Homeland Stores

[swake]

Homeland has around 45 stores.  In NE Oklahoma they are in rural markets.  Was in Cleveland recently and they have a store there.

They are partially owned by the employees, but really they are owned by Associated Wholesale Grocers out of Kansas City, KS.  AWG is a coop owned by their member retailers that wholesales groceries to family owned chains.  Reasors is actually one of their members.

Is that why Reasor's isn't in the Oklahoma City area? Would they effectively be competing with a company they partially own?

[Rookie Okie]

There definitely is a lack of high quality full line grocers serving the greater Tulsa area.  Reasor's the best of the local options is mediocre at best by national standards, and one could go on and on about the growing list of shortcomings at Walmart.   

I have to believe the options were greater and the local market was better served some time ago.  So how did the present situation devolve over the years in Tulsa and Oklahoma in general?  It is mystifying that some of the bigger/ better chains  performing well across the Southwest and South are not clamoring at the bit to expand into Tulsa and OKC, especially in the fast growing higher per capita income towns and zip codes where the opportunity appears ripe for the taking.

[Hoss]

Since we lived at about 14th and Elgin when I was quite young (my kindergarten was at Lincoln Elementary School which is long gone now), I remember many many trips to Sipes on Cherry Street just east of Peoria.  The building is still there.  I also remember a Sipes on Harvard just south of Steve's Sundrys.  Red Bud Grocery was another, they had a store in the shopping center which now houses that damnable flea market at Admiral and Mingo.  I always wondered what happened to those and if they were just bought out or went bankrupt.

[swake]

There definitely is a lack of high quality full line grocers serving the greater Tulsa area.  Reasor's the best of the local options is mediocre at best by national standards, and one could go on and on about the growing list of shortcomings at Walmart.   

I have to believe the options were greater and the local market was better served some time ago.  So how did the present situation devolve over the years in Tulsa and Oklahoma in general?  It is mystifying that some of the bigger/ better chains  performing well across the Southwest and South are not clamoring at the bit to expand into Tulsa and OKC, especially in the fast growing higher per capita income towns and zip codes where the opportunity appears ripe for the taking.

Reasor's varies a lot. A good Reasor's is better than your average national grocer, by quite a bit. The older stores, not so much.

[RecycleMichael]

For those who care. I am doing an environmental tour at the Reasor's at 51st and Harvard next Thursday night at 6:00pm. I am taking a class through the store explaining the greenest products and packages.

Basically, it is me doing an hour long speech with props and some lame jokes.

[Rookie Okie]

Reasor's varies a lot. A good Reasor's is better than your average national grocer, by quite a bit. The older stores, not so much.

There are 2 Reasor's in Owasso, one older and one newer.  Similar layouts and offerings, however, the older store is more drab, not as clean, or in general is not as aesthetically pleasing to shop in as the newer location.  The older Owasso store also reminds me of the 41st store off Hwy 169.

I rarely see crowds at Reasor's and wonder how their margins and sales/ sq ft compare with chains such as Publix, H-E-B, Kroger's etc.  Since they are already well stored in the market, I think they have good upside.  However, I also think that they are missing out on a tremendous opportunity to appeal to and better serve a sizable portion of the local market that expects quality and prefers better variety.  When I have to go to Walmart to find something I can't find at Reasor's (which I've done on several occasions) that's not a good thing.

It will be interesting to see what they do with the former Brookside Food Pyramid which is supposed to sport a different look.   It would be nice to see Reasor's build a few (or expand some existing locations) 100,000 + sq. ft. flagship stores that contain more international foods, expanded fresh meat, seafood, and in store bakeries, more prepared foods, etc...These types of stores are found throughout cities the size of Tulsa.  The standard footprint of Reasor's stores in the 50,000 - 70,000 sq ft range is too small to support these types of amenities.

[nathanm]

How many of those are still around?
I know of one in Collinsville but that's it.

There are still quite a few of them in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.

