Trader Joe's at Old Alabama theatre? (Houston, Cactus: prices, shop, Whole Foods)

[EasilyAmused]

I agree with the parking problem (eeer nightmare) for that location. How would they handle that?

[crone]

Somebody help me out, please. A thousand years ago, was Half price books and Whole foods in that shopping center? I'm still back in time when it was a movie.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by crone

Somebody help me out, please. A thousand years ago, was Half price books and Whole foods in that shopping center? I'm still back in time when it was a movie.

I'm really having a hard time remembering the years, I was just a kid then. But I'm thinking it was definately pre-1985. Feels like COH has tripled in population since then. 1980's parking can't handle what we have today.

[crone]

Didn't they build that WF on Kirby and not open it for a year because they could not get out of the lease at the old store?

[modster]

Originally Posted by crone

Somebody help me out, please. A thousand years ago, was Half price books and Whole foods in that shopping center? I'm still back in time when it was a movie.

I don't remember Half Price books being there. (Which doesn't mean it wasn't) I can remember way back in the 70's going to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Alabama and the area, or at least we thought of the area at the time, as real sketchy. There was a far from glamorous looking disco honky tonk in the north end of the center, I think a pet store is there now. There was Cactus records forever. I can remember in later years a Butera's deli being on the corner. Of course Whole Foods was there for awhile too.

[crone]

It was Cactus, not the book store. I knew I spent a lot of time there. Thanks, Modster. Too much wine has got my memory.

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by travelguy_73

Two words: Traffic mess. Parking will be limited (Bookstop never needed that much), and getting in and out will be a PITA. I like Trader Joe's, but the logistics are really messy.

Parking is usually very tight at Trader Joe's, given the stores tend to be built in high-density areas, that's nothing new. I would be more concerned given Houston's infrastructure where the car is king, coupled with that factor.

[retrodog]

Parking can't be any worse than the Smith Street Spec's on a Saturday afternoon.

[travelguy_73]

Originally Posted by theSUBlime

Parking is usually very tight at Trader Joe's, given the stores tend to be built in high-density areas, that's nothing new. I would be more concerned given Houston's infrastructure where the car is king, coupled with that factor.

Good point. I would be less concerned about parking if this was TJ's 5th store in Houston, but it's first? Bad idea.

If I was the location scout for TJ's first store, I would think about an area that would have relatively easy (freeway/Allen Parkway) access and lots of parking. I want people from all over the city to be able to experience my store. THEN once I get them hooked, the next few stores can go into smaller neighborhood venues. Otherwise I'm afraid it would be a victim of its own success.

[Kenpar]

Maybe if people in the area ride buses to the store it wouldn't be so bad? I know, I know. I do plan on riding the bus there, I do many other places anyway.