Event: Trader Joe's W. Alabama Theatre Grand Opening in Houston

Back in June, Trader Joe's opened their first Houston area location in the Woodlands.  Since then, I've been back a couple of times when I've been up Conroe-way visiting my family, but I've not made a regular trek of it thanks to it being a bit remote from home and work.  In some ways this has been good for my wallet, but now it appears those days are over.  The old Alabama St. Theatre which has held a number of businesses over the years has been rebuilt and converted into the 2nd Houston area Trader Joe's smack dab in the middle of The Loop!

Ay Calypso!!!

Mia Gradney of KHOU-11 was doing a live broadcast on their early AM news prior to their opening at 8 AM.  There was a LOOOOOONG line-up of folks waiting to get it, but the staff were very efficient at getting us all in, helping us find those things we were looking for from the stock of 3 buck Chuck to Speculoo's Cookie Butter.  A number of us hanging outside who remember the old Theatre from back in the 1990s and earlier were wondering what they did about the slanted floor (they flattened it somehow in fact), and what they did with the balcony (spotted some nice tables up there to sit and watch people or enjoy a snack),.  When we came in, the staff cheered us, and put Hawaiian Leis around our necks.  They even had a Carribean Steel Drummer out front playing Calypso to entertain us as we came in.

Speculoo's Cookie Butter
My son's favourite waffle
topping!!!

Since this was also the release day of the iPhone 5, I took a quick shout out to voice what mattered to me "iPhone 5 release SUCKS!  Trader Joe's ROCKS!!!" which made much of the crowd erupt.  No disrespect to Apple--my family has iPads & iPod touches, but I can get an iPhone 5 in April when my contract is up.  It's not every day that a Trader Joe's opens up and with this Foodie, it's the food that wins out every time.  Just saying y'all!

Some folks seemed to believe this location was about the same size as the Woodlands location.  I felt it was a bit larger--the aisles were longer to be sure.  They had a large selection of Wines, a great selection of frozen foods.  And the usual assortment of cookies, juices, coffees, breads, cheeses and other such delicacies they are known for stocking.  Their prices are mostly comparable to HEB Central Market, though there were a few items that were a wee bit pricey.  I'm not complaining.  However, just like Central Market, it's going to be an exercise of will power to keep from coming over more than once a month.

Wall of 3 Buck Chuck

I picked some of my usual items--TJ's multigrain bread, a couple of botttles of 3 Buck Chuck (Pinot Grigio and Merlot), their enhanced electrolyte water and organic Strawberry lemonade.  I also grabbed their frozen Korean BBQ beef ribs, some Naan Bread and the chocolate covered potato chips that someone had given my daughter once a couple of Summer's ago to satisfy her craving for the sweet and salty flavours alike.  Yep... it's going to be interesting times for Trader Joe's inside the 610 Loop and it's going to be a regular destination for most of the HTown Fooderati.  And those that had not gone to the Woodlands location because it was "too far away"--no more excuses for y'all ! MuuuHAHAHAAA!!!!  Time to join the cult.... I mean.... ERRR... the throngs of folks who love Trader Joe's and get their eclectic food and snack fix here whenever they can!

And remember to Eat Happy Y'all!!!
早安，你们!!!