Abandoned Houston big box stores 2014 & 2015

Here is a small collection of abandoned retail here in the Houston area. Retail development in Houston is very strong and many empty big box stores have been filled. The closing of Anna's Linens will create more empty space, but it will probably be quickly filled.

ALCO Houston Gessner Rd. Abandoned 2014, previously a 99 cent only store.

Kmart Houston Homestead Rd. closed in the 1990's. Most recently used as a flea market and abandoned in the early 2000's.

Best Buy Houston/Almeda abandoned 2008. The store closed when the Gulfgate Best Buy opened.

Target Houston/Almeda abandoned 2009. A replacement Super Target nearby on the beltway replaced this store.

Circuit City Houston/Almeda abandoned sometime in late 2005-early 2006. The Circuit City moved to a nearby shopping center and closed in 2009. Redeveloped into the Sonya clothing store, now being redeveloped into a new business possibly a warehouse. Lots of interior photos inside of the store here.

Circuit City Sugarland abandoned 2009. Most recently a Halloween Express.

As you can see most of the interior is still intact.

Alco Pasadena closing sale 2014

Alco stores officially filed for bankruptcy in November 2014 just a few months after they exited the Houston market and closed their remaining 198 stores across the United States. The company started off in 1901 and grew to many small towns throughout the United States. The company over the years grew to a few large cities including Houston. Unfortunately Alco only lasted a little more than 2 years in the Houston are, and during that time they converted their Gessner store into a clearance store before closing. 

The Pasadena Alco was located at 4200 Pasadena Blvd and had a full range of departments and grocery section in a 22,000 square foot space. It could have been a viable discount store alternative here in the Houston market, but the company was not strong enough to support and expand the chain.

This is the first trip during the closing sale. Both of the photo sets were taken in January 2014.

This is the back of the store near the auto and hardware sections facing the front. 

An up close of one of the department signs. 

The back of the store facing the front with more of a central view of the store. 

A look from the Marketplace to the other side of the store. 

The second trip during the closing sale.

One of the department box signs, this one was the grocery section of the store.

Housewares facing the center of the store.

Looking at the center of the store from the edge of the marketplace department. 

Near where the pet section was at. 

The same image from a slightly different angle to see more of the photos on the far wall.

Near the back of the store by children's clothing and hardware.

The hardware and auto sections were moved up to the front of the store. 

From the back of the store to the front.

The store closed in late February 2014.

Here is how the store looks now in February 2015 almost a year later.

The empty former Alco looks very small without all of the fixtures. 

ALCO Pasadena Tx

Thanks to one of my loyal readers for the tip on the existence of these stores in the Houston area, and the confirmation of this store being a former Kmart location. 

ALCO stores have been in business since 1901 as mainly a small town retailer. These stores remind me of the discount stores of Woolworth and TG&Y but with a modern look. In less than 50,000 square feet, ALCO features nearly every product department that Walmart and Target have, but with a smaller selection of products. ALCO currently has two stores in the Houston area. The other one on Gessner in Houston is a clearance store and does not currently offer the full selection that this store has. If you are looking for an alternative to Walmart and Target, this may be what you are looking for. 

Yes the large A/C vents were a clue to the ALCO's past life as a Kmart location. 

The electronics section is in the front of the store which is always a must visit for me.