[Conan71]

There are 2 Reasor's in Owasso, one older and one newer.  Similar layouts and offerings, however, the older store is more drab, not as clean, or in general is not as aesthetically pleasing to shop in as the newer location.  The older Owasso store also reminds me of the 41st store off Hwy 169.

I rarely see crowds at Reasor's and wonder how their margins and sales/ sq ft compare with chains such as Publix, H-E-B, Kroger's etc.  Since they are already well stored in the market, I think they have good upside.  However, I also think that they are missing out on a tremendous opportunity to appeal to and better serve a sizable portion of the local market that expects quality and prefers better variety.  When I have to go to Walmart to find something I can't find at Reasor's (which I've done on several occasions) that's not a good thing.

It will be interesting to see what they do with the former Brookside Food Pyramid which is supposed to sport a different look.   It would be nice to see Reasor's build a few (or expand some existing locations) 100,000 + sq. ft. flagship stores that contain more international foods, expanded fresh meat, seafood, and in store bakeries, more prepared foods, etc...These types of stores are found throughout cities the size of Tulsa.  The standard footprint of Reasor's stores in the 50,000 - 70,000 sq ft range is too small to support these types of amenities.

Shelf space and quick turns on that space are key to survival in the grocery industry.  Reasor's has done a pretty good job trying to keep up with changes in consumer behavior (organics, meats from sources using fewer or no drugs, MIO products).  Some of the older Reasor's have some appearance issues, but other than that, I find them well stocked with about anything the average shopper could want.  They must stock the Owasso stores different than the ones at 15th & Lewis, 17th & Yale, and 41st & Yale, I'm just not quite getting your complaint.  I do know if there is a certain item you want you can request it and usually they will get it for you. (My ex had a thing for Campbell's tomato bisque soup and you couldn't find it anywhere but Reasor's would get it for her.)

My wife and I live in an area that's anything but a food desert (31st & Yale).  In a five mile radius, we have at least three Reasor's, Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Akins, Sprouts, soon to be two WMM (grocer of last resort), and a Save-A-Lot. 

My wife does most of our market shopping, she keeps an eye on circulars and she knows who usually has what she needs.  We don't eat pre-packaged processed crap, so her focus is finding the freshest ingredients with no additives.  Sprouts is killing everyone else on produce prices and selection right now.  You can find bulk grains and even home brewing adjuncts at Natural Grocers.  Whole Foods is a great place to find meats without preservatives and condiments without any acronyms on the label as well as great deli stuff.

[Rookie Okie]

Shelf space and quick turns on that space are key to survival in the grocery industry.  Reasor's has done a pretty good job trying to keep up with changes in consumer behavior (organics, meats from sources using fewer or no drugs, MIO products).  Some of the older Reasor's have some appearance issues, but other than that, I find them well stocked with about anything the average shopper could want.  They must stock the Owasso stores different than the ones at 15th & Lewis, 17th & Yale, and 41st & Yale, I'm just not quite getting your complaint.  I do know if there is a certain item you want you can request it and usually they will get it for you. (My ex had a thing for Campbell's tomato bisque soup and you couldn't find it anywhere but Reasor's would get it for her.)

My wife and I live in an area that's anything but a food desert (31st & Yale).  In a five mile radius, we have at least three Reasor's, Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Akins, Sprouts, soon to be two WMM (grocer of last resort), and a Save-A-Lot. 

My wife does most of our market shopping, she keeps an eye on circulars and she knows who usually has what she needs.  We don't eat pre-packaged processed crap, so her focus is finding the freshest ingredients with no additives.  Sprouts is killing everyone else on produce prices and selection right now.  You can find bulk grains and even home brewing adjuncts at Natural Grocers.  Whole Foods is a great place to find meats without preservatives and condiments without any acronyms on the label as well as great deli stuff.

