Leader1 28 b by Street Media

Saturday, January 28, 2017 • Page 1B

The owners of Alabama Furniture commissioned mural artist Wiley Robertson to give historic Independence Heights a shout-out. Photo supplied.

Independence Heights gets some love By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader

When the owners of Alabama Furniture were informed that the building they leased in the Heights to house their resale business for 25 years, had been sold out from under them, they were horrified. Owners Sherri and Rion Enroth decided to find another place in the Heights. “We discovered that leases in the Heights were really high. Then we found our new location in the Independence Heights, and we are delighted. We love the new store and we absolutely love the community,”

Sherri Enroth said. To honor the rich history and creativity found in Independence Heights, the Enroths commissioned one of Houston’s celebrated mural artists, Wiley Robertson, to create a 9-foot by 40-foot permanent mural to honor the community. The work is located in the parking lot of the new store at 4900 N. Shepherd Dr., and has become something of a landmark. It is visible to north-bound traffic. “The Enroths wanted to celebrate Independence Heights, to give it a shout-out,” explained Robertson. “We tried to share that sense of pride with passerby and the community. There

are so many artists and people with interesting histories here, we wanted to give them some love.” Most Houstonians don’t know much about Independence Heights, the community roughly bordered by N. Shepherd Dr., Tidwell, the 610 Loop, and I-45. This sleepy patch with its old trees holds a prominent place in history; it was the first African American settlement in Texas. Homes started to appear in 1908, and by 1915, the community had a population of 600. In the late 1920s, there were more than 40 black-owned businesses including grocery stores, a lumber company, restaurants, a drug

Beer Institution Sold

Area staple Jimmy’s Ice House was sold to Braun Enterprises last week.

Photo by Jonathan McElvy

Braun buys Jimmy’s Ice House By Jim Reynolds Leader Correspondent

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Jimmy’s Ice House, a Heights institution for nearly seven decades, is being sold. “Breaks my heart,” said Mike “Tuna” Coleman, a dedicated patron of more than 40 years. Jimmy’s owner, Rose Garden Holdings, is negotiating to sell the property at 2803 White Oak to Braun Enterprises, said Rose Garden managing partner Eric Quinn. The sale most likely won’t close before Mar. 31. Braun plans to lease the ice house to a third party, Quinn said. Braun did not respond to phone or email inquiries. “I don’t know what they’ll do with it,” Quinn said. Potential tenants, as yet unidentified, toured the building mid-January taking various measurements, said manager Audra Audy. “All things must pass,” said Jimmy’s regular Fred Kitziger. “With all the development around here, this place has had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel for several years. But I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.” Kitziger fondly described the ice house’s eclectic community role: Wedding receptions, wakes, memorials, golf tournament headquarters, White Oak Athletic Association functions, biker gatherings, cook-outs, all kinds of social events – a “town square,” he said. Rumors about the sale surfaced in early January, and then an ominous sign appeared behind the bar: “All Tabs Must Be Closed By February 1, and NO NEW TABS.”

With all the development around here, this place has had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel for several years. But I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.” • Fred Kitziger, Jimmy’s patron

Long-time customer reaction is predominately pessimistic. “Sad, sad, sad,” said Marie M., a self-described old-timer whose father was a friend of Jimmie Murray. “I like it the way it is. I don’t want it to change.” Sherry Griffith, a patron since the late 1950s, declared, “It’s sad because Jimmy’s is an institution. Heights people who’ve moved to other parts of Texas, always come back to Jimmy’s when they visit here.” Asked how long he’d been coming to Jimmy’s, Andrew Coker joked, “You mean legally?” Coker then speculated, “They’re going to lose their customer base if they change.” A patron who declined to reveal her name said angrily, “I hope they don’t turn it into a… yuppie bar!” Jim Settles bluntly said, “I’ll just find someplace else.” Jimmie Murray founded the bar in the late 1940s. Upon his death in 1994, ownership passed to son Frank Murray. Current owner Rose Garden Holdings consists of Eric Quinn, See Jimmy’s P. 2B

store, a blacksmith, and several law offices. The 2,186-acre Independence Heights was annexed by Houston in 1929, and today, it’s on the brink of a rebirth. It is home to 57,000 people of all ages, and walks of life. Many of the older residents can trace their family ties back to the area’s birth, and a few still raise chickens in their yards. Robertson was a natural choice to paint the mural. He grew up in the Heights, lives in the near north, and started painting at age 16. “I was inspired by the graffiti movement in the late 1990s when I was younger. I

started painting murals on buildings, and the work just kept getting bigger,” he said. As for the Enroths, Alabama Furniture reflects the community that surrounds it. Shoppers at the resale furnishings store can find an entertaining mix of everything from fine antiques to creative, modern furniture and decor. The couple recently added a second Independence Heights element to their parking lot – pet chickens in a large pen, complete with little biographies of each. The chickens have proven popular with visiting children. Bring the family and see.

What’s happening at 21st and Yale? By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com In 2016, developer Rocky Stevens purchased the former Dorsey’s Beauty Academy, 2103 Yale St., across the street from the Yale Street Grill. At the time, Stevens said he liked what’s happening on Yale and it was part of the reason he decided to invest in the area for the first time. The fact that the Dorsey’s location was near an intersection was another plus. “Most of our development is on strong corners in different parts of town,” he said. The property is being marketed by Collum Commercial as 21 Yale. In July the development signed a tenant - The Joint chiropractic. The Joint’s website states that their mission is “to improve quality of life through routine and affordable chiropractic care delivered through a nationwide network of modern, comfortable chiropractic clinics staffed with experienced, licensed chiropractors.” At the current time, Stevens says they don’t have a lead tenant for the space and won’t start buildout until they do. He says there is 3,500 to 4,000 square feet available for a res-

The developer is still seeking an anchor tenant for the space.

taurant, or something else. The fact sheet from Collum Commercial says the property has parking space for 25 and

bike racks for 12 bikes. For information call Joan Collum at 713-409-2259.

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