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Title: Whole Foods Post by: Kenosha on December 20, 2006, 10:25:32 am I've heard from reliable sources that Whole Foods Market is currently negotiating with Wal-Mart to occupy their old 91st and Memorial store. Don't know how far along the negotiations are, or if Wal-mart will allow it, but it is interesting nonetheless.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: tulsa1603 on December 20, 2006, 10:59:32 am quote: I love that store...too bad about the 91st and Memorial location, though... Title: Whole Foods Post by: Dana431 on December 20, 2006, 11:35:04 am Cool! www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Title: Whole Foods Post by: aoxamaxoa on December 20, 2006, 11:50:49 am Broker puffery...don't believe this rumor.
Whole Foods will come here someday when grocery store lobby overtakes Parkhill et al and the wholesellers... State is working on it but I fear this is a ways off.... Whole Foods rocks! Title: Whole Foods Post by: Double A on December 20, 2006, 01:40:41 pm I'm a little skeptical of this because I'm under the impression that Whole Foods primarily tends to build new locations. Plus, they generally don't locate in states where they can't sell wine in their stores. It would be cool though.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: perspicuity85 on December 20, 2006, 02:29:43 pm quote: Is the state really working on that? Do you have any specific information? Oklahoma's laws concerning alcohol are extremely ignorant. In the longrun, all they do is cost people more money. Since we brought this up, I would just like to say that I believe 3.2 beer actually promotes alcoholism more than regular(5% on average) beer. The fact is, there are many respectable law-abiding citizens who occasionally just want to get a little bit drunk. If they have to drink several beers to do that, then drinking several beers becomes a habit. Since alcoholism is based on habituation, making a habit out of drinking more drinks is more likely to result in alcoholism. It also leads people to believe they can continue to drink more, long after they're highly intoxicated, which can lead to alcohol poisoning. Furthermore, I learned in a health/fitness class in college that 3.2 beer is absorbed better and faster by the body than regular beer because it has more fillers. So, in the longrun, the body will absorb about as much alcohol from 3.2 beer as it will from regular beer. I can't believe Oklahoma grocery stores can't sell wine. There is an obvious difference in the average wine customer and the average person going out to get hammered. It's not like you're going to see a bunch of guys at a frat party funneling pinot grigio! Title: Whole Foods Post by: aoxamaxoa on December 20, 2006, 02:35:39 pm There are individuals in state government who would like to see this changed but are fully aware of who holds the keys.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: sgrizzle on December 20, 2006, 02:58:41 pm quote: I'd tend to think a store that specializes in organic foods wouldn't be completely tied up in liquor laws. This rumor has circulated before, not a specific location though. We'll see how it pans out. Title: Whole Foods Post by: RecycleMichael on December 20, 2006, 03:58:48 pm I will start eating natural foods when people stop dying of natural causes.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: SXSW on December 20, 2006, 07:24:28 pm Sadly I don't think we'll see Whole Foods until groceries allow wine/beer in their stores. That could be as early as 2008 if it makes it onto the ballet as a state question. I would love to see a new highrise condo tower downtown or uptown with an urban Whole Foods on the ground level. Now THAT would be cool.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: traveler on December 20, 2006, 10:24:22 pm Not precisely on topic -- checked with a wine store franchise that specializes in wines under $25. Can't do it in Oklahoma because of our "interesting" liquor laws -- don't look for Whole Foods any time soon...[xx(]
Title: Whole Foods Post by: Kenosha on December 20, 2006, 11:18:33 pm The wine thing is really not the major deterrent for Whole Foods. Philadelphia and Minneapolis both have the same restrictions on liqour and wine as Tulsa.
