heights_yankee

He closed for the winter but hopes to find someone who can make crepes and use them as a way to stay open this winter. He will also have hot coffee drinks. BTW- my fault for saying it 1st- the name is actually Mango Beach, not Mango's.

I went and answered my own question. Mango Beach- owned by a life long Heights resident. Not as finely shaved as Mam's but still better than a snocone. Called it "Hawaiian" style shaved ice. $1 for small 8 oz up to $2.75 for "Jumbo" which is 32 oz (why anyone would ever need 32 oz, I'll never know) Has lemonades with fresh fruit, aquas frescas, fozen coffee drinks, free wifi, **misters**, seating for 8-10 on current patio and is building a 2nd patio in his time off from being a full time Harris Cty deputy constable and part time college student. Also sells a few savory snacks like elote and chicharones. No website yet but will eventually be up and running as mangobeachonline.com Super nice guy and working really hard to make this a nice neighborhood place. His mom also helps out and you can tell she is so proud of him. Definitely give them your business every once in a while!

Well, I could be wrong too but I think real Mexican raspas are actually shaved ice. The ones at Tampico are shaved, not crunchy.

Well, I'm not in BR so that rules that out for me. I've been lead to believe there aren't many in the burbs. There is a strong possibility of a couple here or there but another forum I am on (marriage/family/baby stuff) is almost all women from the suburbs. There have been a couple threads about Mams b/c one of the women is a wedding planner and is in the Heights a lot. She lives in Clear Lake and is always going on and on about Mams. Most of the other women have no idea what a snoball stand is, have it confused with a snocone or claim it's a "city" thing. These are the kinds of people who are pretty entrenched in family life and neighborhoods out there in the burbs so I would guess that they would know if there was a Mams of some sort. I love Tampico but my kiddos can't really run around outside there and I feel like if I am giving them all that sugar I should be letting them run it off at the same time. Does anyone know anything about Mango's down by Stude Park? I thought I heard they have raspas but I still haven't been down there to check it out.

OK. But is there anywhere with those cheaper prices that I can take my kids, sit outside on the grass and get a good shaved ice? if there is, I'll go but right now the sit outside and grass and toddler friendly trump the prices (we only buy the small and the baby doesn't get his own, so our net loss is $1 per visit)

Actually, there was a lot of discussion on here and on other forums about the Target center when it was proposed. There was not a lot of opposition, as I remember anyway, and I think a lot of that was the location. I think what a lot of people have is an optimism and a hope for something better in the proposed Walmart location. Anyway, the Target drew a lot of criticism, especially as the smaller store names came in and people realized it was a mattress store and a Chili's. There were a lot of pictures of "urban" Target marketplaces that people hoped for and lots of grumbling about the parking lot we ended up with instead. No, it was not to such a degree as the Walmart issue but again many people have issues with Walmart that go beyond just this development. On the "sorry excuse for a FB page" a lot of people mention having not set foot in a Walmart in years and that their boycott started long before this thread started on the HAIF. I love how in this thread the same people who are just rich folks who don't care about the poor people who need Walmart are also the same people who resent anyone who makes any money. The people who are accused of being shallow and having no principles are also derided for trying to save the world. This is why this whole conversation makes no sense anymore. People aren't allowed to have varying view points with out being personally maligned for being on the other side of the issue. It's sad, honestly, the path this has taken. I was trying to take part in a conversation which has now gotten so mean spirited that I'm out.

I do strive to cure all those things. I do it with my pocket book and with my vote in the elections. I work on social injustices on many levels, wherever I feel I have a voice. I'm a whacked out crazy Liberal like that. But politics is another forum. Much like the other stereotypes and generalizations about individuals in this thread, I just don't think it's a fair assumption to say that people who don't want Walmart are dedicating all their time to this issue and nothing else, or that they are coming out of nowhere on the issue when many people have boycotted and fought WM's development for years. It's not a novel thing and it's not just this small number of people on HAIF talking about it. I wish this was a more balanced discussion as well.

