ricco67 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I really hate the commentators on the Chronicle website...especially when it comes to downtown.http://blog.chron.co...7/bye-bye-byrdsYes, definitely quite a few "Debbie Downers."I've gone a couple of times, but I was unimpressed with the food as well as the service. Hopefully OPP will offer a much better location for Phoenicia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I noticed the shelves had been cleared yesterday. I'm sort of ashamed to admit that I walk by there twice a day and only went in once (for a menu).You shouldn't be. It didn't entice you, and obviously, didn't entice enough others either. Yeah it sucks that the local shop closed, but it sucks more that he didn't have a strategy that worked, cause now that shop is gone, and others will use that as an excuse not to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Yes, definitely quite a few "Debbie Downers."I've gone a couple of times, but I was unimpressed with the food as well as the service. Hopefully OPP will offer a much better location for Phoenicia.Being right across the street from the park and directly underneath some posh condos, they should. Assuming it's like the Phoenicia on the west side of town. I'll stop by, at least to buy some hookah tobacco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 (edited) I went to Byrd's twice for lunch, it was nothing to write home about. Their windows were very poorly presented to the public, with a spare and almost desparate look about them. The first time my wife and I walked in during the evening it was so uninviting (staff/interior layout/branded products) that we walked the circulation, took a gander at the menu, and promptly left. Hopefully another operater can make that location work (especially in tandem with the renovation of that other old little bldg by Z-C down the block from them). Edited July 13, 2011 by infinite_jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 The food they made ranged from mediocre to quite good, but the retail component was always a big disaster. They offered very very little and it was all way overpriced. They were selling Lola Savannah (which comes from the warehouse about ten blocks away) at a very significant markup. They ditched the fresh produce and replaced it with expensive cleaning supplies. Maybe fresh produce wasn't working, as it does spoil, after all, but they didn't make much of an effort, in my opinion, to revive or renovate the retail side.Revival Market is a pretty good example of what Byrd's should have been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eiknujrac Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Well, that's a bummer.As someone who lived close by, it was nice to be able to get milk and bread without having to get into my car.I will admit though, they always seemed to be dropping certain items from their inventory. When it opened they had produce, deli meats and cheeses, milk, juice, etc. It was nice for a little while. However, for a regular customer, it was sort of like a guessing game going in every week to see what products they would no longer be carrying. While I sort of understood why they stopped carrying perishables (low sales), I always wondered why their stocks of wine, pasta, and other long shelf-life items dwindled. I always felt like they should have tried a big retail push or two towards the end, but it's not my money.Well, I was hopeful when I saw the sign on the window that it would change for the better. Now I am confused as to what is going to happen to that space, why put up a sign saying you are updating/upgrading if you are closing for good? From now until whenever Phoenicia opens (Was supposed to be early 2011, then April, then May, then June, July, August, and now September), I guess I will be getting the basics at CVS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Well, I was hopeful when I saw the sign on the window that it would change for the better. Now I am confused as to what is going to happen to that space, why put up a sign saying you are updating/upgrading if you are closing for good?Not sure if it is the case here, but sometimes businesses will do this so that they can move out all their inventory before the building owner locks them out for breaching the lease contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Supposed to be another market opening in it's place. http://www.georgiasmarket.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 It looks like construction is wrapping up on the new place (Georgia's?). They've cut a hole in the back area floor and installed a stairway. It's hard to say what the subsurface area will be used for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 It looks like construction is wrapping up on the new place (Georgia's?). They've cut a hole in the back area floor and installed a stairway. It's hard to say what the subsurface area will be used for.At basement level will be The Cellar, a beer and wine bar. The basement will also serve as an event space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 They put up their sign yesterday and the shelves are nearly stocked. It looks really cool inside and the items they carry will be interesting to check out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 The produce and some of the coolers are stocked. Maybe they're going to open tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Georgia's is scheduled to open Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Georgia's is scheduled to open Friday.I saw something on facebook about a preview of it tomorrow but according to 29-95, they will be opening on February 27 (which seems a long way if everything is pretty much stocked)http://www.29-95.com/photo/photo-9989?gid=762986 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I saw something on facebook about a preview of it tomorrow but according to 29-95, they will be opening on February 27 (which seems a long way if everything is pretty much stocked)http://www.29-95.com...9989?gid=762986Friday is January 27th, so it must be a typo. The apples certainly won't last that long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Here's an article with pictures. http://www.29-95.com/gallery/georgias-market-downtownI'll bet the opening date is a typo, as there are others in the article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I work and live in downtown so i really want Georgia's to make it, but i won't hold my breath.First, the good; Thier prices are reasonalbe (mostly organic and local, so it will cost more, but still reasonalbe compared to Whole Foods), store