IntheKnowHouston

Any speculations as to what Wood Lane Partners could do with 325 W 20th St? Depending on when current tenant's lease ends, do you think this property will be incorporated into The Daphne down the line? And if Wood Lane Partners decides to buy 313 W 20th St and 317 W 20th St in the future, how will those properties be used? If you were the developer, what would you do?

Houston Chronicle confirms Figo Sugo will be operating out of the caboose located at 4107 McKinney and/or 4109 McKinney St. From an article published today: The Cisneroses have already placed a bright red Southern Pacific caboose on the Eastwood property, where Bravery Chef Hall Italian spot Figo Sugo will operate a coffee-and-panini outpost with outdoor seating. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/willow-villarreal-bbq-houston-18587468.php

Houston Chronicle published additional details pertaining to Willow's Texas BBQ's brick-and-mortar restaurant. The barbecue pop-up / food truck announced the news on social media yesterday. According to the article, Willow's Texas BBQ will be located on the first floor of the L.M. Greco Building at 4109 McKinney St. More from today's Houston Chronicle article: [Willow Villarreal and Jasmine Barela have] a letter of intent with Romulus Development... Villarreal and Barela plan to operate out of a 1922 Italian grocery currently under renovation. Interestingly, while barbecue will be on the menu, they’re aiming for more of a neighborhood restaurant feel — with burgers, sandwiches and Barela’s famously vivid sides. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/willow-villarreal-bbq-houston-18587468.php

As for the future Savory Group restaurants slated for 1818 Washington, I don't know if it's a local hospitality group or not. I recall reading about a Colorado restaurant with the same name looking to expand to the Houston market. One of the restaurants mentioned was Larkburger. I'm unsure if it's related to the one listed for 1818 Washington.

In addition to the Sawyer Yards master plan document mentioned in the above post, there is a table with tenants listed. The table only pertains to East Washington. It is included with recent platting approval documents. The tenants are listed under each building. Furthermore, the table notes plans for future tenants in East Washington's new phases. As mentioned in the above post, Lovett sought approval for a subdivision plat. Included on the plat are nearby parcels that will soon become part of Lovett's East Washington development. According to the table, the following are current and future tenants / businesses: 1818 Washington Building A Benny Chows - 5,544 sf Puttery - 29,533 sf Savory Group - 7,360 sf (restaurant) Sola Salons - 6,342 sf Rooftop Bar - 5,156 sf Retail (vacant) - 2,105 sf 1818 Washington Building B Savory Group - 8,438 sf Restaurant - 4,282 sf Neighborhood restaurant - 4,156 sf https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2023\2023-25_ActionAgenda.pdf

1818 Washington Ave appears to be part of a collection of buildings that make up East Washington. East Washington is the name Lovett Commercial marketed 1818 Washington Ave until a few years ago. According to documents submitted recently to the city's planning commission, East Washington also incorporates 1814 Washington Ave, 1902 Washington Ave, 1920 Center St, and 1115 Silver St. East Washington is part of the Sawyer Yards development. Below is a master plan of Sawyer Yards. The plan includes: East Washington 1420 Sawyer First Industrial - 2102 Edwards St 1225 Sawyer St https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2023\2023-25_ActionAgenda.pdf

Plans for the buildout of a coffee bar at 1550 Lamar St, Ste 110 are approved. The plans were approved for permitting last week.

County records indicate 6865 Lawndale St recently changed hand. A warranty deed was recorded to the county's database today. According to the documents, Segundo Coffee Lab purchased the Forest Hill property.

January 2023 Street View of 6865 Lawndale St.

January 2022 Google Earth image of 6865 Lawndale Street.

Map with the 6865 Lawndale St parcel outlined:

6865 Lawndale St is located in the Forest Hill neighborhood. The property sits on approximately 0.20 acres. A 1,200-square-foot building is situated on the property. County records indicate the building was constructed in 1974 and remodeled in 2021. Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, which is located at 6900 Lawndale St, is across the street.

Below is the photo included in the Instagram post along with the caption. Willow's Texas BBQ snapped a photo on the 4109 McKinney St property. Caption from today's Instagram post: It's a new year, and we couldn't be more excited for what's to come. We're so grateful, and it feels amazing to receive so much support. We have been quietly working on our plans to finally have some doors to open for all of you. A place of our own in a neighborhood we love and call home. Stay tuned and cheers to 2024! https://www.instagram.com/p/C1m1i1_JChI/

Below is an aerial view of 313 W 20th St, 317 W 20th St, and 325 W 20th St. The photo was taken by @hindesky in August. The aforementioned properties are outlined.

