The Leader • Saturday, October 5, 2019 • Page 1B
Area company becoming major player in mixer market By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Local residents Holly Tate and Bob Sutton used to work together at a staffing company. During the group’s evening happy hours, he shared a simple syrup he had made. “It was something he used to make sangria for family during the holidays,” Tate said of the syrup, which contains cinnamon and anise as well as cayenne pepper. “Everybody loved it.” When Sutton added it to some bourbon and had his best Old Fashioned ever, he knew he was on to something. After selling a number of bottles out of his house, Sutton asked Tate, who has sales and marketing experience, if she’d like to join forces. And Statesman Beverage Co. was born. “We’re a good team,” Tate said. For the first year, they introduced Sutton’s creation – called Sir Winston’s Spiced Simple Syrup – to the market. “It’s a fall flavor,” Tate said. “We say it’s Texas Christmas in a bottle.” Statesman’s second offering is called Sir Francis’ Mojito Simple Syrup and is marketed as a spring and summer craft cocktail staple. The names have significance. Statesman’s website explains that in the 1500s, when Sir Francis Drake visited Havana, the mojito was conceived to help sailors suffering from scurvy. In addition to cane sugar, limes and rum, the local Chuchuhuasi tree bark tea was added to the Cuban mojitos. Statesman’s version contains the organic bark. As for Sir Winston, look no further than hard-drinking politician Sir Winston Churchill, who enjoyed Scotch whiskey. Sutton and Tate’s products are gaining a wider audience, thanks to Stateman’s top20 finish in H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best contest in August. Tate said they found out about the contest from the Texas Pickle Company. “There were 800 entries,” Tate said. “It was such an honor.” Tate said they are now in conversations with H-E-B about the possibility of having their syrups offered in the grocery stores. Statesman now offers its product in smaller stores across 21 states and on Amazon. com. “We love being in family boutiques,” Tate said. In Houston, customers can find them at Manready Mercantile on 19th Street, Forth & Nomad on Yale Street and the WilliamsSonoma in Highland Village and at Town & Country. Tate said they are working on a new syrup that is almost ready for market. They are also seeking to scale the business in order to meet new demand. “We are still hand-making the syrups,” Tate said. “We’re looking at Texas options to help us grow.” For more information, visit www.statesmanbeverage.co.
Bob Sutton, left, and Holly Tate have joined forces to spice up the craft cocktail with their booming business, Statesman Beverage Co.
Sir Francis’ Mojito Simple Syrup.
Photo courtesy of H-E-B
Photo courtesy of H-E-B
Photo courtesy of H-E-B
Sir Winston’s Spiced Simple Syrup.
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Photo by Zarah Parker Valor Barbershop owner and former U.S. Army helicopter mechanic Brock Conrad said the common bond of military service is a conduit for talk about subjects not everyone can understand.
Barbershop giving back to those who gave it all By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com
“We The People” is painted above the red, white and blue mirrors at Valor Barbershop. The chairs are accompanied by capes printed with the American flag. “I wanted a place where, No. 1, you could celebrate America,” said Brock Conrad, owner of Valor Barbershop. “People can come in and be a patriot, and veterans and first responders can feel at home.” Conrad, who served as a helicopter mechanic in the United States Army during the 1990s, opened Valor Barbershop, 2217 W. 34th St. Ste. E., on July 11. While everyone
is welcome, the space Conrad created is an outlet where veterans or first responders, both men and women, can talk about subjects not everyone can understand. “I’ll be cutting a guy’s hair and we can talk about the military or the Army, or what they’ve been through or what I’ve been through,” Conrad said. “We have a camaraderie.” Conrad experienced that recently when an elderly Vietnam War veteran came into the shop. Because of the extra time Conrad had, he didn’t have to rush the veteran’s shave or haircut, allowing him to tell multiple stories about his time in service.
