Tag: Openings and Closings

Openings and Closings, Quicklink, Restaurants

JUSTIN YU TO CLOSE OXHEART, SPEND SOME TIME IN THE HEIGHTS Oxheart, 1302 Nance St., Warehouse District, Downtown Houston Next in the line of succession for the corner spot at 1302 Nance St. currently occupied byÂ Oxheart:Â . . . well, something else. So says James-Beard-ed chef and ownerÂ Justin Yu, who announced today that the restaurant will close on its 5th birthday in mid-March — to reopen with a new name,Â a redoneÂ interior, andÂ formerÂ Oxheart sous chefÂ Jason WhiteÂ at the helmÂ in the kitchen. Eric Sandler notes that Yu will eventually be splitting his hoursÂ between the yet-unnamed redo of the Nance space, wine and whiskey barÂ Public ServicesÂ in the Cotton Exchange building on Travis, and whatever he’sÂ doing with Bobby Heugel over on Yale St., in the former home of Dry Creek Cafe. [CultureMap; previously on Swamplot] Photo of 1302 Nance St.:Â Ken L.

77002, Downtown, Openings and Closings, Restaurants

12/01/16 4:15pm

Big Tex Montrose Self-Storage Now Open on Former Freaky Foods Lot

Lancaster Place, Storage Facilities

6 Comments

$Big Tex Montrose, 1810 Richmond Ave., Dearborn Place, Houston, 77006$

richwood-market-freaky-foods-west-view The doors opened last week at that 4-story 100,000-sq.-ft. storage facility that has replaced the boarded-upÂ Shell Food Mart just west of the corner of Richmond Â and Woodhead — itself aÂ makeoverÂ of the 24-hour Richwood Market, known back in the day as Freaky FoodsÂ (affectionately or not). The 4-story building started going up next to King Cole Liquor some time after the nearby trees got cleared out about a year agoÂ (with the city’s OK, Annise Parker said at the time).

Big TexÂ has since widened the sidewalks and added some new baby trees in a series of landscaped rectangles along Richmond; the company’s press release also says there’s gonna be an Art Wall.

Big Tex Storage Montrose Opens in Houston [PRWeb]
Previously on Swamplot:Â Mayor Parker Clears Up Richmond Ave Shell Station Self Storage Tree Removal Mystery;Â The Old Freaky Foods on Richmond Ave Is Boarded Up and Looking Forlorn

Photos: Big Tex Storage via UrbannizerÂ (panoramic of Big Tex at 1810 Richmond Ave.), Swamplot inbox (2014 shot of 1810 Richmond Ave.)

Boxes on Richmond

77098, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Lancaster Place, Montrose, Openings and Closings, Richmond Ave., Storage Facilites

Briargrove

11/28/16 4:15pm

Giant Beaver Now Lodged In Place at Texadelphia’s Last Stand on Westheimer

Restaurants

Beaver's, 6025 Westheimer Rd., Houston, 77057

The faux lighthouse atop Christie’s gotÂ some company this week — namely,Â the giant fake beaverÂ now heralding the arrival of the second Beaver’s location, in the first and last Houston outpost of southern cheesesteak fusion shop Texadelphia. After a few years of looking around for potential second spot spots, the selection of 6025Â Westheimer Rd. was announced early this year; the new trio of Beaver’s head chefsÂ told Eric Sandler just this month that they’re planning to put ofÂ more seafood on the menu, while upping the chainlet’sÂ barbecue game.

The beaver itself got craned into place on top of a steel frame last Tuesday, with the faux-rock ledge applied afterward (the shot above is from work spotted on Saturday). The chefs told Sandler that the plan is to openÂ as soon as permitting and training wrap up in the next few weeks,Â and a Now Hiring bannerÂ was still on display over weekend:

Beaver’s in Briargrove

77057, Adaptive Reuse, Briargrove, Openings and Closings, Restaurants

Downtown

11/15/16 5:30pm

Last of Ninfa’s Underground Territory Ceded To Pizza, as Empanada Plans Unfold Nearby

2 Comments

Hot Toppings Pizza, 919 Milan St., Downtown Tunnels, Houston, 77002

Fresh off the email from Swamplot’s anonymous tunnel correspondent: the latest dispatch from the downtown underground, including word (and photo) ofÂ a second Hot Toppings in the works:

The remainder of the space that used to be a Ninfa’s at 919 Milam is scheduled to become Hot Toppings Pizza. (The other portion of the space was taken over by Bullrito’s in March.) As part of the conversion to a pizza joint, it look’s like they’re modifying the wall where the Ninfa’s entrance used to be (that’s the plywood covering in the left of the photo).

