Whole Foods Joins the Party in Montrose, Brings Booze

I live in Montrose, and I am a big fan of Disco Kroger. The infatuation began almost four years ago, on the very first night I moved into the area. It was after 1 a.m. on a Saturday and I had an apartment full of boxes and only condiments in the fridge. I ventured out to the Kroger on Montrose and was surprised to see so many cars in the parking lot.

Once inside, I understood why. Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" was playing overhead, and half a dozen shoppers roamed the aisles, filling their carts as Trent Reznor declared his desire to have his way with us (like an animal) over the speakers at a volume not typically heard in a supermarket. I made my way to the frozen food section for a pizza, and marveled at the sight of a slight gentleman in a tight T-shirt and sequined hot pants, dancing down the aisle past the TV dinners and frozen peas.

But recent development in the area could have Disco shaking in its rhinestone cowboy boots. There's an HEB being built around the corner, and a brand-spanking new Whole Foods Market opening later this week. Not only did Whole Foods get the community aspect of the area right -- from a GLBT rainbow-inspired color scheme, to walls filled with works by local artists, and an old refurbished cigarette machine that dispenses $5 cigarette pack-size original art -- they brought booze (and lots of it), essential in a neighborhood that loves to have a good time.

I love the unaffected customers oblivious to this sexyATTACK at Disco Kroger. This kind of thing happens all of the time.

Among other amenities that include a gigantic parking lot (with two electric car charging stations), breakfast bar, barbecue bar, antimicrobial shopping cards, coffee beans roasted fresh on site, fish-market style seafood section, the Montrose location Whole Foods Houston's first in store wine and beer bar. They even have growlers. This is all in addition to an impressive in-store selection of 700 varieties of wine, and a 32-foot beer cooler housing more than 350 brands (even a gluten-free option). a sharp contrast to the Heights location, which is dry.

Whether there will be dancing in the aisles is yet to be seen, but the ability to shop while drinking certainly helps.