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E J's Bar At 2517 Ralph St.


Montrose1100

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I heard a rumor the bar is closing in 2 months to make way for a hotel. Any insiders know anything?

 

EJs is closing - after 40 years......

 

http://about-online.com/2014/04/27/historic-montrose-ejs-bar-bids-farewell-community-4o-years/

 

It could be a big chunk of land if the buyers also bought the lot next door/behind EJs (where they were going to build a mid rise a few years ago) and the vet clinic on the corner.....not saying they did, just thinking out loud...

Edited by HoustonMidtown
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On Ralph at Westheimer. Between Mark's and Buffalo Exchange. Large lot also in between that at one time was going to be a residential tower. Some foundation work was even done. I had heard some talk about a hotel there, by the Austin/Hotel San Jose group. Maybe...

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I was wondering what those weird circular holes were on the lot next to it (visible on Google Earth). The EJ's lot is weird, as it kind of wraps around to the back of the Buffalo Exchange. I know this first hand as my vehicle was towed for being one spot over on their lot while shopping.

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  • 9 months later...
  • 2 months later...

just saw this thread...AFTER i just posted a new topic about the new restaurant...sorry! but yeah they really transformed the place and enjoyed dining at the restaurant for their grand opening last night...read my new post for the review etc.

:)

 

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  • The title was changed to Rumor On Ej's Lot
  • The title was changed to E J's Bar At 2517 Ralph St.
  • 5 months later...

the funny part is that it WAS a cool fun place to go, but the food and service were subpar so i never really went after the initial opening period...

it is a cool venue so maybe something else worthy will come along. 

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Yeah, La Grange was mostly popular because it's a great space. I'm sure someone will come along quickly to take another stab at the venue. We just have to hope that whoever comes along does a good job and doesn't just do a quick flip to try to make a quick buck. I'd be looking at Goodnight Hospitality, so they can connect it to the rest of their development in that area

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La Grange was perfect on a nice sunny day or evening. The atmosphere just kind of sucked the past year or so.

A Goodnight Hospitality takeover would be nice, but they have been focused on more high end dinning. I don't know what the rent is at La Grange, but It would be great if they could open a causal place like La Grange was.

My ideal setup would be dining in the front, and more of a causal bar scene in the back. Kind of like how Hey Merchant and Underbelly were set up.

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I got hammered there many times but that was like 5 years ago. The neighborhood is def going through a change with ACME closing and the redevelopment of the property. The old One/Fifth building is getting renovated and Drake's is scheduled to open as well.

Edited by j_cuevas713
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On 1/8/2024 at 3:52 PM, bookey23 said:

According to Reddit and Google, La Grange closed last night



Chron.com has more details on La Grange's recent closure. La Grange was located in the Montrose area at 2517 Ralph St.


Details from today's Chron article:
 

[La Grange co-owner Rob] Cromie said that La Grange quietly shuttered Jan. 8.

“We just can’t compete with the big guys, being a small, mom-and-pop type of organization,” Cromie said.

Cromie said the restaurant had struggled to reclaim its pre-pandemic audience. High rates of inflation also contributed...

https://www.chron.com/food/article/la-grange-closure-18600240.php

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  • 3 months later...

Several occupancy permits were purchased yesterday for 2517 Ralph St:
 

  • 1 story occupancy inspection permit
  • Certificate of occupancy permit


Details from the permits:

  • Use: Occ Report/ restaurant / bar / 6 ,273 sf
  • FCC Group: Non-residential alteration



2517 Ralph St was last home to neighborhood bar La Grange. I'm not sure if the recently purchased permits pertain to a new business moving in or not.



1 story occupancy inspection permit

L8hsoaZ.png



Certificate of occupancy permit.

s6cIhZx.png

 

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On 4/18/2024 at 6:41 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Several occupancy permits were purchased yesterday for 2517 Ralph St:

2517 Ralph St was last home to neighborhood bar La Grange. I'm not sure if the recently purchased permits pertain to a new business moving in or not.



I think the occupancy permits purchased last week are for a new business at 2517 Ralph St. Supposedly, a new venture from Sundown Entertainment is slated for the former La Grange space.

