Back in February, local internet message board OKC Talk learned via sources that a Trader Joe's would "be opening in the old Crescent Market space at Nichols Hills Plaza." Kind of like a young married couple announcing on Facebook they're having a baby, some of the finer details (like when the store would open, how big it would be, and how much cookie butter would cost) were still not known, but who really cared. We were getting a Trader Joe's! We've wanted one forever! We could find out all the other details when the lease is signed, which to take my analogy further, is kind of like the ultrasound of real estate deals.
Well, apparently The Oklahoman cared. Showing a sudden interest in journalistic standards, they didn't cover the Trader Joe's news. Instead, they got defensive and tried to dismiss the reports as "Unconfirmed" or "Rumors." I guess you can't blame them. If I edited the business section of a large newspaper and just watched my reporters get scooped by an Internet message board, I'd be defensive, too.
But now I guess everything is fine. Trader Joe's has announced they have signed a lease to take over "the old Crescent Market space at Nichols Hills Plaza," just as OKC Talk said it would. And with that lease signed, The Oklahoman has finally declared a Trader Joe's is coming to Oklahoma City... 9 months after everyone else.
Via NewsOK.com:
Trader Joe's coming to Nichols Hills
Ending years of rumors, Trader Joe's has confirmed it will open a store in Nichols Hills.
The California specialty grocer has signed a lease for a new location in Nichols Hills Plaza at 6409 Avondale Drive. The new store will be about 10,000 square feet and is expected to open in the second half of 2016.
Nichols Hills Mayor Peter Hoffman praised Nichols Hills Plaza owner WP Glimcher, as well as city staff for helping bring the new retailer to the city.
"This is one of the most important things to happen to our community in a long time. ... We can't wait to shop at Trader Joe's," Hoffman said. "It says a lot about our city and this part of the country that they would choose to locate here when they have so many other options."
Typical Trader Joe's locations range from about 10,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet, so the Nichols Hills store will be right in line with that, said Alison Mochizuki, spokeswoman for the Monrovia, Calif.-based company.
Once again, this is awesome. Who doesn't like Trader Joe's? They have cheap, delicious food, and really good customer service. I can't wait for it to open. Maybe by the time it does we'll have modern liquor laws and be able to get cheap wine, too.
Anyway, The Oklahoman didn't include in other details like when the store will open and how much cookie butter will cost. I guess instead of being an ultrasound, a signed lease is more like is like the second pregnancy test. I'm sure they'll eventually let us know... probably 9 months after everyone else.
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