The Leader • Saturday, June 2, 2018 • Page 1B
Doggett enters car business
Houston Junior Forum to temporarily close
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
For The Leader
It might seem to be an unusual move for one of North America’s largest heavy equipment dealers to buy a consumer car dealership on the North Freeway. But William Doggett, general counsel of Doggett Industries, said that the purchase of Lone Star Ford on May 1 is all part of the goal of diversifying their company, which already employs 1,300 people and earned $1.14 billion in gross revenue last year. “It’s because Ford is a great brand,” said Doggett, pointing out that Ford has the best-selling car on the market with the Ford F-150. And Doggett noted that Chief Financial Officer Brian McLemore came from Group 1 Automotive and already has a firm grasp of the automotive business. “Market share wise, Ford is very strong. We were interested in doing something different.” There were other factors in play as well, as Sonic Automotive, who owned Lone Star Ford, had other plans for the land at 8477 North Fwy., and wanted to sell the Ford dealership. Because Ford dealerships already exist to the north and south of Lone Star, Sonic was looking for a nearby company with enough land to house a Ford dealership.
The Houston Junior Forum Resale Shop, located at 1815 Rutland in the Heights shopping area, will be close June 4, 2018 to repair damages sustained during Hurricane Harvey. A “Grand Reopening” is scheduled for mid-July, depending on the schedule of the contractors! The Houston Junior Forum originally opened its Resale Shop Heights location in a Victorian home on Heights Boulevard in the 1970’s and relocated to its present location in 1987. The building on Rutland had been empty prior to being purchased by the Houston Junior Forum but its history goes back for some years, as it was the first drive-thru post office in the Heights. Many Heights residents are familiar with the HJF Resale Shop and its unique inventory. The shop features donations and consignments of quality furniture, home décor, clothing, china and numerous pieces of interest to collectors and dealers. There is something new in the shop each day. The shop has been renovated over the years but the heavy rains from Hurricane Harvey have required more extensive repairs. The Houston Junior Forum, founded in 1946, is a women’s service organization that supports the needs of seniors, children, youth and women
Photo by Betsy Denson Doggett Industries is one of North America’s largest heavy equipment dealers and as of May 1, they are in the car dealership business as well with the acquisition of Lone Star Ford.
Doggett said it was an opportunity they were ready to capitalize on. Doggett Industries has their headquarters and their Houston John Deere dealership housed at 9111 N Fwy., on the site of the former Landmark Chevrolet. They already owned eight acres to the north of their building and recently acquired another five acres north of that. The plan is to move the newly minted Doggett Ford by July 31 and begin construction at that time on a brand new flagship dealership which will be accessible from both I-45 and State Hwy 249. In the meantime, Doggett Ford is open at 8477 North Fwy. “We really believe in the Northside,” said Doggett.
The company has come a long way since Leslie Doggett bought his first Toyota forklift dealership in 1993. Now they operate more than 30 heavy equipment dealerships, including Toyota forklifts and John Deere construction and forestry equipment. “The John Deere Construction store was initially on the North Loop, but we moved it here,” said Doggett. “This has been our best year yet for our Houston John Deere dealership.” Doggett also sells Link Belt cranes and since 2013, Freightliner trucks. Doggett explains that Freightliner is a Mercedes Benz powered truck. “We sell the truck and the chassis.” The company has equip-
ment dealerships in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. With the price of oil on the rise, Doggett says that their south Texas stores are seeing an uptick in business. Doggett is a family business and William Doggett says it will stay that way. “We are efficient as a family owned company,” said Doggett. “Our employees like that they can talk directly to management. And we don’t need an influx of capital.” William Doggett was a lawyer at Bracewell LLP before coming to work with his father four years ago. Sister Amy lives in Dallas and works in recruitment, visiting colleges to spread See Auto P. 4B
in the greater Houston area, including All Saints Third Age Learning Center senior program and Meals on Wheels delivering food to seniors in the Heights area. Proceeds from the Resale Shop and the organization’s main fundraising event, Conversations from the Heart, help provide funds for the Forum’s service projects and Community Grant and College Scholarship. This year, the Community Grants Committee gave a total of $104,473 to 23 non-profit organizations and our College Scholarship Committee has awarded approximately $58,000 to deserving graduates. Watch for information for the “Grand Reopening” in mid-July. The Houston Junior Forum Resale Shop looks forward to welcoming the many loyal community patrons. Keep up with the progress of the repairs on our Facebook page: Houston Junior Forum Resale Shop, or subscribe to our email list at hjfresaleshop1815@gmail.com.