is clean, employees are friendly, good selection of local beers and their is a good selection of organic produce, the food from the bufett bar tastes good. The bad, their overall selection is limiting. No bakery section, convienance store sized dairy section, convienance store sized meat/poultry selection. Overall beer and wine selection is too small. The check-out process is too slow. Everytime i've tried to checkout, i've had to move to a different register, because not all the registers have scales? Also i'm used to watching on a screen as my groceries are added, but here i'm just supposed to "trust" the price is right? Also, there is no drug section; no soap, toilet paper, shampoo etc... Also, their meat and poultry is grass fed and local, but i didn't see an Organic label on them, so i'm not sure if it's technically organic.The store just opened, so from what they have told me they are getting new items in everyday and some things things are not fully operational yet. So i'll give them a little more time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) The checkout speed is something that will improve with time. Someone there told me they were forced to open prematurely (City? Landlord? He didn't say) so hopefully they can get prices on everything soon. I have some suggestions for them, but I was going to wait for them to settle in before sending them. One example is that $7 for a pint of local craft beer is way too much, unless it's something really special. $4 is typical, and $5 is an upper boundary, imo.Anyway, I hope they're successful. I think it's still a challengingly small place to have a grocer. They blow Byrd's away and are making fairly good use of the space. Edited February 6, 2012 by kylejack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Most of the space is common area, seating and food prep, so they've really organized the small grocery area well. I think the downstairs "cellar" is really cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Overpriced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Overpriced. I know. My eyes about popped outta my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Went in yesterday evening with a friend from St. Germain. Items were pricey IMO. Including us, they had 4 customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonMidtown Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Went in yesterday evening with a friend from St. Germain. Items were pricey IMO. Including us, they had 4 customers.We went in about 2 weeks ago - around 5:00pm....1 other person in the store....I also agree, prices seemed high....$4.99 for a jar of dill pickles -- not some fancy kind, the same kind I buy at HEB for $1.99 !! Some of the produce seemed like it had been sitting out - unrefrigerated - for the whole day. I wonder what kind of lunch business they do, the prepared food looked good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 We went in about 2 weeks ago - around 5:00pm....1 other person in the store....I also agree, prices seemed high....$4.99 for a jar of dill pickles -- not some fancy kind, the same kind I buy at HEB for $1.99 !! Some of the produce seemed like it had been sitting out - unrefrigerated - for the whole day. I wonder what kind of lunch business they do, the prepared food looked good.There were quite a few tables occupied for lunch yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Like some of the comments made in the chron article, I really wish we could somehow get a mini HEB or something that sells everyday items for the people that live downtown.It's nice to have these upscale places downtown but I think the HEB would add a little more traffic to the area which might entice people to stop into these fancier places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I'd love to see HEB go all in on something east of downtown. There's a good chance it will look brilliant in 5-10 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stjnky Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Like some of the comments made in the chron article, I really wish we could somehow get a mini HEB or something that sells everyday items for the people that live downtown.CVS carries all of my everyday items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Georgia has died. http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/05-24-12-healthy-eating-pioneer-farm-fresh-restaurant-owner-georgia-bost-dies-at-age-62/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I really tried to support this place, but it's too frustrating. The bulk bins are empty and have not been restocked in weeks. Produce sits out for days. I walked over today to buy dishwasher detergent and the shelf was empty. Who is their target customer? Is it the m-f worker crowd or the local downtown resident crowd?Anyways their website (the downtown website) is down for non payment.http://georgiasdowntown.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 wow...can anyone fully decide on what the true downtown market really is? It seem's like Byrd's didnt know who their target audience was and it seems like Georgia's is starting to fall into the same hole...I understand that there may not be as much foot traffic over there as opposed to over by Phoenicia but they really need to get some basic necessities for the resident's - which is one of the reasons I still go to Randall's over Georgia's or Phoenicia... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 It would be interesting to poll downtown residents about where they shop for grocery's and why they don't shop at downtown grocers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 The thing about Georgia's is that it is mostly specialty items. If you're trying to be gluten-free or whatever, maybe it's great. I did like to buy produce there, before the produce disappeared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Didn't one of the owners recently die? Might have something to do with the current situation... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Didn't one of the owners recently die? Might have something to do with the current situation...I think it was the wife who died. