the time to invest in it but have some money to do so....
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Unread 09-02-2008, 03:21 PM
 
Location: NW Oklahoma City
62 posts, read 149,088 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grocerystoreokc View Post
I am still wondering this after living here for 10 years... I have heard it is because of the liquor laws that prevent alcohol from being sold in groceries or b/c of Walmart or b/c of non-unionized workers. What do you all think? would anyone be willing to form a group that could work on making a grocery store here or in Edmond? I don't have the time to invest in it but have some money to do so....
Because most "grocery stores" are dumps. However, there are many "quality" supermarkets.
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Unread 09-02-2008, 05:22 PM
 
439 posts, read 696,457 times
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Price Mart in OKC was a quality super market in the late 1990s. I worked at their model store in Edmond during my retail days. It did very well, but for some reason it got the axe from the Price Mart chain. Then Price Chopper came in, bastardized the selection, and jacked up the prices. That didn't go over well, so Homeland came in, and those bunch of cheap dime store hoods turned the store to crap.

Albertson's selection always sucked and the prices were just too high, so they screwed the market. Buy For Less is just like Homeland... run by a bunch of cheap dime store hoods. The rest has been pwned by Wal-Dump.

Liquor laws are a lame excuse. If they have quality supermarkets in Colorado... another 3.2 state, then OKC shouldn't get the boot on any opportunity.

Another reason is stereotype. The Whole Foods types (a store is in Kansas, another 3.2 state) think that OKC is hung up on BBQ and fried chicken. We are seen as cullinary-unfriendly. They are wrong, and are impossible to convince otherwise. Until we market ourselves better as a vibrant and cullinary-friendly city, were are stuck with Crapland and Wal-Dump.
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Unread 09-02-2008, 05:29 PM
 
Location: Fort Worth/Dallas
11,890 posts, read 21,593,644 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grocerystoreokc View Post
I am still wondering this after living here for 10 years... I have heard it is because of the liquor laws that prevent alcohol from being sold in groceries or b/c of Walmart or b/c of non-unionized workers. What do you all think? would anyone be willing to form a group that could work on making a grocery store here or in Edmond? I don't have the time to invest in it but have some money to do so....

Serious question. What does selling liquor have to do with the quality of products in a grocery store? I understand the liquor laws in Oklahoma are weird, but don't get the connection. Maybe it's been too long of a day at work...
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Unread 09-02-2008, 05:34 PM
 
64 posts, read 165,481 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Synopsis View Post
Serious question. What does selling liquor have to do with the quality of products in a grocery store? I understand the liquor laws in Oklahoma are weird, but don't get the connection. Maybe it's been too long of a day at work...

From what I understand, profit margins are slim on many food products. Alcohol is a big profit-booster.
I would do immoral acts to get a Trader Joe's here, but they couldn't sell two-buck Chuck
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Unread 09-03-2008, 04:21 AM
 
Location: Fort Worth/Dallas
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I see. It makes sense. The grocery stores here sell wine and beer and the food selection is nothing short of excellent.
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Unread 09-03-2008, 07:30 AM
 
Location: Living on 10 acres in Oklahoma
1,187 posts, read 2,593,846 times
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I really love Crest. Isles are clear and wide, the store is very clean and there are employees every where if you need assistance. They have the best selection of produce around IMO.
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Unread 09-03-2008, 08:29 AM
 
Location: Wind comes sweeping down the...
1,591 posts, read 3,890,502 times
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I think it will be a matter of time or a local will realize its badly needed and finally invest in the idea. When Crescent Market disappears you will definitely see a high end grocery like a trader joes or something take its place. Aubrey has some big plans for Nichols Hills Plaza. Its weird when you have a supertall planning to break ground in the CBD and a new NBA team. Very confusing. I shop at the Akins at 63rd and Western or Braums Market if that helps anyone....

This might be interesting...http://okcsaturdaymarket.com/homepage.html

Last edited by happytown; 09-03-2008 at 09:06 AM..
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Unread 09-04-2008, 12:47 PM
 
2 posts, read 7,334 times
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The Buy For Less near N. Portland and NW Expwy is a great place for groceries. I know the guy (Bob) that runs the place and they always have great deals on the same products you would find at Homeland etc. Every time I have ever rarely had a product or price problem, they fixed it promptly and even gave me a $5 grocery gift certificate a couple times. They do a good job of running the store (a fairly large place).
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Unread 09-09-2008, 01:22 PM
 
Location: Wind comes sweeping down the...
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Possible Sprouts locations are being heard thru the grapevine. Welcome to Sprouts Farmers Market
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