LEADER LISTING The Leader • Saturday, August 31, 2019 • Page 1B
Preslee’s to blend old look with new concept By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Justin Piper of Piper Development said his family’s commercial company has been working on other people’s projects for years. It worked on the renovation of Raven Tower Bar and recently finished Sweat 1000 in the Heights and The Standard on Washington. Piper’s newest project, Preslee’s, is close to his heart. The southern eatery, scheduled to open in mid-September at 1430 W. 19th St., is named after his daughter, whose photo is everywhere. She shares space with life-sized statues of Jake and Elwood Blues and a giant mural of the Astrodome, among other pieces. Piper said his parents have Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe statues in their own home and he likes to shop for unique things. “We wanted the restaurant to look like a rustic country store that’s been around for 50 years,” said Brandon Piper, who is managing the restaurant with his brother, Justin. Brother Weston and sister Brittney are also involved in the venture. Preslee’s may look old, but everything inside is new. The Pipers are leasing the building from Hamid R. Foroudi, who has owned it for 18 years
foot facility, which will serve families in a traditionally lowincome neighborhood, will open next year in Avenue Center, a new mixed-use community resource center being developed across from Moody Park. “We are excited to collaborate with Legacy Community
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Photo by Betsy Denson Preslee’s managers Justin (left) and Brandon Piper pose with statues of the Blues Brothers inside their new southern eatery at 1430 W. 19th St. in the Heights.
and previously leased it to the proprietor of the former Golden Café. It sat vacant for about two years until the Pipers signed a 15-year lease. More than one developer had commented on the amount of interior and exterior work that would be required to bring the building up to speed.
“It was a full demo,” Brandon said. “We’ve been working seven days a week since March. It’s all been a lot of hard work. We completely cleaned everything and used quality materials.” There will be seating for 85 people inside and 300 outside. Among many other chang-
es, the family raised the ceiling and put in rafters, updated the kitchen and added subway tile, stained the concrete floor in the dining room and added a 150-foot outdoor patio. The doors and windows were cusSee Preslee’s P. 3B
Boulevard Realty creates connections throughout first summer on Studewood By Boulevard Realty Over three years ago, when Bill Baldwin and Boulevard Realty bid farewell to their iconic office at 1545 Heights Blvd., where Baldwin came to own what is now one of the Top 25 residential real estate firms in the city and which had served as both a community landmark and gathering space, he knew it was only to find a better site for his signature brand of real estate brokering. This summer, the brokerage’s first in their new digs at 927 Studewood St., saw his dream come to fruition with a swarming, diverse calendar of community and collaborative events both in the second-floor open office and the more fluid first-floor coworking concept known as YourSpace by Boulevard Realty. It seems Baldwin was on to something when he sought to break significantly from the growing trend of downsizing in the real estate office setting, even in the face of stiff competition. “In over 20 years living and working inside the loop, I have come to learn that Houston, and especially the Heights, truly values a culture of coming together,” reflects Baldwin. “While we know how to throw a great White Linen Night and evergrowing Pride celebration, our spirit of celebrating one another and the desire to commune is really just a part of our identity as Houstonians.” Kicking off his recently announced campaign for Houston City Council at the new office in mid-August, Baldwin expressed the sense of pride he has in seeing that people still want a sense of place and shared civic commons—themes he emphasizes in some of the Planning & Development planks of his campaign. As one might expect from what has become the premier Heights real estate firm, the beloved neighborhood tradition of White Linen Night was in fact Baldwin and the Boulevard’s biggest gathering yet at 927 Studewood. The event was called out in the Houston Chronicle’s VIP View Society section as one of the best parties of the night, but it was far from the only unforgettable night at Boulevard’s bustling spot. That same night, YourSpace was transformed into a popup gallery for The Community Artists’ Collective, a Midtown-based arts incubator for over 30 years. Baldwin, who is co-chairing the FestEve! Evening for the Arts fundrais-
