Top 5 stores (retail, grocery or otherwise) you wish we had in OKC

[Pete]

I get the obsession with Quick Trip and gas stations in general, as it's used as much or more than a grocery store.

In other words, those are the two places everyone spends most their retailing time and dollars. And in both categories, OKC is abysmal.

Most the time, you only pump gas at the c-store but if it's of the nicer variety, they are darn handy when it comes to using the restroom, getting a drink or a snack, using the ATM, etc.

When I'm in OKC I always stay with my good friend in Oak Tree and I stop at the 7-11 at Danforth & Kelly several times each trip, and it's just a horrific, terrible place. I always mean to plan better but it's convenient and I always end up there for various reasons. Swap that awful place for an OnCue or QT and there would be several interactions a week that are actually pleasant rather than pretty darn lousy.

[Bunty]

I wouldn't be so sure. There will be a massive campaign from the religious right, MADD groups, as well as liquor store owners against any changes. I hope you are right though.

And the law allows a grocery chain to have five stores with wine in the most populous counties in Oklahoma.

I don't remember much of a campaign from both sides of the issue when people were asked to vote yes on allowing liquor stores to open at usual hours on election days.

There are over 20 counties in Oklahoma where liquor by the drink is banned. There hopefully won't be too much opposition from those counties if made clear to residents they don't have to worry about wine being sold in their grocery stores, if they vote don't vote no. Those counties tend to be sparsely populated and don't represent a source of much oppostion, anyway. Of course, liquor store owners will be against it. But if enough people want the convenience of buying wine in grocery stores, they'll ignore the oppositon and vote yes.

People on the right didn't want lotteries and casinos legalized, either but they couldn't stop it from happening.

[Kokopelli]

When Kansas was looking at changing their liquor laws they did it the correct way they based it on research. And they put a good proposal on the ballot unlike the hodgepodge attempts we have had lately.

A research paper prepared by KU business professor Art Hall “Common Sense Reform for Kansas: How updating outdated alcohol laws will grow state revenues and spur economic growth”, offers plenty of positive reasons for updating Kansas liquor laws.

A few highlights from the 19 page paper include;

“Deregulation over time could result in 15,000 new jobs, $340 to $350 million in extra wages, and roughly $72 million in increases tax revenues annually to state and local governments once all the economic adjustments took place.”

“Research suggests Kansas would have 25 percent more grocery stores, 34 percent more convenience stores, and 58 percent fewer liquor stores if his proposal were adopted. This means Kansas could expect 116 more grocery stores, 449 more convenience stores, and 341 fewer liquor stores.”

“Deregulation proposal would help viability of convenience and grocery stores in rural areas."

Here is a link for the full report:

http://www.jobsforkansas.com/wp-cont...1-13-11_D1.pdf

[bluedogok]

I get the obsession with Quick Trip and gas stations in general, as it's used as much or more than a grocery store.

In other words, those are the two places everyone spends most their retailing time and dollars. And in both categories, OKC is abysmal.

Most the time, you only pump gas at the c-store but if it's of the nicer variety, they are darn handy when it comes to using the restroom, getting a drink or a snack, using the ATM, etc.

When I'm in OKC I always stay with my good friend in Oak Tree and I stop at the 7-11 at Danforth & Kelly several times each trip, and it's just a horrific, terrible place. I always mean to plan better but it's convenient and I always end up there for various reasons. Swap that awful place for an OnCue or QT and there would be several interactions a week that are actually pleasant rather than pretty darn lousy.

When driving between Austin and OKC we would usually stop at the QT in Fort Worth and between Denver and OKC we will stop at one north of Wichita if we need to. In OKC I will usually hit the OnCue at Reno & MacArthur on the way out of town.

Back when I lived in OKC (10 years ago) I preferred the 7-11 stores over most of the other options, I still prefer them over the Southland franchised locations but neither Austin nor Denver have a lot of 7-11 locations. I do think even back then they could have used some updating.

[Plutonic Panda]

A Fry's would be nice.

Amen!!! lol

[MadMonk]

When Kansas was looking at changing their liquor laws they did it the correct way they based it on research. And they put a good proposal on the ballot unlike the hodgepodge attempts we have had lately.

A research paper prepared by KU business professor Art Hall “Common Sense Reform for Kansas: How updating outdated alcohol laws will grow state revenues and spur economic growth”, offers plenty of positive reasons for updating Kansas liquor laws.


