Jugstore Cowboy said:

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Wasn't sure if this should go in the city under siege thread, but I'll keep it local. The parking lot between T-Bone's and Spaghetti Western got hit by break-in artists last night. Several windows smashed before Midnight on a Monday night.

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McIntyres got hit a couple of weeks ago. Rolled in on a Monday evening and saw at least four windows on the ground in the main lot. This is why I just leave my Jeep unlocked all the time.

FWIW - Kings Bier Haus on TV Jester is being replaced with a different concept. Estimated open is August 2025.

I was in the building recently and have to say I'm skeptical of ever eating bar food again after seeing that kitchen…

Lola's bites the dust. Didn't know they had common ownership with Pink's Pizza.
https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/lola-neighborhood-diner-heights-closed/

Pink's on Heights has gone to absolute *****

Same with Karne and 1891 American bit the dust. Neither great, but seems landlords are being a bit more aggressive and if your concept isn't good, you're done quickly.

not surprising.

I went there a few months ago for the first time in forever and the the upkeep had gone to crap.

just didn't look like a place that adapted with the times.

loved Dragon Bowl. My wife still complains about that place closing

seemed like a great concept that could be replicated.

Texan_Aggie said:

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Same with Karne and 1891 American bit the dust. Neither great, but seems landlords are being a bit more aggressive and if your concept isn't good, you're done quickly.

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Speaking from experience, you're looking at $40-50/sqft NNN on retail commercial for property located between White Oak and 20th/Yale and Studewood.

So for a ~2000sqft restuarant you're into it for at least $11k/month before paying a single vendor or employee. It's tough if you can't garner quick success

Ken sold Pink's, then bought it back...reportedly to expand the concept.

Seems like they've been closing more than opening.

He might be done as an operator.

Rumor from folks I know in the service industry is that all the "concepts", which seem to come and go quickly, are a way for him to pocket cash. All allegedly, of course.

Quote:

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Speaking from experience, you're looking at $40-50/sqft NNN on retail commercial for property located between White Oak and 20th/Yale and Studewood.

So for a ~2000sqft restuarant you're into it for at least $11k/month before paying a single vendor or employee. It's tough if you can't garner quick success

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So...what's market rent for office space in this area going for now?

And do you have any idea of the market rate restuarants pay for extra parking in this area?

Asking for a friend...

MAS444 said:

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Quote:

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Speaking from experience, you're looking at $40-50/sqft NNN on retail commercial for property located between White Oak and 20th/Yale and Studewood.

So for a ~2000sqft restuarant you're into it for at least $11k/month before paying a single vendor or employee. It's tough if you can't garner quick success

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So...what's market rent for office space in this area going for now?

And do you have any idea of the market rate restuarants pay for extra parking in this area?

Asking for a friend...

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I'm saying this from an owner occupied position. I've got 10 parking spots at my business on White Oak, so fortunately don't have to worry there. The guy with the crappy halfway house next door to us demolitioned that place for parking. For him it is a placeholder for multi-unit apartments.

I know Onion Creek has quoted some pretty ludicrious numbers for dedicated parking spots to surrounding businesses (they've been much more agressive on towing lately) that essentially need them because the Heights doesn't have a waiver for the occupancy to parking ratio.

MAS444 said:

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My favorite place of his was Dragon Bowl, which didn't last long (none of his concepts did in that location). I always liked Lola but it's been dead other than weekend mornings for a long time.

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I've lost track of how many different things the Dragon Bowl space has been. Everything makes it about 1-2 years, then changes to something new.

"My friend" has 8 - 10 spots and is getting hit up by a nearby restaurant - he just has no idea of value. It would help the neighborhood by keeping some cars off streets - but there's wear and tear, liability issues (can be helped with additional insures status), opportunity cost etc...

MAS444 said:

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"My friend" has 8 - 10 spots and is getting hit up by a nearby restaurant - he just has no idea of value. It would help the neighborhood by keeping some cars off streets - but there's wear and tear, liability issues (can be helped with additional insures status), opportunity cost etc...

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Catch 22. CoH can give businesses waivers on the parking requirements which would probably result in more people driving into the Heights and parking on side streets instead of ubering. Other option is to keep status quo and realize that it limits commercial properties ability to draw in certain types of businesses that would likely thrive in the Heights.

Dragon Bowl. Damn that was good.

I predict one of the next to close is Grace Pizza in the old Sonoma's. They're paying ~$15k/month (we had a realtor inquire for us out of curiosity before they signed). I don't think they have the traffic and staying power. At least from what I've noticed.

I wonder if Regions Bank has an after hours agreement.

Whatever is in where Calle Onze used to be seems to be using quite a bit of their parking in the evening.

