Trophy Property

I will admit to not reading any of this thread, but I read the topic and will give my opinion. I was in Detroit last summer for a wedding. Actually the wedding was in the burbs at a country club that was very nice. Not really sure which one, I was drunk most of the time. But on Friday night before the wedding I gathered up 15 people and we hit a Tigers game at the new park. (I have been to 22 of the 30 parks in MLB so I had to go). At any rate, we got a driver and a van to take us to and from the game. As we drove into town I was amazed at the burned out look of the city. Downtown has a long ways to go before it resembles most Urban centers of todya. The stadium itself was OK. For a new stadium I thought it left a lot to be desired. To make matters worse the CO2 system went out in the whole stadium and the beer was not flowing at all. We were pissed, but managed. There were a few stands that still had flowage. We spent much of our experience looking for beer rather than watching the game. I felt like the Stadium was very cavernous. Not the intimate feeling you get from other stadiums (new and old). After the game our van picked up and we were in dyer need of beer. I asked the driver to pull over and I went into the first C-Store we saw. WOW, this place was scary. My wife asked my not to go in. Being the adventerous person I am I went for it. There was a very urban crowd with your typical junkies, drunks, and gang banger wannabes. It was no different than a few of the C-Stores I have hit in Houston beforem but I was out of my element. At any rate. We really never experienced much more that what I told you. The city is light years behind a Houston in terms of revitialization. I think they have had a lot of problems with their major industries downsizing. It was sort of depressing, but we had a good time. Sorry if I hyjacked this thread.

I am more of an everyman. I waste my time with Tivo, Netflix, and Internet Message Boards. I also like Booby Bars (read enough posts here and you will get that one).

If it aint the Junkyard Dawg or Maddog Duggan I am out. Paul Boesch (sp) was a God. Love, Kerry Von Erich.

Dude, settle down. How about not responding if you are not interested in the thread.

You kept it going by replying. >

I noticed a few days ago that the Blockbuster on Westheimer just due West of Gessner has closed its doors. The sign was taken down and I saw some work being done on the space this morning. I guess the Netflix generation is taking over... > Granted that location was not their best, but it had been a successful store for probably 12 years or so. I wonder if this will start to be the norm. 10 years ago there was a video store in half the centers out there. Then the strong overtook the weak and then consiladtion occured and now I see fewer and fewer. Maybe they are staying status quo, but I definetely am not seeing many new stores pop up. Anyone have an opinion on this matter

There are plenty of 24 hour bookstores around town for you to "relax" in. I guess that is not what you mean though.

That just goes to prove the point that certain segments of the Houston Office market are stronger than others. Occupancy is extremly strong in the West Houston Submarket. The Energy frims are in growth mode and are continuing their expansion to the West. Now if we could get occupancy Downtown, Greenway, and Galleria to those lovels there would be some new spec towers built in those areas.

I think part of it is that I love the word booby. SO I use it a lot.

We made the mistake of going on Saturday at 11:00am with the rest of the free world. It cost a pretty penny and the crowd was unruly. Too many pushy people and freaks invading my personal space. I was not impressed one bit with the exhibit, but I am also not a science person whastsoever. I like Real Estate, Numbers, Sports and booby bars. A friend who is a personal trainer thought it was spectacular and has been back three times. To each his own.

Looks pretty fly. I guess they are going away from the boxy look. I would drive that car. I bet it handles nicely and has all sorts of cool gadgets. I am sure sticker price would knock me over. I am thinking $45k +.

I have had nothing to do with that !!!! OK, maybe a little - I think I started the "Topless Bar in Bayou Place" rant. Ooops.

Yes, Across from Bayou Mamma's is a class C office building. To the West of that Building was the Theatre. The building is still there so next time you are over there drive behind Hooters and you will see what I am talking about. As for Bayou Mamma's. We went there a few times in College too. I saw KC and Sunshine Band there in 1993. I was home for the summer from College (Colorado) and remember having the greatest time. It was right when disco was making a comeback (in a nostalgic sense). We knew all the songs and got super drunk and had a ball. Years later the placed changed ownership catered to a different crowd. A buddy of mine and I would venture in there for some fun shows. We saw Morris Day and the Time and I think we saw the Gap Band another night (or another band from the same era). It was so much fun.