Yes, one of 3 residents who supported the store. Mr Kazamis and you can call people "elitists" all you want but that isn't a hard fact. Battery acid and trash are "facts" that others showed in the meeting. The value drop in property around the Dunvale store is a "fact." While I think statistics are questionable in any situation, I can say that crime stats around Walmarts exist where I have yet to see where a Walmart has brought a decrease in crime to any area. So, it seems name calling and stereotyping are the reasons FOR Walmart and FACTS are the reasons to be OPPOSED to Walmart.

Well, the HEB that Walmart outbid is a start... For the AntiWalmarters (over 1000 on FB now), How Spring Valley stopped Walmart ""The impact on real estate values is difficult to measure," 18-year resident John Byerly told the nine-member commission. "But I can tell you that in the 30 years I have been selling real estate, every buyer I dealt with did not want to be anywhere near a situation like this store." Spring Valley resident Tom Rusnek supported his neighbor's contention with a 10-minute slide show that received a standing ovation from the boisterous crowd. Rusnek's slides displayed images of Wal-Mart stores in the Houston area. His presentation showed leaking oil and battery acid, piled up storage containers, poorly maintained landscaping, and piles of trash and old tires. "Property values in Houston last year went up 9.2 percent, and the property values in Spring Valley were up 10.9 percent last year," Rusnek said. "However, last year the property located adjacent to the Dunvale store dropped 11.27 percent." A second slide show was presented by Bruce Spain. His presentation refuted an independent safety study that was presented last week. Spain said the study did not take into account the types of crimes that would be committed with a supercenter, and failed to account for crimes such as forgery, vandalism and harassment. "The study's proposed increase in police officers will consume more than half the tax revenue Wal-Mart will bring to Spring Valley," he said. "And if we meet the required protection of 168 hours the study suggest, then all of the tax revenue will be gone. There will be no new money." Spain, who said he is a Wal-mart stock holder, was unequivocal in his opposition."

If you'd actually go back and read all my comments in this thread rather than just assuming you know what I believe based on the stereotype you have of me, you would see that I have said more than once that I don't think Walmart will take business from the local retailers in the Heights. BUT i also don't think it's going to be a retail and job utopia for all the disenfranchised of the inner loop, either. that's equally as foolish and also short sighted.

You loooove to stereotype. I know a lot of people in that income range who do a lot for their community, who are giving and care about their community. I also know a lot of people in that income range who are total douchebags. I also know a lot people under $50k who are equally as douchy and are more elitist than their higher earning counter parts. Can we leave the stereotyping behind? It really doesn't add much to the discussion. I live on a very mixed income block and I know that the elderly Hispanic couple across the street from me [who also have their special needs granddaughter living with them] will continue to shop at Fiesta and the stores across Main even if the Walmart is built. My white next door neighbor doesn't earn $100k or probably even $50k (he works as a band photographer) but shops at Whole Foods sometimes, and Fiesta other times. He loves Whole Foods probably because he is the kind of guy that thinks preservatives are a government conspiracy and that the foil wrappers in Velveeta can track your movements for the FBI. If you met him, you would certainly not think there was anything elitist about him even though he is primarily a WF shopper. Ironic that my neighbor on the other side is a DEA agent. The middle aged, gay, white petroleum engineers on the corner might shop at Walmart but they might not. They don't offer many political opinions but based on the careful renovation job they did on their house they're obviously jerks, so I guess we'll say no. Of all the people on my block, all of whom I know, the most likely to shop at Walmart is probably the newest couple- 20 something, DINKS, with small dogs in a 2/1. I am also curious to see how the demographics you cite are going to change when the new census numbers are released. When the numbers the SN has were put together, they were most likely based on the 2000 census at which point an area like Cottage Grove was 100% low earning and minority. That area is probably only 50% low earning now. I am not saying this is a good thing, but I think the numbers will need to be adjusted. Just like the Target wasn't made a Super because of old demographics, Walmart may be looking at those same demographics and getting a false picture of it supposed clientele. I'm not saying the townhouse hell Cottage Grove has become is a good thing, but it's a very real thing. But I am curious if the Walmart supporters think that Walmart is the only option? Are you just being so adamant because you don't like it when people have contrary opinions? For example, if this thread wasn't about Walmart, but rather was titled "What would you like to see if you could choose anything for development on this parcel?" What if Walmart were never mentioned and you were starting with a clean slate? Would Walmart be the 1st thing that would come to mind for you? Or would you have had a different vision? Maybe mixed income housing like they have on the east side of Austin? Maybe a small hotel that would employ 300 ppl, plus a restaurant employing 100 more and a few shops, employing 100+ more, all totaling more jobs and generally higher income, even in the lowest positions (hosuekeepers, busboys) for low earners, than Walmart would thus affording these people a better standard of living. If they already live in the area and shop at Walmart, they can continue to go to the (assuming 290) location and still have more pocket money at the end of the day. You might not find it more convenient, but it's about jobs, right? So, rather than 600 parking spaces for one big box, they have a garage with 600+ spaces and multiple businesses, creating more jobs than a Walmart would. Would you want that? Because that is what most of the anti-Walmart people want. We think there are better options out there.

