The Grocers Supply produce warehouse just south of I-10 at Studewood will soon turn into a new mixed-use apartment and retail development. The fifteen-acre lot will include 400 luxury apartments, plus a grocery store, movie theatre, restaurant, and large chain retailers. The land was recently sold to Capcor Partners and Kaplan Management for an undisclosed amount. Grocers Supply will have two years to vacate the premises, so don’t start planning to have your next movie night at the new theatre just yet. After 42 years in the location, Grocers Supply finds that the existing location no longer meets the needs of local businesses. The land surrounding the lot used to be a network of industrial parks and in recent years has been converted into other retail developments, with Target, Kroger, and Walmart all moving in. Increasing traffic on Studewood has also made it difficult for Grocers Supply’s over 1,000 tractors and trailers to get around the area safely.
While the names of the incoming businesses have not been released and it’s very likely leases have not yet been signed yet, we have our fingers crossed that the new grocery store planned for the location will be a huge, shiny new HEB. The tiny existing Heights HEB on T.C. Jester is, frankly, rather sad and badly in need of a makeover and expansion, but representatives from HEB have so far been unable to find the right location to build a larger store. Kroger and Walmart (the Houston area’s other two largest grocers) already have huge new stores in the immediate vicinity, so chances seem very good that HEB will be the grocery store that goes in on Studewood. At least, we can dream! Expect more updates on this upcoming construction project as information about the development becomes available.