Wood Lane Partners' acquisition of 325 W 20th St includes the transfer of a right of first refusal agreement. The agreement allows Wood Lane Partners to have the first opportunity to purchase 313 W 20th St and 317 W 20th from Heights R AAA Investments, LLC before other parties. Below is a map outlining the 313 W 20th St and 317 W 20th St parcels:

March 2023 Street View of 325 W 20th St. April 2023 Street View of 3250 W 20th St (view from the alleyway)

Regarding the fourth paragraph, restaurants (bars included) and those tasked with covering dining trends (or the food scene), don't really consider decors as a gimmick. Though, to some degree, this could extend to viral menu items. Some restaurants or bar may created a dish (or drink) that is specifically for the 'Gram. Other times, some items take off organically due to social media. That in turn makes those items Instagrammable. The end result is some wanting to try an item for themselves to see what the hype is about. While others only want to post about it for added content and gain new followers. I said as much here: Still none of those describe what Editor claims is vibe dining.

Below is a map outlining the 325 W 20th St parcel. January 2022 Google Earth image of 325 W 20th St.

County records indicate Wood Lane Partners recently acquired 325 W 20th St. A warranty deed was recorded to the county's database last week. Located on the property is medical clinic WellMed. 325 W 20th St is west of 347 W 20th St, the site of forthcoming The Daphne / Daphne Hotel. To the east is 301 W 20th St and 305 W 20th St, which are slated to become parking for the hotel. It's possible developers could include the newly acquired property with The Daphne. If so, maybe details will be shared in the coming months.

Since no one shared the renderings Bunkhouse Group released in September press materials, they're posted below. The renderings were included in a Houston Chronicle article published in September. The Daphne / Daphne Hotel is going up at 347 W 20th St. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/home-design/article/eclectic-hotel-chain-bunkhouse-plans-new-houston-18376514.php

Vibe dining is not liken to gimmicky. Nor is it referred as such. I was clear as to what vibe dining is. Furthermore, there are countless articles pertaining to vibe dining if you really wanted to know what all it entails. Now, there are places that can be gimmicky. And that can go beyond food and beverage-type places. So, in that sense, those businesses aren't vibe dining. However, since you brought it up, in terms of food related businesses, gimmicky would apply to places like Magical Dessert Bar. The dessert shop had an unicorn and rainbow motif. Everything sold had something to do with unicorns, although all of the desserts were outsourced. There are other examples for sure, but that should give you an idea to the difference between the two. Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok gave rise to Instagram-worthy or Instagrammable menu items (which can also be gimmicky to some degree.) Those social media platforms also led to an uptick of restaurants and bars adding splashy backdrops, along with other interior decor. All those aesthetics are specifically for people to take photos and videos to post. And in turn, those details are meant to attract new business. Again, there are lots of articles from reputable sources describing all of this in further detail.

During Cowboys and Indians tenure on Taft, late night diners flocked to the restaurant. Staying open until midnight drew in a lot of night owls. Also, nowadays, a parking lot isn't always a clear indicator of a business failing or doing well. Many people are choosing to order out and dine at home. Regardless, your assertion that the restaurant's relocation equates to it failing there, does not make what you wrote factual: Again, there are many reasons a business may choose to close or relocate.

Thank you both for your responses. I appreciate it.

That is NOT correct. As previously stated in a post from October, Xiaolong Dumpling / XioaLong Dumpling is a locally-owned restaurant: 👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿

Cowboys & Indians' relocation from 1901 Taft St does not mean it failed there. The restaurant was a popular dining spot prior to it relocating to 519 Shepherd Dr. And it still remains a popular restaurant. Certainly you're aware there are various reasons a business may decide to relocate. It's not always about a decline in patronage, which was not the case for Cowboys & Indians. As many of us have seen and read via articles, businesses sometimes decide to not renew their lease. Other times, a better space may become available that suits the business (Local Foods relocating from Gables Tanglewood to Post Oak Plaza, plus Street to Kitchen are recent examples of this.) The lists goes on and on.