I am willing to bet this nastiness is directed at me since I think I am the only obvious mother who has a blog in this thread (and I go to Berryhill and drink margaritas). I don't go to boot camp and I've never had lunch at Stella Sola and I have sons so they don't wear accessories, but I get the fact that you are stereotyping. And I can add to this that you know nothing about me outside of how you have stereotyped me. For you to think I have come to this position in life easily and that I have no understanding of a less-than-comfortable life makes you just as self righteous as anyone else. As I've said before, I think that people who are anti-Walmart are in many cases because they care about people and feel that WM does a lot of things to perpetuate the poverty cycle. This is what I have expressed many times in this thread. I understand that others think Walmart benefits the poor with their pricing, but I think the bad outweighs the good and a lot of others feel that way as well. Also, I don't think anyone wants to see nothing on that site and see it remain a dirt lot. People just had higher hopes for this area than 1 giant big box store with a mcdonalds and a 600 space parking lot. There could be something like a scaled down, area appropriate City Centre which would employ a huge and diverse population, from chamber maids at a hotel to clerks, receptionists, waiters thru to management. Maybe people who worked at the new hotel and movie theater might even get some health benefits and be allowed to work a 40 hour week. Who knows? People would just like something else, something better for everyone.

I'm gonna give you that one.

Is this just a FB page or is there any actual community action behind it?

So, someone posted the Swamplot post to Heights Kids Group and a mom in the group responded with this: I can tell you that I have professional relationships with the developer seeking to build on that site and they are most definitely not negotiating a ground lease with Walmart. ETA: but now I am unsure of what parcel she is talking about. Still, even Sarnoff was unable to really confirm anything. Once Yale is developed and the area around Arne's, I'm going to be hard pressed to leave the Heights. I hate traffic.

A Peaceful Pet on White Oak has a lost pets page on her website and google search Gary Nuke Pets. His is very well known in the Heights. If you want to PM me your contact information, I can post this for you on Heights Kids Group as well.

Restaurants fail in those neighborhoods all the time. I would even venture to guess that they fail in greater percentages due to the amount of competition. Any half way decent concept in the Heights has done very well. Even Happy All Cafe manages to stay open. However, you are right- it takes more than just neighborhood folks to support these restaurants and they certainly do. I know people who drive in from The Woodlands to eat at Stella Sola, have run in to a guy my husband works with from Memorial at Shade, talked to someone just the other day who came from the museum district to eat at Zelko. I mean, Textile wasn't Tony's as far as price. Depending on how much you drink, the prices were commensurate with dinner at Stella Sola or Glasswall. You can't blame prices alone and you can't blame the Heights. Bad concept, inaccessible, bad service, big ego.

