IntheKnowHouston

Does anyone know when Common Bond On-the-Go closed in The Ion? It was located at 4201 Main St, Suite 110.

A plan reviewing fee permit was purchased last week for 4105 Washington Avenue. Details from the permits: Use: Remodel, restaurant FCC Group: Non-residential alteration As posted previously, a business called Confessions is occupying the space. It's labeled as a restaurant. It's possible this may be more along the lines of a lounge and nightclub too.

A plan reviewing fee permit was purchased last week for 347 W 20th St, Suite 100. Details from the permits: Use: 1,155 retail buildout 1-1-2-M-B '21 IBC FCC Group: Non-residential alteration The forthcoming hotel The Daphne is going up at 347 W 20th St. The permit seems to indicate Heights Flower Shop will be located in Suite 100. The Daphne is a joint project between Bunkhouse Group and RGA Ventures, a subsidiary of Houston-based Wood Lane Partners.

A plan reviewing fee permit was purchased last month for 550 Heights Blvd, Suite C. A few details from the permit: Use: 2,875 sf change use, market to restaurant FCC Group: Non-residential alteration As posted back in October, local Sichuan restaurant Cooking Girl is leasing suite C. I'm unsure when this aims to open.

The building at 1805 W 18th St has a new tenant. Leasing the space is Tacos Doña Lena / Tacos Dona Lena. It's a local Mexican restaurant with a location in the Spring Branch area. I don't know Tacos Doña Lena's estimated opening timeline. Previously, Korean chicken eatery Dak & Bop occupied the Timbergrove area space. https://www.donalenatacos.com

Last week, another rendering of Blvd Park was shared to its social media. The latest one is an interior rendering of the first level. Blvd Park is a forthcoming nightlife concept from Clé Group. The bar & grill is currently under construction at 1119 W 20th St in Shady Acres.

Below is photo of 1111 E 11th St posted in another topic last week. 1111 E 11th St was previously occupied by A 2nd Cup coffee shop which relocated to Lindale Park. As posted above, the space has been leased to boxing gym Rumble and Starbucks. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/6065-the-heights-restaurant-and-bar-scene-more-coming/?do=findComment&comment=696303

Below is photo of 1115 E 11th St posted in another topic last week. 1115 E 11th St was home to Andy's Home Cafe. Another restaurant is opening here, according to permits purchased last year. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/6065-the-heights-restaurant-and-bar-scene-more-coming/?do=findComment&comment=696303

Sure thing.

Oh, my apologies. I didn't know discussions on a public forum - a forum such as this one where we're encourage to engage in healthy debates with facts and opinions - warrants someone's comment to be called disparaging names. Noted. And really, is my comment any less relevant than yours? Let's see, so far you've stated this about the same developer (while not touching on anyone else; which could also warrant the question: Are you employed by Andy's Home Cafe or have some familial or financial ties to them?): And on and on. The fact is the Heights and nearby neighborhoods, along with other inner loop areas are desirable. With that desirability comes high property values and astronomical rents which ALL property owners/landlords charge. And since it's cost prohibitive for many to purchase land inside desirable areas in the loop, many decide to rent if they can afford it. If someone can't afford the rent, they go somewhere else. Plain and simple. To continue to groan about one particular developer and one tenant they chose to lease to, while willfully ignoring other developers or things because they don't fit the narrative you want to paint, is your prerogative. It's also Wolf Capital Partners' and other developer's prerogative to lease to whomever they want within the confines of the law. It's also renters prerogative whether or not they make the decision to pay high rent in order to operate in areas like the Heights. Community land trusts are good solutions. And that may work in Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, Near Northside, or neighborhoods within and outside the beltway. But will this work to bring a large number of small and local businesses to the Heights or a handful? At the end of the day, with more properties owned by developers (whether they are small or big, local or not), the more it's likely retail chains and other chain will move in because they can afford the rent.

