[The Great Hizzy!]

FCM35, on Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 @ 2:42pm, said:

Between Washington and Detering and Washington and Reinerman, there are a couple lots (next to the Washateria) that appear to be in the process of being demod...anyone know what is going to be built there?

Okay, I'm drawing a mental blank. I'm going to have to go investigate during lunch.

[tanith27]

Just saw these pop up today: http://search.har.co...m?mlnum=9703739
They're the new units going up just east of the Target. Also noticed a couple of weeks ago, the two blocks that border the south of this complex had a sign up requesting the removal of the middle street. Makes me think another large two block complex is intended for that area. All the homes on those blocks are boarded up and appear ready for demo.

[The Great Hizzy!]

I've noticed that they've cleared two more large areas where warehouses had been located. I'm assuming that those clearings will eventually house new residential/retail? One lines the eastern border of Studemont and the other is located about a block further east, just before you get to the Sawyer Heights development.

This post has been edited by The Great Hizzy!: Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 2:22 PM

[Htowngirl]

Cosmos Cafe at 69 Heights is now the "Porch Swing Pub" - looks like it could be related to "Front Porch Pub" in Midtown, which I think will be a great addition to the area, but will be competing/sharing business with the new "Social" around the corner... According to this site, it was open as of Friday 2/1. I drove by Saturday, though, and it still looked like it was under construction (but very close to being finished).

Porch Swing Pub is hiring.

[musicman]

Htowngirl, on Monday, February 4th, 2008 @ 11:51am, said:

Cosmos Cafe at 69 Heights is now the "Porch Swing Pub"

i heard it was kinda yuppie.

[smurf]

musicman, on Monday, February 4th, 2008 @ 1:59pm, said:

i heard it was kinda yuppie.

It is Front Porch's (midtown) second location.

Has anyone been to the new lounge/club on Center (near Fowler St basically behind Max's but before Patterson) ? I think it is only open Thur-Sat. Sadly, I saw valet parking outside on Friday night.

[heights_yankee]

musicman, on Monday, February 4th, 2008 @ 2:59pm, said:

i heard it was kinda yuppie.

which is better than the kinda crappy of cosmos

[Crash]

smurf, on Monday, February 4th, 2008 @ 3:02pm, said:

It is Front Porch's (midtown) second location.

Has anyone been to the new lounge/club on Center (near Fowler St basically behind Max's but before Patterson) ? I think it is only open Thur-Sat. Sadly, I saw valet parking outside on Friday night.

Yep, that place is called Citizen..... it seems to be suffering from a split personality disorder. It wants to be a club and a lounge at the same time.... kind of ends up failing at both. It is a bit generic and a somewhat cheesy. But it is certainly amusing, although probably not intentionally so. Not really my kind of place - but I'm sure it will prove popular for a short while and then bottom out and change owners.

I wish Pearl Bar would open back up.

[musicman]

heights_yankee, on Monday, February 4th, 2008 @ 8:59pm, said:

which is better than the kinda crappy of cosmos

the last owner made it crappy. the yuppies wont go there for long. they'll move to the next place.

[tanith27]

When I was driving home last night, I noticed a new sign set up on that long-vacant restaurant/bar on the corner of White Oak and Houston Ave. I was quickly driving by it, but the sign said something like wine/beer/coffee. Anybody know anything on it?

[RedScare]

tanith27, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 @ 8:55am, said:

When I was driving home last night, I noticed a new sign set up on that long-vacant restaurant/bar on the corner of White Oak and Houston Ave. I was quickly driving by it, but the sign said something like wine/beer/coffee. Anybody know anything on it?

The property is for sale or lease. For the size and condition, the price seems very high. That probably explains why it has sat for over a year.

[luvtheheights]

musicman, on Monday, February 4th, 2008 @ 2:59pm, said:

i heard it was kinda yuppie.

If that place is anything like Front Porch Pub, I think it will absolutely kill it. Are they open yet?