The Common project planned for Pinemont Gulf Coast Commercial Group, which is developing a shopping plaza across from Garden Oaks Baptist Church on North Shepherd Drive, has purchased a large shopping center at 1102 Pinemont Dr. The shopping center, built in 1985, is 130,031 square feet with 38,462 square feet of building space. Marketing plans for what Gulf Coast calls “The Common” include a map of a west buildContributed rendering ing, which is Gulf Coast Commercial Group recently puralready home a tract of land on Pinemont Drive for to Esther’s Sig- chased what it is marketing as The Common. nature Dish and a medical clinic, among other tenants. An east Health to improve healthcare building, a former school, is access for working families in Near Northside,” said Mary vacant. The Harris County Ap- Lawler, executive director of praisal District values the to- Avenue. “Like Avenue, Legacy is committed to improvtal property at $2,299,751. For more information, con- ing the quality of life for all, tact Danny Miller at Danny. including low-income households that are cost-burdened Miller@gulfcoastcg.com. and struggling to accommodate healthcare costs.” Community health clinic in Near Northside Avenue CDC, a Houston Bubble Egg coming soon Imelda Johnson recently nonprofit dedicated to developing affordable housing, posted to the Oak Forest Association announced it is collaborat- Homeowners ing with Legacy Community Facebook page that her Health to bring a commu- daughter and some friend nity health clinic to the Near Northside. The 6,200-square See Roundup P. 2B
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er for the organization next month on the Rice University campus (more info at thecollective.org), says this sort of synergy and fusion of Houston’s diverse neighborhood is exactly what he had in mind. “It is easy to find ourselves in a bubble when we live in great neighborhoods like the Heights, River Oaks, or Midtown, but we are all Houstonians and should seek every opportunity to rediscover other communities here,” he said. While Heights organizations and events figure prominently on Boulevard’s roster of happenings — the Houston Heights Woman’s Club just completed a summer-long school uniform drive in YourSpace, and now the Heights Garden Club gears up for a fall workshop upstairs — the building has drawn other extended neighbors to our neighborhood as well. From grassroots groups like the Northside’s Stop I-45 movement to CenterPoint to The Periwinkle Foundation (a philanthropic offshoot of the pediatric oncology department at Texas Children’s Hospital), any given night at 927 Studewood has Houstonians gathering to brainstorm, bond, and be together. “Of course, this is all at no cost to the organization,” adds Baldwin. “This is their space too.” It’s not just organized events that have imbued the space with life this summer. The downstairs YourSpace, open seven days a week (anytime the office is open) and also available by reserva-
tion after-hours, has become something of an incubator in its own right for newly forming businesses, students, creatives, and young professionals seeking inspiration. “Any given day we have local business owners meeting for brainstorming sessions, individuals studying for exams, or neighbors that work from home and need a change of scenery,” points out Marianne Terrell, a realtor and Office Manager of Boulevard. “And in the evenings, we’ve had everything from prayer groups to political candidates to concerts, even a physician who needed a private room to make patient calls.” None of this is even counting the bustling activity of Baldwin’s 65-plus agents and staff of 18, who flow throughout the space taking meetings and working in configurations that vary from the traditional conference table to more of a living room setup. “When I first decided that we needed the space, it was really to give my agents some breathing room,” admits Baldwin. “Our culture has always been about co-working and collaboration. In this new space, I see both that we are continuing to fulfill a need and that the way my agents like to work is a true reflection of Houston’s greater culture.” The fun and fellowship will continue well into the fall. Everytown for Gun Safety See Boulevard P. 2B
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Page 2B • Saturday, August 31, 2019 • The Leader
Development continues at Ella and 34th
Boulevard Realty’s
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Crescere Capital’s Chris Hotze, who owns the Shops at Oak Forest, opened his second big development in the area — 33 1/3 @ Thirtyfourth on the corner of 34th Street and Ella Boulevard — in the spring of 2018. As the owner of additional local properties, there is still more development to come. In 2016, he purchased the former Gospel Truth Pentecostal Church at 1624 W. 34th St. when the congregation moved to a bigger facility on West Road. The building where the church was, built in 1970, is 7,000 square feet. Two years ago, Hotze had an architect provide some ideas to repurpose the church. “Lawnchair” was one conceptual plan that imagines the structure as a restaurant. “The focus on a restaurant comes from the market demand we are seeing and the area’s desire for more restaurant options,” Hotze said. “The density of the area and transition with families and residents makes restaurants want to be here.” However, Hotze said there are many other options. “It could be repurposed for any number of uses — especially any requiring plenty of parking,” he said. “The building fronts 34th Street, with parking lots in back, fronting both 34th 1/2 Street in back and Couch Street on the west side. There are different ways to set up a property like this as an event venue, a restaurant or multi-restaurant des-
new Houston Heights home .