Plus, bonus shot of the almost-ready Houston outpost of Argentinian-Chicagoan 5411 Empanadas, now moving in beneath nearby 811 Louisiana and reportedly planning to open onÂ Monday:

Tales from the Tunnels

77002, Downtown, Downtown Tunnel System, Openings and Closings, Restaurants, Tunnel Correspondent

11/14/16 10:45am

Oh My Gogi, Happy Endings Food Truckers Pull Into Sparrow’s Empty Midtown Nest

Midtown, Openings and Closings, Restaurants

Winburn Mess Hall, 3701 Travis St., Midtown, Houston, 77002

The brick building at Travis and Winbern streets, wedgedÂ between the Breakfast Klub to the south and Continental Club to the east, is occupied these days by Winbern Mess Hall — a joint truck-to-brick-and-mortar project involving both Korean-Mexican fusion truck Oh My Gogi! and Asian-fusion hotdog truck Happy Endings.Â TheÂ fused fusion truckers quietly opened shop inÂ October, with plans for aÂ grander openingÂ tentatively planned for mid-December. A rep tells Swamplot that itemsÂ from both trucksÂ are on the menu, andÂ aÂ barÂ is also in the works.

Winbern has moved intoÂ the spot in the wake of theÂ sudden May flightÂ of Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, another animal-mascotted endeavor of Beaver’s chef Monica Pope. The red banner by the tucked-away front door on Travis (above) has been updated to reflect the switchover, though the new occupants say they haven’t changed too much inside the place. Here’s a shot of theÂ spot (from back when it still played host toÂ the avian theme):

Winbern Fusion Fusion Joint

77002, Midtown, Openings and Closings, Restaurants

11/10/16 3:30pm

New Hubcap Grill Already Parked at IAH for Next Week’s Passenger Pick-Ups

IAH, Openings and Closings, Restaurants

Hubcap Grill at IAH

Hubcap Grill at IAH The 5th linkÂ in Ricky Craig’s Hubcap Grill chainÂ is opening next week to travelers through Terminal A at IAH. The former food truck expanded fromÂ its first permanent Downtown spot toÂ a Shady Acres location in 2011,Â and a Kemah spot in 2014. Craig also recently converted Harborside MercantileÂ — which CraigÂ opened in January in a renovated Galveston Strand spot,Â with Modular chicken rancher Joshua Martinez —Â into aÂ cocktail bar versionÂ of HubcapÂ as well;Â followingÂ the seafood restaurant’sÂ August shutdown,Â the remodeled joint reopened as a burger place in late October.

Previously on Swamplot:Â Harborside Mercantile Casting Off on the Galveston Strand Tonight;Â Openings and Closings: New Hubcap Grill, Funeral Bars, Downtown Phoenicia Delay;

Photos: Ricky Craig

Food Truck Links

77032, IAH, Openings and Closings

Downtown

11/04/16 5:15pm

The Office and Alcohol Options Stacking Up Around the Bayou Lofts

1 Comment

100 Main St. north of Franklin St., Downtown, Houston, 77002

A reader sends a few shots from the corner of Main and Franklin streets, whereÂ theÂ family that ownsÂ La Colombe D’Or is now turning the 1890’s-or-so buildings at 104, 108, 110, and 114 Main into co-working space. The ground floor of the block (occupied in large part by the Bayou Lofts building) has seen some tenant movement too in the last few years; signage for bars Gossip Ultralounge, Barringer Lounge, and recently-opened Lilly & BloomÂ can all be spotted hanging out while exterior work is underway.

