What’s happening to Montrose? Is there some sort of shift happening? (Houston: closing, restaurants)

[hbcu]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

You've hit on the really big problem. Lease rates in "hot" neighborhoods like Montrose are really high. A restaurant has to generate lots of high-dollar tickets to pay their monthly rent check. However, there's room for only so many high-dollar restaurants in central Houston (let alone the more outlying areas), even in a city this size.

Restaurateurs have been quoted stating that they feel like there's very few affordable options anymore in the parts of town where they have confidence their envisioned customers could find them. For the most part, they're still too nervous about locating in more pioneering areas like East End, 3rd Ward, Near Northside, etc., though some have made it work (the new Indigo that's gotten so much buzz, for example). Frankly, I think so much comes down to whether they think affluent Anglo women will be willing to venture to a cheaper location.

Also, remember that newly built space will always have a relatively higher lease rate. Plus, too many restaurateurs think they need a fancy build-out that puts them in the hole early. This is Houston - we don't need LA/Vegas/Miami-style hangout spots (despite what some in this forum seem to think).

Yep. The quote about the anglo woman is legit as I used to read the Allison Cook articles and if she ventured into an area she was not used to being in she would spend half the article about the area of town. I used to joke if they felt comfortable eating in the hood your always going to be successful. lol

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by hbcu

Yep. The quote about the anglo woman is legit as I used to read the Allison Cook articles and if she ventured into an area she was not used to being in she would spend half the article about the area of town. I used to joke if they felt comfortable eating in the hood your always going to be successful. lol

I noticed the same things about her articles lol. If she's outside the "arrow" she always let's you know it!

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Will anyone start naming some of these places that have closed?

[clutchcity]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Will anyone start naming some of these places that have closed?

Brooklyn Athletic Club, Victor, Pax Americana, Cane Rosso, Woodbar, Canopy, Aqui, Indika, Pass & Provisions...

[Hopeful for Life]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Will anyone start naming some of these places that have closed?

I know that the casual New Orleans style cuisine restaurant (Kadna's) which was caddy corner from El Tiempo closed down recently. The food was decent, but I think that their operating hours weren't good (they closed too early) and there are a lot of close by restaurants. A lot of the restaurants to me are just flat out gross or ripoffs. I tried La Cuchara- too overpriced, not tasty and too little food. The converted church ( 1/5) is way overpriced and skimpy on their portions as well. I'm sure that its sister restaurant Georgia Jones is pricey as well. Even a casual breakfast place like Empire Café is hardly a bargain. I prefer Whataburger over Hamburger Joint any day of the week. The old converted movie theater/LGBT bookstore is pretty gross as well. There are few choices to eat that offer casual, inexpensive dining.

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by clutchcity

Brooklyn Athletic Club, Victor, Pax Americana, Cane Rosso, Woodbar, Canopy, Aqui, Indika, Pass & Provisions...

Provisions closed? 😢

That was my favorite!

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Mr. Clutch

I noticed the same things about her articles lol. If she's outside the "arrow" she always let's you know it!

It's funny because she lives somewhere in or near the Pecan Park neighborhood, definitely outside the Arrow.

[Mr. Krinkle]

Originally Posted by clutchcity

Brooklyn Athletic Club, Victor, Pax Americana, Cane Rosso, Woodbar, Canopy, Aqui, Indika, Pass & Provisions...

Brooklyn Athletic Club, Cane Rosso, and I think Pax Americana now have new owners and will be rebranded. The chef at Indika sold her restaurant to focus on Pondicherry a couple of years ago - it was never the same after. The owner at Woodbar and Canopy closed to focus on their Heights restaurant. Aqui was doomed from the beginning due to the head chef and domestic abuse history.

Victor was just a bar.

[nasser1990]

I hope THE HARP does NOT close down!!

[NativeHouston]

Originally Posted by nasser1990

I hope THE HARP does NOT close down!!

not sure if you're joking or not?
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...y-12438471.php