Price Cutter to purchase Albertson's stores

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by T-Town Now


The exterior was repainted, the junk in the aisles was cleared out, and the employees now are in general more accommodating than before the sale.

The brunette cashier that is always there still grimaces at me.

[MichaelC]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

The brunette cashier that is always there still grimaces at me.

You hit on her too much.  Or not enough.

From KTUL

quote:
Tulsa - A Tulsa neighborhood is going to lose out when Albertson's sells 23 stores to other grocery chains. The store in north Tulsa will close for good. Residents were thrilled when the store opened five years ago at Pine and Peoria because it helped revitalize the entire area. Now, they worry this could be a huge setback.

A business owner we spoke with says it was a big move when north Tulsa got its first major strip center, anchored by the Albertson's. When it closes, it won't only be harder to get groceries, it could also be harder to keep businesses around.

Barry Wright's business has been open a year and a half. And, while he sells shoes inside, he's more interested in the feet outside.

"It seems to be pretty busy every time I look out there," he says. "Traffic all day, all night."

Foot traffic that keeps his nearby business going. Albertson's was the beginning of retail growth in this area. That led to big changes.

"Trees and landscaping, everything looks good. And new houses -- 200-thousand dollar houses. Something you didn't usually see in north Tulsa."

Now folks in this area feel like they're losing much more than a grocery store.

"I'm very disappointed," says Paul Jackson. "Losing three services if we lose Albertson's, the bank and the pharmacy. And, this store has been a catalyst for other businesses to establish themselves."

But, while this store may be leaving, the city says it won't stay vacant for long.

"I've already been on the phone talking to commercial developers and other grocers to get them data and info they need to consider that site or another site in North Tulsa," says Mayor Kathy Taylor.

The city just finished a study to recruit business to north Tulsa. And, while the closing might be a setback, it's not the end of progress.

"It's important this store stays open," says Terry Baccus. "If not Albertson's, something."

The store is expected to close by August fifth. We spoke with the Price Cutter brand who purchased several of the other Albertson's to find out why not this one. They said they chose the nine that were the best fit for their family stores.

The north Tulsa Albertson's has 99 employees. They will be able to interview for jobs with the companies that bought the other Albertson's stores.

[Conan71]

Sounds like other chains are saying that store wasn't making money in a polite way.

Warehouse Market might be a perfect fit for this store location.  They seem to do well in areas that other grocers consider "too depressed" to make their business model work.

North Tulsa is very under-served in many ways.  West Tulsa is a close second.

[MichaelC]

From KTUL

quote:Tulsa - Nine Oklahoma supermarkets and three gas stations that have been known as Albertson's will soon have new names -- Food Pyramid and Pyramid Express.


Six of the supermarkets and one of the fuel centers is located in Tulsa. They were recently purchased by Springfield, Missouri-based RPCS, Inc.

The first six Food Pyramid stores will open today with the others changing over by Friday. Officials say customers will notice several immediate changes, including reduced prices on nearly 10-thousand items and an upgrade in beef quality from USDA Select to include USDA Choice and USDA Prime.

"The new store identity is more than a name or sign change," says RPCS President and CEO Erick Taylor. "It is a customer promise to provide high-quality products at a reasonable price and to carry that customer commitment into the local community."

Other improvements that will be made gradually include plans for full-service Starbucks locations, a three-dollar prescription program in all store pharmacies, expanded bakery and deli departments, larger selections of natural, organic and international foods and fresh sushi.

The locations of the Food Pyramid stores are 3328 E. 51st St., 4818 E. 80th St. South, 7990 E. 51st St., 3915 S. Peoria, 10122 S. Memorial Dr. and 11214 E. 71st St. South in Tulsa, 2501 S.E. Washington Blvd. in Bartlesville, 2005 N. 14th, Suite 110 in Ponca City and 421 N. Main in Stillwater.

Pyramid Express fuel centers locations are 7990 E. 51st St. in Tulsa, 2501 S.E. Washington Blvd. in Bartlesville and 421 N. Main in Stillwater.

[sgrizzle]

Judging on the name, does that mean that if I just want a pint of ice cream I'll also have to buy two apples, 3 carrots, a loaf of bread and some chicken?

[MichaelC]

You eat that crap?  My food pyramid consists of sugar, meat, and caffeine.




caffeinated cow cookies!

[Rowdy]

I cannot believe (or can I) that we have a supermarket chain here now called FOOD PYRAMID.  If they are going to go that far, they should put giant statues of Sphinxs out front and every bagger wear heavy eyeliner.

"Where's the Pop Tarts located"?
"Down the Nile Aisle Sir".

"What cereal goes good with Pop Tarts"?
"Try our Mummy Yummies Sir".

[MichaelC]

From Tulsa World

[NellieBly]

All grocery stores should be called Piggly Wiggly. I just love that name.

[sgrizzle]

I thought it's interesting that the name applies to Oklahoma stores only.

[RecycleMichael]

I like pyramid-shaped food.

I am a big fan of pizza slices and consider candy corn to be a "food of the gods".

[Rowdy]

[sgrizzle]

I tried one out today. They only closed a few hours for changeover but it's obvious they have a ton of work. They were still pricing things, they had a lot of bare shelves, and most of the stuff still said "albertson's" on it. I'll wait on making any judgements for a month or two once they get things sorted out.