Railway Heights: 8200 Washington Avenue

[IntheKnowHouston]

Add Peaky Grinders to the list of food stall vendors / restaurants moving out of Railway Heights Market at 8200 Washington Ave. Monday is the burger stand's last day at the food hall and market.

Peaky Grinders announced the news on social media Saturday:

"Change is in the air! We're saying goodbye to our current home at Railway Heights and saying hello to a new chapter in Midtown. Join us for our final two days here and get ready to follow us to our new location. We couldn't have done it without your amazing support, thank you!"

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpGJ65fpPLm

 

As noted in the Midtown forum, Peaky Grinders is coming to Conservatory's new location at 606 Dennis St.

 

[BigRed]

9 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

Add Peaky Grinders to the list of food stall vendors / restaurants moving out of Railway Heights Market at 8200 Washington Ave. Monday is the burger stand's last day at the food hall and market.

Peaky Grinders announced the news on social media Saturday:

"Change is in the air! We're saying goodbye to our current home at Railway Heights and saying hello to a new chapter in Midtown. Join us for our final two days here and get ready to follow us to our new location. We couldn't have done it without your amazing support, thank you!"

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpGJ65fpPLm

 

As noted in the Midtown forum, Peaky Grinders is coming to Conservatory's new location at 606 Dennis St.

 

Super lovely burgers and team - its a shame to "lose them" from greater heights region but love that they are getting their own brick and mortar!

[IntheKnowHouston]

Railway Heights, in particular Railway Heights Market, was a hot topic in a local Facebook group yesterday. Basically, someone asked what's going with Railway Heights Market. People commented how many of the food tenants and retailers have closed or moved out.

A few people offered their insight as current and former food stall vendors in Company of Nomads' food halls concepts:

 

• "The short of it is original owners (also owners of Conservatory & Bravery) funding the project using next seed funds. They were given the boot from nonpayment of rent (surprised it didn't happen sooner, as they were evicted twice before that) and the land owners took over. Land owners own parking lots and do not have the experience of managing this time of space."
  
  "In past conversations with Easy Park, they built the building for and because of Company of Nomads. They were the primary tenant and catalyst."
  
   
• "Terrible management. They have no clue how to treat people/businesses with respect. And they are extremely petty. I was there for a few months and they ran a lot of vendors out, myself included."
  
   
• "Basically, we've had some problems with the people who are running the food hall, but we're working hard to fix it. There have been some changes in ownership, and a lot of us restaurant owners have been left in the dark. But we've just heard that there's going to be a new team in charge, and we're really hopeful that they'll do a great job."
  
  "And we've got some good news too - the markets are coming back every weekend, and we've got lots of fun events planned for the future. Plus, I'm excited to let you know that more food concepts are coming to the food hall soon."
  
   
• "... all is resume to awfull management, it is a place with a lot of potential to be great, really nice concepts in general but sadly the poor management bring it down."

[IntheKnowHouston]

Railway Heights Market announced a new food stall a few days ago. The Funnel Cake House, which operated as a food truck, is opening in the food hall and market soon.

Railway Heights Market is located 8200 Washington Ave, Suite 100.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CpTHp2vpl2-

[IntheKnowHouston]

Meat + Cheese Project is a new food stall / food vendor opening soon at Railway Heights Market. I think the menu focuses primarily on hamburgers, so, possibly a replacement for Peaky Grinders. 

I'm not certain, but I think Meat + Cheese Project is from Sunny Vohra. Chef Vohra is/was one of the proprietors of Peaky Grinders, Margaux's, and a few other concepts that operated out of Bravery Chef Hall.

Railway Heights Market is located at 8200 Washington Ave. It's part of the Railway Heights mixed-use development.
 

 

https://www.meatcheesehtx.com

https://www.instagram.com/meatcheesehtx

Edited March 14, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[Triton]

Wow this entire thing is dead. Like, not only are almost all of the stores gone but there's literally no one walking inside anymore. Talk about eerie.

Edit: Found this Facebook post. Not sure if I'll be able to share here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/195131914585900/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=1403283777104035

[TacoDog]

16 hours ago, Triton said:

Wow this entire thing is dead. Like, not only are almost all of the stores gone but there's literally no one walking inside anymore. Talk about eerie.

Edit: Found this Facebook post. Not sure if I'll be able to share here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/195131914585900/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=1403283777104035

It's a private group. You can share the photos directly.

[nate4l1f3]

18 hours ago, Triton said:

Wow this entire thing is dead. Like, not only are almost all of the stores gone but there's literally no one walking inside anymore. Talk about eerie.

Edit: Found this Facebook post. Not sure if I'll be able to share here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/195131914585900/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=1403283777104035

I was here a month or so ago on a Saturday afternoon and there was a good size crowd. 

