Homeland store remodel on Classen has delays, but plans still in place – Red Dirt Report

OKLAHOMA CITY -- In July, the Homeland at NW 18th and Classen Blvd, was set to undergo major remodeling, sprucing up what many in the neighborhood said was an out-dated and neglected grocery store.

Plans for the remodel included $2 million in upgrades to the exterior and interior of the existing building, which would also include an expansion of the fresh produce section, new organic goods offerings and a service counter for beef, fish and poultry.

However, the building, which was built in 1972, had its own surprises for HAC, Inc., the parent operator for Homeland.

When we made the announcement about the renovations in February, we obviously had a list of projects that we wanted to do, said Brian Haaraoja, vice president of Merchandising & Marketing. We did an assessment on what we needed and what we would like to see inside the store. Unfortunately, we discovered that the roof was in bad shape and needed to be replaced, the heating and air system and HVAC stuff needed replaced and there was major plumbing work needed.

The additional repairs to the roof, heating and air and plumbing had to be assessed by the company and put out to bid before additional renovations could continue, he said.

We are still working on the project, but now it includes a little more than we had planned, Haaraoja said. We have to get the roof fixed, the HVAC and the plumbing done before we renovate the inside. That puts us at November and December to get started on the planned renovations, which is right in the middle of the holiday season and not good for the customer or for us.

Currently, HAC Inc. plans to repair the needed infrastructure of the building with the planned renovations to resume in February with a completion date by July 1, 2018.

We want to make sure we do it right, Haaraoja said. This is a big deal to us too, so we want to make sure its all done right so its a good thing for everyone.

The grocery store will remain open throughout all repairs and renovations, he added, though once inside renovations begin, parts of the store may be blocked off.

There will be some inconveniences, Haaraoja said. Its going to be tough for a while, but I think if you communicate that to the public ahead of time and let people see there is a light at the end of the tunnel, they are more understanding.

Dennis Maxwell, director of marketing for Homeland grocery stores, said earlier this summer that the company was very excited to make the proposed improvements to this store.

Construction will include an updated storefront and added LED parking lots, new landscaping, a new vestibule entry, new paint and decor and mostly replaced floors.

Rendering of the updated Homeland at 18th and Classen. (Image provided)

The store will also have a new check-out and customer service counters, an updated break room for employee owners and new LED lighting throughout the store, Maxwell said.

The deli section of the store will offer enhanced hot and cold deli offerings like flat bread pizza, sushi made on site, heat-and- eat entrees and gourmet cheeses. The bakery will also be updated to offer artisan bread, cakes and other cookies and pastries.

Maxwell said the produce and meat sections will also be updated, offering exclusiveRed River Ranch certified tender Angus Beefand a new service case with marinated meats, store-made sausage, custom cuts, kebabs and fresh seafood.

The store will also have an increased variety of organic items like fruit and vegetables, gluten- free items, Asian offerings and Hispanic items.

Homeland is an employee-owned grocery chain based in Oklahoma.

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Homeland store remodel on Classen has delays, but plans still in place - Red Dirt Report