ThelifeHouston 's historic Alabama Theater was turned into a Trader Joe's in 2012, and I shop there.- The art-deco building also housed a bookstore, and some of its original features are still intact.
- There are some fun decorations located throughout the store to keep the theater theme alive.
Grocery
For me, coming back home to Houston,
The store holds fond memories for me - it was the go-to place to grab snacks before heading over to friends' houses growing up. And I love that it still has some of the art-deco charms of the original 1930s building.
Read on to see what it's like to shop at this famed
The building has been around since 1939, and it still has a lot of its original charm
According to Houston Deco, the Alabama Theater was built in the late 1930s and operated as a
The slanted movie theater floors were then leveled and paved over with cement after it was purchased by Weingarten Realty. There were talks of demolishing the theater altogether, but preservationist societies and Houston city-council members fought to maintain the integrity of the historic building.
A few years later, in 2012, the theater became a Trader Joe's, but it didn't lose all of its original charm.
Some of the theater's features were preserved, so you can pick up a carton of orange juice while taking a tour of Texas history.
Entering under the marquee makes it feel like you're about to catch a feature film
At night, when the marquee lights are bright, it's easy to get nostalgic for another time and wish this was still a movie theater.
In its heyday, the marquee displayed the names of now-classic films, like its opening feature "Man About Town" in 1939 and "The Sound of Music" in 1965.
Today, the beautiful signs display fun messages to customers about deals and store happenings.
Entering under the restored marquee still makes it feel like you're heading in to catch a film. And though the building might not have movie screenings anymore, it does have popcorn - among other essentials.
Inside, the ceiling is definitely a focal point of the store
Once you get past the shining marquee, there are more historic details to take in.
The ceiling of the Alabama Theater was covered in typical art-deco-style medallions, and the
It's hard not to stare up at the colorful ornaments and details as you shop.
Part of the theater's original balcony is still intact
Although the theater's rows of seats were replaced by aisles of
I tried to sneak a peek behind the velvet ropes to visit the balcony for myself, but sadly, it's only for employees.
Still, it's cool to catch a glimpse of history as your perusing the store's products.
There's no shortage of tasty snacks to buy
Movie snacks are a critical part of the theater experience, but instead of a concession stand, there's now a beautiful display of tortilla chips - a Texas staple.
This Trader Joe's might look different on the outside, but you can rest assured knowing it still carries all of your favorite items.
Even the check-out area makes you feel like a movie star
Even waiting in line at this grocery store is fun. The red ropes at the checkout line make you feel like a VIP customer.
The store also pays homage to its city near the exit with a colorful mural of all things Houston, featuring astronauts, cacti, and the city's skyline.
This quirky Trader Joe's will always have a special place in my heart
I'm heading back to New York as soon as I get the COVID-19 vaccine, but Houston will always be home, and this Trader Joe's will forever be my favorite.
Every time I come back and take a trip down memory lane, I'm reminded of the building's fun and quirky charms.