I'd like to have access to a lot of what is carried in the 5 mile radius of stores near you.  However, the type of full-line flagship supermarkets that I'm talking about will carry most if not all of what you note about Sprouts, Whole Foods, and Natural Grocers.  I'll even through in Fresh Market to your mix.  I just don't have the time to traipse 15 - 20 miles all over town to shop at different stores.

I like soy ice cream and cannot find any at a Reasor's in Owasso or Tulsa.  I did find some at Walmart when I moved here, but they stopped carrying it very soon after.  On a recent Reasor's trip, I was unable to find Canadian bacon, fresh spinach, diet iced tea, a very popular old school hot cereal, and shampoo and Combos (yes the over processed snack item) for a friend.  They weren't out of these products, they must have recently stopped carrying them proclaimed the store personnel after they assisted in my futile search.  No promise was made to carry any of these items in the future, but I now know that I can request items and they will try to get them.

I mentioned that the stores lack variety, but perhaps Oklahoma shoppers may differ with my assertion since it is a relative statement.  To clarify, what is lacking is more brands, more choices/ variations of items, more healthier products of all types (if I want chips - offer no-fat and lower fat options), a deli that not only serves processed deli meats but also carves from unprocessed store baked turkeys, hams, and roasts, and a bakery that serves fresh baked goods instead of the bland crap they put out that upon sight makes you retreat quickly to the packaged snacks aisle.

I've forgotten a lot of what I've missed, but it immediately hits me when I go inside a Publix or Wegmans.  But the fact that I'm now forgetting is perhaps a sign that I'm adjusting.  Reasor's may be keeping up with some trends as you noted, but they are behind in others such offering high quality multi-serve meals, quick prep meals international products and ingredients, and other conveniences and amenities for today's changing consumer needs.

For now, I'd just like some soy ice cream but don't want to go to South Tulsa from Owasso to get it.  Otherwise, I can do O.K. with Reasor's.  There was some mention of another market coming here, but the official who made the announcement wouldn't divulge any details as is common practice.  I suspect it could be Sprouts which would be a good addition.

[RecycleMichael]

For now, I'd just like some soy ice cream...

That is Spanish for "I am ice cream."

[AquaMan]

Since we lived at about 14th and Elgin when I was quite young (my kindergarten was at Lincoln Elementary School which is long gone now), I remember many many trips to Sipes on Cherry Street just east of Peoria.  The building is still there.  I also remember a Sipes on Harvard just south of Steve's Sundrys.  Red Bud Grocery was another, they had a store in the shopping center which now houses that damnable flea market at Admiral and Mingo.  I always wondered what happened to those and if they were just bought out or went bankrupt.

Hoss, I just picked up this thread. I was working retail advertising during the stretch of those grocers. I loved Sipes and thought Red Bud was good too. Sipes was innovative, brand conscious, and aggressive with their advertising and store design. They chose locations where the demographics were upscale, sort of like a large scale Petty's. Unfortunately, Petty's served that market pretty well.

I don't remember the details of Sipes demise but grocers don't have a huge margin and have to keep costs in line and product turning. Make one mistake and it may be the end. Conan was active in advertising back then, so maybe he has more details. Even the grocers who utilized co-op buying through Affliated, IGA etc. felt pinched in the 80's and were purchased or closed. Red Bud took some of Sipes locations, but like most family operated stores found they couldn't keep it together.

When we first moved into our old house, Piggly Wiggly (probably the Sipes you mentioned) was our closest choice for shopping. We loved the ambiance, the personal service and the 1930's feel of the place but parking was awful and the price/selection lacking. You should have seen them try to back tractor trailers into the small alley to the service entrance! We went to the dark side for Safeway in Brookside. The Pig and the nearby Cherry Street Bakery will always be good memories.

Warehouse market (Family Market) is a true family grocer success story. Identified their niche, chose correct locations and stayed true to their demographic for what....85 years?

[Hoss]

Hoss, I just picked up this thread. I was working retail advertising during the stretch of those grocers. I loved Sipes and thought Red Bud was good too. Sipes was innovative, brand conscious, and aggressive with their advertising and store design. They chose locations where the demographics were upscale, sort of like a large scale Petty's. Unfortunately, Petty's served that market pretty well.

