The Heights Dry Zone

[Marksmu]

I went to their one day preview, but didn't buy anything mainly because it was too busy.

There is also a bike store on white oak that seems to be doing well despite the wide spread acceptance of cars. New bank branches seem to pop up everywhere despite your ability to do almost everything via internet and ATM.

Considering that you can take a store that only sells cupcakes public (NASDAQ: CRMB), it really doesn't seem that far fetched.

The location is good and there are maybe 3 or 4 other similar stores inside the loop at most maybe 10,000 total sqft. The Houston vinyl store space is less than the cheese section at a single Kroger.

We will see - my prediction is less than one year. I give it no chance...the heights its trendy, but I just dont think its vinyl trendy. Its diverse restaurant, alternative lifestyle, nimby, trendy - its apple trendy...I just don't think its vinyl trendy. We can revisit this prediction next October.

[sonic0boom]

The kids today actually like records. They get out these disc jockey set ups and make music with old records. The kids love to plunge through old records to find sounds, beats, chords, meldoies etc. to use when they disc jockey (the kids call it "DJ"-ing). They can actually come up with dance tracks in real time using old records.

Thanks for this; i needed a good laugh today.

Without reading the links - Vinyl is a fad - its nostalgic for old folks, and the kids "DJing" could not possibly keep a store in business. I predict that the store does not even last one year unless it makes all its money on EBAY in which case what is the point of the storefront. Modern people are lazy and do not wish to carry around or store anything that takes up space...they use iphones, ipods, and the cloud now....vinyl is dead and the few people who collect or play them are a far cry for what it will take to keep a store in the heights in business...they see old homes and antique stores and they see their clientele - but despite the look of the heights from the curb - inside the homes its all flat panel tv and iphones....

Sound Ex makes most of its income from Ebay sales, but what's wrong with having a storefront where they can also interact with local customers? And while I can't speak for the owner of this new place, do you think he was naive enough to choose this spot just because there are old homes and antique stores in the neighborhood? Maybe you'd have a point if he was only going to stock big band standards... I personally don't buy much vinyl because it is expensive (think upwards to $20/album for the new stuff i listen to) and because it doesn't fit my lifestyle (at a computer most of the day), but i know a lot of people who do frequently plunk down the cash for it. It'll never be big, but it will likely stay around long after cassettes and CDs go the way of the 8 track (yeah even cassettes have seen a faddish mini-resurgence of late).

[RedScare]

The big box store full of CD's is dead, but a 1 to 2,000 sqft store specializing in vinyl will probably do just fine. Especially with the foot traffic now on white oak, it is probably in a better spot than cactus (which appears to be doing just fine, though free beer helps).

Though, I do agree they should have opened a burger joint there (since it is dry) then we'd try and change the law to faciliate them.

A couple recent articles on vinyl record sales

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2011-02-25-vinyl25_ST_N.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/07/arts/music/wfmu-and-superstar-dj-record-fairs-collectors-paradises.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/nyregion/brooklyn-factory-gives-second-life-to-used-records.html

One article about a record fair (i.e., a one time event), another about a guy pressing vinyl with 5 employees, and the best one, an article stating that vinyl sales were 2.8 million last year...for the ENTIRE United States. Add in s3mh's revelation that she is in tune with "the kids", and you've got yourself a budding IPO on your hands! For comparison, itunes sells over 2.5 BILLION songs per year.

Yeah, "the kids" are really into vinyl. None of which explains why the parking lot for the record store AND the stationary store was empty when I drove by an hour ago, like it is every time I go by. I'm really starting to believe my neighbors live in a fantasy. All of those cute news businesses replaced other cute businesses that failed on that street. Only Blue Line does a decent business, but those guys work hard and are in a growing business sector, not a dead one. And the skateboard dude lives in his shop, so he's splitting overhead. The rest...whatever. We could always use another cupcake or berripop store. Those are businesses with staying power.

[heights_yankee]

I think any pub (brewpub, beer garden, irish pub, etc) on 19th-20th would be awesome, and make a killing.

Downhouse

[SilverJK]

Thanks for this; i needed a good laugh today.

Sound Ex makes most of its income from Ebay sales, but what's wrong with having a storefront where they can also interact with local customers? And while I can't speak for the owner of this new place, do you think he was naive enough to choose this spot just because there are old homes and antique stores in the neighborhood? Maybe you'd have a point if he was only going to stock big band standards... I personally don't buy much vinyl because it is expensive (think upwards to $20/album for the new stuff i listen to) and because it doesn't fit my lifestyle (at a computer most of the day), but i know a lot of people who do frequently plunk down the cash for it. It'll never be big, but it will likely stay around long after cassettes and CDs go the way of the 8 track (yeah even cassettes have seen a faddish mini-resurgence of late).

I also found that hillarious, I have a feeling they were serious, making it even funnier.

The owner of the white oak record store lives nearby, and will be walking to work. There is definitely a market for vinyl, but I think it is pretty much a break even business. If a mild profit is all this guy wants/needs to keep the shop running I think it can last. If he is trying to make a solid living off of this, I think the store might be doomed.