[Triton]

20 hours ago, TacoDog said:

It's a private group. You can share the photos directly.

It's all video.

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 3/14/2023 at 6:29 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Meat + Cheese Project is a new food stall / food vendor opening soon at Railway Heights Market. I think the menu focuses primarily on hamburgers, so, possibly a replacement for Peaky Grinders. 

I'm not certain, but I think Meat + Cheese Project is from Sunny Vohra. Chef Vohra is/was one of the proprietors of Peaky Grinders, Margaux's, and a few other concepts that operated out of Bravery Chef Hall.

Railway Heights Market is located at 8200 Washington Ave. It's part of the Railway Heights mixed-use development.
 

 

https://www.meatcheesehtx.com

https://www.instagram.com/meatcheesehtx

Meat + Cheese Project debuted Wednesday at Railway Heights Market, according to the food hall and market's social media.

As suspected, Meat + Cheese Project is a hamburger restaurant serving smash burgers. Cheesesteaks are also on the menu. 


Photo of the food stall from Railway Heights Market's social media:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp05CX2peM7

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 11/2/2022 at 7:49 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Does anyone know if Pallet Jax was completed? 

Pallet Jax is the outdoor bar on the grounds of Railway Heights. It's part of Company of Nomads' Railway Heights Market at Railway Heights (8200 Washington Ave). 

The bar is constructed of pallets. A stage will also be included.


https://www.instagram.com/pallet.jax



Here is a rendering posted to Pallet Jax's Instagram earlier this year (at least I think it is... I have not been to this development in months, so, I don't know if this is up and running):

With EasyPark's takeover of Railway Heights Market, Pallet Jax is not moving forward at Railway Heights.

Instead, Company of Nomads will open Pallet Jax at its new Midtown location for Conservatory.

In recent weeks, Pallet Jax's Instagram bio reflects the change. The bio previously stated the bar and outdoor venue would open at Railway Heights Market. Now, it states Conservatory.

[IntheKnowHouston]

Thunderbirds opened recently at Railway Heights Market. I'm not certain if it opened last week or earlier this week.

The restaurant centers on Sichuan hot chicken. It's the latest dining concept from chef Sundeep (Sunny) Vohra (Meat + Cheese Project, Peaky Grinders, and others).

Railway Heights Market is located in the Railway Heights development at 8200 Washington Avenue.


https://www.thunderbirdshtx.com

https://www.instagram.com/thunderbirdshtx

[IntheKnowHouston]

Following the departure of several food stalls, Railway Heights Market's new management is bringing in new dining concepts.

Railway Heights Market announced a few last month in an Instagram post:

 

• El Comal - eatery serving Mexican fare
  
   
• Smooshy - a juice bar and health-focused cafe serving salads and soups
  
   
• Soul Rolls - a former pop-up specializing in egg rolls, specifically stuffed with soul food and Southern fare
  
  
  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp748ROACb9

Other new dining additions include Meat + Cheese Project, Thunderbirds, and The Funnel House (previously mentioned)

 

[IntheKnowHouston]

Smooshy and The Funnel Cake House are open as of last week. Both are the latest Railway Heights Market food stall additions.

Additionally, Smooshy and Funnel Cake House have been added to Railway Heights Market's website.

Railway Heights Market is located in the Railway Heights development at 8200 Washington Avenue.

[IntheKnowHouston]

Older photos of the Railway Heights from leasing materials. Railway Heights is a mixed-use development located at 8200 Washington Ave.

Businesses located in Railway Heights:
 

• Railway Heights Market - food hall and market (8200 Washington Ave, Suite 100)
   
• The Story - church (8200 Washington Ave, Suite 200)
   
•  MADabolic - fitness gym (8200 Washington Ave, Suite 300)
  
   

Railway Heights











 

[IntheKnowHouston]

Older photos of the Railway Heights Market from leasing materials.

Railway Heights Market is food hall and market at 8200 Washington Avenue, Suite 100. It's part of the Railway Heights mixed-use development located at 8200 Washington Ave.




Railway Heights Market

[IntheKnowHouston]

I think Railway Market  may close its doors soon.

Previously named Railway Heights Market, the food hall and market is located at 8200 Washington Avenue, Suite 100.  It's part of the Railway Heights mixed-use development at 8200 Washington Ave.

Recent leasing materials for Railway Heights indicate Suite 100 is available for lease. Railway Heights occupies Suite 100.

Also available for lease is a 4,060 sf unit next to fitness gym MADabolic.



Details from the listing:

• 40,000 sf mixed use property in the Heights submarket on Washington Ave.
   