First, you're complaining about Wolf Capital Partners being horrible developers because they're bringing in a chain (that may or may not be franchised.) You continue to laminate about them being bad to small business while protesting the company for leasing to two chain retailers occupying the property next to Andy's former home. Yet when it's pointed out majority of Wolf Capital Partners are small and local businesses, you could care less. Well, it does matter since it undercuts your complaints about the developer leasing to one business, a chain, you seem to dislike. You went on and on about the company not working with or for small and locally-owned businesses. But now it doesn't matter to you when majority of their tenants are just that? You're right. Wolf Capital Partners care about their bottom line. And guess what? So does every business, no matter if it's a restaurant, bar, retailer, or any other kind of business. A business can't survive if it doesn't care about its bottom line. I mean, this is the United States of America after all. Capitalism is king.

I have no ties to Wolf Capital Partners. Also, I don't know anyone involved with Andy's Home Cafe. I'm only looking at this as an outsider, just like everyone else here commenting on this. To your point, yes, Wolf Capital Partners had every right to deny Andy's Home Cafe access to its parking lot and alleyway. You may not like it because you deem it not neighborly or whatever personal feelings you seem to harbor for the restaurant; however, it doesn't make Wolf Capital Partners any less wrong. It's Wolf Capital Partners' right to refuse to arrange or lease usage of their property to another business if they see fit. That's business. That's capitalism. As pointed out in the topic for the Andy's Home Cafe property, lots of businesses do more with less; moreover, restaurants and bars. Many businesses in the area have minimal parking spaces too. Guess what? They are able to survive and thrive. Some may have faced other issues Andy's claims to have faced. Guess what? Lots of those businesses made it work for them. And many are still operational in their current spaces. I'd bet there were other factors at play for Andy's choosing to close its location. The lack of a parking lot and access to the alley likely weren't the only ones. The biggest thing Andy's had to its advantage is its location. Residents could easily walk or bike there. It was also across from a middle school. If you go to the topic pertaining to the building and property it was located, I pointed out various ways Andy's could have made it work. Most of the suggestions would have been at a minimal cost to them. Perhaps one of the driving factors for Andy's choosing to close its longtime location is there are better restaurants to choose from. It may have been good in its heyday or many people didn't have much to choose from, but things change over time. Nowadays there are lots of Tex-Mex and regional Mexican restaurants serving great tasting food. And some have minimal parking too. To compete, some restaurants may work on their menu, business model, or upgrade their space if needed. Others may not have to do much of anything. At the end of the day, land and insurance is astronomical these days. And as you and I know, this is especially so in the Heights. To solely place blame on Wolf Capital Partners for Andy's Home Cafe choosing to close its longtime location, is, at best, fallacious and short-sighted, in my humble opinion.

Buffalo Bayou Brewing's CEO claims the brewery's closure at Sawyer Yards is temporary. The claim was made in recent statements to the public and press. The brewery operated at 2101 Summer St until a few days ago. In response to the closure, The Deal Company noted the following to Houston Chronicle yesterday: “There were so many stories and promises and things that just didn’t materialize that we didn’t see the possibility of a workout,” said Deal, adding that he had encouraged McLucas to gather a group of investors with turnaround experience. “We were happy to sit down and listen, but we haven’t heard back from him.” https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/buffbrew-promises-to-return-in-online-letter-18637318.php

Yes, I'm aware Tin Drum is a chain and is from Atlanta. I'm also quite aware they're popular in that region with several locations. However, as seen in the Houston market time and time again, restaurants that do very well in other regions often fail here. Sure, there are various factors at play: A business may not appeal to a wide range of customers, it may not find its footing in a new market fast enough, quality and presentation isn't the same as other locations, and a host of other reasons. And while it's true, I've never dined at the Houston location and read the reviews, I still think Tin Drum won't have much longevity in Houston. Tin Drum only opened around five months ago, so it's still finding it's footing and customers. The menu and concept are similar to Cava but centered on Pan-Asian fare. It's a concept that is inviting and familiar. Still, I don't think the restaurant is well known enough outside its Georgia market to draw people to this particular Houston location. I think if it were located in a busier retail development somewhere else in Houston with ample surface parking, I could see this restaurant doing very well. It could also do well in the suburbs like Texas City, Cypress, Fulshear, Baytown, or Jersey Village to name a few. But this location in The Vic at Interpose? I have a hard time seeing this making it two years there. If I'm remembering correctly, the Houston outpost is a franchised location. And if I recall, the franchisee signed up to open five locations in the Greater Houston area. I have not come across anything indicating another Houston area location in the works. Usually, once the first franchise is up and running, the second and third locations aren't too far behind. There hasn't been any recent reporting or filings indicating leases for additional Houston outposts, so far (though, that doesn't mean leases haven't been signed, if there are still plans for more locations.) Dripped Birria, on the other hand, has a local presence and following. Even with the location and parking, their customers are going to support them. They'll likely do well here. But I do think they're opening too many locations in a short amount of time.