Man - we love Grace's food. It's the best pizza around imo. But they have serious problem in the kitchen and/or with their on line estimated pick up time algorithm (or whatever the hell you'd call it). Several times recently I've gone to pick up "to go" there and had to wait an extra 30ish minutes for it to be ready. Every other place we order out from has that pretty dialed in - seems like it would be pretty simple with known variables. I've also noticed people dining in waiting for really long periods of time and getting frustrated. Too bad - something seems very off there. It didn't use to be that way.

Good point - I'll ask the owner.

I miss Dragon Bowl

Yep. Food is good, service is slow and bad. Shame because with so many young families in the neighborhood, pizza is an easy thing to sell. Can't expect to wait 30-45 minutes for a pizza though.

So the 1891 or whatever took over Berry Hill closed already?

Affirmative. Had a rough start to open and they never got much good traction after that.

Only went two or three times, but I liked that 1801 place. not great, but good. Probably tough to get a consistent lunch crowd in that area.

As for Lola, I have loved within walking distance for 18 years. Had not been in 15.

TX04Aggie said:

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So the 1891 or whatever took over Berry Hill closed already?

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It was garbage. Went twice because it was walking distance from the house but it was real bad both times. Felt like an idiot for giving them a second chance.

I wanted it to make it so went a handful of times. Liked the big bar in front. I thought they had a few things that were pretty good - but yeah some of their dishes were terrible. And the service was not good. Not surprising it didn't make it.

I really want something good there - seems like a great spot for it. Great patio, big bar, decent parking. Berryhill hit a sweet spot for a long time there...

MAS444 said:

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I wanted it to make it so went a handful of times. Liked the big bar in front. I thought they had a few things that were pretty good - but yeah some of their dishes were terrible. And the service was not good. Not surprising it didn't make it.

I really want something good there - seems like a great spot for it. Great patio, big bar, decent parking. Berryhill hit a sweet spot for a long time there...

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First time we went for happy hour and tried several things. There weren't 5 other people in the place yet every dish came out cold and all were meh. The second time I went I got a burger because how can you screw up a burger. It was edible but the whole time I was thinking I should have just walked over to Better Luck Tomorrow and had their fantastic burger.

I couldn't agree more on hoping something good goes in there. Frankly someone just executing a similar concept to 1891 but doing it well would be great.

WES2006AG said:

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MAS444 said:

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I wanted it to make it so went a handful of times. Liked the big bar in front. I thought they had a few things that were pretty good - but yeah some of their dishes were terrible. And the service was not good. Not surprising it didn't make it.

I really want something good there - seems like a great spot for it. Great patio, big bar, decent parking. Berryhill hit a sweet spot for a long time there...

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First time we went for happy hour and tried several things. There weren't 5 other people in the place yet every dish came out cold and all were meh. The second time I went I got a burger because how can you screw up a burger. It was edible but the whole time I was thinking I should have just walked over to Better Luck Tomorrow and had their fantastic burger.

I couldn't agree more on hoping something good goes in there. Frankly someone just executing a similar concept to 1891 but doing it well would be great.

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Hopefully they'll put a coffee concept in there because there aren't enough a few blocks away on Studewood.

Agreed on all of these - really wanted it to make, but would take FOREVER to get drinks and food.

as someone mentioned, it's hard to make the numbers work on a space that size.

At $40/sqft all-in (which is probably low), you're looking at close to $15K a month in rent expense.

That would mean you want a minimum of $150K in gross sales every month.

There is a new Starbucks just off of Studewood on 11th. No one is going to put in a dedicated coffee concept with Starbucks right there now.

A good steakhouse would be nice. I enjoy B&B, but sometimes I just don't want to cross I10. Not much actually in the Heights to that regard with Karne gone now.

Gaeilge said:

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There is a new Starbucks just off of Studewood on 11th. No one is going to put in a dedicated coffee concept with Starbucks right there now.

A good steakhouse would be nice. I enjoy B&B, but sometimes I just don't want to cross I10. Not much actually in the Heights to that regard with Karne gone now.

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I haven't tried that new Joe's Coffee on Studewood but every other coffee shop in the Heights is better than Starbucks. That Starbucks will do fine but the neighborhood really didn't need it.

I didn't even realize they put a coffee shop in that new modern building until you mentioned it.

Count me in the camp the concept and layout of 1891 was excellent but the food just never delivered.

I went 5-6 times and every time, I'd stare at the menu because nothing stood out and it was all over the place.

Never had anything that wowed me.

They did have Shiner on draft so it was great to meet people for drinks as the bar was big enough and low key enough.

Figured it wasn't going to last but I did enjoy the bar the few times I went.