[musicman]

luvtheheights, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 @ 9:16am, said:

If that place is anything like Front Porch Pub, I think it will absolutely kill it. Are they open yet?

yes they are open. i'm with you about the front porch comparson. lame comes to mind first.

[RedScare]

musicman, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 @ 9:22am, said:

yes they are open. i'm with you about the front porch comparson. lame comes to mind first.

I think the post was actually suggesting that a Front Porch knockoff would do extremely well. Maybe you are not a fan of the customer base, but if you look at Front Porch's numbers over the years, they hit a homerun with their concept.

[musicman]

RedScare, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 @ 9:25am, said:

Maybe you are not a fan of the customer base, but if you look at Front Porch's numbers over the years, they hit a homerun with their concept.

nope i'm not. i think they hit a foul. it's like when jimmy's changed hands. went from fun to weak.

[RedScare]

Hmmm....$2 million a year in alcohol sales ALONE is weak? By comparison, your favorite bar, Warren's, does about $350,000 a year. I suppose if increasing business to stratospheric levels in a 2100 sf space is "weak", I'd have to agree (and, I'd strive for "weak"). But, in a period of about 6 years, they've gone from a $30,000 alcohol sales a month bar with a toaster oven to a $165,000 alcohol sales a month bar with a full kitchen. My kind of weak.

You might be better off admitting your preference for dingy, smelly bars that are barely hanging on when describing bars as "lame" or "weak". At least people will know where you're coming from. And, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with hellholes, either. Just that your characterizations are a bit...no, WAY...off.

This post has been edited by RedScare: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 10:53 AM

[musicman]

people are what make the place to me. not sure 25+ yrs is barely hanging on.

This post has been edited by musicman: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 10:59 AM

[luvtheheights]

musicman, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 @ 9:22am, said:

yes they are open. i'm with you about the front porch comparson. lame comes to mind first.

Actually, I think the Porch Swing Pub will do very, very well (hence, it will kill it). I will be there soon.

[Poppahop]

Warren's has character. The Porch bars do not.

Million dollar sales have nothing to do with the quality of a bar, in my view. In fact, many of the crappiest bars in town have the highest sales. Those bars -- Sam's Boat, the Porch Bars, Pub Fiction -- are full of people who think they are having fun. And if they think they are having fun, they are not old enough.

[RedScare]

Poppahop, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 @ 6:48pm, said:

Warren's has character. The Porch bars do not.

Million dollar sales have nothing to do with the quality of a bar, in my view. In fact, many of the crappiest bars in town have the highest sales. Those bars -- Sam's Boat, the Porch Bars, Pub Fiction -- are full of people who think they are having fun. And if they think they are having fun, they are not old enough.

While I wholehearteadly agree, and am not a fan of Pub Fiction and Sam's, and a reduced fan of the now crowded Front Porch, I must respectfully disagree on the Warren's and Jimmy's crowds, as well. They may be authentic, but they are desperately depressing. Every time I try to give them another chance, they depress me again.

To each his own, as they say...or as Yogi Berra would say, "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

[Poppahop]

Warren's has been a downer lately. At Jimmy's, I like to just have a quick beer alone in the great outdoors.

[musicman]

RedScare, on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 @ 6:57pm, said:

They may be authentic, but they are desperately depressing. Every time I try to give them another chance, they depress me again.

it may be my jukebox selections.

[heights_yankee]

I went to a spot last night on Washington called "Pearl Bar" or something like that. It was between Molina's (where I had dinner) and Yale (where I turned to bring a friend home). I know that's real specific. Anyway, it was a really mixed crowd. Laid back. I enjoyed it.

[tmariar]

heights_yankee, on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 @ 12:52pm, said:

I went to a spot last night on Washington called "Pearl Bar" or something like that. It was between Molina's (where I had dinner) and Yale (where I turned to bring a friend home). I know that's real specific. Anyway, it was a really mixed crowd. Laid back. I enjoyed it.

