Based on permits filed by HEB, it appears that a new Joe V’s Smart Shop location may be headed to the north side of town. It seems that the grocer is meant to take the spot formerly occupied by Fry’s Electronics in West Road Plaza. Based on the permits, the Fry’s building would likely be torn down, and a new building constructed for Joe V’s. If built this new store would not be the first in the area for the discount grocer. The proposed Fry’s location is just about 3 miles North of an existing Joe V’s, at Victory and I-45, and about 5 miles away from a long proposed but, as of 2024, unbuilt Joe V’s location in the East Aldine Town Center development. The building which formerly housed Fry’s was initially a Builder’s Square location. The shopping center was constructed in the early 90s by Kmart, who envisioned it as a Power Center. It was initially anchored by Kmart, Builder’s Square II, and PACE Membership Warehouse, all Kmart-owned companies. However, the Power Center concept was abandoned as Kmart closed or sold these subsidiaries. When the Builder’s Square location became available, Fry’s chose it for their first Houston location after passing over our former Incredible Universe store for undisclosed reasons in 1996.
That would be such a downgrade. I was hoping for a better fate, like what happened to the NASA Fry’s
Joe V is like a safety brand for HEB. They’ll go where they don’t want to put the main stores.