While Conrad began cutting hair years ago, even during his time in the military, he didn’t go to school for it until six years ago. Then about three years ago, Conrad took a year off to study in different cities with the top brands in the hair industry to perfect his craft. “I’m licensed as a cosmetology instructor and a barber instructor, so I do both,” Conrad said. “So not only can I give a guy a really good fade and a really good shave, when it comes to the top of his hair and he has the really crazy cowlick, I can cut that hair.” His ultimate goal was to own his own shop, and the See Valor, P. 3B
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Page 2B • Saturday, October 5, 2019 • The Leader
Business briefs:
Bungalow Revival to renovate new headquarters By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
There was a lot of online excitement this week about Bungalow Revival’s announcement that it had purchased a home on the corner of Tulane Street and West 11th Street with plans to make it the future site of both Bungalow Revival and Bespoke, the interior design and home dĂŠcor store currently at 238 W. 19th St. Bungalow’s Gilbert Joseph Perez said he is still looking into the history of the home, but said it was built in the 1920s and expanded in the 1930s. He said although the house is adjacent to a historic district, it was not protected by deed restrictions. “(My partner Nick and I) had seen the house for a long time and thought it had great potential,â€? Perez said. “Then we saw a ‘for sale’ sign covered by a tree.â€? Perez estimates it will take seven to eight months for the house to be renovated. He plans four office spaces downstairs with the upstairs reserved for residential. There will be two spaces for new tenants. Ship Channel Trading Company opening pushed back Levi Craig, owner of Ship Channel Trading Company, had hoped to open his coffee shop on Wakefield Drive by now. Then Tropical Storm Imelda had her say. Craig said he was inside the building working on the menu when it started to flood the morning of Sept. 19. At one point, the building had nearly 2 feet of standing water. But water quickly receded once the rain stopped, sparing most of his roasting equipment. He had moved a lot of equipment upstairs when water started seeping into the building. Craig now says he hopes to be open sometime this month. “We have all of our permits. I’m hoping two weeks or less,â€? Craig said. “Once I get the roaster back together we should be able to firm up an opening date.â€? Roovy Technologies at San Francisco startup event Founded by Delicious Concepts CEO Ken Bridge in 2016, Roovy allows diners to order, pay and collect Roovy rewards entirely from their smartphones. Now Roovy Technologies will appear at TechCrunch Disrupt in San
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“  Â
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‡ ˆ…�‰Š ‹Œ Ž…‘‹� ’   Contributed photo A dilapidated home in the Heights will become the new home of Bungalow Revival.
Francisco as Houston’s only representing startup. Conference attendees will get a first look at the platform’s new demo release and updated features. “We’re excited to represent Houston solely at Disrupt this year and we’re looking forward to promoting the emerging tech and startup ecosystem that our amazing city has to offer,� Bridge said. TechCrunch Disrupt gathers startups and industry insiders to connect and exchange innovative concepts. Learn more at www.roovy.io. Braun seeks building tenants for Shepherd A marketing flyer from Braun Enterprises shows retail space up to 4,436 square feet in level one of its development at 2401 N. Shepherd Dr. across from the Heights H-E-B. Signed tenants include Phenix Salon, Nails of America, Eyes on the Heights Optometry, Club Pilates, Lovett Dental and fitness franchise Spenga. For more information, email zach@braunenterprises. com. Luxury transportation company founder moves to area New Mangum Manor resident Matt Shafik is the founder of Genesis Corporate Transportation, which began in 1990. “We are a full-service, luxury ground transportation company with a wide range of vehicles from sedans and SUVs to stretch limousines, sprinters, and buses,� Shafik said. “With over 2,000 li-
censed limousine companies in the Houston area, we were the 31st company to be licensed by the city and credit our success and longevity to our commitment to customer service and safety.� For more information visit Genesislimo.com or email Info@Genesislimo.com. Villanueva joins Texas Bus Sales Larry Villanueva has accepted a role as a transportation consultant for Texas Bus Sales, which has an office on 34th Street. He will oversee customer service operations at Texas Bus Sales – San Antonio. His role will include warranty, service, parts and sales. SK Designs speaks at business conference SK Designs recently spoke at a Custom Workroom Conference in Charlotte N.C. about Stevens and Wainwright Elementary schools’ Sewing Club programs in an effort to encourage other workroom owners to do so. Also discussed was the Harris Health Systems pediatric surgical cap project that Oak Forest Girl Scout Isabella Trevino spearheaded for her Silver Award project. Attendees at the event made or brought 125 caps for Trevino to contribute.
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The Leader • Saturday, October 5, 2019 • Page 3B
Football Roundup
Bulldogs bolt to first win of 2019
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Since opening, the shop has hosted two events -- one at the end of July and another on Sept. 11 -- where first responders got free haircuts. On Sept. 11, female first responders, teachers and nurses received free blowouts. “A lot of the basis that I spend my day on is how are there ways I can give without impacting the business,” Conrad said. On Veterans Day in November, Conrad hopes to raise money for veterans.
as
Honoree of the Heights Rotary Annual Golf Tournament
Donations in Howard’s name will support Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance. Howard’s community involvement over the years has been expansive and life changing which is why we are blessed to honor him this year in our Golf Tournament. Golf Tournament to be held at:
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Soldier Suicide,” Conrad said. “We lose 22 a day to suicide. I’ve lost a few friends to that. It’s something near and dear to my heart.” Another way Conrad has given back is by offering discounts to active-duty military, veterans, first responders, teachers and nurses. For example, a standard haircut for men is $30, and he offers $5 off. He also has an “enhanced” haircut for men that includes a hot towel, razor cleanup and edging for $45, and he offers it at the same price as the standard haircut.