That's the old Mary Jane's, now Pearl Bar - thread here.

[smurf]

A friend of mine went to this place the same night. It just opened few weeks ago and is only busy on weekends. I live 4 blocks from the place!


http://www.104krbe.com/krbe_entertainment/...tlife/clubs.asp

CITIZEN
Less Than Welcoming To All Houston Citizens
A friend and co-worker of mine - we'll just call her Ms. T, was invited to a birthday party for a friend of hers and invited me to come along. Why not? I have fun hanging out with Ms. T and her friends, so sure...sounds like fun. The party was going to be at a new club in the Heights called Citizen.



The party theme was "Black and White Ball" so everyone had to come dressed in those colors. I got all dressed up in a new dress with a very cool black and white mod print. I fixed my hair and got all gussied up for the party because I heard the dress code was really strict at the club. Apparently, that's not all that's strict about the club, which my friends and I would find out later.

I met Ms. T at her house and she drove us to Citizen. When we got there my first thought was "Wow, this club is not in a very nice looking area." Then I saw the outside of the club and it seemed kind of small. Anyway, we parked the car in the parking lot across the street and paid the $7 parking fee (they do have valet parking too). We walked in the rain and cold over to the door of the club and the guy at the door asked if we were there for a party. We told him who's party we were with and he didn't even really glance at his clipboard before saying "I don't have that name." He said that there were 3 private parties going on that night and they weren't letting in the general public. And we told him that we were there for one of those parties and we were invited to it and RSVPed for it. My friend gets out her phone to try and call the birthday girl, and as she's doing this, people are walking up to the door and the door guy isn't asking them if they are there for a party or anything. He just opens the door and lets them in. All the while, Ms. T and I are standing in the rain making phone calls and trying to figure out what's going on.

Ms. T was unable to get a hold of the birthday girl so she and I decided to leave instead of waiting out in the rain. Thankfully, the guy watching the parking lot was nice enough to give us our money back since we couldn't get into the club (the sign in the parking lot says no refunds, but we asked very nicely).

Anyway, Ms. T and I wait in the car for another friend to arrive and we all decided to go somewhere else. Why not? We were all dressed up. But before we left, I wanted to see if our friend, Ms. D, could get in since the door guy hadn't see her yet. So I asked her to give it a try. She walked up to the door and the door man just opened the door and let her in. She didn't have to say she was there for a party or anything. If the club wasn't letting in the "general public" that night, why didn't he ask her if she was there for a party? Needless to say, Ms. T and I were very annoyed at that point. We were invited to come out there and we were told that we couldn't go in?

Come to find out the next day, it wasn't our clothes, our make-up or our hair...they wouldn't let us in because my friend/co-worker, Ms. T, is black. One of Ms. T's friends, who was able to get in, called her the next day and told her that there were no black people inside the club, so it was highly probable that the reason we didn't get in was because of the color of her skin. It amazes me that there are still establishments and people around that are like that.

I can't review what the club was like on the inside or what the service or atmosphere was like inside either because I wasn't allowed in due to some very narrow minded people. And I can not say that that club will ever be reviewed on this website because I do not plan to go there again or give those people my hard earned money. As a matter of fact, the manager is named Bobby Ramirez and I don't plan on going to any of the clubs that he manages.
- Shannel Vance Citizen
4606 Washington
Houston, TX 77007

[sowanome]

Booo! Booo to the citizen....It figures that they have the minority quota in strong effect like it's vegas or something.....However, this is no different than a lot of places around midtown ?

