Albertsons

Company History

Albertsons was founded in Boise, Idaho. The original store was opened in 1939 by Joe Albertson. The location was a huge success, and the huge profits that the store took in allowed them to open new locations. The company continued to grow to reach 100 locations in 1964. In 1969 Albertsons started a partnership with Skaggs Drug stores creating the first combination Grocery-Drug stores, now a regular fixture.

Around 2002 Albertsons started to divest unprofitable divisions and different regional chains due to lacking market share. This would include the Houston Division. In 2014 Albertsons was approached by Safeway regarding a merger, and after FTC approval, including closing and selling specific locations from both chains, the merger was completed in 2015. The new company is divided into 14 different divisions. This now means that certain locations purchased by Randall’s are once again owned by Albertsons.


Operations in Houston | 1995-2002

Albertsons entered the Houston, Texas market in 1995.1 The chain expanded into the Houston market by opening about 10 locations in 1995. They were able to get a feel for the market and opened a few stores in the coming years. The real expansion occurred in 2000 with around 15 stores opening and even more being opened in 2001.

Albertson’s on Veteran’s Memorial Blvd. at the time of opening. Photo Source: Ainbinder.com

In March 2002, Albertsons made an announcement that they had decided to pull out of underperforming markets. Contrary to Albertsons current and planned growth, this included the Houston area. At the time of the announcement, the company had 43 stores open with multiple parcels of land that they were planning to develop. Albertsons managed to claim 8.7% of the Houston grocery market. For comparison, at the time, Kroger claimed 26 percent, Randall’s claimed 17 percent, HEB claimed 13 percent, and Fiesta claimed 10 percent. The chain had previously closed six stores in Houston under the guise of restructuring the chain. At the time of their announcement, ten stores were closed immediately, with the remaining 33 vowing to stay open until buyers could be found. At the time of pull-out, Kroger agreed to buy 16 stores directly from Albertsons along with two parcels of land they were planning to build on. The list of stores can be found here.

An unidentified Texas Division Albertsons pre-grand opening. Possibly Jones & Beltway 8.

Since Albertson’s exit from the Houston market was so unexpected many new stores and concepts were being developed right up until the point of exit. Because of this, many of the Kroger-acquired stores have very unusual features. The features include Gas Stations with full Convenience Stores. Also, some stores were fitted with Garden Centers. Most Gas Stations and convenience stores continue to operate under Kroger. However, the Garden Centers were not long-lived. Due to the reluctance of getting Kroger to operate a full-blown Garden Center, an alternative use for the space was established. They decided to use the area as a Dollar Store. You can read more about the concept here.

The Buckthorne Place in The Woodlands Photo Source: Construction Supervisors Inc (Archived)

When moving into an Albertsons that was already operating, Kroger did little to change the aesthetics. Going so far as to leave all original signage that did not say “Albertsons,” anything that did have to be replaced was even given a special font to match the already hung signs. You can see one example of the special Kroger logo here. HEB purchased two Locations during their early 2000s expansion into the Houston area. They both replaced Pantry Foods locations and were converted after being closed by Albertsons. One located on Spencer Highway would later be converted again to another HEB brand, Mi Tienda.

