Meet The Founder Of Houston’s First Black-Owned Grocery Store

Special To The ...May 23,2022

Robert Thomas opened the first Black-owned grocery store in Houston, Texas called District Market Green Grocer. It was previously a nightclub that he owned in the same location.

Thomas now aims to open more Black-owned grocery stores across the country in hopes of ending food deserts.Thomas started doing business in Houston when he opened District 1960 nightclub that he had operated for 5 years. But when the pandemic hit and he had to shut down the business, he decided to turn the nightclub into what is essential at that time -- a grocery store.

"There were long lines outside of the grocery store during the pandemic. This resulted in the creation of popup shops and farmers' markets. I began to say to myself why aren't these products are not in big block stores. This gives me an idea to create a place for these small business owners to sell their products," Thomas told The Houston Chronicle. Read more.