Former Heights landmark Super Happy Fun Land may reopen in its new East Downtown EaDo location soon, writes Omar Afra in the Free Press. What’s happened since we last checked in?

To give you a brief synopsis, Houston’s favorite uber-eclectic outsider arthouse and music venue SHFL operated out of a house in the Heights for 5 years until the property owners squeezed them out. Well, the silver lining was that they found a new home in a gigantic warehouse just east of downtown that could facilitate larger shows, more art, and crazier antics. So we at Free Press Houston decided to have a giant shindig at the new venue to celebrate our 5th anniversary and the opening of the great new spot. The place was packed. Err, too packed. The fire marshals came and, lo and behold, SHFL did not have adequate occupancy permitting to permit such an event. They of course got ticketed out the watoozy and have since been jumping through all the municipal hurdles required to submit building plans, acquire permits, and such to open their doors legit. It looked rather bleak for a while as the city does not exactly get excited about doing what it takes to get outsider-art venues open. After having their plans denied several times and given the run around for nearly a year, the good folks at SHFL have got their chance. Their plans were recently approved and they are set for a final inspection in early January to get their occupancy permit. Problem is, they need help.

How can you help Super Happy Fun Land open again?

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By purchasing these “nifty hand crafted” sock monkeys “Designed and hand sewn by Super Happy Funlanders,” says the SHFL website.

Don’t like the monkeys? Other creatures are available!

This “Devil Monkey and His Pig” were “for a custom order … don’t ask,” says a caption on the (apparently SHFL-affiliated) Fluff.tv site.

• Super Happy Fun Land to re-open soon. Hopefully. [Free Press Houston]
• Super Happy Fun Land, 3801 Polk St.
• The coolest sock monkeys & Sock creatures on Earth (or anywhere)! [Fluff TV]

Photos: Free Press Houston (sign); Fluff TV (creatures)