Comments on: A Tour of the Lake Flato-Designed H-E-B Montrose Market, Open Today

By: Claire

Claire — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:24:31 +0000

The Buffalo HEB carries Philosophy, too. Not that it’s something super fantastic or anything, but I just thought it worth mentioning that carrying that product isn’t something that makes the new Alabama location stand out. Now if they have an even larger aisle of nail polish and a bigger assortment of cosmetics to rival Buffalo, then I might be impressed….

By: Dana-X

Dana-X — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:00:28 +0000

I love this current architectural style that is especially prevalent in commercial buildings. I don’t think we’ve seen something like this since Moderne in the 30s-40s. These structures will represent these early 21st century decades for a long t…well, at least until they’re demolished in 20 years.

By: PYEWACKET2

PYEWACKET2 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:58:17 +0000

I think joel nailed it.

By: joel

joel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:25:30 +0000

i think the walmart comment was more in line with the level of investment they put into their stores compared to HEB.

however, it’s an empty argument. i’ve been to HEB’s elsewhere and in less desirable parts of houston that are pure crap. HEB is targeting the whole food competition here so naturally they can afford to spend a lot of money on a store that will be stocked with higher margin products.

that kind of level of investment just isn’t scalable. you’re not going to find an average small business owner with the funds to build some fancy art inspired building, that’s why there’s such a huge market for cheap and ugly strip centers. same thing with big box stores, they’re competing on high volume and low margin and can’t compete (thus exist to provide jobs) with higher margin competitors on nice stores.

if you want to complain about aesthetics though, the conversation should start and stop with how little we fund public investment and how we end up with an abundance of crappy services that are necessary and a vast amount of non-descript disposable buildings.

By: markd

markd — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:13:42 +0000

Mighty peaceful in the Kirby Whole Foods…

By: protagoras

protagoras — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:48:33 +0000

John,
I’m no Wal-Mart snob but I can’t buy 50-gallon plastic storage bins (to store all my other crap that I bought from Wal-Mart that are either broken or unwanted) at HEB or Whole Foods. You might be confusing over-priced products at Whole Foods with the over-consumed products at Wal-Mart. Granted, I need stores like Wal-Mart and Target to get my disposable toasters, garbage bags, and vacuum cleaners but by getting my groceries at Whole Foods, I don’t consume any more than I would at Wal-Mart. In fact, I waste a lot less food at home since it’s so much more damn expensive.

By: markd

markd — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:17:56 +0000

More precisely, it would be MILFS wearing their Lululemon…

By: montrose slums

montrose slums — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:11:00 +0000

This is one of the greatest moments for Lower Montrose, especially when we develop the east side of HEB with what we hope will be high rise residential living. Considering that there are no enforceable deed restrictions in the area, we believe that much of that area will be perfect for new development. And the local civic associations are helping with this.

By: rsb320

rsb320 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:59:09 +0000

M. Martin – I think they’re waiting for their license to “serve” beer and wine by the glass, not sell it by the bottle/case, etc.

By: Furious Jam

Furious Jam — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:33:39 +0000

What’s wrong with MILFs in designer track suits? VIVA MILFS!

By: M. Martin

M. Martin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:47:57 +0000

I toured the thing yesterday–except for the sushi counter, it felt like i was in the kingwood walmart–too big, too antiseptic, too full of MILFs in designer track suits.

anyone who opens a grocery store in montrose minus a fully functional beer and wine section (even temporarily) hasn’t done their homework–VIVA FIESTA!!

By: Montrose Rat

Montrose Rat — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:37:33 +0000

Anybody else remember the old montrose HEB? About 15 years ago there was an HEB market on the corner of westheimer/yoakum, which now houses specs & half price books. It was small and a bit scuzzy, like the spunky kid sister of disco kroger. i was sad to see it go.