[Arivechi]

Went to Soma on Thursday (between Shepherd and Durham)... sat at the sushi bar. It took over half an hour for our 2 rolls and 3 nigiri orders to arrive. The place wasn't busy when we arrived (maybe 6:45). There were at least 3 or 4 sushi chefs behind the bar. The sushi was good but we were grumbling because it took so long. Don't know what the trouble was.
I was also a little disturbed that someone came with a wet rag to wipe up the counter top in front of me while I was still sitting there before the bill was paid. Sure, I dropped a few crumbs and those should be wiped up before the next party sat down but I didn't feel that it was appropriate while I was still right there.
If we go back we'll probably grab a table and order non-sushi items to see if the main kitchen is faster.

[sowanome]

Arivechi, on Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 @ 8:58pm, said:

Went to Soma on Thursday (between Shepherd and Durham)... sat at the sushi bar. It took over half an hour for our 2 rolls and 3 nigiri orders to arrive. The place wasn't busy when we arrived (maybe 6:45). There were at least 3 or 4 sushi chefs behind the bar. The sushi was good but we were grumbling because it took so long. Don't know what the trouble was.
I was also a little disturbed that someone came with a wet rag to wipe up the counter top in front of me while I was still sitting there before the bill was paid. Sure, I dropped a few crumbs and those should be wiped up before the next party sat down but I didn't feel that it was appropriate while I was still right there.
If we go back we'll probably grab a table and order non-sushi items to see if the main kitchen is faster.

How was the decor? It seems like they put a lot of money/time/effort into building out that space...

[Arivechi]

sowanome, on Sunday, February 24th, 2008 @ 12:10pm, said:

How was the decor? It seems like they put a lot of money/time/effort into building out that space...

Actually the decor was pretty nice. Uplit flagstone walls as you walk to the front door, dimly lit interior, drop pendants for the sushi chefs' task lighting. There is a lounge area and bar to the left as you walk in that looked cool and big enough to hang with a group. But sitting at the sushi bar our view was more of the fish. They didn't have printed menus yet... our menu was a stapled 3-page xerox document. Not a big deal but obviously a few things are still being pulled together for the restaurant.
Oh, and something to note... most of the parking spots in that lot are reserved for "the crew" which I guess is the gym next door (on the N side of the complex). So you have to do the valet thing, which I think is ridiculous.

[sevfiv]

More on Citizen:
http://houstonist.co...izen_lounge.php

[Porchman]

I knew there was a reason I hadn't been to these places...

From the HBJ:

WASHINGTON AVENUE CLUBS HANDPICK 'PRETTY PEOPLE' CROWD
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories...ry5.html?page=3

[TJones]

Citizen Lounge is trying to cater to "pretty people" only, and the owner is THIS handsome devil ??? How IRONIC !!!

This post has been edited by TJones: Friday, March 28, 2008 at 11:40 AM

[roadrunner]

I hope the new Washington nightlife doesn't kill Midtown. Even though every Midtown bar is packed on weekend nights, I enjoy having an area of the city like that. If the Washington area identifies itself as more upscale than Midtown or the laid back bars for the Midtown graduates (26+), then I'm okay with it. I like Midtown for the kids right out of college.

[wernicke]

Midtown just needs more residential development... but I think it will come. Washington attracts homeowners in the Heights, which is a different population vs. midtown (younger, apartment-dwellers).

[musicman]

wernicke, on Friday, March 28th, 2008 @ 5:27pm, said:

Midtown just needs more residential development... but I think it will come. Washington attracts homeowners in the Heights, which is a different population vs. midtown (younger, apartment-dwellers).

midtown is almost has been.....

[Htowngirl]

Another new restaurant/deli coming to 4500 Washington...

Raia's Italian Market

"Raia's Italian Market in Spring 2008.
Raia's Italian Market will bring the feel of a neighborhood grocery store and deli back to Washington Avenue.

Plan to enjoy our deli full of imported meats and cheeses, the old-fashion pizza oven, and a menu full of one family favorite after another.