The major deterrents are demographics and economy. Title: Whole Foods Post by: azbadpuppy on December 22, 2006, 11:11:08 am quote: Absolutely true. It has very little to do with being able to sell wine/beer and much more to do with economic factors and suitable locations. The northeast states have crazier liquor laws than OK and they have Whole Foods and Trader Joes without them being able to sell alcohol. Title: Whole Foods Post by: okcpulse on December 22, 2006, 12:23:31 pm A group known as Oklahomans for Modern Laws will be circulating a petition this year to get the state question on the 2008 general election ballot. Support this group in anyway you can for change in Oklahoma.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: sgrizzle on December 22, 2006, 01:48:02 pm quote: No, but they will funnel boones farm. Just an FYI, it's the alcohol that's considered the addictive component. Drinking more filler isn't having that much of an effect. With nearby states like Louisiana which have laws so overly lax that the governor has said they're stupid, they have an out of control DUI and alcohol use has had an effect on other areas. Oklahoma can't even manage to keep up with enforcement of tobacco laws, what makes you think increasing the locations alcohol is sold is going to do. I am not going to support the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent in overhead and enforcement to change a law just to avoid shopping at two stores. The "we have to buy everything in one place" mentality is killing Tulsa enough as it is. Title: Whole Foods Post by: OKC_Shane on December 22, 2006, 02:51:35 pm The law will be modified to allow liquor sales in grocery stores, somehow. At least allow variations for places like Whole Foods who choose to open in Tulsa or OKC. I don't really believe the rumor about 91st and Memorial though; Whole Foods likes an urban location.
The law will be changed, probably soon. I know that almost every group in OKC from neighborhood organizations to the city council and mayor have a downtown specialty grocer like Whole Foods at the top of their list, and they're all pushing to have the law changed. Title: Whole Foods Post by: SXSW on December 22, 2006, 03:01:11 pm ^ Yeah I could care less about having strong beer/liquor at convenience stores like in a lot of states but it just makes sense to have a selection at grocery stores. Changing the law so that groceries could carry strong beer/wine would open the door for Whole Foods, Central Market, and Trader Joe's. Even though there might only be a couple of these stores built, and only in OKC and Tulsa (maybe Edmond or Norman in time), it would be nice to have a larger variety of stores. I will still go to my local liquor store to buy most of my alcohol.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: aoxamaxoa on December 22, 2006, 05:06:32 pm A significant amount of noise seems to be coming from the local Wild Oats store.
From my recent inquiries, there is one thing for certain. Whole Foods has come to town several times in the past decade to check us out. Serious inquiries were made to the King sisters long before they commenced their redevelopment at 61st and Yale. Another corner there? Does that explain some of the rumors? Another fact, they must grow. Let's all stay tuned. Nothing is imminent but one never knows.... Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah..... Title: Whole Foods Post by: Steve on December 24, 2006, 12:24:31 am quote: I agree. I don't know much about this Whole Foods business, but it sounds like an over priced food store that trades on pretention and cache. If you can't find what you want at a grocery in Tulsa now, then you are just to darn picky and influenced by hype. Shop at Reasors or your locally owned grocery of choice and your local liquor store for alcoholic beverages, and to heck with Whole Foods. Title: Whole Foods Post by: Double A on December 24, 2006, 11:47:52 am Knowing Oklahoma we'll probably have to be the last state in the nation to still have these restrictive liquor laws before their changed(tattoing anyone?). I do think this initiative petition is the best shot of making it happen sooner. I have much more faith in the wisdom of the voters than our elected officials on this issue. What I don't understand is why a charter city like Tulsa couldn't change the laws within Tulsa? Could you imagine the increase of taxes collected in Tulsa if it were the only city in the state where you can buy six point beer and wine in the grocery stores? Maybe our legislators would do well to turn this issue over to local governments and let their constiuents decide whether they want this or not?
Title: Whole Foods Post by: okcpulse on December 24, 2006, 10:33:48 pm In actuality, Double A, Oklahoma will not be the last state to modify these laws. Do you see the state of Utah allowing supermarkets to sell wine? Won't happen for YEARS. Utah won't even allow liquor stores to be privately owned, and Utah liquor sores cannot carry cold beverages, and franchising is not allowed. Utah is the bastion of the remnants prohibition, not Oklahoma.
