Changes to the exterior of the Alabama Theater proposed by Weingarten Realty to accommodate grocery store Trader Joe’s debut appearance in Houston were approved today by the city’s Archeological and Historical Commission. Because it’s a designated city landmark, the commission’s approval is required for changes to the building’s facades (though an alternate wait-90-days-and-you-can-do-whatever-you-want option is also available). Trader Joe’s or Weingarten’s plans to restore, alter, or strip the innards of the Art Deco building at 2922 S. Shepherd Dr., though, won’t require any commission approvals — only construction or demo permits.
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- Previously on Swamplot: Trader Joe’s at the Alabama Theater: New Sign in Front, Cheese in Back
Images: Weingarten Realty
Given that Trader Joe’s has treated historic buildings in other parts of the country really well (see their Brooklyn store as an example), I hope they’ll be sensitive to the Alabama’s interior.
Hope springs eternal…
A rare piece of good news! I think this is close to the best thing anyone could have reasonably hoped for for this building.
Thank goodness!!! I’ve been waiting for a Trader Joe’s to open up around here, Whole Foods is a bit too pricey for me:)
Trader Joe’s touch cures cancer.
Trader Joe’s is coming!
I am happy. I know they are not the be all and end all of shopping, but you really do get quite a bit of bang for your buck there.
I am so tired of Kroger and overpriced Whole Foods.
Being in walking distance I look forward to the TJ experience.
Let the traffic nightmares begin/there’s not enough parking/they would have done it better in a “real” ctiy. Just kidding – had to pick on the haters a little bit.
Trader Joes is awesome, the location and the building is awesome. Wiengarten is behaving theirselves. This is a really good thing happening here!!! I can’t wait to shop there!
LOVE LOVE LOVE TJ’s!!! I have been waiting for this day to come for YEARS!! We have planned our trips to places that have TJ’s around how many stores we can visit and how much luggage space we will have for it all. I can’t wait for them to be here!!