Photo Gallery

Store No
Address
Notes
#2701301 S College Ave College Station, TX 77840Skaggs-Albertsons: 1971-1976 Skaggs-Super Center:1977-1980 Skagggs-Alpha Beta: 1980-1985 Jewel-Osco 1985-1992 Albertsons: 1992-1998 Relocated #2758 (More Info on all B/CS and other stores on Carbon-izer.com)
#27022205 Longmire Dr, College Station, TX 77845Albertsons: 1991-2008 Vacant: 2008-2016 Altitude Trampoline Park: 2017-2020 Vacant: 2020-Present (Footprint reduced after closing, due to Wal-Mart expansion)
#270312555 Briar Forest Dr. Houston, TX 77077Albertsons: 1995-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present, Fuel Center still operating
#27047430 Spencer Hwy. Pasadena, TX 77505Albertsons: 1995-2002 Vacant: 2002-2015 Self Storage: 2015-Present, Sat Completely untouched after closing pole signage still in place, A Express ready to lease
#27057530 Westheimer Rd. Houston, TX 77063Albertsons: 1995-2002 Subdivided, Linens N Things: 20002-2008 DSW: 2008-Present REI: 2002-Present
#27064425 FM 1960 W. Houston, TX 77068Albertsons: 1995-2002 Subdivided, 24 Hour Fitness: 2006-2020
#270715875 FM 529 Houston, TX 77095Albertsons: 1995-2002 Food Town: 2002-Present
#270810535 Jones Rd Houston, TX 77065Albertsons: 1995-2001 Relocated to #2790
#2721604 Hwy. 332 Lake Jackson, TX 77566Albertsons: 1984-2002 Randalls: 2002-2013 Vacant: 2013-Present
#27223955 Phelan Blvd, Beaumont, TX 77707Albertsons: 1978-2004 Market Basket: 2005-Present Grocery Palace Decor untouched, Albertsons Express still open as MB Express
#2723220 S. Loop 336 W. Conroe, TX Conroe, TX 77304Albertsons: 1989-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#27243442 Palmer Hwy, Texas City, TX 77590Albertsons: 1994-2000 Subdivided
#2725111 N Timberland Dr, Lufkin, TX 75901Albertsons: 1985-2002 Vacant: 2002-2009 HEB: 2010-Present
#2726525 S. Fry Rd. Katy, TX 77450Albertsons: 1996-2002 Randalls: 2002-Present
#27273517 N Main St. Baytown, TX Albertsons: 1996-2002 Food Town: 2002-Present
#272814625 Beechnut St. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1995-2002 Vacant: 2002-2005 World Food Imports: 2005-Present
#272910010 Cypresswood Dr. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1997-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#273019750 N. Fwy. Spring, TX Albertsons: 1995-2002 Vacant: 2002-2012 Conn's: 2012-Present Sears Outlet: 2013-Present
#27314811 Hwy. 6 Missouri City, TX Albertsons: 1996-2001 Vacant: 2001-2004 Velocity Sports Performance: 2004-2010 Star Cinema Grill: 2011-Present
#273216811 El Camino Real Houston, TX Albertsons: 1996-2002 HEB: 2002-2021 Vacant: 2022-Present Location moved to larger site near I-45
#27337506 FM 1960 Atascocita, TX Albertsons: 1996-2002 Vacant: 2002-2008 Autzone/Bike Barn: 2008-Present
#27343830 W. Davis Street Conroe, TX Albertsons: 1996-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present, Had Fuel Center
#27352250 Buckthorne Pl. Spring, TX Albertsons: 1996-2002 Randalls: 2002-Present
#2736151 N. Friendswood Dr. Friendswood, TX Albertsons: 1996-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#27408333 Twin City Hwy Port Arthur, TX 77642Albertsons: 1996-2002 HEB: 2002-Present, Expanded around 2011
#274110251 Kempwood Dr. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1998-2002 HEB: 2002-Present, Fuel Center still open, but C-store demo'd oddly this gas station has soda machines and sells ice.
#27421630 Spencer Hwy. South Houston, TX Albertsons: 1999-2002 HEB: 2002-2011 Mi Tienda: 2011-Present
#274320851 FM 1485 New Caney, TX Albertsons: 1997-2002 Food Fair: 2002-2015 Food Town: 2015-Present
#2744250 S. FM 270 League City, TX Albertsons: 1997-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#27457121 Broadway St. Pearland, TX Albertsons: 2000-2002 Food Town: 2002-Present
#27511890 FM 359 Richmond, TX Albertsons: 2000-2002 Randalls: 2002-Present
#27524303 Kingwood Dr. Humble, TX Albertsons: 2001-2002 Vacant: 2002-2003 HEB: 2003-Present
#27539725 Fondren Rd. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1997-2002 Vacant: 2002-2006 Food Town: 2006-Present
#27548000 Research Forest Dr. The Woodlands, TX Albertsons: 2000-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#27559525 S. Kirkwood Rd. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1998-2002 Kroger: 2002-2005 Food Town: 2005-Present
#27572770 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1998-2002 Food Town: 2002-Present
#2758615 University Dr E, College Station, TX 77840Randalls: 1991-1997 Albertsons: 1997-2011 Vacant: 2011-Present Purchased and not reopened by HEB, vacant since.
#27591838 East Sam Houston Pkwy S, Pasadena, TX 77503Randalls: 1993-1997 Albertsons: 1997-2000 Currently Pasadena ISD Campus
#27601500 W. Grand Pkwy. S. Katy, TX Albertsons: 1999-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#276111701 E. Sam Houston Pkwy. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1998-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#276218322 Clay Rd. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1999-2002 Randalls: 2002-Present
#27634740 Spring Cypress Rd. Spring, TX Albertsons: 1999-2002 Vacant: 2002-2012 DPS Mega Center: 2012-Present
#27669125 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1999-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#27685620 W. Tidwell Rd. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1999-2002 Kroger: 2003-2011 YES Prep 2012-Present
#276912603 Louetta Rd. Houston, TX Albertsons: 1999-2002 Vacant: 2002-2005 Enchanted Cypress Ballroom: 2005-Present
#27731770 E. T.C. Jester Blvd. Houston, TX Albertsons: 2000-2002 Vacant: 2002-2004 Heights Self Storage: 2004-Present
#2776SH 249 @ FM 2920 Tomball, TXPlanned Store, Property purchased but never built. Kroger
#27773135 FM 528 Rd, Friendswood, TX 77546Albertsons: 2000-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#27785807 East Sam Houston Pkwy N Houston, TXAlbertsons: 2001-2002 Subdivided Big Lots/99 Cents Only Store
#27807747 Kirby Dr. Houston, TX Albertsons: 2001-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#2781Grand Parkway @ US 59 Sugar Land, TXPlanned Store, Property Purchased, Plan Developed never built, Larger HEB built on site including early fuel center
#2787SH 249 @ Antoine Houston, TXPlanned Store, Property Purchased but never built. Sold to Kroger, Bank of America in Fuel Pad
#278811565 Hwy. 6 Sugar Land, TX Albertsons: 2001-2002 Kroger: 2003-Present
#2789Westpark @ Dairy Ashford Houston, TXPlanned Store, property purchased but never built. At the corner where Walgreens was eventually built, Was also previously slated to be a Randall's
#279012400 FM 1960 W. Houston, TX Albertsons: 2000-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#279112466 Interstate 45 N, Willis, TX 77378Albertsons: 2001-2002 Kroger: 2002-2011 Moved across I-45 to Marketplace location, Fuel and C-Store at old location continued to operated into 2016
#27948745 Spring Cypress Rd. Spring, TX Albertsons: 2001-2002 Kroger: 2002-Present
#27961901 S Texas Ave, Bryan, TX 77802Albertsons: 2002-2006 Walmart Neighborhood Market: 2013-2016 Opened in the final months of the Houston Division before being transfered to Dallas.
????6616 Farm to Market Rd 1488, Magnolia, TX 77354Planned Store, property purchased but never built. Kroger opened in 2003, Built according to Albertons Plan, Bank of America on Fuel Center Site
#2806Eldridge Parkway @ W. Little York Houston, TXPlanned Store, property purchased but never built. Kroger opened in 2005, Built according to Albertons Plan, Bank of America on Fuel Center Site
#2811FM 1960 @ Ella Blvd Houston, TXPlanned Store, property purchased but never built. Would have been on the SE Corner