• 4,492 sf available first floor; Suite 100
   
• 17,438 sf available second floor, Suite 100
   
• First and second floor 22,230 sf contiguous
   
• 13,000 sf beer garden and patio opportunity for first and second floor vacancy
   

https://duwestrealty.com/property_listings/railway-heights/

https://duwestrealty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Railway-Heights-Flyer-v3.pdf

 

https://www.crexi.com/lease/properties/453041/texas-railway-heights

 

[TacoDog]

I'm not surprised, it was mismanaged pretty badly.

[Texasota]

I also still think this is a terrible, inaccessible location. That might be different in 20 years (and/or with a direct connection to Kansas St) but right now the location just isn't conducive to casual visits. 

[IntheKnowHouston]

21 hours ago, TacoDog said:

I'm not surprised, it was mismanaged pretty badly.

Which time are you referring to? When Company of Nomads operated the food hall as Railway Heights Market? Or when the property owner took over management, renaming the market and food hall Railway Market?

[IntheKnowHouston]

20 hours ago, Texasota said:

I also still think this is a terrible, inaccessible location. That might be different in 20 years (and/or with a direct connection to Kansas St) but right now the location just isn't conducive to casual visits. 

Maybe access to Railway Heights is challenging. I don't know because I rarely travel to that area to have a fair assessment. The handful of times I visited, I didn't have a hard time getting there or finding parking.

There are  changes coming that area, though. With more development and people flocking to that neighborhood -  specifically the vicinity of Railway Heights - changes to the roadways/traffic usually follow.

[springcityparts]

Railway could be such a nexus. 1 mile from Heights Hike and Bike Trail, 1 mile from Memorial Park.  They ought to be lobbying hardcore for the trails to be extended 

Edited October 6, 2023 by emmanume

[004n063]

3 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

Maybe access to Railway Heights is challenging. I don't know because I rarely travel to that area to have a fair assessment. The handful of times I visited, I didn't have a hard time getting there or finding parking.

There are  changes coming that area, though. With more development and people flocking to that neighborhood -  specifically the vicinity of Railway Heights - changes to the roadways/traffic usually follow.

I think it's mainly the fact that access feels limited to pretty much exclusively cars. It's not comfortable to walk or bike to. Heights Mercantile and MKT feel much more welcoming by comparison.

There is some emerging medium density in the area near Railway Heights, but it's cut off by the railroad tracks. A few pedestrian crossings could probably go a long way.

(And obviously a Washington Green Line extension...)

[s3mh]

I think the problem was that all the cool kids were either going to all the bars in Shady Acres or were going to Post HTX.  Nightlife is ultimately what sustains these food halls.  When Railway first opened, it was bustling.  But it dropped off as Shady Acres got new venues and Post HTX opened.  Then COVID hit and now there are even more bars and restaurants all over the Greater Heights area.  

[TacoDog]

17 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

Which time are you referring to? When Company of Nomads operated the food hall as Railway Heights Market? Or when the property owner took over management, renaming the market and food hall Railway Market?

When a major amount of tenants left/were forced out and they started charging for parking. I remember going in early 2022 and it was really cool, and busy. I went again months later and it was empty. 

[IntheKnowHouston]

1 hour ago, TacoDog said:

When a major amount of tenants left/were forced out and they started charging for parking. I remember going in early 2022 and it was really cool, and busy. I went again months later and it was empty. 

Oh okay. I head and read of similar observations.

[IntheKnowHouston]

11 hours ago, s3mh said:

I think the problem was that all the cool kids were either going to all the bars in Shady Acres or were going to Post HTX.  Nightlife is ultimately what sustains these food halls.  When Railway first opened, it was bustling.  But it dropped off as Shady Acres got new venues and Post HTX opened.  Then COVID hit and now there are even more bars and restaurants all over the Greater Heights area.  

Those are all plausible reasons. 

While I don't know what factors led to Railway Market's fall, I do hope the owner of the Railway Heights development is able to find a tenant that is able to bring in consumers.

City Winery is planning to expand into the Houston market. It's a restaurant, winery, and live music venue with locations in several major cities. It could do well at Railway Heights.

Another possibility, which I hope the landlord considers, reaching out to other food hall operators. City Food Hall in Florida and Plano-based The Food Hall Co. seem to have a good track record in maintaining food halls.

[LBC2HTX]

On 10/5/2023 at 9:19 AM, Texasota said:

I also still think this is a terrible, inaccessible location. That might be different in 20 years (and/or with a direct connection to Kansas St) but right now the location just isn't conducive to casual visits. 

Agreed. That entire area west of TC Jester and south of 11th is a delicate flower to get to. 

[IntheKnowHouston]

  

On 10/5/2023 at 4:39 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

I think Railway Market  may close its doors soon.