Parker Custom Boots, providing heirlooms For The Leader For Houston bootmaker Zephan Parker, crafting a pair of boots is akin to creating a family heirloom. “What’s been most impressive about being in Houston and learning about the clients here, is that there are a lot of custom boot wearers who want their children or grandchildren to appreciate the product,” said bootmaker and owner of Parker Custom Boots, Zephan Parker, “They will come in to buy their son or grandson their first pair of custom boots before they go off to college or when they’re starting some other venture.” Sometimes it’s the other way around, with the grandson coming into the shop to buy a pair for his grandfather. Or the grandson bringing in a pair of custom boots that were handed down from his grandfather to get repaired or reformed to his foot size. “It’s a special occasion to have custom boots made, especially if it’s given as a gift. For example, it’s a unique way to treat your father to a prod-
By Appointment Only (832) 640-5397 parkercustomboots.com
uct that is long lasting and usable. There’s not many things you can get someone that they can incorporate as the staple of their style.” But buying a pair of custom boots isn’t walking into a shop and picking one off the shelf. A customer goes into the shop and can talk directly to the craftsman. Because the fit is guaranteed the craftsman measures the customers foot and measures the leather accordingly. Then the fun begins. The customer customizes their
Photo provided Zephan Parker putting the finishing touches on a pair of custom boots.
boots by picking the leather, color, and design on the uppers. The options are extensive with leather from calf, pig hide (suede), and American alligator to more exotic leather like kangaroo, ostrich, and pirarucu. Most leathers come in any and every color and so does the thread. On the uppers the customer can choose a stitch pattern or inlay work, which allows for details like initials, flowers, or more elaborate work. Luckily, the bootmaker
is there to help the process not to be overwhelming. Since a pair of boots is a gift that continues to be useful, but it’s custom to each wearer, Parker Custom Boots offers wooden gift certificates that can be customized as well. Right now, the average wait time is three to five months for a pair of boots. That’s because it’s not a factory making the boots, but a pair of hands. “The boots are all made here in Houston, Texas in
Iconic King’s BierHaus is going national For The Leader King’s BierHaus, the sister concept to King’s Biergarten, is teaming up with the franchise developer Fransmart to take its concept national. King’s Biergarten was established in 2011 by the Austrianborn father and son team, Hans and Phiipp Sitter, who decided to serve traditional bratwurst sausages and beer to people getting their car washed. Over a few years it developed into a well-known spot among locals and since has accumulated various awards; including, Most Whimsical Restaurant in Texas, Best Bar in the Houston Suburbs, and Top 12 Beer Gardens in America. The restaurant is classified as ‘hybrid casual,’ combining a mix of dining experiences plus King’s award-winning food and service. The team behind King’s BierHaus thinks it’s time to take their unique German fare and beer garden all over the states. Fransmart has been the franchise developer for widely recognized brands like Five Guys Burgers & Fries. “We want to bring the authentic German biergarten ex-
store. We don’t ship any of the boots out, the boots are made here by the actual bootmaker,” Parker said. “All the leather is hand cut and stitched together on century-old machines. Other parts of the boots are hand stitched, like the welt which attaches to the insole, keeping all of the different pieces of leather together.” Before venturing into Houston with his business, Parker had travelled all over Texas learning the techniques of the craft from the finest craftsman in Texas. “When it comes to Houston
made boots, Dave Wheeler was the staple for many years and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to bounce questions and ideas off him concerning the boot world. As Wheeler eases into retirement I’m reminded that bootmakers are becoming few and far in between, and that I’m glad to have picked up a craft with so much history.” Parker Custom Boots has been featured on abc13, the Golf Channel, ESPN, and a few online publications. To make an appointment give them a call at (832) 640-5397.
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ing forward to taking King’s Bierhaus to the next level by expanding the concept to new markets with the able support and expertise of Fransmart as a partner.” “King’s Bierhaus’ innovative ‘hybrid casual’ model improves where fast casual and fine dining fall short,” said Fransmart CEO, Dan
Rowe. “Their five-step ordering process allows customers to order as much or as little as they want, resulting in an increased per person check average, higher alcohol sales, and increased efficiency and back of the house operations. This concept truly is the best of both worlds: fast casual and full-service dining.”
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