But don't some think it was in large part location that killed Rucker's Laidback Manor?

I will try most new restaurants in the Heights and all over Houston (if I know about them). We eat out a lot and love new places. We tried to go to Textile twice. The reservation process was a real run around- you have to call his catering manager, leave a message and they will call you back... maybe. When my husband finally got ahold of someone, the person he spoke to was very rude and condescending. My hubs isn't easily put out by people but this guy seriously annoyed him. We couldn't get a reservation for a number of weeks so decided to move on. Second time, we could never get anyone on the phone and messages were not returned. So, I had the good will. Textile was the one lacking. I do have a couple friends who were lucky enough to get in. No one had anything spectacular to report. One friend mentioned it was a real disappointment compared to tasting menus from other restaurants in town. If I was going to go at all at this point, it only would have been for Plinio's desserts. This discussion was also happening on a local message board I read and most of the people tend to live outside the loop. Several commented to me that they have never even heard of Textile and one person who lives in the Heights commented that she hardly ever saw or heard anything about Textile [in the press]. Anyway, I don't think the neighborhood is to blame. Worse places have survived in equally bad locations. I think PP made a good point that at his prices, Tycer has to really deliver- esp when you only have like 10 tables. HOw much you wanna bet the next location is a heck of a lot bigger? And, I don't really trust Tycer. He closed Aries, which was popular and nationally recognized, at the peak of its renown and reopened in the same place as Pic- which we gave 2 chances and it was abhorrent. It closed after only a couple months in business. He thought he was infallible that time and I wonder if this time he isn't just looking for a scape goat? Tweeted this morning by HouPress's food blg: Textile isn't closed indefinitely, but only "temporarily" for the summer while Tycer scouts a new location. Relief? Or diversion? I vote for diversion. ETA: and his new business partner doesn't have much of a friendly following in the Heights. Whether it's deserved or not is debatable but the fact is Ryan Hildebrand has a bad reputation after tearing down Ashland House. Again, some people didn't care but enough did that I was surprised he even accepted the job at Textile. I bet he knew they were going to move

Many of the garage apts around me are a rental in the main house as well.

Thanks for clearing up for me what I believe.

You thought wrong. And what does the mayor have to do with Walmart?

It's not really my scene but I do think it's nice to have an area where people can walk from place to place and there is a concentration of nightlife. I kinda wish it was downtown instead of Washington though. But I know the scene you're talking about. They really need some kind of traffic control down. It's dangerous, more so as the night wears on and the drunks leave the bars. This is why I think the jitney idea is awesome and think it's even more awesome that people can leave their cars over night in the wave parking lot rather than drive home wasted. I've never thought it made sense for bars to tow people if they leave their cars overnight? I think that can, in some situations, force someone to drive home who otherwise might just leave their car. Very smart of the jitney to realize that. Hopefully people take advantage of it.

This is another area where I think a very, very, verrrrry large majority of people would be in complete agreement. And for the record, brunettes are also empirically more attractive. Now we're getting somewhere.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but, again, you think any opinion different from your own is illogical or incorrect. Take for example a discussion that happened here about Yale being widened. You saw the widening of Yale as something to benefit you and therefore you deemed it "right." People who had concerns about it were deemed "wrong" and their reasons invalidated by your opinions, not by facts because there are no facts to say what will or won't happen if/when the road gets widened because it hasn't happened yet. It's all supposition. Yet you treat it like it's a forgone conclusion that it will be wonderful when actually it could really suck. You do not have the ability to ever say "I am for something and these are my reasons" without adding "and you are incorrect and your reasons invalid. They have to be because they differ from mine." Same with this. You think because you see a benefit in WalMart for yourself that having it built HAS to be the right answer, which makes other wrong rather than just a different side of the coin. Truly closed minded. You also seem to change your opinions about things just so you can argue with people and that isn't lost on us- even people like me who waste too much time volleying with you.