Will Colorado change their laws soon? They are still a 3.2 state. Colorado's not even focused on wine in grocery stores. They just want to buy liquor on Sundays. How about Kansas? The majority of Kansas counties still prohibit liquor by the drink. Pennsylvania? Sheesh, they still prohibit you from buying a six-pack. It's a case minimum per purchase. No alcohol in grocery stores either. Title: Whole Foods Post by: Steve on December 26, 2006, 05:09:23 pm quote: You're right okcpulse. If Whole Foods really wanted to operate in Oklahoma and sell wine and/or liquor, they could open a food store with a liquor store right next door. Look at all the liquor stores in Tulsa that have a "beverage store" right next door to sell soda, mixers, cigs & cigars, etc. The only restriction is that you have to walk outside the liquor store and go into the beverage mart a few feet down. Silly, yes, but no great big inconvience to the consumer. Just a way to get around the restrictions of liquor stores not being able to sell non-alcohol products. As far as I know, there is no restriction on the Whole Foods corporation owning a retail liquor license in Oklahoma, they would just have to have their retail liquor outlet physically separate (if only by a few feet) from their grocery business, with access restricted to not allow minors. Anyone correct me if I am wrong. I know individuals own package store licenses in OK, but I am not familiar with the regs on corporate licenses. Can a corporation have a retail package store license for multiple locations in OK, as long as they comply with all other restrictions? That I do not know. Title: Whole Foods Post by: aoxamaxoa on December 26, 2006, 10:36:00 pm I know individuals own package store licenses in OK, but I am not familiar with the regs on corporate licenses. Can a corporation have a retail package store license for multiple locations in OK, as long as they comply with all other restrictions? That I do not know. [/quote] I do not think so. Many family owned liquor chains do it under seperate family member names, but I do not see corporate package store chains per se. Title: Whole Foods Post by: bigdtottown on December 29, 2006, 08:59:12 am Traveler,
You wouldn't be referring to Best Cellars would you? My wife and I have been enjoying their store in Dallas (Knox Henderson) for years but I was told the other night that a law had to be changed in Dallas specifically to allow the sale of alcohol on the same premisise as it was being consumed, in fact Dallas is the only Best Cellars that allows it. On topic though, Central Market is REALLY nice as well. I also don't understand why some get so worked up over a higher end grocery store. I've found they a NOT more expensive if you compare apples to apples, literally. If you want some hard to find fruit or seasoning sure, that may cost more. We were sad to see The Market go but I got the impression they were not really all that high quality, in spite of appearances. We also really liked Wild Oats...that's the best smelling grocery store I've ever been in and their sandwiches are awesome. Title: Whole Foods Post by: ttown_jeff on December 29, 2006, 09:20:34 am Does anyone know? Does Whole Foods sell Organic Velveeta? How about All Natural Spam?
Do they take food stamps, too? Or can you only redeem food stamps on Totino's pizza rolls and pop tarts? Speaking of beer, does anyone know if they still make Meisterbrau? Now that's a goooood durnk, eh, I mean drunk! I thought everyone knew why the have 3.2 beer. They rounded up 3.14159265. Okies luv pie! Title: Whole Foods Post by: Steve on December 29, 2006, 04:58:07 pm quote: I do not think so. Many family owned liquor chains do it under seperate family member names, but I do not see corporate package store chains per se. [/quote] I was in my "neighborhood" liquor store on Wed. (Blue Ridge Spirits at 31st & Sheridan) and I got into a discussion with the proprietor about OK liquor laws. He is all for keeping things as is. I asked him about allowing liquor stores in OK to be open on Sundays, and he said he was dead against it; he said if it ever came to a vote, he would encourage all his customers to vote against it. My take is that most all liquor stores in OK are family owned, or individually owned, so laws regarding days and hours of operation tend to "level the playing field." The store owner said he likes having a mandatory day off; most small liquor stores are run by the owner or family, and they don't want to be open 7 days a week. You can't blame them for that as most of us enjoy our days off. If he could be open on Sundays but chooses not to, and the store down the street is open, he will eventually loose business. Seems current OK liquor laws favor the small business owner and not the big mass marketer and retail chains. This was probably one of the intents when the laws were written in 1959, and I don't see it as necessarily a bad thing. Title: Whole Foods Post by: ky on December 29, 2006, 09:09:25 pm [:O]whole food sit just a gimick to get people who think they will live 10 years longer if they eat that crap!! but then they keep smoking their ciggarettes. It wont help. But actually I think its just another rumor to get people talking we do live in Oklahoma the last state to allow anything!!!
