Comments on: That Rumor About a New Central Market in Garden Oaks

By: carole

carole — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 03:19:53 +0000

Kroger at 43rd is poorly run and overcrowded. Parking at the 11th and shepherd store stinks. The new one at studewood is really nice but I agree with others that an HEB like the one at Bunker Hill would be a dream come true. And what’s up with all the family friendly draft houses serving nothing but greasy fatty food? Why the heck can’t we get some decent dining over here in Garden Oaks? I’m tired of seeing all these people drinking in front of the kids while the kids run amuck. It’s not like this neighborhood couldn’t support some good restaurants with grown up food. Like others, it seems we have to bop on over to other neighborhoods to get a decent meal.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:14:50 +0000

The demographics have not and into the future(5-10 years put) do NOT support Central Market going in that location or area.The business model is : usually one store per city.Maybe 2 stores if the demographics justify the investment. The existing stores plus the new Kroger on Studewood blanket the area with plenty of grocery stores.Throw in the Target(I now know I contribute to it being one of the highest grossing stores in the U.S.) and MallWart and consumers in that area of town have many stores to choose from. I shop Central Market/Whole Foods-W.Dallas occasionally ; Kroger:Montrose & W.Gray /HEB-W.Alabama weekly and Fiesta -Dunlavy occasionally. By the way Fiesta has a lease that runs through 2014 -so unless Marvy Finger buys out Fiesta’s lease(which he won’t- he’s another tightwad businessman),Fiesta is staying put at the Dunlavy store. It just ticks Marvy off -which is delicious. In closing we consumers have a LOT of shopping choices here in Houston.

By: PYEWACKET2

PYEWACKET2 — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 02:59:47 +0000

Not all HEB stores are created equally.

Ours sucks.

By: Guido

Guido — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 01:25:51 +0000

If you go to the Central Market website, you’ll see that they have 9 locations, 5 of which are in DFW. Elsewhere, 2 in Austin, 1 in SA, 1 in Houston.

Since the Houston store has been around quite awhile without getting any new brethren, I’m led to believe that they either don’t view Houston as a good market for that concept or have decided that upscale HEB-branded stores are a better corporate strategy. A number of those have opened in the interim.

In any case, I’d be surprised see any more Central Market stores here, even tho’ I think they would do well. I think HEB is missing an opportunity, actually.

By: TheNiche

TheNiche — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:44:47 +0000

Come on, people! The rumor was about a Central Market. A typical ‘Food & Drug’ store is plausible; a Central Market at this location would just be stupid.

By: dara childs

dara childs — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:31:46 +0000

My wife will die when she sees this. It would be like a dream come true. 43rd kroger is fine….for a kroger. The problem with the NW quadrant is that Kroger is the only real option and they really don’t compare to a big HEB. Thats one of the few times I get suburb envy. Once upon a time we had a nice Albertsons. I would go there and it was like a museum. Its a storage barn now.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:20:50 +0000

So, Walmart was “desparate” to get that location, huh? Sounds like Walmart must know a little more about buying habits in the Heights area than some people claim.

HEB has had several locations that they passed on, including the new Kroger site on Studewood. If HEB wanted in the Heights, they would be here. Instead, they moved out of their location on 11th. Sounds like HEB isn’t all that into the Heights.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:20:48 +0000

I wish HEB would have built a new store on Studewood instead of another Kroger. We have three Krogers within 3 miles or less of each other.

By: Wendy12x12

Wendy12x12 — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:49:14 +0000

Funny, although the 11th Street Kroger has a much bigger selection of upscale items, the one things I’ve found over and over again is that their organic produce is SEVERELY lacking! Very little of it, and what there is looks awful. 43rd Kroger does a FAR superior job in the organic produce department. Go figure.

By: ThePrinceof43rdSt.

ThePrinceof43rdSt. — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 21:21:45 +0000

Maybe off-topic but can I vent? Oak Forest/Garden Oaks needs more RESTAURANTS, including a couple of DINERS. I am sooo tired of skipping to other neighborhoods for decent food. Back in the day, Kresge’s (predecessor of Kmart) had an excellent diner in their 5-10 store on 43rd (where the umteenth Subway is now).

By: Old School

Old School — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:24:06 +0000

“Ainbinder/Duckworth absolutely valued HEB’s presence there above Wallyworld, and made best efforts to usher them in the deal.”

That is rich. Nice copy from the PR desk. But for Walmart’s desparation to get that location, HEB would be building on that site right now. HEB was ready, willing and able. There is only so much a privately held regional grocery chain can do against a company with a market cap of 230 billion.

By: Hanabi-chan

Hanabi-chan — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 19:56:24 +0000

I work close to that Sears on N. Shepherd. Wasn’t aware it was going to close.

A HEB would have been nice in that spot. Much more convenient than the Kroger on 43rd.