Locally-owned Vietnamese restaurant Dinette is closing. The restaurant is located at Dinette at 1018 N Shepherd Dr in the Shepherd Row retail center. It opened in 2022. More details from a Houston Chronicle article published today: Dinette at 1018 N. Shepherd Dr. will have its last service on Sunday, Feb. 4. In a release, co-owner Raymond Chan said they plan on developing a new concept in the current space. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/dinette-houston-vietnamese-restaurant-closing-18639490.php

I don't think Tin Drum will last much longer at The Vic at Interpose, unfortunately. Although I've never visited, online reviews of the restaurant's Houston location don't do much to make me want to try it. There are too many nearby restaurants with similar dishes that are better.

Maybe some people aren't aware of the garage location at The Vic at Interpose. It's possible. There are also some who don't like to pay to park their car in a garage. I don't know if there is paid parking or not, I have yet to visit any of the businesses there.

There is a web domain for White Oak Station. It redirects to The Deal Company's website. White Oak Station is mixed-use development at 600-601 W 6th St. https://whiteoakstationhtx.com

@hindesky is right. The 600 W 6th St and 601 W 6th St parcels are indeed part of the White Oak Station development. @Urbannizer, @Triton, or other moderators, please consider merging the two topics together. Also, may want to rename the topic to White Oak Station - 600-601 W 6th St.

https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31343-m%E2%80%A2k%E2%80%A2t-the-standard-in-the-heights/?do=findComment&comment=652746 https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/47481-6th-exhibit-600-w-6th-st/?do=findComment&comment=696158 Below is the rendering of the Swift and Company Refinery building featured in an area development map for another property. The rendering appears as if it may be an earlier version of the one Urbannizer posted in 2022. The Swift & Co. Refinery building is being redeveloped. As noted in above posts, Triten Real Estate Partners lists the mixed-use development as Swift. It's located at 621 Waverly St.

Below is a rendering of the proposed redevelopment of the Swift and Company Refinery building at 621 Waverly St. The rendering was shared on Twitter in 2022. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/49530-aztec-events-tents-at-601-w-6th-st/#comment-668766

Posts pertaining to Triten Real Estate Partners' redevelopment of the Swift and Company Refinery (Swift & Co. Refinery) building. The posts are from the M-K-T and The Standard topic. The Swift and Company building is located at 621 Waverly St. It's adjacent to Triten and Radom Capital's M-K-T mixed use development at 600 N Shepherd Dr. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31343-m%E2%80%A2k%E2%80%A2t-the-standard-in-the-heights/?do=findComment&comment=541639 https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31343-m%E2%80%A2k%E2%80%A2t-the-standard-in-the-heights/?do=findComment&comment=590080 https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31343-m%E2%80%A2k%E2%80%A2t-the-standard-in-the-heights/?do=findComment&comment=596116 https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31343-m%E2%80%A2k%E2%80%A2t-the-standard-in-the-heights/?do=findComment&comment=651071 https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31343-m%E2%80%A2k%E2%80%A2t-the-standard-in-the-heights/?do=findComment&comment=695548

The rendering of the Swift (Swift & Co. Refinery / Swift and Company Refinery) was posted to the forum in 2022. The building, which is expected to be redeveloped soon, is located at 621 Waverly St. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31343-m%E2%80%A2k%E2%80%A2t-the-standard-in-the-heights/?do=findComment&comment=652746