If you would like to know if we will carry a specific good, feel free to email us with questions and suggestions. We look forward to meeting everyone and bringing the neighborhood grocery back to the neighborhood.
Email :
raia.italian.market@gmail.com
Address :
4500 Washington Ave
Ste. 200
Houston
TX "

Same shopping center as Blue Label Lounge (they're finishing up the patio), and Joy Yoga (open and doing well, I hear) and
James Craig furnishings looks like it should open soon.

[diggity]

Quote

midtown is almost has been.....

tell that to the swarms of tow trucks that inhabit midtown from thursday to saturday every week

[musicman]

diggity, on Friday, April 4th, 2008 @ 2:10pm, said:

tell that to the swarms of tow trucks that inhabit midtown from thursday to saturday every week

if the number of tow trucks defines a community, doesn't sound too welcoming.

[roadrunner]

musicman, on Saturday, March 29th, 2008 @ 12:53am, said:

midtown is almost has been.....

I would disagree with that. With the development Crosspoint has going in, the new Farb properties, and Camden's 250+ complex going up a block away from the Red Line, I think Midtown is getting its second wind. Plus, just look at Shot Bar, the new Midtown bar by Tipsy Clover. That bar is doing great business. The Washington Corridor still has a ways to go.

Houston's nightlife scene is getting big enough to support another weekend destination.

[musicman]

roadrunner, on Friday, April 4th, 2008 @ 3:53pm, said:

I would disagree with that. With the development Crosspoint has going in, the new Farb properties, and Camden's 250+ complex going up a block away from the Red Line, I think Midtown is getting its second wind. Plus, just look at Shot Bar, the new Midtown bar by Tipsy Clover. That bar is doing great business. The Washington Corridor still has a ways to go.

Houston's nightlife scene is getting big enough to support another weekend destination.

non-bar growth is what midtown needs. there are quite a few bars that did a great business that are now history. i'm talkin stable nightlife.

[roadrunner]

musicman, on Friday, April 4th, 2008 @ 4:28pm, said:

non-bar growth is what midtown needs. there are quite a few bars that did a great business that are now history. i'm talkin stable nightlife.

Yeah I agree. However, there is currently residential and retail under construction, and even more in proposed development. I don't think Midtown is going away for awhile.

[musicman]

roadrunner, on Friday, April 4th, 2008 @ 4:44pm, said:

Yeah I agree. However, there is currently residential and retail under construction, and even more in proposed development. I don't think Midtown is going away for awhile.

how do you feel about add'l apartments vs individually owned condos/townhomes?

[mhh222]

roadrunner, on Friday, April 4th, 2008 @ 3:44pm, said:

Yeah I agree. However, there is currently residential and retail under construction, and even more in proposed development. I don't think Midtown is going away for awhile.

Y'all, this is a thread about the redevelopment of Washington Ave -- maybe you should take this discussion to the Midtown forum! Back on topic, plenty of goings on along Washington...

• Benji's has finally begun construction. Interesting that the footprint of the building is a relatively small section on the southwest side of the lot. The rest is parking. Anyone seen any renderings of the final product? Based on what's there so far, looks like a lost opportunity to improve the street-scape, but too early to tell for sure.
  
  
• Town-home complex diagonally across Washington from Benji's (the one that had the major fire) approaching completion -- starting a wall to close it off from the street.
  
  
• Soma finally done! Big improvement over the O'Reilly's that was last in that spot. The former Eckerd's/CVS is still empty and the gym in the back appears to be doing pretty well. Wonder when they're going to take down what's left of the two old and ugly sign posts along Washington?
  
  
• A commercial property, Eye Impact, has broken ground across from El Tiempo. Takes up about 1/3 of the site, the rest of which is El Tiempo's valet/overflow parking. The eye impact sign I think used to say "coming Spring 2006" so good to see some progress!
  
  
• The new apartment complex, called "The Core" at 3990 Washington is nearing completion -- not to bad in that it isn't cookie cutter, but I'm not convinced that I love it yet! Yahoo! Real Estate lists units going from $1,125 to $3,000.
  
