Tulsa Standard

At long last, a Reasor's grocery is coming to south Broken Arrow following a groundbreaking ceremony at the Aspen Ridge Development near the Creek Turnpike and the Aspen Avenue exit.

The ceremony featured a land acknowledgment by Brookshire Grocery Company CEO Brad Butcher.

"It's my honor and privilege on behalf of Brookshire Grocery Company and Reasor's to recognize the ancient stewards of this land, Butcher said. "Today, as we begin a new chapter and opportunity, we do it with a full appreciation of this place's unique history and culture and those who have come before."

The Tyler, Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) owns more than 200 stores and employs more than 19,000 employee-partners across four states. Reasor's became one of Brookshire's banner brands in November 2021.

Brookshire's other stores include Brookshire's, Super 1 Foods, FRESH by Brookshire's, and Spring Market, located across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

"My grandparents started our company as a small little store in 1928 with four employees," Butcher said. This store will be our 18th Reasor's store in 11 different communities.

In addition to the items long-time Reasor's customers have come to expect, this will be a next-generation Reasor's experience. This flagship retailer of the Aspen Ridge Development will have an outdoor grill, a patio, a performing stage for live music, and a playground for kids.

"When my grandparents started the store 95 years ago, it was their calling to serve people through the retail grocery business and to serve the communities," Butcher said. "Our partnership with Broken Arrow is strong, and we expect it to be stronger in the future as we open this store."

Mayor Debra Wimpee expects the new Reasor's store to catalyze growth in the south side of Broken Arrow.

"For us today, the groundbreaking stands for far more than just the literal breaking of the ground. It stands for groundbreaking innovation and growth in south BA," Wimpee said.

City Manager Michael Spurgeon says economic development fuels the city and provides our community with an excellent quality of life and amenities.

"I've always said that the City's responsibility is to create an environment that promotes private investment because it's private investment like what we're seeing start here today and moving forward that creates the jobs, that generate the revenue to keep Broken Arrow a great place to live, work and play!" he said.

Spurgeon thanked OakTrust Developer Steve Easley, and Jeff Reasor, now president of the Reasor's division within Brookshire Grocery and Brookshire Grocery, for their commitment to south Broken Arrow.

"We're here today because of many people from the public and private sector," Spurgeon said. "On behalf of the Mayor and City Council and all of Broken Arrow, thank you for all you're doing for our community. We're looking forward to an amazing project!"

Jennifer Conway, President and CEO of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce and the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation, predicted explosive growth is coming to the area with the strong retail foundation that this new Reasor's will provide.

"We are going to see a significant decrease in [sales tax] leakage outside of our community so that we can have the dollars available to build up the infrastructure, roads, the police, and fire that makes Broken Arrow what it is for our residents," Conway said.

The new Reasor's at Aspen Ridge is expected to open in 2024.

Original source can be found here.