I don't remember the details of Sipes demise but grocers don't have a huge margin and have to keep costs in line and product turning. Make one mistake and it may be the end. Conan was active in advertising back then, so maybe he has more details. Even the grocers who utilized co-op buying through Affliated, IGA etc. felt pinched in the 80's and were purchased or closed. Red Bud took some of Sipes locations, but like most family operated stores found they couldn't keep it together.

When we first moved into our old house, Piggly Wiggly (probably the Sipes you mentioned) was our closest choice for shopping. We loved the ambiance, the personal service and the 1930's feel of the place but parking was awful and the price/selection lacking. You should have seen them try to back tractor trailers into the small alley to the service entrance! We went to the dark side for Safeway in Brookside. The Pig and the nearby Cherry Street Bakery will always be good memories.

Warehouse market (Family Market) is a true family grocer success story. Identified their niche, chose correct locations and stayed true to their demographic for what....85 years?

I did read somewhere that in the late fifties/early sixties, Sipes was acquired by Hale-Halsell (of Git-N-Go fame).  I also read the last Sipes to close was in 1992.  Lasted longer than I remembered, but I think the final store was the one cat-a-corner to Saint Francis at 61st and Yale.  Back in the early seventies, that was still considered pretty much out in the country, if I'm not mistaken.

[AquaMan]

Well, not so much country as definitely expanding suburban. The last one I remember closing was 71st and Lewis which still had a grove of pecan trees nearby. Sipes was innovative and thus, ahead of the game in Tulsa. Interesting you mention them related to the founders of Git-N-Go because my first thought was that the Pig next to Lincoln elementary would have made a fine quik trip type store had they been able to expand their parking and access. Zoning was more even more difficult back then than now.

We had a Git-n-Go at 5th and Lewis where I grew up around the mid sixties and it was innovative and well run. It was no surprise to us at Cities Service when the idea of using quik-store concepts was introduced to increase our profitability by adding high margin food products to our low margin fuel sales and eliminate some of our older contracted gasoline stations. Since Cities was quite familiar with Git-N-Go I suspect they got the idea here.

G-N-G dropped the ball in later generations and was eclipsed by Quik Trip. Now, we're practically a one horse town in that respect.

[Tulsa Zephyr]

Since we lived at about 14th and Elgin when I was quite young (my kindergarten was at Lincoln Elementary School which is long gone now), I remember many many trips to Sipes on Cherry Street just east of Peoria.  The building is still there.  I also remember a Sipes on Harvard just south of Steve's Sundrys.  Red Bud Grocery was another, they had a store in the shopping center which now houses that damnable flea market at Admiral and Mingo.  I always wondered what happened to those and if they were just bought out or went bankrupt.

I worked at Sipes Eastgate (Admiral & Memorial) while in high school, first as a bagger, then a stocker, then as assistant produce manager.  I also worked at the 61st and Yale store (which was the busiest grocer in Oklahoma at the time) around 1969 before I got drafted.  Leroy Sipes had his main office on the second floor of the Eastgate store and when we restocked the shelves overnight when the store was locked, we used to sneak up to his office and really felt like we were getting away with something.  I helped open the Sipes "Barn" at 33rd and Memorial and remember what a nice place that was.  Sipes was committed to customer service and quality before it became fashionable.  I remember cruising Pennington's on a Saturday night and seeing Leroy and his wife parked there in his Imperial eating Black-Bottom Pie...Okay...I'm done time-trippin' now   

[patric]

Interesting back story there, I bet....  since WalMart and Warehouse Mkt also have the heavily chlorinated aroma from time to time - have never smelled it from Reasor's....there are worse things you can do to meat than give it a bleach bath....

The smell of the Reasors at 15th & Lewis drives me out.  I dont go in unless im in a hurry, and dont stay to look around.