kylejack Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 (edited) i'm out of town at the moment so i haven't actually seen if improvements are still going on--- but have a bit of info about ruggles --------the manager says YES it will reopen-- i had posted this earlier that the restaurant donated food (terrific food too) to the fundraiser Avondale took part in Oct 22--to benefit Houston Buyers Club---and la strada also donated great food--plus no mention of closing--i'm surprised that they are closing-- it's SRO at brunch time Saturdays---now for a question----------again i want to sound hopeful----do companies that do the "movie taverns" in suburban mall theaters ever consider urban theaters like the old tower theater??They damned well should, but the trouble with Tower Theater or the old Shepherd Bookstop theater is that is that its not nearly big enough for say a Movie Tavern or Alamo Drafthouse, with room for 1 screen at most. I agree though, Alamo Drafthouse come inside the Loop, Houston is not like Austin, your type of theater needs Inner Loopers. Edited November 25, 2009 by kylejack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 The Hollywood Video in Montrose is now closed. The beautiful Marquee facing Westheimer is stripped and the last great video store in Houston is gone. Late last week there was a small crane, and workers were removing metal panels that make up the 'tower' itself. Some of the stainless steel trim and the black decorations (terra-cotta?) that used to adorn the facade have also been removed. Since someone's taking the time to disassemble the decorative aspects of the building, can we assume that it's going to be reused in some other place?What's up with the Ruggles? It seems like its constantly under construction, opening soon, hiring waitstaff, etc.My understanding is that they suffered Ike damage, and were also doing a remodel. There was a news report a few weeks ago that Ruggles was nearly ready to reopen when they had a small fire. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtticaFlinch Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 They damned well should, but the trouble with Tower Theater or the old Shepherd Bookstop theater is that is that its not nearly big enough for say a Movie Tavern or Alamo Drafthouse, with room for 1 screen at most. I agree though, Alamo Drafthouse come inside the Loop, Houston is not like Austin, your type of theater needs Inner Loopers.I'd like to point out the original Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Austin has only one (very, very small) screen. That business model worked wonders for them. Amazingly, if you can get people drunk while giving them something to look at, the screen's size or number really doesn't matter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I'd like to point out the original Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Austin has only one (very, very small) screen. That business model worked wonders for them. Amazingly, if you can get people drunk while giving them something to look at, the screen's size or number really doesn't matter.not to mention finding a movie ticket for under $10 is really hard these days, even if it is only $3 less than a 'normal' theater, it is cheaper, and you get to buy beer.I'll pay for that experience every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takeshi Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 (edited) I'd like to point out the original Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Austin has only one (very, very small) screen.HadThe original on Colorado shut down back in 2007, IIRC. Its replacement has 2 screens.I see your point but I doubt that someone looking to start up such a business would consider a single screen to be worthwhile. I'd love to be proven wrong though.The Alamo's claim to fame IMO wasn't just serving beer. They also had good food that wasn't ridiculously priced, unusual films/videos and unusual events. Edited December 23, 2009 by takeshi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 (edited) They damned well should, but the trouble with Tower Theater or the old Shepherd Bookstop theater is that is that its not nearly big enough for say a Movie Tavern or Alamo Drafthouse, with room for 1 screen at most. I agree though, Alamo Drafthouse come inside the Loop, Houston is not like Austin, your type of theater needs Inner Loopers.If that were the case then why has the Alamo at West Oaks Mall, more than 10 miles OUTSIDE the loop, done so well for so long? Edited December 26, 2009 by august948 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 I was, thank goodness, mistaken.The Houston Press has an article about the progress being made on the Tower Theater's renovation, along with a picture of the restored marquee. From the article:"Sadly, no tenant is planned for the space. The [real estate company]representative merely stated that they were hoping the renovated marquee and exterior would attract a client..."Keep your fingers crossed and your thinking caps on. Surely there's a business that's just right for this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 .....with a store front on Westheimer.....