  
• The concrete is up on the strip center across from the Core. That baby is tall compared to the other new strip centers on Washington.
  
  
• And for those of us that live in the area, the CVS (which aesthetically speaking, doesn't do us any favors) is now open 24 hours! So you're good if you need some benadryl at 3:00 AM!!!

So, now that we're firmly back on topic, what other Washington St. news is out there?

This post has been edited by mhh222: Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 2:51 PM

[diggity]

Quote

if the number of tow trucks defines a community, doesn't sound too welcoming.

Not my point at all. All i'm saying is that midtown crowds have been stronger than ever and new bars are opening up pretty frequently and doing well. It may not be the crowds you are looking for but to characterize it as "almost has been" is far from correct.

[diggity]

Quote

Benji's has finally begun construction. Interesting that the footprint of the building is a relatively small section on the southwest side of the lot. The rest is parking. Anyone seen any renderings of the final product? Based on what's there so far, looks like a lost opportunity to improve the street-scape, but too early to tell for sure.

Now i'll get back on topic

I would love to see more pedestrian friendly areas, but I don't think this is a realistic place for it. If I'm not mistaken, the city requires a minimum number of spaces per square foot in retail centers. People need to park somewhere. One of the major issues on Washington is going to be parking. There's just not enough pay parking or on street parking to service all the new nightlife/restaurants. Trying to park near Porch Swing Pub on a nice day is next to impossible.

[roadrunner]

musicman, on Friday, April 4th, 2008 @ 5:01pm, said:

how do you feel about add'l apartments vs individually owned condos/townhomes?

Well I think both are vital to establish a strong neighborhood, especially one that is supposed to be for yuppies. And both are under development in Midtown.

[musicman]

roadrunner, on Sunday, April 6th, 2008 @ 6:12pm, said:

Well I think both are vital to establish a strong neighborhood, especially one that is supposed to be for yuppies. And both are under development in Midtown.

not sure if i'd agree long term. someone who has a stake as a property owner is more likely to care about the hood vs one living in an apartment.

[heights_yankee]

diggity, on Sunday, April 6th, 2008 @ 3:31pm, said:

Now i'll get back on topic

I would love to see more pedestrian friendly areas, but I don't think this is a realistic place for it. If I'm not mistaken, the city requires a minimum number of spaces per square foot in retail centers. People need to park somewhere. One of the major issues on Washington is going to be parking. There's just not enough pay parking or on street parking to service all the new nightlife/restaurants. Trying to park near Porch Swing Pub on a nice day is next to impossible.

i can't imagine much pedestrian traffic aroud that area b/c washington is such a main thoroughfare. i mean, you should see the way i drive down that street. i wouldn't want to be walking in front of me

y'all, can we just talk about traffic here for a second (related to washington corridor, of course): the side streets that connect washington to memorial can barely fit one car with all the new townhomes. do you think they are going to make some of those streets one way eventually? for a city this size, i find that houston has very few one way streets.

also, when all the projects go up on yale and studewood, i think i may never leave the heights. studewood is already a short cut for people getting on 10 or 610 after work. when those two areas are developed, it's going to be major traffic and i just don't see how they could widen the road with the bayou and some of the established businesses in the way...

[musicman]

heights_yankee, on Sunday, April 6th, 2008 @ 8:51pm, said:

y'all, can we just talk about traffic here for a second (related to washington corridor, of course

this is a major problem in quite a few areas. infrastructure isn't designed to provide the volume of street parking for businesses without hindering neighborhood access/parking for residents.

[sowanome]

[quote name='mhh222' date='Sunday, April 6th, 2008 @ 2:49pm' post='240611']
Y'all, this is a thread about the redevelopment of Washington Ave -- maybe you should take this discussion to the Midtown forum! Back on topic, plenty of goings on along Washington...

mmh222, Thanks for regulating and attempting to keep the midtown noise out of here...that was definitely needed, i should've commented sooner.