You're right. To your understanding you don't know whether other developers or landlords do right by their tenants or not. There are many things the general public aren't privy to. As for treatment to existing businesses in the area, do you mean property owners allowing other businesses to use property that is owned by another party? That seems to be where most of you dislike of Wolf Capital Partners is coming from, which seems to stem from the Chronicle's one-sided news coverage of Andy's Home Cafe no longer having access to a large parking lot. If so, the bottom line is that's business and capitalism. And really, I'm not going to go any further than that. I've discussed this in the topic about the property Andy's owns. To be clear, my initial comment was to your post which seemed to place blame of Alice Blue's impending closure on Wolf Capital Partners (you quoted SMH's entire post which was mainly about the restaurant's closure - if you were only talking about Starbucks, you should have quoted that part alone). And your post seemed to imply that some, if not many, of the closures and changes in the Greater Heights lay at the feet of Wolf Capital Partners. In the case of Alice Blue, the restaurant owner decided not to renew her lease. Instead of running a restaurant, the owner wanted to enjoy their life and spend more time with their family. And it should be noted, Wolf Capital Partners is not the restaurant's landlord, Asana Partners is. And to my previous post, Asana Partners owns a large amount of retail property in the Heights area, mostly acquired from Radom Capital. Based on a few conversations from those renting from Asana Partners, in addition to posts someone affiliated with Collina's shared on social media, the out-of-state developers are viewed as horrible landlords. Whether or not that's true, I can't be certain other than taking those tenants at their word. What I do know is some of the small businesses operating on Asana Partners-owned properties are seeing their rent skyrocket. Some claim they feel they're being pushed out in favor of a chain. If true, it's possible there may be a wave of locally-owned businesses closing in the months or years ahead. As for Wolf Capital Partners, it seem you're reaching to paint them as big bad developers who are bringing in retail chains, mainly a Starbucks. And we don't even know if this Starbucks is a franchised location or not. Franchised stores are licensed by people living in the community. You are aware Wolf Capital Partners is a small local commercial real estate development firm, right? They're not a conglomerate by any means. And you do know they own another retail center on 11th Street, right? Following the other 11th Street property's acquisition, Wolf Capital Partners leased the spaces to local businesses. In fact, a glance at Wolf Capital Partner's portfolio shows a majority of their tenants are locally owned businesses. Not only that, most of the properties have been rehabbed, which have contributed to the neighborhood's aesthetic. Yes, Bluestone Lane's outpost in the Heights is somewhat of a chain; however, the business was already operating there when Wolf purchased the property. Now, as for the rents, tenant improvements, and other details, that I can't speak to because I don't know anything about it. Still, it seems to me, from the outside looking in, Wolf is not the big bad wolf some are painting it to be, yourself included. Retail chains are inevitable, especially in desirable areas like the Greater Heights. And as an area becomes more desirable through additional residential, greenspaces, and businesses moving in, property taxes skyrocket. And with high property taxes, rents can be astronomical. Many small and local businesses can't afford the astronomical rents in the Greater Heights area (and for that matter, inside the Loop and desirable suburban areas). And many small businesses don't have wealthy investors bankrolling them. But retail chains can afford the rent. It's why we're seeing an increase in chains and a decrease in local retail. The case can also be made that many people are forgoing shopping or doing other business in person, opting for online services. The same goes for office space rentals. I don't know, it just seems there are a lot of factors at play when it comes to the overall commercial landscape in the Heights and inside the Loop. In that regard, maybe it's unfair to place much, if not all, of the blame on one developer because of one property that is being leased to global coffee chain that may or may not be a franchise location.

Although The Stand's listed address on the architectural barriers project filing is 2500 Summer St, Suite 1110-A, that may not be accurate. As @hindesky points out in his above post, Triple Tap Ventures is located at that address. The company is the Texas licensee of the California-based casual restaurant chain. However, The Stand may not be leasing a unit on the Sawyer Yards campus. More than likely, The Stand will be one of the new additions to Lower Heights District. Yes, the shopping center is listed on the filing, but the address is not associated with Lower Heights District.