(crosses fingers) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I was, thank goodness, mistaken.The Houston Press has an article about the progress being made on the Tower Theater's renovation, along with a picture of the restored marquee. From the article:"Sadly, no tenant is planned for the space. The [real estate company]representative merely stated that they were hoping the renovated marquee and exterior would attract a client..."Keep your fingers crossed and your thinking caps on. Surely there's a business that's just right for this space.Nice to see the owners are thinking like that. If it were Weingarten they would probably just tear it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little frau Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I saw "Gone With the Wind" there in very late 60's, maybe '70. IIRC we sat in the balcony.I lived all over that part of town between '66 and '72. Not because it was trendy, (we didn't know what that was) but because it was cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frheard Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 b4-u-eat newsletter states Robb Walsh, Bryan Caswell and Bill Floyd will open a Tex-Mex place in the Tower Theater space in Jan 2011. That's a pretty big room for a restaurant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtticaFlinch Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 b4-u-eat newsletter states Robb Walsh, Bryan Caswell and Bill Floyd will open a Tex-Mex place in the Tower Theater space in Jan 2011. That's a pretty big room for a restaurant.Ten bucks says it gets a positive write-up in the Press. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Ten bucks says it gets a positive write-up in the Press.No bet.That mexican joint better be SPECTACULAR(given the neighborhood FABULOUS?) to fill such a huge spot and be profitable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtticaFlinch Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 No bet.That mexican joint better be SPECTACULAR(given the neighborhood FABULOUS?) to fill such a huge spot and be profitable.Robb Walsh is a food critic at the Press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 (edited) Robb Walsh is a food critic at the Press.I know. Like I said, "No Bet" because you're right on the write-up theory. It'd be a sucker's bet. Edited June 16, 2010 by ricco67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucesw Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Robb Walsh is a food critic at the Press.Correction: Walsh was a food critic at the Press; he 'retired' a couple of months ago to live off his earnings as an author. Still, it's a pretty good bet the Press will give it a good review.He's partnering with Bryan Caswell and Bill Floyd of Reef, Little Bigs and Stella Sola.Should be interesting at least. Walsh has been one of the most fervent defenders of Tex-Mex as a distinct and worthy regional American cuisine, not just a bastard child of Mexican, against most of the food criticism world. I don't eat much Tex-Mex myself but I'll give it a try.That is a huge space for a restaurant and parking is going to be a hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 There's a car park right next to it.Please let them use the entrance on Westheimer........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Yeh, but between mo mong, chances, and slick willies, parking is at a premium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Maybe that will encourage more people to walk or cycle to it. Never a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 This just in....it's going to be a new TexMex restaurant.- not a chain, and they're (apparently) going to use the Westheimer entrance. A happy ending to this story at least.....My link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Yeah, I believe we have a thread on it around here somewhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Moderator....merge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frheard Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 See my post #35 above, but the link is now expired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frheard Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 See my post #35 above, but the link is now expired.so all in all, not a helpful post. I just greedily wanted credit for the scoop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Ah okay, I thought this was recent news - obviously not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west20th Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) Swamplot has an article on this:http://swamplot.com/lard-almighty-tower-theatres-coming-attraction-is-grease-ii/2010-11-15/#more-23064His twist seems to be "authenticity". He plans on using freshly renedered pork fat from the pork farms that, I think, are moving into the old McCains space. One of the comments says the pork fat is as healthy as olive oil. Don't know about that but I bet it's tasty. Edited November 19, 2010 by west20th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livincinco Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Swamplot has an article on this:http://swamplot.com/...-15/#more-23064His twist seems to be "authenticity". He plans on using freshly renedered pork fat from the pork farms that, I think, are moving into the old McCains space. One of the comments says the pork fat is as healthy as olive oil. Don't know about that but I bet it's tasty.Healthy, authentic Tex Mex? I don't think those go together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) Noticed that the black ceramic tiles which replaced the original Vitrolite have been removed and a more sympathetic material has been installed.While not identical to the original, it's a definite improvement. Edited February 23, 2011 by dbigtex56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 This was just posted on yfrog from wholefish with the quote: "You can see this from orbit! EL Real's marquee back in business" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Me like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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