As for theÂ Franklin side of the block: Next to watch-shop-turned-whiskey-barÂ Houston Watch Company, The Brit will be moving into what was once PI lounge at 911 Franklin; a bit further west, past newly-opened La Calle Tacos & Tortas, the space formerly holding that beer incubator that closed afterÂ a naked TwisterÂ incident isÂ being prepped forÂ bottle shop Craft Beer Cellar:

Main St. Move-Ins

77002, Adaptive Reuse, Bars, Co-working, Downtown, Historic Preservation, Office Space, Openings and Closings, Restaurants, Retail

11/04/16 3:15pm

Younger, Prettier Young Library Branch Opens Tomorrow on Griggs Rd.

South Union

Alice McKean Young Library, 5107 Griggs Rd., South Union, Houston, 77021

The replacement for the Alice McKean Young Library’s strip center headquarters in Palm Center will have its grand opening party tomorrow morning in the branch’s new nearby building at the corner of Griggs Rd. and Martin Luther King Blvd. The rendering up top from Perkins+WillÂ looks south across Griggs toward the Village at Palm CenterÂ mixed-income apartment building on its way up across the street (where once Speedy Automotive Center andÂ King’s Flea Market reigned). Catty-corner to the 16,000-sq.-ft. new building isÂ the Houston Texans YMCA, andÂ the METRO Purple Line can be swinging into and back out ofÂ the frame on the left on its way to the last station on the line.

Check out the glassy new front, as seen from Griggs:

South Union Swap

77021, Libraries, Openings and Closings, OST, Palm Center, South Union

11/01/16 10:45am

KFC Flies the Fairview Coop

Openings and Closings, Restaurants, Retail, Vermont Commons

11 Comments

KFC at 2359 S. Shepherd Dr., Vermont Commons, Houston, 77019

The Colonel is still hanging around by the door, but KFCÂ is in the process ofÂ leaving the building at 2359 S. Shepherd Dr., a few readers report. The spot at the corner with Fairview Dr.Â has been sporting now closed signage, and the location has already been eradicated from the annals of KFC’s store database. The chicken shop’sÂ decommissioning follows the late-June sale of the property to an entity called 2359 S. Shepherd, which shares a Smith St. address withÂ Crosspoint Properties (responsible for the redevelopment of a number of Midtown and properties, including the building that now houses Reef and Proof).

The drive-thru sits just south of the Shepherd Place office tower (onceÂ theÂ siteÂ of those 1960s lesbian barÂ raids, in its pre-highrise days), and across Shepherd from the former Arby’s, converted to the Inner Loop’s first-ish Dunkin’ Donuts back in 2013.

S. Shepherd Retreat

77019, Fast Food, Land Sales, Openings and Closings, Restaurants, Vermont Commons

10/28/16 12:45pm

Leafy Galleria Shake Shack Spot To Open Next Friday, Serve Other Houston Restaurants’ Food

Galleria, Openings and Closings, Restaurants

2 Comments

Rendering of Shake Shack Houston, 5015 Westheimer Rd., Uptown, Houston, 77056

The first Houston Shake Shack will beÂ opening on November 4th nearÂ the mall’s new parking lot jewel boxÂ pad site, a rep for the New York burger chain announced this morning. On the menu, on top of the usual fare: a handful of concretes made withÂ donuts from Morningstar on N. Main, Houston roasterÂ Greenway Coffee‘s coffee, and baked goods from Fluff Bake Bar on the western edge of Midtown. On the exterior: aÂ living moss wallÂ created by Austin-based Articulture Designs, as seen in the rendering released back inÂ January. The firm designed a plant-coveredÂ wall for the Shake Shack that opened in Austin last year as well — here’s a shot of howÂ that one turned out,Â with an accompanying succulent planter out front:

Side of Greens

Galleria Mall, Landscaping, Openings and Closings, Plants, Restaurants

10/24/16 12:30pm

Riel Restaurant Trying To Get Real on Fairview in Former Te House of Tea

Montrose, Renovations, Restaurants, Retail, Vermont Commons

2 Comments

Riel Restaurant under construction at 1927 Fairview, Montrose, Houston, 77006

French-Canadian-Ukrainian-Texan fusion restaurant Riel is still being installed atÂ 1927 Fairview St., formerly home to Te House of Tea and Trudy’s Boutique Re Sale at the corner with Woodhead St. A reader snagged the shot above yesterday afternoon, showing the formerÂ mid-60’s retail strip dressed upÂ in green construction fencing and still sporting thatÂ above-it-all street number signage.Â Ex-Reef chefÂ Ryan Lachaine lastÂ saidÂ in September that the placeÂ should beÂ opening some timeÂ next month.

