Norman grocer announces plan to uproot

NORMAN — Native Roots grocery plans to close its location in downtown Norman to focus on its new store in Oklahoma City's Deep Deuce neighborhood.

The grocer announced the upcoming closure of the Norman store on its Facebook page last weekend. Owner Sara Kaplan did not immediately return a request for comment.

“We are sad to be leaving Norman, but very excited about the future,” the post reads. “We are living and working in this building, bringing back the concept of the corner grocery store.”

The Deep Deuce store at NE 2 and Walnut is expected to open later this year as part of the Level Urban Apartments development project.

Native Roots opened in Norman's historic Magnolia Building in 2007 as a small grocery store emphasizing local meat and produce. The store faced competition when Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, a Colorado-based chain, opened a mile-and-a-half west on Main Street last summer. Since then, Sprouts Farmers Market and Crest Foods have announced plans for Norman stores, and Walmart has shown interest in purchasing land for a Neighborhood Grocery store west of Interstate 35 at 36th Ave. NW and Rock Creek Road.

Jennifer Palmer, Business Writer