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Sakowitz Department Store At 1111 Main St.


citykid09

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We're going to ask them to let us in the old theatre to take some pictures before they fill it with concrete.

Love to see those posted here, assuming you're able to get in.

I really miss the Loews (later Landmark) Saks - I believe it was the last movie theater in Houston that still had a functional curtain covering the screen which retracted at the beginning of the show and closed at the end of the show. Such things are no more than quaint relics to most modern multiplex patrons, but were an integral part of showmanship in the old days, when the thought of leaving a screen uncovered and fully visible before the movie started would have been unthinkable.

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Love to see those posted here, assuming you're able to get in.

I really miss the Loews (later Landmark) Saks - I believe it was the last movie theater in Houston that still had a functional curtain covering the screen which retracted at the beginning of the show and closed at the end of the show. Such things are no more than quaint relics to most modern multiplex patrons, but were an integral part of showmanship in the old days, when the thought of leaving a screen uncovered and fully visible before the movie started would have been unthinkable.

The retractable curtain is still there at the River Oaks, but it broke during Blair Witch's run. It's rather expensive to fix, so they haven't bothered. But yeah, I can't think of any theatres built after the early 70's that had curtains and it's cool that you remember it.

We got in there while some workers had the doors open and saw the base of the theaters (no lights). It reeks of mold and the fabric is in horrible shape, but the theatre seemed to be in decent enough shape overall. I'd try to reopen it as an independent theatre if they weren't going to demolish the property.

Edited by SirTonk
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I emailed American Apparel out of curiosity this weekend, and here is what they said.

We are currently expanding as fast as possible. As you know the Downtown Huston location is not going to be ready for business by the end of the summer. We still do not have an exact opening date, however, the store should be open for business by the end of the fall season. Please visit our website for updated new store information. Thank you for your question it is truly appreciated. Thank you
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I was assuming she meant Fall 2008 but it doesn't look too likely.

EDIT: I mean to say Fall 2007... but this fall doesn't seem likely as the season has already started and there is no sign of renovations.

Edited by Jax
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I was assuming she meant Fall 2008 but it doesn't look too likely.

Depending on the scope of the project, Fall 2008 could be easily doable. I do not know whether the upper floors are slated to be converted to retail also, but the ground floor could be renovated and open in a matter of months. The fact that we haven't heard anything lately does not mean that work is not going on behind the scenes.

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Depending on the scope of the project, Fall 2008 could be easily doable. I do not know whether the upper floors are slated to be converted to retail also, but the ground floor could be renovated and open in a matter of months. The fact that we haven't heard anything lately does not mean that work is not going on behind the scenes.

I'm pretty sure only the ground floor will be converted to retail. The upper floors are to remain parking (at least for now...)

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Slightly off topic......... but I was walking around the Sakotwitz Building this morning, and noticed a lot of activity in the space directly next to the American Apparel location on Main St. I am sure it has already been mentioned somewhere, but does anyone know what this space will be? Is this where the new AT&T store is headed?

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I think the AT&T store is already open across the street (look for the AT&T sign next time you walk by). I heard Les Givrals was bidding for this space, but I'm not sure whether it has a tenant yet. I noticed last night that it looked like they were doing a lot of work in there as well. Right next to the food store, right?

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The AT&T store has opened in the parcel near the northbound platform of the Main Street Square rail station (where Krispy Kreme used to be located).

It is my understanding that the parcel that's being renovated between the Sakowitz Bldg and the convenience store is being considered/bidded on by Les Givrals restaurant.

Edited by The Great Hizzy!
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Isn't there already an AT&T store a block away? In the corner of the Reliant Building?
The ATT store in the Reliant building in now gone. Where? Don't know.
Ok......it is not going to be an AT&T store. I am relieved.Les Grivals would make sense in this space. It is indeed right next to the convienance store (which needs to be gone by the time the Pavillions open.....it is an eyesore).
I don't know if we can stand to lose the Chester Fried Chicken from that dump. Something needs to be done about the bums on that block. Just walking along infront of Macy's most days you can smell the piss.
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Oh they are there generally, begging and accosting woman. Just the other week I almost got into it with a guy who said "youra fine delicate flower, lets hook up" to a woman! (She seemed upset, yet kept walking.... and I couldn't just ignore it)

I try to not walk near there due to the smell! (I actually saw today someone working on the overhang roof -- some type of repair).

That is prime real-estate, I don't know why something better is not in that corner!

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That is prime real-estate, I don't know why something better is not in that corner!

The owner of the convenience store is making money, is happy with the money he's making. He'd like to make the store and vacant space next door (that he owns) a lot better, but wants to find a tenant who could make it work, and with little financial commitment from him. He's open to ideas....

