Crescent Market Rumors
Historic photo of Crescent Market's earlyday location on W Main - courtesy of www.retrometrookc.org
It’s no secret that Crescent Market, Oklahoma City’s oldest grocery store, has been courted by various downtown developers hoping to bring it back to its historic roots.
At the same time, the store at 6409 Avondale is finding itself squeezed by a changing neighborhood that now includes a Sunflower Market and soon, the city’s first Whole Foods.
Rumors have been swirling for weeks now that Robert Pemberton, owner of Crescent Market, is planning to close in November. I called him last week, and he said then he was not ready to discuss any potential closing. Not a denial. Not a confirmation. Pretty much a “no comment.”
The rumors continued. My editors kept coming back to me asking what the story is. Some fellow reporters suggested a sign on the store’s entrance confirms the closing (it doesn’t – it only reports all customer charge accounts will be closed on Nov. 1).
Several customers also have reported to The Oklahoman they have been told orders for holiday pies are not being accepted because of the pending closing of the store.
Yep. The pressure was on.
Next up; Linda Cavanaugh, anchor at KFOR, went on Twitter today saying the following: “Just confirmed with city official. Nichols Hills icon — Crescent Market — set to close before Thanksgiving.”
It’s the stuff that good reporters do when they’re unable to get a direct source to say what’s going on. Linda, a veteran reporter and someone I respect, appeared to have the story pegged to a credible source.
But there’s a wrinkle in this development. I called up Pemberton again. This time he adamantly denied he’s closing the store.
“That’s wrong,” Pemberton told me this afternoon. “I am not closing.”
Pemberton added he also has no plans to close his store. He could not explain the rumors surrounding his store’s future.
Crescent Market was originally opened as J.L. Wyatt Grocery on April 22, 1889 — the same day Oklahoma City came into being with the Oklahoma Land Run. It went through two sales before being renamed Crescent Grocery in 1906.
I suspect we’ll hear more on this story in the coming weeks.
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Comments
Maybe everyone is right. Maybe it’s going to close, but it’s not what Pemberton wants to see happen.
Personally, I have no clue, none whatsoever.
Crescent Market is not accepting charges after October 1st. The employees, as of November 1st, no longer have jobs, I was told several days ago.
I still think Crescent Market could be successful downtown. If rental costs were one of the problems in NH Plaza, together with impending competition from Whole Foods, Mr. Pemberton should look for lower cost alternatives downtown. There’s a building on the NW corner of 13th and Broadway that might serve, if remodeled, and there are other structures north of Deep Deuce that, if remodeled, might be good locations. Since we anticipate significant increases in the population downtown, and there’s no great alternative for Heritage Hills and Mesta Park, I think there’s a lot of opportunity. Native Roots will not provide the level of competition Whole Foods will, and I don’t believe it will appeal to Heritage Hills and Mesta Park shoppers like a full service grocery would.
As a kid, I have many great memories of Crescent Market when my grandparents lived in Nichols Hills, and shopped there at least once a week. After they moved to Quail Creek I had rare contact with CM, maybe 2-3 times a year. Sad to see it come to an apparent ignominious end.
I think Steve is saying that all options are open until Robert Pemberton decides what he’s going to do. He hasn’t SAID anything, but his ACTIONS are speaking volumes that he’ll be closing 11/1. Closing the doors with the intent of reopening in another location? Who would be that foolish? What an ignominius end to an old business.
I thought DT was already getting a upscale grocer in Deep Deuce called Native Roots?
I do think that Midtown could use it’s own grocery store locating close to Heritage Hills/Mesta Park, and the 18th street Homeland hardly qualifies.
I noticed that Crescent Market’s original store location was on West Main in Downtown Oklahoma City. I live Downtown on West Main Street and VERY much would welcome Crescent Market to ‘move back’. West Main Street has a lot of empty buildings, (400 Block south side) when construction is finished the location will be quite appealing to the eye, besides we NEED a ‘real’ grocery store.
Tom, don’t want to be the correction police, but it is spelled ignominious (I know because I had to look it up).
It’s a strong word. I would say unfortunate, but that is the nature of our country. This is what capitalism is all about. New companies come with fresh ideas and old companies fall behind. Maybe he will sell and they will move to downtown.
Officer Matt – I am busted, but I’ll defend the selection of adjectives. The disgrace is more familial than public.
I knew Mr. Pemberton was in financial trouble when he refused to give me a refund for an incident that happened. In the end, my bank gave me the refund on the credit card but he committed a crime in the matter and never apologized.
It was when one of his cashiers told me my credit card was declined. So I paid cash for an single $20 item. So the next day I checked my credit card account and it showed, “$20 Crescent Market.” So I knew there was a problem and called Mr. Pemberton. He said, “Look, if that had happened then that register would have come up long and it didn’t, so you made a mistake.” So I told him that for a register to come up balanced when a credit card transaction did post means the card was never declined and she pocketed the cash.” He said, “Well, you have to prove we did that, so good luck with it.”
SO, after a family tradition of shopping with them from the beginning, I cut off the relationship, it was done, dead, gone.
Grandmother carried me into the store where McNellies is now at Grand Court. I told that to Mr. Pemberton after he shafted me on an illegal credit card transaction. So I’m glad to see him close and Chesapeake replace it with a reputable store.
i was so sad when the kamps sold out. i’m glad that the new owners have not closed it, but it is definitely not the same animal. bill kamp has done a wonderful job with his meat market, serving the nichols hills area with his meat market. hope he keeps going strong.
does anyone remember buerger brothers downtown? back in the 80′s, i used to go there for lunch and buy their homemade sausages. i would do carryout, taking back many to my co-workers. cheap and fantastic! i hated to see them go. on the other hand, i’m glad to see cao nguyen make a great go of it. i love family owned food businesses with an ethnic flair (german meat cutters, asian entrepeneurs, lebanese delicacies, soul food, etc.). just remember, folks, if you like ‘em too… SHOP LOCAL!!!
Such a wonderful place to shop and visit sorry to think it may be closing. However time marches on and the winds of change keep on blowing so it will be time for someone else to start their history.
I was told this was another business being squeezed out by Chesapeake.
They supposedly raised his rent by $6000 per month (ouch). The pharmacy next door is next to go.
We were told TODAY not to replenish stock at Crescent because of their eminent closing!