Contributed rendering A potential concept for the former Gospel Truth Pentecostal Church building is a restaurant called “Lawnchair.”
tination. The ample parking and ability to get in and out of the site make it that much more user-friendly and a potential for multiple tenants.” Now that 33 1/3 is fully tenanted, Crescere recently signed an agreement with Christie Amezquita and Suzy Thompson at Shop Companies to list the property for lease. And that is not the only activity on the corner. Hotze plans a Phase 2 to 33 1/3 that would be an additional building in the spot where he initially planned to have a lawn and food trucks. “There is a great deal of interest on the corner and the focus has transitioned to a more permanent use that creates a destination and sense of community with a qual-
Boulevard from P. 1A
ity retail tenant,” Hotze said. “The increased restaurant density and high traffic flow in the area make the corner extremely sought after.” In other 34th Street news, Summit Path Investments LLC, led by John DeMeritt, has purchased El Mante Tires Shop #1 at 1702 W. 34th St. There is 15,130 square feet of land to be developed at the site. DeMeritt is the previous owner of the Lost Forest Tennis Club and is affiliated with several other limited liability corporations. On the southwest corner of 34th and Ella, Revive Development has started construction on a new medical building in Ella Oaks Center. Its first tenant will be Dr. Christopher Chance, a pediatric dentist.
Roundup from P. 1B sampled sweets at Bubble Egg, an upcoming Hong Kong waffle restaurant in the 33 1/3 @ Thirtyfourth development at 34th Street and Ella Boulevard. “Happened to notice activity inside ‘Bubble egg’ on our drive home from school,” Johnson wrote. “Turns out it was a staff training day. They invited us in. Yum!” Chris Hotze of Crescere Capital Management, the developer for 33 1/3, said Bubble Egg will open in September.
will stage a book-signing on Sept. 11 and Print Matters Houston will hold their General Membership Meeting on Sept. 29. Anyone interested in holding their own event at 927 Studewood is invited to email office@yourblvd.com. This article is part of the Leader Experts series, where companies pay for editorial space on topics important to the community. If you’d like to be a Leader Expert, contact us at (713) 6868494.
Daiquiri lounge opens
Posh Virtue Daiquiri & Hookah Lounge opened last weekend at 5135 Ella Blvd. in the space formerly inhabited by Hoity Toity Dog Grooming. It joins tenants Pappa’s Son Donuts and Maria’s Tacos and More, among others. Its first Yelp reviewer said the following: “It’s really nice to just sit outside and chill with an $8 frozen daiquiri. A large is $10, a medium (16oz) is $8, and a small is $6. Dogs are allowed on the back patio. A hookah station in the back is coming soon.”
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The Leader • Saturday, August 31, 2019 • Page 3B
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Photo by Betsy Denson Justin Piper looks at a giant wooden chair in the outdoor patio area at Preslee’s, which he says will be good for photo opportunities and offers an unobstructed view of the sunset.
