Are you loyal to Tulsa / Oklahoma Owned Companies?

[zstyles]

When you make a purchase do you consider going to a "big box store" or a local owned store?

When you are traveling..do you rent from perhaps a car rental company that is based in Tulsa?

When you are buying groceries..do you go to Walmart...or a local store like Reasors...

When dining out..do you prefer to go to a chain..or when you can make an effort to eat at somewhere local...

[cannon_fodder]

"Loyal" would not be the word I use, but I prefer Tulsa/Oklahoma based companies.  Just as I prefer American made cars (but drive a Pathfinder made in Nagasaki).  I shop for groceries at Reasor's 85% of the time.  I grab milk and bread from Braum's pretty frequently.  I enjoy Perry's and Harvard Meats.   Midtown hardware is prefered to Lowe's. When I rent a car, I try to rent from Dollar/Thrifty. I prefer local restaurants to chains and insist upon it with company (don't travel 800 miles and go to Applebee's!).

BUT, if they don't have what I want or can not compete on price (or otherwise compensate with service or quality) - then I'll go elsewhere.  They basically get the right of first refusal I guess.

[sgrizzle]

I like to buy and eat local as much as I can but I won't do so if it costs substantially more and/or is of lower quality.

[Conan71]

Yeah, what they said...

+1

Especially when it comes to restaurants.  I much prefer local or a chain based out of our area.  I'm also a little neighborhood-centric.  I would guess about 50% to 75% of my total discretionary expenditures are spent within a three mile radius of my house.  Probably 1/2 that amount is spent within a mile radius.

[Hoss]

I hate to admit it, but I shop for my groceries usually at either Wallyworld, or at Warehouse Market (I guess the latter is local).  Reasors is just too damned expensive for me.  They're almost as bad as Albertson's used to be.  Warehouse Market is getting more comparable in price to Wal Mart, but the big boxes can leverage prices.  When I'm paying $4 a gallon in gas and food prices are shooting through the roof, every little bit helps.

I do tend to go to locally owned restaurants though over chains (Rons, La Mansion and some others).

[naenae42day]

I would also agree that I prefer local to chain in all choices.  I always look for the local business man, try to make a reasonable choice, then decide.  Similarly, I am trying to the the same 'Green' wise.  I try to get the bio degradable/recycled organic choices first, even if they are more expensive, but if it just isn't an option, I will get a name brand.

[Steve]

I don't intentionally "buy Oklahoma," but having lived in Tulsa for 50+ years, some habits are ingrained.

I do 90% of my grocery shopping at Reasor's, the other 10% at Warehouse Market when they have a particularly good special.  I never patronize WalMart or Neighborhood Market, out of my distaste for the Walton organization.

There are certain Oklahoma products I will always buy.  Griffin jams, jellies, and syrups.  I have never bought any pancake/waffle syrup but Griffins.  Grew up with it and continue the tradition to this day.  Griffin Stawberry Preserves are another 50+ year staple in my household.

I am also partial to Oklahoma Bar-S hot dogs and lunch meat products.  Cheaper than national brands and much better, IMO.  I love Bar-S frozen corn dogs (a really guilty pleasure for me.)  I always have a box in my freezer.

[Breadburner]

Head Country BBQ sauce.....

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

Head Country BBQ sauce.....

+ 1

And Choc beer.  Soon to add Marshall beer to the mix.   It's to be able to go to Harvard Meats and get some Oklahoma Buffalo, some Oklahoma BBQ sauce, and some OK beer.  All in the spirit of things.  []

[RecycleMichael]

I like to buy local whenever possible as well.

But there are good things that don't come from around here.

Coconuts, bottle rockets, and lobster are just a few.

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I like to buy local whenever possible as well.

But there are good things that don't come from around here.

Coconuts, bottle rockets, and lobster are just a few.

WHERE are you finding Bottle Rockets??

[RecycleMichael]

All the fireworks stands on I 44 in Missouri sold them.

They were amazingly cheap. 25 gross (3600) were $35. Less than a penny a piece.

[PonderInc]

I definitely try to "go local" and stay small when possible.  At a minimum, I'll shop at the local places first, and if they don't have what I want, I'll look somewhere else.  But I try to buy from the locals before I move on to the generic chains / big boxes.  This rule strongly applies to restaurants (food is always better anyway), hardware stores, bookstores, and grocery stores.

Toothpaste and deodorant?  Target.

[Breadburner]

I like Braums quite a bit...You can also get local honey at Akins....

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

All the fireworks stands on I 44 in Missouri sold them.

They were amazingly cheap. 25 gross (3600) were $35. Less than a penny a piece.

Do they still have Crazy Debbies near Joplin?  I always got a kick out of the name of that company..