Title: Whole Foods Post by: ttown_jeff on December 29, 2006, 09:41:37 pm I'm goin' back to my noodlin' hole an' catch me a big ol' fish. Shoot, we can' even get drunk no more.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: okcpulse on December 30, 2006, 07:42:49 pm ky, I disagree. Oklahoma isn't the last state to allow anything. Granted, we were almost the last state regarding several issues. But try Utah. They still don't allow standalone bars and clubs that serve nothing but liquor. You still have to ask for a membership card at a restaurant.
There is absolutely no gambling in Utah, except for the dog track. Even Alaska and Hawaii ban all forms of gambling. Title: Whole Foods Post by: ky on December 31, 2006, 08:55:03 pm [8D]we are so far in the dark ages we have just now out of all the states allowed tattoo's. how stupid is that. I think its a personal choice wheither to drink I do think the staff should monitor how many drinks they have served and if they serve too many and let someone leave drunk they should be held accountable for what becomes of the accidents or arrest afterwards.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: Aa5drvr on January 03, 2007, 01:33:20 pm Who needs another Whole Foods? Daylight Donuts is based here and has been in the Hole Food Market for years!
Title: Whole Foods Post by: traveler on January 03, 2007, 04:07:24 pm quote: Actually it's VINO100. And to another poster about having "beverage" stores next door -- true, but I just don't have my stuff together, keep running out of wine on Sunday afternoons when said stores MUST be closed. Title: Whole Foods Post by: aoxamaxoa on January 15, 2007, 09:05:42 pm It looks like they are not coming here.
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/newstores.html The Whole Foods Story from msn/slate Why the elite supermarket's stock is tanking, and why it shouldn't be. By Daniel Gross Posted Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at 6:52 PM ET To start with, Whole Foods enjoys a rate of same-store sales growth that virtually any other retailer would envy. According to its most recent quarterly earnings release, same-store sales rose a very healthy 8.4 percent. Yes, that's below the average rate of the past five years. And, yes, older stores are growing more slowly than new ones. But growth at stores open for more than 11 years was 7.3 percent—more than twice the rate of national economic growth. Unlike most food retailers, Whole Foods enjoys excellent margins. For the 2006 fiscal year, operating income as a percentage of sales was 5.7 percent. At Kroger, by contrast, it was 3.4 percent. Whole Foods is also a beneficiary of some of the most significant trends affecting retailers. In a nation increasingly divided between retail haves and retail have-nots, Whole Foods—aka Whole Paycheck—is the big-box retailer to the legions of free-spending rich. Well-heeled professionals who enjoy choosing among eight different types of shrimp, or who love to scoop expensive curries from the Indian prepared food bar, continue to do quite well and have cash to spend. Whole Foods is also a destination for New Luxury trading-uppers, sophisticates who pinch pennies on staples but splurge on items such as Meyer lemons and bresaola. And while it is a large big-box retailer—187 stores, 2006 sales of $5.6 billion—Whole Foods generally doesn't engender the type of resistance that hinders the expansion of many category killers. Grocery stores tend to be messy, waste-producing, low-wage establishments. Whole Foods, which pays above-market wages and benefits, is generally welcomed with open arms and makes an excellent anchor for upscale shopping, housing, and mixed-use developments. But the best bull case for Whole Foods lies in the trend described in The United States of Arugula, the fine history of American foodies by David Kamp. Slowly but surely, Americans are trading in iceberg lettuce for arugula, mache, and mesclun, Wonder Bread for baguettes, Crisco for lardo. And as much as the culture of food snobbery may seem advanced in New York, San Francisco, and Seattle, it is still in its relative infancy in the vast spaces in between the coasts. "I think the whole idea of good food and gourmet eating has begun to transcend the PBS-store bag toter," says Kamp. Costco, he notes, doesn't merely sell enormous jars of Hellman's mayonnaise, it also stocks sashimi-grade tuna and excellent wines. Organic is shedding its earthy-crunchy stereotype, and quality foods are shedding their Bobo geographical restrictions. Given that, says Kamp, "I think they can succeed beyond the yuppie liberal enclaves and the university towns." The great challenge for a rapidly growing national chain is to continue to expand without cannibalizing existing stores. Whole Foods doesn't seem to be in much danger of doing that. Its list of stores in development shows the company has an ambitious expansion schedule. Whole Foods plans to open more than 80 new outlets. Yes, it is setting up shop in some predictable places: Madison, Wisc.; Park Slope in Brooklyn. But the list also includes plenty of virgin territory, places where Whole Foods won't compete with itself or with other high-end food purveyors: Birmingham, Ala.; Boise, Idaho; Glastonbury, Conn.; Sugarland, Texas; Richmond, Va.; and Manhattan's Lower East Side. Whole Foods also plans to open its first store in London next year. If the dollar remains weak, that store alone would be a huge contributor to rising profits. Title: Whole Foods Post by: rwarn17588 on January 15, 2007, 09:17:33 pm It's gonna be tough for the so-called organic food market chains in the coming years, simply because other grocery chains are catching on and supplying organics, too -- often at competitive prices.