Sundown Entertainment is behind local bar and night club concepts The Sporting Club, The Sugar Room, Clutch, and Todos Santos. Muse is also part of their dining portfolio.

It's possible the name of the business opening at 2517 Ralph St is Melrose. I'm not sure. I'm also unsure of the concept; although I'm leaning towards it being a bar or a lounge.

There is an Instagram for Melrose and registered web domain.


Edit: The business slated for 2517 Ralph St is Melrose. I did a search and noticed the business recently applied for an alcohol permit.


https://melrosehtx.com/

https://www.instagram.com/melrosehtx

Edited by IntheKnowHouston
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I'm not very excited about this news. All of those bars mentioned above are Washington bars that serve overpriced drinks, subpar food, and turn into a nightclub after 10pm. This might just be a happy hour place for me.

More importantly, it's going to mess up my Poison Girl weekend nights with overfill from the club :)

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10 hours ago, ToolMan said:

I'm not very excited about this news. All of those bars mentioned above are Washington bars that serve overpriced drinks, subpar food, and turn into a nightclub after 10pm. This might just be a happy hour place for me.

More importantly, it's going to mess up my Poison Girl weekend nights with overfill from the club :)


True, but it's possible Melrose could be different. I'm still unsure what Melrose will be. It could be a bar, lounge, nightclub, or restaurant.

I think Sundown Entertainment is partnering with one or both owners of Clarkwood for this forthcoming establishment. Perhaps this will have a similar vibe to Clarkwood, the wine and cocktail bar at 3201 Allen Pkwy, Suite 190. I noticed both Clarkwood proprietors are following Melrose on Instagram, so that's why I'm making the partnership assumption.

Hopefully, more details will be released soon to the public via local news outlets.

Edited by IntheKnowHouston
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  • 3 months later...
On 4/22/2024 at 10:06 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

I think the occupancy permits purchased last week are for a new business at 2517 Ralph St. Supposedly, a new venture from Sundown Entertainment is slated for the former La Grange space.

Sundown Entertainment is behind local bar and night club concepts The Sporting Club, The Sugar Room, Clutch, and Todos Santos. Muse is also part of their dining portfolio.

It's possible the name of the business opening at 2517 Ralph St is Melrose. I'm not sure. I'm also unsure of the concept; although I'm leaning towards it being a bar or a lounge.

There is an Instagram for Melrose and registered web domain.


Edit: The business slated for 2517 Ralph St is Melrose. I did a search and noticed the business recently applied for an alcohol permit.


https://melrosehtx.com/

https://www.instagram.com/melrosehtx

 

On 4/23/2024 at 6:58 PM, IntheKnowHouston said:

I'm still unsure what Melrose will be. It could be a bar, lounge, nightclub, or restaurant.

I think Sundown Entertainment is partnering with one or both owners of Clarkwood for this forthcoming establishment. Perhaps this will have a similar vibe to Clarkwood, the wine and cocktail bar at 3201 Allen Pkwy, Suite 190. I noticed both Clarkwood proprietors are following Melrose on Instagram, so that's why I'm making the partnership assumption.

Hopefully, more details will be released soon to the public via local news outlets.



Melrose updated its Instagram bio a few days. Additionally, a photo grid was posted.

According to Melrose's Instagram, it is a cocktail bar. A website is also included.  As previously mentioned, the bar takes over La Grange's former space at 2517 Ralph St.

I still think Melrose is a joint project from  Sundown Entertainment and the proprietor of Clarkwood. However, I'm not certain. I mentioned this to CultureMap's city editor not too long ago. They're looking into it, so, maybe additional details will be reported soon.


https://www.melrosehtx.com/
 

https://www.instagram.com/melrosehtx/

gIKIHQr.jpeg

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On 4/23/2024 at 6:58 PM, IntheKnowHouston said:

I think Sundown Entertainment is partnering with one or both owners of Clarkwood for this forthcoming establishment. Perhaps this will have a similar vibe to Clarkwood, the wine and cocktail bar at 3201 Allen Pkwy, Suite 190. I noticed both Clarkwood proprietors are following Melrose on Instagram, so that's why I'm making the partnership assumption.