A few highlights from the 19 page paper include;

“Deregulation over time could result in 15,000 new jobs, $340 to $350 million in extra wages, and roughly $72 million in increases tax revenues annually to state and local governments once all the economic adjustments took place.”

“Research suggests Kansas would have 25 percent more grocery stores, 34 percent more convenience stores, and 58 percent fewer liquor stores if his proposal were adopted. This means Kansas could expect 116 more grocery stores, 449 more convenience stores, and 341 fewer liquor stores.”

“Deregulation proposal would help viability of convenience and grocery stores in rural areas."

Here is a link for the full report:

http://www.jobsforkansas.com/wp-cont...1-13-11_D1.pdf

I wonder how that worked out. I'm all for changing the laws, but I'm always skeptical of predictions of pie-in-the-sky revenue numbers.

[ErnestA]

As for the original topic:

Z Gallerie - Classen Curve
West Elm - Automobile Alley
Room & Board - Automobile Alley
Cosentino's Market - Midtown
H & M - Sheridan in Bricktown

[bradh]

The Edmond one is decent. It's not SW 104th but I would still say its above standard.

NW OKC needs a few of these Crests in a pretty bad way. If that were to happen, the grocery situation would be a lot better in this city and I think most people would stop complaining about it. They should start with the Gaillardia area. A lot of people live there but its a good drive from a grocery store period, let alone a decent one. From there, they should upgrade the existing stores and add another one on NW Expressway and one down in the Penn Square Mall area.

Dude...just go to Buy For Less on Expressway & Portland. It's just as nice if not nicer than the Crest Temple on May & SW 104th everyone is going gaga over.

[bchris02]

Dude...just go to Buy For Less on Expressway & Portland. It's just as nice if not nicer than the Crest Temple on May & SW 104th everyone is going gaga over.

I disagree that it's nicer than the Crest on SW 104th but it is the best in NW OKC (for regular grocery shopping) and that is where I usually shop if I can.

The fact people are so excited about Crest on SW 104th really exemplifies the problem with the grocery market here. That store is STANDARD in other cities, yet people get excited about it here because its far above and beyond what people are used to. It also shows there is a market for better stuff and the people of OKC want better than Wal-Mart or Homeland. Every time I've been to that Crest it's been so packed its almost not worth the hassle.

[bchris02]

As for the original topic:

Z Gallerie - Classen Curve
West Elm - Automobile Alley
Room & Board - Automobile Alley
Cosentino's Market - Midtown
H & M - Sheridan in Bricktown

I agree Classen Curve would be perfect for Z Gallerie. That and a Container Store or Crate & Barrell. Hopefully stuff like that is in the pipes now that it appears Classen Curve is opening itself up to chains.

[bchris02]

When driving between Austin and OKC we would usually stop at the QT in Fort Worth and between Denver and OKC we will stop at one north of Wichita if we need to. In OKC I will usually hit the OnCue at Reno & MacArthur on the way out of town.

Back when I lived in OKC (10 years ago) I preferred the 7-11 stores over most of the other options, I still prefer them over the Southland franchised locations but neither Austin nor Denver have a lot of 7-11 locations. I do think even back then they could have used some updating.

I don't think the gas stations in OKC are that much better or worse than in other places. Maybe because people think of Tulsa where there are QTs on every corner, but most cities have the same gas station brands as OKC does. Circle K is my preference.

[Kokopelli]

I wonder how that worked out. I'm all for changing the laws, but I'm always skeptical of predictions of pie-in-the-sky revenue numbers.

They just changed the laws in 2012 so the jury is still out on the results. Kansas liquor laws differed from OK and other states in that they did not allow Sunday sales of 3.2 beer so Kansas was losing lots of liquor tax revenue to other states. So we probably won't see the tax revenue increase that they did and also why their increase in revenue might seem high.

I like the fact that they did have a study by a respected source, that said study recognized that they could improve the system that they had, that they would lose some businesses and they would gain some. They had information and facts from someone other than lobbies and lobbyist.

I know that town I grew up in (pop 1200) doesn't have a liquor store but has a locally owned grocery store and that the owners would probably add liquor sales if the laws were changed. And that most of the locals would rather support one of their own rather than a business owner located in another town and county.