I've seen organic food in SuperTarget, Dierbergs and even in Wal-Marts. More organic food is getting out there. I see it as a good thing. Title: Whole Foods Post by: Steve on January 17, 2007, 01:26:37 pm quote: Just a historical footnote, Oklahoma has not always outlawed tattoos until recently. Tatooing was legal in OK until around 1963, and was outlawed at that time presumably for health reasons. As we all know the ban has been recinded, but Oklahoma only outlawed this from 1963-2006, not since statehood. Title: Whole Foods Post by: SoonerRiceGrad on January 19, 2007, 02:31:31 am quote: How does this article have any implications that suggest that they aren't in negotiations for Tulsa? I am skeptical though, because before this rumor I had heard that they were in negotiations at Tulsa Hills. I know there won't be two Whole Foods in Tulsa for a while at least... BUT SERIOUSLY!! Boise, Id?? Birmingham, Al?? Come on! Title: Whole Foods Post by: okieinla on January 19, 2007, 04:14:43 am Approx. 69 new Whole Foods stores in development. None of which will be located in Tulsa - or Oklahoma for that matter.
They won't comment on potential locations, but if folks sent them emails (i just did) asking for a store in Tulsa it could help push any negotiations in Tulsa's favor. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/contact/contact.html Title: Whole Foods Post by: aoxamaxoa on January 19, 2007, 11:05:59 am quote: you're kidding aren't you? Title: Whole Foods Post by: Steve on January 19, 2007, 10:49:12 pm So Whole Foods may never have a store in Tulsa or in Oklahoma. What is the big deal? Is there any necessary product that they sell that you can't find in any other retail outlet in Tulsa? Whatever their reasons are for not doing business here, so be it. I think we will survive just fine without them.
Seen the recent news stories on "organic" foods? Seems "organic" is just a marketing label to sucker folks into paying twice as much as they should. Title: Whole Foods Post by: pmcalk on January 20, 2007, 09:19:04 am quote: There lies quite a conundrum for those of us environmentally conscious--most who eat organic are also supporters of sustainability, which places a heavy emphasis on buying locally. So which is better--buying organic from Walmart, or non-organic from Reasors? Milk from Braums, which only travels 100 miles, or Milk from a Wisconsin organic farm? It's enough to make your head explode. For me, I tend to choose local over organic. I think the food is better that way. Which is why I don't think its a big deal if Whole Foods ever comes or not. I cook a lot, buy my foods from local merchants, and haven't had any difficulty finding anything. Still, I support selling wine & beer in grocery stores. From what I have observed, cities that do so have better selections, and cheaper prices. Title: Whole Foods Post by: RecycleMichael on January 20, 2007, 10:34:21 am You can have both...
