Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | March 2023

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

W E S T H E I M E R R D .

R I C H

RICE BLVD. TIMES BLVD.

HERMANN PARK DR.

8 HERMANN PARK

1 4

Spanish Village will close March 31 after 70 years.

U N I V E R S I T Y B L V D

UNIVERSITY BLVD.

COURTESY KRISTEN GILLIAM

FEATURED IMPACT CLOSING Spanish Village , an iconic Tex-Mex restaurant that has been operating on Almeda Road for nearly 70 years, will close March 31, according to an announcement made by restaurant ocials in January. The eatery is located at 4720 Almeda Road, Houston. Spanish Village closed during the coronavirus pandemic in July 2021 but reopened soon after under new owner Steven Rogers. Rogers now hopes to carry the eatery through its 70th anniversary in March, after which he said he plans to start a new restaurant. Details on the next project will come at a later date, but Rogers said the legacy of Spanish Village will carry on at the new eatery. Spanish Village, which opened in 1953 under the Medina family, was known for its traditional menu and margaritas, made with a recipe that had been passed down for generations. “There’s absolutely no arguing the impact Spanish Village has had on the Third Ward. The Medina family built something incredible, and I have been honored to be able to continue that,” Rogers said in a statement. “Despite the restaurant closing, it’s important to me and to the community to honor that legacy.” 713-360-7792. www.instagram.com/ spanishvillagerestaurant

W. HOLCOMBE BLVD.

610

BUFFALO SPEEDWAY

288

BEECHNUT ST.

BRAYS BAYOU

S. POST OAK RD.

Houston. The cafe oers seasonal food, drinks and snacks as well as full table service for all-day breakfast, brunch and lunch. Coee shop guests can expect beach-themed decor and dishes, such as the Best Mates Bowl, which consists of smashed avocado served with heirloom tomatoes, feta and poached eggs. The coee shop also oers to-go food items, such as housemade granola, toast and bowls. Drink options include signature coee, wellness drinks, signature cold- pressed juices and organic teas. 718-374-6858. www.bluestonelane.com COMING SOON 5 The third Texas location of the luxury boutique Monkee’s of Houston will open March 17 in The Centre at River Oaks, 3019 Kirby Drive, Houston, oering a curated collection of fashion-forward clothing, shoes and accessories. Other locations can be found in Frisco and Fort Worth. Each Monkee’s boutique owner curates their store aesthetic and mer- chandise to reect their personal vision and local style. Brands include S’edge, Nation, Olivia James and Dolce Cabo, among others. The new location will be owned and operated by Lisa and Scott West. www.monkeesoouston.com 6 Construction began Feb. 1 on a new aordable housing property called Rose- Mary’s Place apartments in Midtown. The development, located at 3300 Caroline St., Houston, will provide 149 units and services for homeless individuals. The nonprot NHP Foundation is developing the property. Occupants in the four-story building will be provided with voluntary support services from Magnicat Houses Inc. in an eort to connect them with community-based health care, treatment and employment services. The ground oor will have three multipurpose rooms, a warming kitchen, two separate gath- ering areas and a 24-hour staed entry

desk. Funding for the $45 million project was provided by the city of Houston, Harris County and sponsor loans from MHI. The project is expected to open by May 2024. 7 Vegan and plant-based bakery Cinnaholic is preparing to open its doors at the Meyerland Court Shopping Center this summer. Owner Mafer Figueroa said she plans to have the bakery—located at 4798 Beechnut St., Houston—open by June. The vegan bakery serves custom- ized cinnamon rolls and other sweet items, such as brownies, cookies and edible cookie dough, that are all free of dairy, lactose and egg. 833-246-3726. www.cinnaholic.com ANNIVERSARIES 8 Miller Outdoor Theatre is preparing for its 100th season with eight months of festivities beginning March 17 at 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. The Miller Theatre Advisory Board has also started a $12.5 million capital campaign to fundraise for improvements and renovations to the century-old theater. This funding will go toward updating the theater’s xed and hillside seating as well as a new entryway. A number of anniver- sary celebrations will take place on site throughout the year, including a 100th birthday party May 12 with a “larger- than-life” birthday cake and birthday-

COMPILED BY SHAWN ARRAJJ, MELISSA ENAJE & LEAH FOREMAN

NOW OPEN 1 With the Houston Rodeo ongoing as of Feb. 28, a pop-up location of the Western clothing retailer Kemo Sabe opened Feb. 23 in Rice Village and is open through March 11. The shop—located at 2414 University Blvd., Ste. 100, Hous- ton—sells clothing for men and women, including boots, hats, buckles, knives and vintage jewelry. www.kemosabe.com 2 Chinese-American takeout restaurant The Rice Box opened its fourth Hous- ton location in Rice Village on Jan. 21 at 5504 Morningside Drive, Houston. The Rice Box began as a red-colored food truck decked out in Chinese decorations that roamed the streets of Houston and became a staple among University of Houston students. The restaurant oers modern Chinese American cuisine that includes classic dishes, such as General Tso, sesame chicken, pepper steak, a va- riety of street food, and rice and noodle dishes. The restaurant serves a variety of nitrogen-infused teas. 713-505-1278. www.riceboxed.com 3 [Solidcore] , a strength-training studio based in Washington, D.C., opened the doors to its third Houston location Feb. 11 in Rice Village at 2411 Times Blvd., Houston. Inspired by traditional pilates, [solidcore] is a strength-based 50-minute tness class that oers full- body workouts that use slow, controlled movements to break down muscle bers. The new location is run by Brand Manager Leora Kahn. 832-956-0654. www.solidcore.co 4 Bluestone Lane , the Australia-in- spired coee chain, opened the doors to its third Texas location Feb. 15 in Rice Village at 2414 University Blvd., Ste. 190,

288

related activities. 832-487-7102. www.milleroutdoortheatre.com IN THE NEWS

Ocials with Houston Methodist Hos- pital awarded $6.8 million in grants in February through the hospital’s Commu- nity Benets Grant Program. Of the 32 new awardees, several are located in the Bellaire, Meyerland and West University area, including Lone Star Circle of Care, Catholic Charities and San Jose Clinic

and Healthcare for the Homeless. Over the last 30 years, Houston Methodist’s Community Benets Grant Program has provided $168 million in funding to 82 unique local charities. www.houstonmethodist.org

BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION • MARCH 2023