Previously named Railway Heights Market, the food hall and market is located at 8200 Washington Avenue, Suite 100.  It's part of the Railway Heights mixed-use development at 8200 Washington Ave.

Recent leasing materials for Railway Heights indicate Suite 100 is available for lease. Railway Heights occupies Suite 100.

Also available for lease is a 4,060 sf unit next to fitness gym MADabolic.



Details from the listing:

• 40,000 sf mixed use property in the Heights submarket on Washington Ave.
   
• 4,492 sf available first floor; Suite 100
   
• 17,438 sf available second floor, Suite 100
   
• First and second floor 22,230 sf contiguous
   
• 13,000 sf beer garden and patio opportunity for first and second floor vacancy
   

https://duwestrealty.com/property_listings/railway-heights/

https://duwestrealty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Railway-Heights-Flyer-v3.pdf

 

https://www.crexi.com/lease/properties/453041/texas-railway-heights

 

Railway Market (previously named Railway Heights Market) is closed at 8200 Washington Ave, Suite 100. I think it closed quietly over the weekend. When searching for the food hall and market's Instagram at its handle @railwaymarkethtx, the account isn't visible.

However, it appears a new market is replacing the former one in the Railway Heights development.

The former website for Railway Market now sports a new name: Junction HTX / Junction HTX Market. I think the change was made about a day or two ago. Furthermore, all the posts from Railway Market's Instagram were removed and the account's name changed to Junction HTX. The bio on Junction HTX's Instagram states it's coming soon.

Additionally, the beer garden located next to the market hall is named Junction HTX Beer Garden.

I don't know if Junction HTX Market is from the developers/landowner behind the Railway Heights development or not. Also, I don't know if there are plans to renovate the space.

As for an estimated opening, follow their Instagram for further details.




https://www.railwayheights.com

https://www.instagram.com/junction_htx

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 10/5/2023 at 4:39 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

I think Railway Market  may close its doors soon.

Previously named Railway Heights Market, the food hall and market is located at 8200 Washington Avenue, Suite 100.  It's part of the Railway Heights mixed-use development at 8200 Washington Ave.

Recent leasing materials for Railway Heights indicate Suite 100 is available for lease. Railway Heights occupies Suite 100.

Also available for lease is a 4,060 sf unit next to fitness gym MADabolic.



Details from the listing:

• 40,000 sf mixed use property in the Heights submarket on Washington Ave.
   
• 4,492 sf available first floor; Suite 100
   
• 17,438 sf available second floor, Suite 100
   
• First and second floor 22,230 sf contiguous
   
• 13,000 sf beer garden and patio opportunity for first and second floor vacancy
   

https://duwestrealty.com/property_listings/railway-heights/

https://duwestrealty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Railway-Heights-Flyer-v3.pdf

 

https://www.crexi.com/lease/properties/453041/texas-railway-heights

 

 

14 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

Railway Market (previously named Railway Heights Market) is closed at 8200 Washington Ave, Suite 100. I think it closed quietly over the weekend. When searching for the food hall and market's Instagram at its handle @railwaymarkethtx, the account isn't visible.

However, it appears a new market is replacing the former one in the Railway Heights development.

The former website for Railway Market now sports a new name: Junction HTX / Junction HTX Market. I think the change was made about a day or two ago. Furthermore, all the posts from Railway Market's Instagram were removed and the account's name changed to Junction HTX. The bio on Junction HTX's Instagram states it's coming soon.

Additionally, the beer garden located next to the market hall is named Junction HTX Beer Garden.

I don't know if Junction HTX Market is from the developers/landowner behind the Railway Heights development or not. Also, I don't know if there are plans to renovate the space.

As for an estimated opening, follow their Instagram for further details.




https://www.railwayheights.com

https://www.instagram.com/junction_htx

 

 

 

I received a response from Junction HTX Market regarding plans for the former Railway Market space. It appears for now, Junction HTX will turn its focus to the first floor to increase overall traffic. Plans for the first floor includes the addition of televisions and pool tables. 

Junction HTX Market didn't go into in-depth details. Perhaps, the first floor changes are for The Junction Beer Garden. According to the venue's website, this is what it will entail:

Focusing on local brewery selections, The Junction Beer Garden will anchor the first floor of Railway Market and provide a casual indoor/outdoor setting to drink, eat and socialize. Featuring 24 taps, TVs, indoor/outdoor seating, a stage and games...


Furthermore, Junction HTX Market didn't clarify if property management will operate the venue or an outside operator. Plans for the upstairs, including food stalls, were also omitted from their response. 

Maybe Junction HTX Market will provide more details soon.

Edited October 27, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston