Vitamin Cottage/ Natural Grocer

[Teatownclown]

If you ask me Vitamin Cottage/Natural Grocer is jumping into a crowded market with some serious competition from Fresh Market and Whole Paycheck.

I hope this is a sign we are all eating healthier.

There's still no substitute for raising your own food, but that's highly impractical for most of us.

Fresh Market is already a dumbed down store with weak legs.

They will hurt Akin's.

[carltonplace]

Swake found a nerve. Very interesting banter above...sure clears some things up.

[davideinstein]

There's a lot of empty space there along 71st. And a lot of turnover in the restaurants. Seems like too many places chasing too few customers.

Awful area for business right now.

[Breadburner]

Who gives a smile....!!

[Teatownclown]

Natural Grocers chain to open southeast Tulsa store in June


By KYLE ARNOLD World Staff Writer
Published: 3/29/2013  1:49 AM
Last Modified: 3/29/2013  7:15 AM

The Natural Grocers store in southeast Tulsa just might become the area's greenest food destination when it opens this summer.

The Lakewood, Colo.-based chain is setting up shop in a 38,000-square-foot space at 9127 E. 71st St., formerly occupied by Linens n' Things. The store is slated to open June 25, said Nancy Flynn, director of marketing for the company.

The store is expected to employ about 20 to 25 people.

Officially called Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, the chain sells only natural and organic products, including produce that is strictly organic-certified and meat from animals raised without antibiotics or hormones. Also, products don't include artificial flavors, preservatives or hydrogenated oils, the company says.

In addition, Natural Grocers doesn't distribute paper or plastic bags, and customers are encouraged to bring their own or use recycled shipping boxes provided by the store.

Natural Grocers, founded in Colorado in 1955 by Margaret and Phillip Isley, has since grown to 67 stores in 13 states. The Isley's grandchildren now run the company.

Flynn said the store carries about 18,000 natural and organic products.

The chain opened a store in Norman in 2011; the Tulsa location will be the second in the state.

Natural Grocers joins a growing number of natural and health food stores that are moving into the Tulsa area with a variety of takes on the health and natural food movement.

Whole Foods is building a second Tulsa store at 91st Street and Yale Avenue that is expected to open next year.

The Fresh Market opened a grocery store at 81st Street and Yale Avenue in 2012 that focuses on high-end grocery items but also includes a large selection of organic products, a fast-growing segment of the grocery industry.

Sprouts Farmers Market is set to open a 25,000-square-foot location at 101st Street and Memorial Drive in Bixby. Sprouts, tagged as a natural food seller, focuses on fresh produce and meat, eschewing prepackaged goods in favor of a "farmer's market feel."

Smaller health food stores and restaurants such as My Fit Foods and Muscle Maker Grill have opened recently to add variety to a segment of the grocery market once dominated by a single Whole Foods store in the Brookside district.

But Natural Grocers takes the strictest definition of the green and healthy eating trend.

The store's philosophy is centered around "natural" foods, and it publishes an extensive list of foods it won't sell on its website. Among those items are chocolate candies, in-house baked goods, wine and liquor, cigarettes and even a fresh meat counter because "many people find the smell of animal blood and flesh is very offensive, as is viewing animal carcasses."

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=53&articleid=20130329_46_E1_CUTLIN23163

cool beans!

[Conan71]

Won't catch me driving that far out there.  If the day ever comes I think I need over-priced supplements, Akins is only a mile away from the Lorton Ranch.

[Hoss]

cool beans!

I avoid the 71st St corridor like the plague.  Liked it so much better when there were only one or two shopping centers out there.

[swake]

Seems like a really bad location. There's direct competition from Akins at 51st and Memorial and 101st and Memorial.  The store is located in high density commercial zone with very few rooftops in the immediate vicinity. With the traffic overload on 71st those competing stores to the north and south will be easier to reach for the large majority of potential customers.

[Red Arrow]

Seems like a really bad location. There's direct competition from Akins at 51st and Memorial and 101st (121st, I think) and Memorial.  The store is located in high density commercial zone with very few rooftops in the immediate vicinity. With the traffic overload on 71st those competing stores to the north and south will be easier to reach for the large majority of potential customers.

I also think it's a "Sprouts" going in at 101st.

[Red Arrow]

I avoid the 71st St corridor like the plague.  Liked it so much better when there were only one or two shopping centers out there.

I liked it even better before Woodland Hills Mall.

[Teatownclown]

Both Whole Foods at 91st and the Natural Grocer are equal distance from my house. I'll keep you posted come fall on my reviews and times if you so desire. I've learned when to go down 71st and when to avoid it. At night headed west from Memorial I can hit every light at 45mph for 4 miles in under 7 minutes on a good night with no plodders. It's all down hill with synchronized lights. BTW, that center has a traffic light on 71st.