Here is a local organic source. http://www.threespringsfarm.com/about_us.html I also highly recommend this group. http://www.oklahomafood.coop/ Title: Whole Foods Post by: waterboy on January 20, 2007, 10:45:51 am quote: Title: Whole Foods Post by: okieinla on January 20, 2007, 05:13:16 pm you're kidding aren't you? [/quote] I believe if a company purposely adds something like "location suggestions" to a drag down as part of their website, research/developemnt depts. would take those suggestions into consideration. Otherwise, what's the point of making that element. Paying attention to consumer feedback/suggestions is smart business. When Whole Foods decides to open a store in Oklahoma, will you be disappointed if it happens in OKC instead of Tulsa? Yeah, yeah ...maybe my 1 little email won't go far and the notion naive to some, but if there were 20, 30 or more.. Title: Whole Foods Post by: okieinla on January 20, 2007, 05:16:16 pm quote: I don't think it's a necessary product that draws people to Whole Foods. It's more of a statement and a belief that purchases made are making a contribution to a healthy lifestyle for themselves and others. Whole Foods donates part of their profits to local charities, one of Fortune 100's greatest places to work and makes huge contributions towards renewable energy. It would be nice to see Tulsa a part of this growing trend. I did see that Wal-mart is under fire for mislabeling produce as organic. But it's not just "organic" labeling that is suckering folks. Following consumer interests and marketing products w/ sneaky tactics in the hopes you'll buy it is big business. Cha-Ching Whole wheat/whole grain, 100% fruit juice, No MSG and Sugar Free are a few that come to mind. Geez, it's becoming increasing difficult to know what the heck I'm buying these days. Title: Whole Foods Post by: Leah on January 24, 2007, 02:22:11 pm quote: Title: Whole Foods Post by: MichaelC on February 21, 2007, 06:18:19 pm Whole Foods to acquire Wild Oats.
Marketwatch (http://"http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/whole-foods-acquire-rival-wild/story.aspx?guid=%7B7068D3A7%2D6BF0%2D4CC9%2DB3C2%2D674B394953F0%7D&dist=morenews") "Whole Foods said it expects to make significant investments in remodeling stores before eventually re-branding them as Whole Foods Market stores." Title: Whole Foods Post by: sgrizzle on February 22, 2007, 07:50:05 am For everyone who said Whole Foods was coming to Tulsa, you just earned a gold star.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: pmcalk on February 22, 2007, 08:40:31 am I am sorry to see yet another chain gobbled up by Whole Foods. When they took over Fresh Fields in Virginia, the quality went down. I hope that doesn't happen with Wild Oats. Anyway, I will be glad when the Farmer's Market opens again and I can get local & organic (Three Springs is my favorite).
Title: Whole Foods Post by: RecycleMichael on February 22, 2007, 08:58:10 am Three Springs is great, I agree. I worked with Emily when she was a high schooler, watching her organize the city youth into environmentalists a decade ago. We wouldn't have so much going on here without people like her.
I also think that buying locally grown, direct from the farm is always the best choice. Whole Foods is an interesting chain. I hope they see potential in this market and open a few more locations in the metro area. The interest in organic and healthier eating is not going away. I predict that every grocery will expand their organic choices. Wal-Mart is now the leading purchaser of organic cotton clothing in the world. It is predicted that they will become the largest purchaser of organic produce in the world this spring. How do retailers stay competitive when a gorilla like Wal-Mart decides to go after their market niche? They consolidate. Stay tuned. Title: Whole Foods Post by: Kenosha on February 23, 2007, 11:16:36 am neener neener neener.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: Double A on February 25, 2007, 04:21:01 pm quote: Whole Foods is buying Wild Oats. Title: Whole Foods Post by: sgrizzle on February 25, 2007, 06:31:18 pm quote: Yeah, see like 5 posts above this one.. from 4 days ago... [:D] Title: Whole Foods Post by: RecycleMichael on February 25, 2007, 07:23:47 pm I heard that Whole Foods is buying Wild Oats.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: waterboy on February 25, 2007, 07:27:46 pm quote: Isn't Disneyland buying Turley? Title: Whole Foods Post by: Double A on February 25, 2007, 08:43:15 pm D'oh.
Title: Whole Foods Post by: hoodlum on February 26, 2007, 07:36:09 pm The wild oats store in Tulsa was the chain's highest grossing store.
The only reason i know this is that our firm does work with grocery stores, including the wild oats here in town. in my experience Whole Foods is a bigger and better version of wild oats. the ones in Denver, Kansas City and Austin are incredible. Title: Whole Foods Post by: buzz words on March 26, 2008, 08:44:21 am Wow?
Title: Whole Foods Post by: Composer on March 26, 2008, 09:59:42 am Whole Foods is really big up here in Boston, MA
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