Homeland In NE OKC Readies For Opening Day

The final touches are underway on Tuesday at the new Homeland location off Northeast 36th and Lincoln.

"It's the end of a long journey and the beginning of another," said Homeland President and CEO Marc Jones.

In less than 24 hours, the northeast community, an area once considered a food desert, will have not one, but two grocery stores.

"We've poured our hearts into this, and we hope the community comes out," said Jones.

Homeland partnered with Restore OKC to help open the Market at Eastpoint earlier this year.

"That's 7,000 square feet of a lot of fresh choices, but there's only so much you can fit in 7,000 square feet," said Jones. "So we think with this location, we will finally start giving northeast OKC some of the food choices it deserves."

"I think excitement is kind of an understatement," said the store's new deli manager, Jasmine Friday.

As a community member, she remembers when all the grocery stores on northeast side closed their doors

"It's something we have needed for a few years," said Friday.

The new employee is hoping to not only be a good role model for her three little girls but also serve her community. Friday said she's also excited to work in a grocery store for the first time.

"Not only do I get to help people, but I get to help people that I see on a regular basis," said Friday.

The store will have a pharmacy, local produce, barbeque, fresh food options, coffee and even alcoholic drinks by the glass.

"With this coming, it offers a lot more variety to our community for things that we never seen that we are probably interested in," said Friday.

Jones said even though the store is officially opening at 9 a.m. Tuesday, this is a season of opening. The store will have more events this weekend and beyond.

"For us, it's not just operating a Homeland the way Homeland wants to operate a store," said Jones. "It's operating a store for the community and quite honestly listening to what our neighbors want.