I think Dairy Ashford roller rink is still up and running. I have not been in there since I was 13, but I would love to check it out (maybe on a weekday when nobody is there). Houston Area Rinks Airline Skate Center *New* 7/19/04 10715 Airline Drive Houston, Texas 77037 (281) 448-7845 Adult Session: Sunday 7:30 to 10:00 Almeda Super Rink Center 10750 Almeda Genoa Road Houston, Texas (713) 941-7000 Adult Skate: Sunday 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Music: R/B, OldSchool, Hip/Hop Dairy Ashford Roller Rink 1820 S. Diary Ashford St. Houston, Texas (281) 493-5651 Lockwood Skating Palace 3323 E. Lockwood Dr. Houston, Texas (713) 673-2232 Pasadena Roller Rink 2606 Cherrybrook Lane Pasadena, Texas (713) 943-8530 The “Z” Zenith Roller Rink 8075 Cook Road Houston, Texas (281) 575-7655 (281) 568-5138 Adult Skate: Saturday

the place I was thinking of Basset. the Salesperson was very annoying too boot.

You are thinking of Briargrove Three. Woodlake 3 was in Woodlake Sqaure at Gessner and Westheimer behind the Randall's. 10 or so years ago it turned into SRO and was a huge sports bar. It has floundered ever since. I totally remember Putt Putt across from Briargrove Three. There was also a Go Kart place attached. As for Memorial City. Your memories are correct. There was a big theater there that burned down. About 15 years there was another mutliplex built in the mall. It closed down 5 or so years ago (maybe more). I saw Dumb n Dumber there in 1996 or so. I believe they are building a new theater complex at the same location as the old one. Was the T&C 10 or 12 Theaters. I think you are right. I was thinking 12, but 10 sounds correct. There was a Chili's and Bennigens right there too. I think both of those are gone too. There was also a bar right next to the Theater that had a surf motif going. I remember going in at about 20 and drinking Mai Tai's. Good Stuff. I also don't like teenagers talking through all the movies and checking their cell phones for text messages from their buddies. But I still go 3-5 times a year.

I could not agree more. For me it is a cash flow issue. I would rather get the 0% with the knowledge that I will pay it off in half the time. I have purchased big products this way for years. My first computer in 1996 was purchased this way. I was scared too death, but I paid it off 4 months early. If you are not good with money or feel like you can pay the minimum think twice.

No, there are plenty of Wal-Marts. I just happen to have 10 Grocery stores closer to me. I made that point when you mentioned that you thought eventually these grocery stores would be gone and Wal Mart would take over. It might well be the case is small cities where Wal Mart has a string hold. In the big city there are 10 grocery stores for every Wal-Mart. They have a lot of ground to catch if they want to rule the world. >

You can say that again !!

I had an OK experience with Matress Mack. I got a sofa and love seat for $700. It lasted close to 5 years. Three dudes wore that thing out. Suprisingly enough it was delivered that night. When I moved into my townhouse and wanted nicer furniture I hit Star on I-10. They had some great sruff. I can't exactly remember what all I bought, but I bought a king size bed, two armoirs (one of which had two book shelfs that came with it or could be used seperately) a couple of end tables, a matching coffee table and I think I bought a big chair. Total charge of $3400. I opened a no interest account and had those suckers paid off in no time. Later I upgraded my couches to Leather. I bought two identical couches at Foley's Memorial City. It was the first place we looked, but we loved them so we bought them. I want to say they were $900 each. Star is great when they have their sales. And if you can't afford it all right now they offer no interest financing for 12-18 months (most big stores offer this). I have looked extensiviely through Ethan Allen and Crate and Barrell. Both are way too expensive for me. I have shopped around Fingers and was not impressed with their selection(my opinion). Also there is a store that starts with a B. There is one at 59 and Edloe across from Lakewood and another out I-10. They have some pretty good deals, but we were told we had to wait 6-8 weeks for a bed we wanted. There is also some place on I-45 North between Tidwll and Parker that does give you back back back back order slips.

Definetely a cool looking building. I would like the corner top loft. This sorta looks like a Randall Davis Creation.

Where do you live? Haow close are the Super Wal-Marts to each other. I live at Briar Forret and Beltway 8. There is a Super Wal Mart at Westheimer and Dunvale and another Wal Mart on the Beltway just due North of I-10. I cannot think of any others that close. Maybe there is one out West on Westhiemer, but it is not jumping out at me.

So True. I went to Second Baptist when I lived in Briarmedow. Don't judge me because of it. I left in 8th grade, went back twice in H.S. and have not stepped foot in that place since. Don't plan on it either. Ed Young is really Satan... >

Greenway took a hit when El Paso moved out of 9 Greenway to their own building downtown the last few years. I believe they occupied nearly 900k SF of space in Greenway before the move. I think there lease is still in place, but they are not occupying the space. A deal was struck a few months ago, but I do not know the specifics. Another hot area is Westchase. At least in terms of class A. The Occupancy levels are very strong in that market with the big question being BMC who last I heard was trying to unload it's real estate and lease it back on their terms* Their terms are not exaclty what investors are looking for.

I think he might have had more than one location. Who knows??