The Sakowitz bldg, I believe, is still up for sale, and a property transaction always slows things down.

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The ATT store in the Reliant building in now gone. Where? Don't know.

They moved in to the old Krispy Kreme location @ McKinney & Main.

EDIT - Hizzy beat me to it. Tough to read through the long threads.....

On a related note, I noticed that an art gallery (I think) moved in to a spot in the Humble Oil/Residence Inn/Courtyard Marriott building. It looked like all they had were a bunch of oddly colored Nike's and a suit of armor, so they might be a wierd shoe store.

Edited by Nate99
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Haha yeah it's a shoe store that looks like an art gallery.

Ah, makes more sense that way, I suppose. I just didn't see any indication that they were selling shoes on their signs, just a reference of some kind to art. I need to pay more attention. Seems like a tough place for retail at the moment, but maybe selling something so specialized will bring people in. Should be better one the HP open up, hope that they can make it that long.

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If anything, retail will probably hold it's breath in the area until HP opens up. There are too many disruptions and not enough foot traffic at the moment to fully justify a location there.

once HP opens up and they see people are walking around, then I would expect more proper retail.

That reminds me (and I know this is the wrong thread for it), but I wonder if that convenience store on walker and main will thrive or not survive the construction at Mainspace.

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That reminds me (and I know this is the wrong thread for it), but I wonder if that convenience store on walker and main will thrive or not survive the construction at Mainspace.

Is that the "Just a $1.19" store? One might hope that it does not make it given the crackhead congregation that hangs around out front, although with as many construction workers as it will take to build that tower, I imagine that it could do very well selling gatorade and cigarettes by the truckload during the summer.

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If anything, retail will probably hold it's breath in the area until HP opens up. There are too many disruptions and not enough foot traffic at the moment to fully justify a location there.

once HP opens up and they see people are walking around, then I would expect more proper retail.

My thoughts exactly.

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What fun to read this thread!

I moved to Houston in 1968 (my senior year at "then" Robert E. Lee High School) and my Mom worked at Joskes Post Oak. She got me a temporary job there and I ended up staying almost 5 years. Whenever I was home from college, Mrs. Ginsmer would let me work. :)

I remember Sakowitz well though we rarely bought much. I can't remember if the Neiman's was built that year or already there, but I know there was no Galleria! Neiman's had a special sale and I bought a full length khaki trench coat for 36$!!! I still have that thing after 40 years and it still looks great. I used to drape it over chairs so the label would show!

What was on the other corner? Was it a Weingartens? I hat to go to that area now; traffic is terrible and prices are atrocious. Way back when I first worked at Joskes we were restricted to navy, black, grey, and burgundy dresses and suits. Times have sure changed!!

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I walked by again today and noticed some new postings. They are advertising the space as the "Grand Louvre" (you know......kind of like Paris), encompassing 10 individually leased booths for everything from "sunglasses, perfumes, to souvenirs."

I don't think this is the ideal kind of development to augment the Pavillions.

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I finally got to go to an American Apparel recently in Chicago. I'm sorry to say that it was unimpressive, to say the least. At first I thoght American Airlines had opened a ticket office, but then I realised American Apparel just uses the same font for their name.

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QUOTE(The Great Hizzy! @ Wednesday, November 7th, 2007 @ 8:47am)

Probably just small, cosmetic changes.

The owner is fixing it up for future occupancy, is looking for potential tenants. Any ideas?

Well for starters he may want to get rid of his store next door. That place is a vagrant vestibule.

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I finally got to go to an American Apparel recently in Chicago. I'm sorry to say that it was unimpressive, to say the least. At first I thoght American Airlines had opened a ticket office, but then I realised American Apparel just uses the same font for their name.

I disagree... I like American Apparel... they have great body-fitting t-shirts and fun, colorful underwear... among other things. :)

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I'm with you... I'm not sure I've ever described any pair of underwear I own as "fun"
Well I feel sorry for you! :P he he

On another note... I see they updated their "opening" date to fall 2007... kind of stupid since fall 2007 is almost over already and they haven't even started on the store. :rolleyes: ohwell

Edited by HtownWxBoy
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  • 3 weeks later...

From an article on GlobeSt.com:

Younan also is looking into converting the first floor of the attached garage, totaling 25,000 sf, into retail space. He says the team is performing due diligence to determine if the estimated $2-million to $3-million conversion tab will be cost-effective in the long run.

http://www.globest.com/news/1047_1047/houston/166448-1.html

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  • 4 weeks later...
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  • 2 weeks later...
  • The title was changed to Sakowitz Department Store At 1111 Main St.

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