[RedScare]

Thanks for this; i needed a good laugh today.

And while I can't speak for the owner of this new place, do you think he was naive enough to choose this spot just because there are old homes and antique stores in the neighborhood?

It'll never be big, but it will likely stay around long after cassettes and CDs go the way of the 8 track (yeah even cassettes have seen a faddish mini-resurgence of late).

Having read the article about him? Yes. He lives in the hood. He picked the spot because it was nearby. He'd have been better off down in Montrose...30 years ago.

Your statement about fads is on target, and the reason none of this will last. Fads die out, and businesses go under. While the neighbors might think it is cute, startup costs and shutdown costs make riding fads a losing proposition. The hipsters are vicious. They drop fads like a bad habit with no remorse.

[SilverJK]

Downhouse

Downhouse is NOT a pub. It's an overpriced sceenster spot. (these aren't necessarily bad in my opinion, although i dislike Downhouse).

[RedScare]

Downhouse is for "foodies", which makes it a waste of money.

However, a pub is one of the few places that may make a club license worth the effort, as the check average would be high enough to almost justify the paperwork headache and expense. Almost. It's probably still easier to just go up Yale to 23rd Street and skip the paper avalanche.

[Marksmu]

Thanks for this; i needed a good laugh today.

Sound Ex makes most of its income from Ebay sales, but what's wrong with having a storefront where they can also interact with local customers? And while I can't speak for the owner of this new place, do you think he was naive enough to choose this spot just because there are old homes and antique stores in the neighborhood? Maybe you'd have a point if he was only going to stock big band standards... I personally don't buy much vinyl because it is expensive (think upwards to $20/album for the new stuff i listen to) and because it doesn't fit my lifestyle (at a computer most of the day), but i know a lot of people who do frequently plunk down the cash for it. It'll never be big, but it will likely stay around long after cassettes and CDs go the way of the 8 track (yeah even cassettes have seen a faddish mini-resurgence of late).

Vinyl may last - the store will not - that is my prediction.

[J008]

Yeah, "the kids" are really into vinyl. None of which explains why the parking lot for the record store AND the stationary store was empty when I drove by an hour ago, like it is every time I go by.

Reasons why the record store is empty:

1. It is not open yet

2. I will either bike or walk there when it is open

Reasons why the stationary store is empty:

1. The lack of boss' day cards or halloween cards. Christmas\Valentines day\Mothers day I would expect them to be busy but October 26th is not a big stationary season.

I'd be much more concerned for the stationary store than the record store.

[SilverJK]

I'd like to see a comic book store open up in that building that is actually open late. I don't collect comics, I can count on one hand how many I've ever bought, but in other cities they seem to have these and I've always thought that was an interesting sub-culture. Definitely more legs to it than vinyl I'd think.

I guess maybe "the kids" don't read comics anymore.... = P

[J008]

I'd like to see a comic book store open up in that building that is actually open late. I don't collect comics, I can count on one hand how many I've ever bought, but in other cities they seem to have these and I've always thought that was an interesting sub-culture. Definitely more legs to it than vinyl I'd think.

I guess maybe "the kids" don't read comics anymore.... = P

Bedrock Comics

4602 Washington

http://www.bedrockcity.com/?p=locations

[SilverJK]

Bedrock Comics

4602 Washington

http://www.bedrockci...om/?p=locations

^{they close way to early.}

[sonic0boom]

Vinyl may last - the store will not - that is my prediction.

Fair enough ... that was really my point.

[fwki]

Vinyl may last.....

Vinyl has and will last as long as the recording industry effectively caps digital bit rate at 1,411.2 kbit/s (CD quality) and enough audiophiles remain alive. It won't be forever because eventually the industry will grow a brain and pull out of its decade-long tailspin by offering higher quality, higher bandwidth digital products for a premium price. With the bandwidth cap in place, the birthrate for audiophiles is near zero and boomer audiophiles move on to hearing aids. However once digital music goes hi def, a whole new generation of audiophiles will be born, and just like their predecesors who kept vinyl alive, they will spend crazy money on media and equipment convincing themselves they can tell the difference. The recording industry will be re-born, and vinyl will be dead.

[s3mh]

Vinyl has and will last as long as the recording industry effectively caps digital bit rate at 1,411.2 kbit/s (CD quality) and enough audiophiles remain alive. It won't be forever because eventually the industry will grow a brain and pull out of its decade-long tailspin by offering higher quality, higher bandwidth digital products for a premium price. With the bandwidth cap in place, the birthrate for audiophiles is near zero and boomer audiophiles move on to hearing aids. However once digital music goes hi def, a whole new generation of audiophiles will be born, and just like their predecesors who kept vinyl alive, they will spend crazy money on media and equipment convincing themselves they can tell the difference. The recording industry will be re-born, and vinyl will be dead.

CDs are dead. And MP3s have less dynamic range than CDs because of the compression needed to make the file sendable on the web. Most everyone is on MP3s now.

People like vinyl not because it is superior to CDs. People like vinyl because it has a distinct timbre and tone that cannot be reproduced on CD. It is like playing on a Rhodes piano v. a synthesizer. The synth can do a million things the Rhodes can't do, but a synth will never truly sound like a Rhodes.