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 It would be interesting to poll downtown residents about where they shop for grocery's and why they don't shop at downtown grocers.I'm not a Downtown resident, but in Montrose so pretty close. I go to Phoenicia at least once every 2 weeks. Any time I'm there I see a healthy number of customers in the store... it's developed a regular and stable following. Phoenicia is different from other Houston grocers of course... it has a very European setup, and remind me of the supermarkets I went to in Paris or the UK. But the prices are quite comparable on many items to Randall's or Kroger. Some items like pasta noodles or some of the cheese are actually cheaper than the chain grocers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Yeah I think Phoenicia makes clear what a downtown grocer has to do to survive: they need to offer people who live in the surrounding neighborhoods a reason to drive into downtown. Phoenicia offers something different enough from Kroger, Fiesta, HEB, Central Market or Whole Foods that it's somewhat of a destination. Plus, yeah, their prices are actually very reasonable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 (edited) Regarding Georgia's Fresh Market: Is this place still open for breakfast or is it only lunch now? Edited September 30, 2013 by infinite_jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Grant for historical buildings improvement approved on June 10 thhttp://www.houstontx.gov/ecodev/tirz/agendas/3agenda.pdf  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 does it list how they are going to improve it? I assume it would need to be historically sensitive. I did not take the time to read the link - sorry - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 It doesn't say what it proposed.  That building has already been restored and I think right now looks just like it did historically.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 It doesn't say what it proposed.  That building has already been restored and I think right now looks just like it did historically.  Esactly... so I am confused / curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 I haven't been downtown in awhile, so I don't know when Local Foods closed its downtown outpost at 420 Main St. It was closed during the height of the pandemic in 2020 with plans to reopen in 2021, but I don't know if that happened or not. Moving into Local Foods former ground floor space in the Byrd Building is neo-soul/Southern restaurant Taste (Taste Bar + Kitchen / Taste Kitchen + Bar). I think the restaurant from Don Bowie is relocating from Midtown, 3015 Bagby St (former Sterling House). Taste is (or was) being sued by its landlord Amir Ansari for a host of things and was locked out briefly earlier this year, according to documents submitted to Harris County court (Bowie is also being sued by investors of Rare, the steakhouse and lounge on Washington Avenue). The documents also disclosed Bowie's plan to relocate Taste.   1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Nice to see both this building and the Sterne building getting tenants back. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 (edited) On 6/24/2022 at 7:28 AM, IntheKnowHouston said: I haven't been downtown in awhile, so I don't know when Local Foods closed its downtown outpost at 420 Main St. It was closed during the height of the pandemic in 2020 with plans to reopen in 2021, but I don't know if that happened or not. Moving into Local Foods former ground floor space in the Byrd Building is neo-soul/Southern restaurant Taste (Taste Bar + Kitchen / Taste Kitchen + Bar). I think the restaurant from Don Bowie is relocating from Midtown, 3015 Bagby St (former Sterling House). Taste is (or was) being sued by its landlord Amir Ansari for a host of things and was locked out briefly earlier this year, according to documents submitted to Harris County court (Bowie is also being sued by investors of Rare, the steakhouse and lounge on Washington Avenue). The documents also disclosed Bowie's plan to relocate Taste. Correction: Taste (Taste Bar + Kitchen / Taste Kitchen + Bar) is not relocating from Midtown to downtown. The restaurant is expanding its brick-and-mortar footprint to downtown. It's opening another location at 420 Main St on the ground floor of the Byrd Building. There was an announcement about it on Taste's social media Friday: "Taste Kitchen + Bar is now looking for smiling faces to come and be a part of our team at our new Sugar Land & downtown locations." https://www.instagram.com/p/ChLLJvkl6Ol/ Edited August 16, 2022 by IntheKnowHouston 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staresatmaps Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Just what Houston needs, another expensive crappy brunch place. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 I just want people to give their businesses real names, especially if they're planning multiple locations. "Taste" is not a name. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 1 hour ago, staresatmaps said: Just what Houston needs, another expensive crappy brunch place. We literally have no affordable restaurants in this city, and very few chain restaurants inside the Loop. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Downtown needs a Waffle House. It would be a glorious sh_tshow, but I'm pretty sure you could keep it in the black with its own YouTube channel. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 1 hour ago, Texasota said: I just want people to give their businesses real names, especially if they're planning multiple locations. "Taste" is not a name. People think too much about being "hip" and impressing others, and too little about how a lack of discoverability affects their ability to stay in business. It's like back when clever spellings and dropping vowels was the trendy thing to do. When those businesses started going under, people realized that for many sectors, if you can't be Googled, you might as well not exist. "Downtown Aquarium" — Discoverable "Frknspn" — Struggle against a phone's auto-correct, or just go somewhere else? Easy choice. "Fork and spoon" — Spent six minutes scrolling through Martha Steward Home and Crate and Barrel to find what you want? Not gonna happen. Restaurant margins are so slim, every customer is an important customer. New restaurants don't seem to understand this, and part of why so many go out of business. There's a lot of naval-gazing. and trying to look and sound important to their friends, family, groupies, and investors. For those who enjoy being too clever, fortunately "Texas unemployment" is very Google-able. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 2 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said: We literally have no affordable restaurants in this city, and very few chain restaurants inside the Loop. huh? Houston has gotten more expensive, but almost every restaurant in the city is pretty affordable by national standards. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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