[Celebrator]

Really all that's missing for my family is Costco. We would REALLY like one of those and then, well, we would be all set around here. The grocery situation vastly improved late in the summer of 2011, and now I don't even feel like I would utilize a Trader Joe's all that much. But Costco, man we would pull our Sam's membership in a heartbeat. I really hope that get serious about being here. Their product mix and quality just match our lifestyle/tastes better than Sam's.

[bchris02]

Really all that's missing for my family is Costco. We would REALLY like one of those and then, well, we would be all set around here. The grocery situation vastly improved late in the summer of 2011, and now I don't even feel like I would utilize a Trader Joe's all that much. But Costco, man we would pull our Sam's membership in a heartbeat. I really hope that get serious about being here. Their product mix and quality just match our lifestyle/tastes better than Sam's.

I believe Costco is already planning on opening in Tulsa. The word is if it does well they will open in OKC. Hopefully if the liquor laws get changed in 2014, that will put a fast track on their OKC plans.

[lasomeday]

1. REI
2. Trader Joe's
3. Costco
4. Cydwoq Shoes (amazing guys shoes)
5. Restoration Hardware

[betts]

Restoration Hardware
CB2

That's all I miss, really.

[ljbab728]

This same subject has been discussed here before.

http://www.okctalk.com/general-civic...-come-okc.html

It's interesting that some of the same stores are still being mentioned and that some from this thread are now here.

[Just the facts]

Holy crap - 30 Wal-marts?

Maybe I need to watch the documentary "Walmart: The high cost of low prices". I have been avoiding it but maybe it is worth a look.

Okay, I finished watching it and let me say - it is not what I thought it was. I was expecting some left-wing hack job about how walmart hates unions (which apparently they do BTW). However, Walmart is the just the poster child for what has gone wrong in America (profits at all cost to satisfy Wall Street). Even the small businesses who have been put out of business by Walmart and were featured in the movie were doing their part to destroy Main St. America - so they won't be getting sympathy from me.

Anyhow, I would like to say this documentary has caused me to boycott Walmart, but I don't shop there anyhow. However, if some of you do shop at Walmart you might want to give this documentary 90 minutes of your time.

[Roger S]

I would like to append my list of.....

1) Sportsman's Warehouse

to include

2) Someplace to get good sausages similar to Siegi's in Tulsa or Kuby's in Dallas.

I just don't understand why it's so hard to find good, fresh or cured, sausages in this town.

[coov23]

People finally hit on it why Kroger isn't here...wine sales. Until the laws get changed they won't touch the place. I could totally see them buying up Homeland, but I see them going for only the newer locations or former Albertson locations. The older, smaller locations would probably be closed or not even purchased.

Wine sales isn't the reason at all. Conway, Arkansas has a Kroger super center and its a dry county. Heck, most of Arkansas is dry and they have 34 Krogers.

[Buffalo Bill]

I just don't understand why it's so hard to find good, fresh or cured, sausages in this town.

Whole Foods has a nice selection of fresh sausages, all in natural casings.

[Mr. Cotter]

Wine sales isn't the reason at all. Conway, Arkansas has a Kroger super center and its a dry county. Heck, most of Arkansas is dry and they have 34 Krogers.

It may not be the only reason, but it's certainly a factor. In Ohio, each voting precinct decides whether or not to allow liquor sales. While living in Dayton, I saw Kroger start to build a building, the precinct voted to ban liquor sales during construction, and then Kroger built a new location 1/4 mile away to be able to sell wine and beer.

[warreng88]

Whole Foods has a nice selection of fresh sausages, all in natural casings.

So does Crest on SW 104th.

[bchris02]

Wine sales isn't the reason at all. Conway, Arkansas has a Kroger super center and its a dry county. Heck, most of Arkansas is dry and they have 34 Krogers.

In Arkansas, Kroger is anchored in Little Rock which is in a wet county that does allow wine sales. Also, believe it or not, Wal-Mart isn't near as entrenched in Central Arkansas as it is OKC.

NW Arkansas however, being Wal-Mart's base, is in a similar position to OKC. They really don't have many quality choices.

[Roger S]

Whole Foods has a nice selection of fresh sausages, all in natural casings.

Yep.... Unfortunately I have yet to find a sausage from Whole Foods that wowed me. Sunflower Market has them also but I wasn't impressed with those either.

Best I have found in OKC come from Bill Kamp's but they have a very limited selection.