Vegan-friendly dance landmark Te House of Tea, at the corner of Fairview and Woodhead, will officially close its doors tomorrow at 7 PM — then briefly reopen them for an after-Christmas sale of equipment and interior furnishings the following Saturday. According to the restaurant’s December 1st closing announcement, owner Connie Lacobie attempted to sell the nearly 10-year-old business citing health issues, but a buyer couldn’t be found before the landlord made other plans for the space. Te opened in March 2006 with a lion dance for good luck (above); the final weekly swing-blues-fusion dance was held this past Saturday, and Monday was the last Open Mic. Photos: Te House of Tea
Down to the Dregs
As a former close neighbor I have many aromatic memories linked to this pleasant place. During the short period between 2010-2015 the entire neighborhood changed dramatically. Especially along Woodhead, where now almost all old antiques stores have been transformed into modern townhomes.
I’m sad to see this go. One-by-one Houston’s dance venues are being lost. I have many fond memories of this place, Hank, the swing instructor, and his loyal bunch of dance and tea addicts. Where will future residents of Houston go to meet others new to the city? How will they find a place to groove in this maze of townhomes and midrises?
I’m sad to hear that this place is shutting down – but it was just a matter of time before the Invisible Hand of the free market made the land value too tempting to the owner. I’m sure some McBlandsville (TM) townhome set will be shoehorned into that space soon enough.
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Tea lovers will probably have to venture outside the Loop to get their fix.
Huh. I have more fondness for the washateria that used to be on that corner.
Word is this will become a new restaurant by one of Houston’s top chefs. No need to worry about more blah town homes – for now.
Of course, the “invisible hand of the free market” is what gave this wonderful place a long 10-year run at this location.
“Tea lovers will probably have to venture outside the Loop to get their fix.”
Path of Tea is just a few blocks a away on west alabama. Not exactly the same, but should suffice for ‘tea lovers’.