Howard Moon
y o u r
Sept. 27 Lutheran High North 57, Sabine Pass 7 Trinity Christian 50, St. Thomas 0 Prestonwood Christian 12, St. Pius X 0 Heights 64, Houston Math Science and Tech 14 Scarborough 7, KIPP Northeast 0
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the season. Lutheran High North, meanwhile, remains the last unbeaten among area teams after a 57-7 victory over Sabine Pass ran its record to 3-0. Waltrip had a bye last week and is back in action Saturday night with a road contest against Sharpstown. Below is the scoreboard for last week’s games involving area teams:
P R O P E R T I E S
Tuesday. “We learned some lessons along the way, and we’re ready for the stretch run.” The Bulldogs were one of the three area teams to earn wins last week. In other results, the Scarborough Spartans are now owners of the school’s first multiwin season since 2007 after a 7-0 victory over KIPP Northeast last Friday. Scarborough now sits at 2-3 on
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GREENWOOD KING
Photo by Patric Schneider Heights quarterback Jalen Morrison takes a snap during practice. The Bulldogs pulled out their first win of 2019 last weekend with a 64-14 win over Houston Math Science and Tech.
Valor, from P. 1B pieces for Valor fell into place at an opportune time. “Up until recently the military was just something I did. Everybody went to college. I went to the Army,” Conrad said. “I started seeing some guys come back and the mental issues they’ve had, and I just feel like we should take more care of veterans.” He said one of the best ways he’s able to give back is through selling merchandise at his shop. “I have T-shirts that I sell that part of the proceeds go to an organization called Stop
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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Head coach Stephen Dixon and the Heights High School Bulldogs had dropped their previous two games in heartbreaking fashion by a total of six points. But after close losses to Brenham (42-38) and Seven Lakes (29-27), they wouldn’t be denied that elusive first victory of the season against Houston Math Science and Tech, winning 6414 last week in the opening game of District 18-6A play. Behind 150 all-purpose yards and a touchdown from Tycorrian Bostick, the Bulldogs notched their highest offensive output of the season. On the defensive side, senior linebacker Jermarrick Armstrong tallied four tackles and his first interception as Heights stifled the Tigers’ offense. Despite the season’s trying opening month, which saw the Bulldogs go winless against Dekaney, New Caney, Brenham and Seven Lakes – who are a combined 13-4 on the season – Dixon said the team’s mentality hasn’t changed heading into the meat of its district schedule. “We knew going into the season the first four games would be tough. We expected to win most, if not all, with the talent we have,” he said in a text message
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Page 4B • Saturday, October 5, 2019 • The Leader
Houston Italian Festival coming up From Staff Reports The Italian Cultural & Community Center will host the 41st Houston Italian Festival from Oct. 10-13 at the University of St. Thomas, located at 3800 Montrose Blvd. The event, also called Festa Italiana, is an annual festival celebrating Italian culture and heritage in Houston. Recognized as a significant cultural event, it has numerous activities to offer its guests. Admission is free for children under 12. It’s also free for adults on Oct. 10 and until 4 p.m. Oct. 11. Tickets are $8 for adults, or $6 if purchased online in advance, for the remainder of the festival. The theme for this year’s festival is “Experience Italy in the heart of Houston.” The event welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life to gather for a weekend connected by a love for Italian culture, cuisine and traditions. This year’s festival features live music performances from DJ Italia, the Fab 5, Shades of Gray, the Tarantellas Italian Folk dance group and Vince King. It also will showcase film screenings, activities and cooking classes for children, wine and beer tastings, Italian language classes and a classic car show on Sunday, Oct. 13. Festival goers will also have the opportunity to compete in pasta-eating contests, grape stomps and a Bocce ball tournament as well as viewing submissions and winners of the I Madonnari Sidewalk Art Contest. Proceeds from the Houston Italian Festival benefit local nonprofits, including the Italian Cultural and Community Center, which provides educational programs, scholarships and events throughout the year.
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Contributed photo There will be coooking classes available for children during the festival, which celebrates Italian culture and heritage in Houston.
For more information, including a detailed schedule, visit www.houstonitalianfestival.com. The Houston Italian Festi-
val is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. A full list of sponsors can be found on its website.
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