We have discussed Pruett's taking over the Buy for Less at NW Expressway and Portland, as well as Uptown Grocery.

They are planning a remodel for the NW Ex store although I don't yet have the details. Will soon see some containers at that property.


By the way, the Binkowski's (who owned/ran BFL and Uptown) are facing a big lawsuit by the landlord at 23rd & Penn who claims they owe him hundreds of thousands in back rent and that they created a bunch of shell companies to hide assets from a previous court judgment he obtained against them.

New sign is up at NW Expressway and Portland:

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I'm assuming they'll keep the Uptown branding at both stores, have you heard any different?

I'm assuming they'll keep the Uptown branding at both stores, have you heard any different?

I believe you are correct.

I find it interesting that the owners of Pruett's Foods who are anti-alcohol and choose not to sell alcohol to their customers have used the grape as their company logo. Do they not realize that from the juice of the grape, wine is produced? :cheersmf:

I'm assuming they'll keep the Uptown branding at both stores, have you heard any different?

the uptown on covell is a shell of the former great grocery store that it used to be ..

the uptown on covell is a shell of the former great grocery store that it used to be ..

Same with the one on May

the uptown on covell is a shell of the former great grocery store that it used to be ..

Yeah, the whole Calvinist “Holier than thou” BS might work in rural Oklahoma, but it is a disaster near Oak Tree where folks expect the availability of nice bottles like silver oak or rombauer.

Only folks with outstanding products — like Chick Fil A — can get away with it. Hopefully the Pruett’s end up selling to a real operator.

I'm very worried about the future of the 3 stores they took over in OKC.

Probably the best hope would be that Homeland buys out the NW Ex and Edmond locations.

The one in The Village is too close to what has become their flagship store.

Yeah, the whole Calvinist “Holier than thou” BS might work in rural Oklahoma, but it is a disaster near Oak Tree where folks expect the availability of nice bottles like silver oak or rombauer.

Only folks with outstanding products — like Chick Fil A — can get away with it. Hopefully the Pruett’s end up selling to a real operator.

it is really even more than that ..

they removed the butcher counter ... and most the higher end cuts of meat and fish ..

the cheese and prepared foods section is bascily gone .

I do know Harps Food out of Arkansas put in a bid for the three locations but Pruetts outbid them. Harps runs some fairly high end stores right in Walmarts backyard in addition to a lot of more rural country stores. Would have been an interesting alternative universe.

it is really even more than that ..

they removed the butcher counter ... and most the higher end cuts of meat and fish ..

the cheese and prepared foods section is bascily gone .

That's interesting since the Village location recently started selling Wagyu steaks. Haven't tried one yet, but I do prefer Uptown meat to Homeland.

That's interesting since the Village location recently started selling Wagyu steaks. Haven't tried one yet, but I do prefer Uptown meat to Homeland.

maybe i need to go back and give them another try .. my experience is from awhile ago shortly after they took over ..

thank you

I wonder if Jeff Reasor and Reasors team from Tulsa would ever venture into OKC? They have shifted their focus in recent years from a discount store, to more higher end brands, nicer presentation, and prepared meals. Most of their Tulsa stores have reflected this change.

About a decade ago they tried entering into the OKC grocery market with a store at 15th and Bryant, next to Spring Creek, but well…Edmond does what Edmond does with the NIMBY folks.

How shocked will they be when the May store tanks against the numbers that they saw when considering the purchase?

Still will not visit any of their locations due to their beer and wine prohibition. For the record, i do patronize my local liquor retailer as well, but I appreciate the convenience -- and being treated as an adult -- of being able to add wine and beer to my shopping spree. Sorry but the Antlers mentality is not a fit for NW OKC,

Still will not visit any of their locations due to their beer and wine prohibition. For the record, i do patronize my local liquor retailer as well, but I appreciate the convenience -- and being treated as an adult -- of being able to add wine and beer to my shopping spree. Sorry but the Antlers mentality is not a fit for NW OKC,

Same here, but at the Covell location in Edmond. It's the principle of the matter. We used to exclusively shop at UpTown (well minus the large grabs at Costco, etc.) but stopped that once Pruett's came in and raised their prices two, sometimes three fold and only stopped in for last second fresh needs for dinner sometimes. But then they took out all the alcohol and like you, I miss that convenience. I just won't go there anymore.

Same story here. There’s no place for that Puritan style of Bull Sh*t in a market like OKC.

Pruett's has filed for building permits that would involve an extensive remodel of the inside of the store, plus adding an entry to the south facade facing NW Expressway. The main entrance will remain on the west side of the store.

Will be a multi-million project that will completely redo the interior.

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when i see their logo with Grapes I think wine.. but then they don't carry wine in their stores do they?

when i see their logo with Grapes I think wine.. but then they don't carry wine in their stores do they?

No, they don't. No alcohol period.

No, they don't. No alcohol period.

That's why I don't bother visiting their locations.

That's why I don't bother visiting their locations.

i'm in the same boat. i tend to party from time to time, and i'm not going to give my business to those who don't.

^^^ +1

Wonder how they got "Highway 67" for Lake Hefner Parkway. That's Highway 74. Highway 67 is in the Tulsa area.

when i see their logo with Grapes I think wine.. but then they don't carry wine in their stores do they?

Some think "wine", I just think "produce". I live not far from the NW highway location, but go in there only when I need one or two items. Prices are higher than Crest which is where I regularly go. Also Pruett's is not a 24/7 store.

I was in Pruetts today for the first time since the remodel. The produce/deli area is nice. And I don't think I've ever seen so many employees working in a grocery store. Almost every aisle had someone working stocking or rearranging goods. And most looked like 40--50 year old adults, not younger employees you usually see stocking at other grocery stores. And all dressed in the same type nice clothes. It's definitely a nicer store than when it was Buy For Less.

I was in Pruetts today for the first time since the remodel. The produce/deli area is nice. And I don't think I've ever seen so many employees working in a grocery store. Almost every aisle had someone working stocking or rearranging goods. And most looked like 40--50 year old adults, not younger employees you usually see stocking at other grocery stores. And all dressed in the same type nice clothes. It's definitely a nicer store than when it was Buy For Less.

I was in there over the weekend and agree. Place looks great, but the remodel isn’t done yet. Employees there, with one exception, have been very kind/helpful to me since Pruetts took over. I think it’s going to be a great grocery option for the area once the facelift is complete.