Grocery store wars: Upper Kirby area overrun with supermarkets

HOUSTON – One area of town is seeing quite a boom in grocery stores.

Now, there's a grocery store on almost every corner and H-E-B has decided to build yet another location in the Upper Kirby area.

There are already several supermarkets, including an H-E-B, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

The plans are all still premature, but it's safe to say the store selection will be as diverse as the city of Houston, in an area that's busting at the seams with new condos and apartments.

The grocery store scene is also a major player in the real estate game.

"It's nice to see the developments in the area, new developments all up and down Kirby (Drive), and how Houston has become a major metropolitan community," shopper Nadia Pinto said.

When it comes to buying groceries, Pinto and other shoppers will have even more options.

An H-E-B spokesperson confirmed the company has purchased land on the northwest side of Kirby Drive and West Alabama Street.

When the new center will be open for shoppers is unclear right now, but what's certain is that there will definitely be some serious competition.

The new H-E-B will be across the street from Whole Foods.

Less than mile west, there's a Trader Joe's.

And less than a half-mile away, there's another H-E-B.

"I'm a Whole Foods devotee. I've been shopping there my whole life, with my mom and my family, so unless a store comes up and is able to offer up quality like Whole Foods offers, this is still going to be my home," Pinto said.

With new high-rises, such as the Hanover and Giorgetti, going up along Kirby Drive, it's evident there won't be a lack of shoppers in the area.