Houston Food Finder published an article this morning on Melrose. The cocktail bar is slated to open later this year at 2517 Ralph St. It replaces La Grange, which closed earlier this year.

According to the article, Melrose is indeed a joint venture from Sundown Entertainment and one of the proprietors of Clarkwood.


More from a statement provided to the publication:

Recognizing the distinctiveness of the building and the beloved neighborhood, Sadeghi noted in a statement, “This is a special building in a special place, and our goal is to create an environment and experience with longevity... we hope to establish a casual elegance that in many ways harkens back to the area and this historic structure’s infancy.”

https://houstonfoodfinder.com/bars/new-cocktail-destination-set-to-open-in-former-montrose-hot-spot/ 

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
On 8/28/2024 at 7:22 AM, hindesky said:

L9PdqMF.png



A plan review permit was purchased today for 2517 Ralph St. It's likely this could be approved for permitting soon.

Details from the permit:

  • Use: 1,735 sf lounge remodel 1-1-5-A2-B '21 IBC
  • FCC Group: Non-residential alteration


The listed occupant on the permit is Melrose. As mentioned in previous posts, Melrose is a cocktail bar is slated to open later this year. It is a joint venture from Sundown Entertainment and one of the proprietors of Clarkwood.


y3oUZTT.png

Edited by IntheKnowHouston
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  • 4 weeks later...
On 9/30/2024 at 11:44 PM, IntheKnowHouston said:

A plan review permit was purchased today for 2517 Ralph St. It's likely this could be approved for permitting soon.

Details from the permit:

  • Use: 1,735 sf lounge remodel 1-1-5-A2-B '21 IBC
  • FCC Group: Non-residential alteration


The listed occupant on the permit is Melrose. As mentioned in previous posts, Melrose is a cocktail bar is slated to open later this year. It is a joint venture from Sundown Entertainment and one of the proprietors of Clarkwood.


y3oUZTT.png




The city granted permitting approval for 2517 Ralph St earlier this week.  .The plan review inspection report is attached below.

As mentioned, a cocktail bar named Melrose is opening on the property.


ZFdurTh.png

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On 10/24/2024 at 12:00 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

The city granted permitting approval for 2517 Ralph St earlier this week.  .The plan review inspection report is attached below.

As mentioned, a cocktail bar named Melrose is opening on the property.
ZFdurTh.png



Following recent permit approval for 2517 Ralph St, several permits were purchased this week:

  • Structural / building permit
  • Duplicate co ( certificate of occupancy) or change of owner permit
  • Mechanical permit
  • Health plan review
     

Details from the permits:

  • Use: 1,735 sf lounge remodel 1-1-5-A2-B '21 IBC
  • FCC Group: Non-residential alteration


Melrose, a new cocktail bar, is opening soon on the property.





Structural / building permit

3E5WYBu.png





Duplicate co ( certificate of occupancy) or change of owner permit

6s0SLFa.png





Mechanical permit

eRp13jI.png




Health plan review

mTWbV59.png

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On 10/25/2024 at 7:12 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Following recent permit approval for 2517 Ralph St, several permits were purchased this week:

  • Structural / building permit
  • Duplicate co ( certificate of occupancy) or change of owner permit
  • Mechanical permit
  • Health plan review



G&O Electric obtained an electrical permit for 2517 Ralph St on Friday.
 

Details from the permits:

  • Use: 1,735 sf lounge remodel 1-1-5-A2-B '21 IBC
  • FCC Group: Non-residential alteration

Melrose, a new cocktail bar, is opening soon on the property.


http://www.cohtora.houstontx.gov/ibi_apps/WFServlet.ibfs?IBIF_webapp=/ibi_apps&IBIC_server=EDASERVE&IBIWF_msgviewer=OFF&IBIAPP_app=soldpermits&IBIF_ex=sold_permit_d&CLICKED_ON=&PN=24082920&PT=11


f4pepql.png

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