New Grocery Store To Open In North Tulsa

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- North Tulsans will finally have a place to buy groceries. A new grocery store will be filling the former Albertsons location at Pine Street and Peoria Avenue.

When Albertsons packed up and moved out in 2007, the impact on the neighborhood was immediate. For example, fewer customers stopped by Cato next door. 

"Business has been kind of hard only because when people shop they tend to come over here to check out our clothes," said Kendra Spencer, Cato employee.

But the clothing store will have a new neighbor come mid-January. Antonio Perez, the owner of the local Las Americas chain, will open the Gateway Market there.

"Very excited, very excited; I think it's going to be a great location right there for business," said Antonio Perez, Las Americas owner.

7/17/2009 Related Story: Many See Need For North Tulsa Grocery Store

A number of businessmen passed on the opportunity, but Perez, who already owns and operates four grocery stores, saw potential.

"I feel that a lot of business can be done over there if we have the right quality, the right prices and the right environment," said Antonio Perez.

The announcement means North Tulsa residents will no longer have to travel as far away as Owasso for groceries. Mayor Taylor, whose staff helped broker the deal, says the new grocery store is essential.

"It was a goal I had before I got out of office. I am very, very thankful we're able to get this done for people in that area that need fresh availability of those foods," said Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

And while excited about Gateway Market, potential shoppers are still frustrated it took nearly two and a half years to get this deal done.

"Very surprised, I thought it would happen a lot quicker," said Kendra Spencer.

Perez says the existing store was left in pretty good shape. His company will begin cleaning it up next week.