Howdy folks! I know if you’re here than by now, you know what to expect mostly retail from my blog, but today’s topic is probably one you’re familiar with even if you don’t follow retail goings-on. The bankruptcy of Toys ‘R Us took almost everyone by surprise back in 2018 (can you believe it was 3 years ago?!). Not to reiterate the entire story, but the situation that landed TRU in bankruptcy put them in …
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My name is Mike and I am the founder of the Houston Historic Retail! I have been running this site since 2015. For more information check out the About page!
Permit Roundup: New chains, meet old locations
Howdy, folks, and welcome back to another edition of Permit Roundup! Today we’re taking a look at a few retail developments throughout the Houston area. Let’s start off with some newcomers to town. It seems that the Post Oak California Pizza Kitchen, who closed their Texas outlets during a COVID induced bankruptcy, may be host to a new restaurant. Il Braco, a noteworthy Dallas Italian restaurant, has filed remodel permits at 1705 Post Oak Boulevard …
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This Week in Demolition: AMC Dunvale falls for new Dunvale Village housing development
This Week in Demolition, we see the end of AMC Megaplex, and the start of a new housing development. The AMC 30 Theaters at 2949 Dunvale Rd, Houston, TX 77063 has an odd history. In 1992, Wal-Mart was looking to expand their presence in inner Houston by building a new side by side Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. The property selected for this new venture was one of the only major vacancies left along Westheimer by …
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What makes a Krogerstons special?
Howdy Folks! Hope everyone is doing well today, today let’s start off with a small vocabulary lesson. The following word was coined in conversation with a friend on mine. Krogerstons- (Noun) A Kroger store operating out of a former Albertsons; Esp. Those in the Houston Division. “Hey man, I saw Ray Childress down at the Krogerstons on Louetta, screaming something about cash for clunkers, and waving around a muffler”. Krogerstons make up a large number …
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Midtown Randalls, it’s the closest thing you’ll get to a Safeway down here!
In 2015, Randall’s wasn’t doing exceptionally well, but the chain was about to get a bit of a boost with the impending Albertson’s Acquisition, which had been in the works for at least a year prior. Most of Randall’s problems stemmed from parent company Safeway, and those in charge at Albertson’s, who had previously operated in Houston, seemed eager to give our market another try. One of the first Randall’s in Houston to receive an …
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Permit Roundup: A new Raising Canes, a converted Dunkin’ Donuts, and a few others
Howdy, folks, and welcome back to another permit roundup! Last week, we unfortunately had to skip our permit roundup due to lack of content! So let’s start off with the only permit I really did skip over last week. 7-Eleven had filed building plans at 10670 W Little York Rd, Houston, TX 77041, which would put it opposite Beltway 8 from a Valero/Circle K. Moving onto this week, let’s start off with another new built …
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This Week in Demolition: Why are somethings demolished without permits?
This week in demolition we see a full plate of residential demolitions, and only two non-residential structures… Except that isn’t exactly true, as evidence by the photo below. I’ve been corresponding with a reader who has been keeping me aware of the demolition of a Boston Market on Jones Road, near 1960. I had already been made aware of another project across the street, that I was easily able to pull permits on, so why …
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It’s been how many years since Circle K bought our Corner Store?!
In 1977 the Valero Energy Corporation was formed by the State of Texas, as a successor to a failed natural gas transmission company that Coastal had set up years prior. In connection with the Texas Railroad Authority (nothing to do with railroads), Coastal was allowed to build a multi thousand-mile set of pipelines, that supplied natural gas to city utilities. Most large Texas cities were tied into the Coastal system, with the unobtainable promise that …
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My Summer Vacation: A CVS on the Riverwalk
In 1993 Eckerd opened a new drug store at 211 Loyosa San Antonio, with an entrance on the Riverwalk, this location is now arguable “One of the best known CVS locations in Texas”. With the CVS acquisition of Eckerd in Texas (and a few other places), the store changed names and continues to operate as a bit of an oddity. Let’s start off with the history of the building. Built sometime in the mid 1800s, …
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This Week in Demolition: Lots of pretty pictures!
This week in demolition, we see lots of “prime real estate”, which in my mind means homes important enough to have an online listing! So sit back, and enjoy the pretty pictures this week! Residential Demolitions 12622 Rocky Meadow Dr, Houston, TX 77024– Fonn Villas, Photos 705 E 17th St, Houston, TX 77008– Pinelawn, Photos 903 Wynnwood Ln, Houston, TX 77008– Timbergrove, Photos 2702 Droxford Dr, Houston, TX 77008– Holly Park, Photos 722 E 17th …
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