15 comments

  1. Hi there! Long time lurker, first time commenter here. The Market Basket in Beaumont will be shutting its doors on October 27th.

    1. Thank you for the comment and readership! I unfortunately won’t likely be able to make it to the Market Basket in time, which is unfortunate because I really wanted to cover it! If you take any photos please send them my way!

  2. This article is very thought out and filled in some gaps for me. I was a teenager when I started at 2708 as a sacker then moved to the pharmacy. I briefly worked at 2790 and 2729 in the pharmacy after turning 18. I lived near the old 2762 for 3 years and it was obvious when I first walked in it hadn’t always been a Randall’s. There are some locations on here I had no idea they used to be an Albertsons. Keep up the great work!

  3. The Store at 16811 El Camino Real Houston, TX Closed December 2021 when HEB opened a new location on the Gulf Freeway. It sits vacant as of March 2022.

      1. I worked for Albertsons for several years. Closed 2708 and opened 2790. Also helped with several openings. I enjoyed working there; the pay was good at the time compared to other grocery stores. We’ve also got the old Albertsons in Willis that Kroger took over until they built a replacement across the street around 2011. It’s now a Tractor Supply.

        1. Ben, Albertsons 2708 and 2790 were my local stores so it is interesting that you worked at them. 2708 was a Blue & Grey Market decor store and it was odd that it relocated only a few years after it was built, but there is no doubt that 2790 had a better location as the bulk of the retail along that part of FM 1960 W shifted from Jones Rd. to N. Eldridge around the time 2790 opened. 2790 was a Grocery Palace store, now a Krogertsons, and it was quite impressive looking when it opened with that Grocery Palace decor and the famed Albertsons garden center.

          Since those were my two local stores, and since you may have opened some other stores in this area, I would be curious to hear any interesting stories you have about these stores if you have any.

  4. 220 S. Loop 336 W.
    Conroe, TX Closed in 2017 because a newer Kroger marketplace was built across the street

    1. Sorry Charlotte but I don’t control that! You might want to get directly in touch with Albertsons/Safeway to check with them!

      1. Food Town is on Bissonnet and Kirkwood before that it was Kroger which didn’t last very long and before that it was albertsons

Comments