anglinpr
- Aug 26, 2019

Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice welcomes Homeland grocery store and HQ plans in northeast Oklahoma Ci

Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice welcomes Homeland’s plans to open a full-service grocery store and headquarters building in northeast Oklahoma City, a long-awaited and anticipated development to help end the food desert crisis.

“A brand new, full-service grocery has been a continuous process for northeast Oklahoma City,” said Councilwoman Nice. “I want to thank Mark Jones and the Homeland board for their work. This is a carefully planned, thoughtful project that’s more than just a store. Every City Council representative from Ward 7 since 1993 has worked toward this moment: Willa Johnson, Skip Kelly, John Pettis and Lee Cooper, plus so many other residents. I am honored to be part of a team that has worked so to meet a need in our community.”

Homeland announced Monday it intends to open a 30,000-square-foot grocery store at NE 36th Street and Lincoln Boulevard with a pharmacy, custom butcher shop, bakery, deli, fresh produce and more. It will be adjacent to a new 35,000-square-foot national corporate headquarters.

The investment of at least $16 million will create up to 75 new jobs. The grocery store will open in late 2020 or early 2021, with hiring to begin in 2020.

Councilwoman Nice noted there’s been an ongoing conversation for decades about the need for expanded grocery options in northeast Oklahoma City. The area is recognized as a food desert by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Lynn Institute.

“This is another tool in the toolbox to provide healthy food options to everyone in northeast Oklahoma City,” said Councilwoman Nice. “Homeland is locally owned and employee owned. It pays living wages. This is what a true investment in your community looks like. This is another of many efforts to come as we continue the renaissance of northeast Oklahoma City.”

Homeland’s announcement is tied to a letter of intent with a new limited liability corporation (LLC), which will own and develop the grocery store and headquarters building. The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City is a member of the LLC, along with Endeavor Corporation and ESmith Legacy Communities.

As negotiated by the Alliance, Homeland and the other members of the LLC, the City will contribute funds from the Northeast Renaissance tax increment finance (TIF) district to support the project.

“This is only part of our ongoing commitment to address food insecurity in our northeast Oklahoma City communities,” said Councilwoman Nice. “Please visit neokcfood.com to see other programs we have to help people who need it. We also thank Mayor David Holt and my colleagues on the City Council, because it will take continued long-term, broad support to meet our goals as we move forward together.”

Media Contact

Kristy Yager (405) 297-2550

kristy.yager@okc.gov