The music industry is not in a tailspin because of sound quality. They music industry is in a tail spin because everyone steals music on the internet. You can put out all the hi-def you want. Until you can figure out how to keep people from stealing your product, it doesn't matter how fancy the product is.

The records store is obviously a retirement project for the owner and not an attempt to make piles of cash. But, if run well, a vinyl shop can make a good profit. There is definitely a market and not much competition in Houston. And, I would much rather have a funky record store and a cute stationary shop than another sad pub filled with sour middle aged men grousing about the cute little shops in the neighborhood that don't always last that long.

[fwki]

...sour middle aged men...

Thank you! And proud of it, with my rainbow sticker and all!

[SilverJK]

But the pubs are where the "Sour middle aged men" and the "kids" get to hang out in cross generational social settings...

I'm a sour hipster yuppie. FACT.

[SilverJK]

Downhouse is for "foodies", which makes it a waste of money.

However, a pub is one of the few places that may make a club license worth the effort, as the check average would be high enough to almost justify the paperwork headache and expense. Almost. It's probably still easier to just go up Yale to 23rd Street and skip the paper avalanche.

I typically describe "foodies" as people who care about the flavor of the food, regardless of price/background/setting. Although the food at Downhouse is good, it is far from excellent and grosly overpriced. But i get what your saying... maybe there needs to be another term for the type of foodies i think of... (I'd be more excited about eating at Sparkle Burger than Downhouse... what does that mean?)

[RedScare]

Your definition of "foodies" was accurate until just after the term "foodie" was coined. Now, like everything else, the shallow people...who usually like to think of themselves as "hip"...will describe themselves this way, when all they really are is attenion whores. Props to the chefs who sucker these people into their restaurants, as it is a hard business, though the recent twitter fiasco at Downhouse shows that attracting the "foodies" can be a double edged sword.

This is why I appreciate a good low key pub. I can flirt with the pretty young waitresses, while grousing that my neighborhood has been overtaken by stroller nazis and nosy historic preservationists. Absent a good Heights pub, two thumbs up goes to the attractive waitstaff at Christian's Tailgate. Now that the temperature has dropped a tad, I can hang out on the patio and enjoy a sugar cane distilled beverage and a smoke. Life's simple pleasures are best.

[heights_yankee]

I think the Shiloh is just fine and will continue to enjoy many cold beers there.

[Marksmu]

This is why I appreciate a good low key pub. I can flirt with the pretty young waitresses, while grousing that my neighborhood has been overtaken by stroller nazis and nosy historic preservationists.

Don't know your definition of a stroller pushing nazi - but dont lump us stroller pushers into the same crowd as the ultra nosy, self righteous, socialist, Obama supporting historic preservationist....that is just unnecessary.

Some of stroller pushers happen to really enjoy a nice cold whiskey on ice while sitting on a patio....it just becomes less frequent once you have a kid in tow. But you won't hear most of us stroller pushers complaining about bars until the parking starts effecting the neighborhood. Chrisitians is a nice bar in a nice place and the area is better for having it,.

[mcook2002]

while grousing that my neighborhood has been overtaken by stroller nazis and nosy historic preservationists.

you sound like a fun dude.

[heights_yankee]

In addition to the current crappy retail, there is also a dress shop going in to the strip with Write Now and Heights Vinyl.

[heights_yankee]

In addition to the current crappy retail, there is also a dress shop going in to the strip with Write Now and Heights Vinyl.

Here is the preliminary website for the dress shop

http://www.lacamella.com/lacamella/welcome%21.html

And apparently there is going to be a cat grooming/care place in the last available slot in that strip. While this might seem like a silly idea to some, the "cat exclusive" places in Montrose do gang busters business.

However, A Peaceful Pet, which specializes in low stress, eco friendly grooming of small dogs and cats, is leaving it's little brick building next to the new D'Amico's. She has done well in that spot but feels all the restaurant business is not conducive to her own and she found a more suitable location where she will open after the holidays (sadly, not in the Heights). That is a really cute building. I hope something fun goes in there!

[SilverJK]

I had such high hopes for that center when they redid it... not a single store I will ever go to. At least it isn't a subway or something like that i guess.

[sonic0boom]

Here is the preliminary website for the dress shop

http://www.lacamella...welcome%21.html

Interesting ... when you said a "dress shop", I was thinking a seamstress or some such. They're actually carrying some decent brands, so I'm curious to see what they bring in for menswear.

[little frau]

I would be interested in another cat exclusive place inside the loop. As for the one on W. Alabama, I will never take my guy there again.

We do not need to board very often, but when we do, I'd prefer a place that does actually interact with my animal, not one that merely 'says' they will.

[OutfieldDan]

Now that the election is over, I'm going to contact Ellen Cohen to see if she's any good at her job. I'll ask her about repealing this stupid rule that makes the neighborhood dry. Maybe she can't do it herself, but she should be willing to help.

[RedScare]

Being that Ellen Cohen is a Parker yes-woman, it will depend entirely upon whether Mayor Parker thinks it is a good idea. Don't hold your breath.