Is Trader Joe’s coming to the Houston Heights? Here’s what we know

Is Trader Joe’s coming to the Houston Heights?

The rumor has circulated for months, and new marketing materials from a nearby property have sparked another round of speculation about whether the grocery chain could be headed to the former Kroger site at Heights Plaza.

But as of now, there is no confirmed Trader Joe’s location in the Heights.

Here’s what we know.

Where did the latest rumor come from?

Radom Capital recently released marketing materials for 19th Street Marketplace, a property the company recently acquired near Heights Plaza.

One of the materials includes a map showing a Trader Joe’s at the former Kroger site on West 20th Street.

That prompted questions about whether the map was a hint that Trader Joe’s could be coming to Heights Plaza.

But Radom Capital does not own Heights Plaza.

The property is owned by Kimco Realty, which has been evaluating redevelopment opportunities at the shopping center.

I asked Radom why Trader Joe’s was included on the map.

The company said it has heard the same rumor that Trader Joe’s may be coming to the former Kroger site, but could not confirm that information.

Radom also said the map was intended to show businesses near its 19th Street property.

I followed up to ask why Trader Joe’s was included if the map was simply showing nearby businesses. Radom did not respond.

What does Trader Joe’s say?

I also contacted Trader Joe’s directly.

The company said it is looking at neighborhoods across the country, including in Texas, as it considers new stores.

But Trader Joe’s said it does not currently have a location confirmed in the Houston Heights.

I followed up again Wednesday to ask whether the Heights could be under consideration or in discussions with Kimco even if a location has not yet been confirmed.

I have not received a response.

What is happening with Heights Plaza?

There is, however, a real redevelopment process underway at Heights Plaza.

Kimco’s own quarterly financial materials list Heights Plaza under “Projects Undergoing Entitlement” and describe the project as a mixed-use development.

The project details list 400 residential units and 71,000 square feet of retail.

Keep in mind, Heights Plaza is already about 71,000 square feet, so this number doesn’t necessarily mean additional retail is coming, but it is unclear where residential units would go.

In general, a project undergoing entitlement is moving through the government approval process needed for a proposed development. The listing does not mean construction is approved, and it does not identify future retail tenants.

Kimco previously told me it is evaluating redevelopment opportunities at Heights Plaza but does not have specific plans to announce yet. The company said it expects to share additional details in 2027.

The former Kroger space is also still listed as available for lease on Kimco’s website.

So, is Trader Joe’s coming?

There is no confirmation that Trader Joe’s is coming to the Heights. But that is not necessarily the same as saying the grocery chain is not considering the location.

The information currently available does not identify the future tenants of the Heights Plaza redevelopment, and nothing in Kimco’s entitlement filing specifically rules Trader Joe’s out.

For now, the Trader Joe’s connection remains a rumor.

There is a real mixed-use redevelopment being considered for Heights Plaza. There is a real former Kroger space that remains available for lease. And there is a persistent rumor that Trader Joe’s could eventually occupy it.