Preslee’s from P. 1B tom-fabricated to swing open to let in breeze when there is one. There’s AstroTurf outside, along with 12 television sets and another area with numerous hammocks that is TV-free for those who want to really unwind. Justin is particularly proud of the concrete ping pong tables he made as well as the pièce de résistance, a wooden chair fit for a giant. “It’s a great chair for photo ops,” Justin said, noting there’s space for low-key musicians to
play. He also loves that there’s an unobstructed view of the sunset from the patio. “This place is really special at night.” The menu is almost complete and will be southern comfort food such as burgers and stuffed turkey legs, but there will also be ahi tuna salad and fresh seafood, including crawfish. The plan is to have counter service. A full bar will be available and tableside s’mores are also in store. On Sundays, Preslee’s will offer brunch all day. Justin
said there will be an ice-cream parlor and candy store for those who want to stop by just for dessert. “The concept works well with families,” Brandon said. “It is a nice place to come and relax.” Justin and his wife are expecting another daughter this fall. If Preslee’s takes off, their second daughter might get something named after her, too. “We’re talking about a country bar,” Justin said.
Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given in accordance with the terms of the provisions of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code that: Lowfi Praline LLC has filed an application for a Mixed Beverage Permit and Food & Beverage Certificate. Said business is to be conducted at: 16000 Dillard Drive, Suite A, Harris County, Jersey Village, TX 77040. Jason & Becca Kerr, Equal Members/Owners.
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Photo by Betsy Denson The 150-foot outdoor patio space at Preslee’s offers guests the chance to unwind, with everything from a concrete ping pong table for fun to hammocks for relaxation.
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Page 4B • Saturday, August 31, 2019 • The Leader
S E P T E M B E R 18• 2019 School is back in session. Students at Houston ISD schools started class on Monday, while many students at area private schools already had returned to campus. Below is a collection of back-toschool photos provided by our readers. We wish kids all over the area a great school year!
SENIOR EXP
September 18, 8:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. • SPJST Lodge 88 • 1435 Beall St. (15th & Beall) THE LEADER is hosting an event geared toward seniors in our community, and you’re invited.
Eliyah at Stevens Elementary
Students at Heights High School and Field Elementary
We’ve invited businesses all across the community to take part to provide information about issues that are important to you. There will be speakers attending to help with health care concerns. We’ve invited professional finance planners who can help you take that dream trip or manage your fixed income better, and attorneys who will talk to you about any legal concerns you have.
Singapore American School
But this isn’t going to be all serious business, either. We’ll have breakfast in the morning and lunch in the afternoon.
The best part, besides the food, fun and fellowship is that it is all FREE! All you have to do is register. Alyssa at Heights High School
Austin at Durham Elementary and Madison at Waltrip HS
What to expect at the 2019 Senior Expo:
Sinclair Elementary students Eli and Luke
• FREE Admission • FREE Food & Drinks • Educational information on health, finances and legal concerns
Gabriel at Stevens Elementary
Jack at St. Thomas High School
Gaige at Helms Elementary
Oak Forest Elementary students Joseph and Ludmilla
• A chance to meet experts who will offer free advice on a number of senior issues • An opportunity to mingle with friends
Jack at Oak Forest Elementary
REGISTER ONLINE www.theleadernews.com or call 713-686-8494
Livy at Hogg Middle School
IT’S TIME TO
Tessa at Field Elementary
ORDER! OUR VETERANS
Nikki of GOMM and Donald of Waltrip High School
The Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and North Houston
Releasing this fall. A beautiful, hardbound book with the photos and stories from the people in our community s who have served in the Armed Forces. Ollie at Oak Forest Elementary
This is a great gift and a unique, locally produced piece. The only way to make sure you get a copy is to pre-order. Pre-order and save $6 off the cover price!
Ace at Sinclair Elementary
The pre-order deadline is Sept. 15. There are two ways to pre-order a book: • Go to the leadernews.com and click on the order book icon and you can purchase online and have the book shipped to you. • Don’t want to pay online? Fill out the form in this ad and mail it to us or bring it to our office.
Caden (left) and Greyson (center) of Our Savior Lutheran School and Savannah of Houston Christian
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