For Conan, it would mean hopping on the BA at 31st and Yale going out 169 to 71st street exit...and he's there in 15 minutes and what 5 lights? Problem is, he's not their customer.

I think it adds to our city's livability index having these type of stores finally. The city will be prepared when the sugar/salt/fat mob is exposed and the antibiotic/GMO/hormone additives to meat gang starts to show it's ugly head. I'll let you know, but my guess is they will do fine in south Tulsa...Sprouts/Sunflower too. Akins might want to worry. And the Peoria WF store will be alleviated at least %20 of their current traffic. These are destination stores. Reasors and Food Pyramid are for the "on the way home" customers many who have little time to go out of their way for groceries.

I'd think you'd root for these stores enhancing the possibility that some day they might go to 31st and Harvard or even eventually
to downtown. They just might spread the gospel about good clean self maintenance to our community. They do help make our city more progressive....

[swake]

Both Whole Foods at 91st and the Natural Grocer are equal distance from my house. I'll keep you posted come fall on my reviews and times if you so desire. I've learned when to go down 71st and when to avoid it. At night headed west from Memorial I can hit every light at 45mph for 4 miles in under 7 minutes on a good night with no plodders. It's all down hill with synchronized lights. BTW, that center has a traffic light on 71st.

For Conan, it would mean hopping on the BA at 31st and Yale going out 169 to 71st street exit...and he's there in 15 minutes and what 5 lights? Problem is, he's not their customer.

I think it adds to our city's livability index having these type of stores finally. The city will be prepared when the sugar/salt/fat mob is exposed and the antibiotic/GMO/hormone additives to meat gang starts to show it's ugly head. I'll let you know, but my guess is they will do fine in south Tulsa...Sprouts/Sunflower too. Akins might want to worry. And the Peoria WF store will be alleviated at least %20 of their current traffic. These are destination stores. Reasors and Food Pyramid are for the "on the way home" customers many who have little time to go out of their way for groceries.

I'd think you'd root for these stores enhancing the possibility that some day they might go to 31st and Harvard or even eventually
to downtown. They just might spread the gospel about good clean self maintenance to our community. They do help make our city more progressive....

This store is a lame Akins clone. Akins has been around for decades and actually does have a store at 31st and Harvard

[BKDotCom]

This store is a lame Akins clone.

All 3 are true:

• This store is lame
• Akins is lame
• This store is an Akins clone

[Conan71]

Both Whole Foods at 91st and the Natural Grocer are equal distance from my house. I'll keep you posted come fall on my reviews and times if you so desire. I've learned when to go down 71st and when to avoid it. At night headed west from Memorial I can hit every light at 45mph for 4 miles in under 7 minutes on a good night with no plodders. It's all down hill with synchronized lights. BTW, that center has a traffic light on 71st.

For Conan, it would mean hopping on the BA at 31st and Yale going out 169 to 71st street exit...and he's there in 15 minutes and what 5 lights? Problem is, he's not their customer.

I think it adds to our city's livability index having these type of stores finally. The city will be prepared when the sugar/salt/fat mob is exposed and the antibiotic/GMO/hormone additives to meat gang starts to show it's ugly head. I'll let you know, but my guess is they will do fine in south Tulsa...Sprouts/Sunflower too. Akins might want to worry. And the Peoria WF store will be alleviated at least %20 of their current traffic. These are destination stores. Reasors and Food Pyramid are for the "on the way home" customers many who have little time to go out of their way for groceries.

I'd think you'd root for these stores enhancing the possibility that some day they might go to 31st and Harvard or even eventually
to downtown. They just might spread the gospel about good clean self maintenance to our community. They do help make our city more progressive....

I said before this outfit screwed up by not jumping on the vacant Homeland at Ranch Acres. Better demographics on our end of town. IMO, everyone in Unionville is in love with fast food and craptastic additives. I think it's a lousy location.  People going grocery shopping want to do it close to home, not close to shopping malls, home improvement centers, and in the midst of 150 restaurants within the square mile.  Whomever is doing the real estate work for this outfit is either a moron or getting paid to simply find suitable square footage. This spot as very low consumer appeal for what they sell.  Don't believe me? Look how other supermarkets are situated.

And you are right, I'm not their target customer. I'm a food snob.  I get what I need when I eat it and I don't add useless supplements to my diet. What's the point in pissing gold? 

[Teatownclown]

Better demographics on our end of town.

This spot as very low consumer appeal for what they sell.  Don't believe me? Look how other supermarkets are situated.

And you are right, I'm not their target customer. I'm a food snobjunkie and a meat head.  

You don't know anything about demographics. Other supermarkets are not destination retail like this store is....