Chef Ryan Lachaineâ€™s Riel Will Blend Ukranian, French-Canadian And Texas FareÂ [Eater Houston]
Previously on Swamplot:Â What’s Brewing in the Former Te House of Tea in Hyde Park;Â McGowen Cleaners For Sale on Fairview Near Restaurant-Slated Former Te House of Tea;Â Te House of Tea on Fairview Closes Thursday, But You Can Still Buy a Piece of It This Weekend

Photo: Mosaic Clinic Dermatology

Fairview Preview

77006, Adaptive Reuse, Fairview, Montrose, Openings and Closings, Redevelopment, Restaurants, Retail, Vermont Commons

10/20/16 12:30pm

Juan Mon’s International Sandwiches Peacefully Cedes Fourth Ward Territory to Cowboys & Indians

Fourth Ward, Restaurants

5 Comments

Cowboys & Indians, 1901 Taft St., Fourth Ward, Houston, 77006

The palm-tree-garnished signageÂ for Juan Mon’s International Sandwiches is now down at 1901 Taft St., shown aboveÂ nearÂ the tail end of the space’s conversion intoÂ Cowboys & Indians Indo-Tex Kitchen.Â The 1920s building hit LoopNet in the spring after aboutÂ 7 years of servingÂ globally-themed lunch options, and the Juan Mon’s folksÂ appear to beÂ helpingÂ to easeÂ neighborhood diplomatic relationsÂ for theÂ space’sÂ new Texan-South-Asian-fusion operators.Â The space has been remodeled during the transfer of power: thoseÂ covered drivethru lanesÂ out front at the corner with W. Webster St. areÂ now serving as a covered patio,Â and the building’s coat of flag-worthyÂ primary colors have been replaced with a more neutral suite of grey-browns. Here’s the old look, for comparison:

Culinary Alliances

77006, Fourth Ward, Openings and Closings, Restaurants

10/11/16 3:45pm

Memorial Dr. Gas Station Back to Selling Gas After Deadly Memorial Weekend Shooting Spree and Pump Fire

Wilchester

Memorial Conoco Car Care, 13202 Memorial Dr., Wilchester, Houston, 77079

The Memorial Conoco Car Care station at Memorial and Wycliffe drives is now fully back in the swing of things following theÂ shootout and subsequent fire at the station over Memorial Day weekend, a reader notes. The station reopened its garage forÂ repair and maintenance servicesÂ within about a week of theÂ May incident, during which police and aÂ SWAT team faced off with a gunman who had begunÂ to unload an AR-15 on passers by. The shooting spreeÂ resulted in 2 deaths (including the gunman), 6 injuries (including 2 officers and an armed guy mistaken for another gunman), and the gasoline fire that burned down the fuel pumps and canopy; the reader reports that the station is back to dispensing gasoline as of last week. That’s a new peaked canopy visible in the background over the sign shown above — here’s what the old one looked like:

Tanks Full on Wilchester

77079, Fires, Gas Stations, Guns, Openings and Closings, Wilchester

10/06/16 11:45am

An Orange and Silver Welcome to Hanover Montrose from the Disco Kroger Parking Lot

WAMM

5 Comments

The Hawthorne-facingÂ apartment highrise at 3400 Montrose is now open for general business, as theÂ orange sign recently added over the door declares in all-caps. Across the street at the edge of the Disco Kroger parking lot, another orange sign is also directing folks toward the entrance, a reader notes —Â as of yesterday evening, the decked-out flag man above wasÂ set up across from the tower’s main entrance as some heavy equipmentÂ work wrapped up in the street behind it. Here’s a close-up portrait: