Photo by Julie Butterfield

Tailgators strip mall

The remaining portion of the retail strip center at the southeast corner of Hwy. 242 and I-45 where Tailgators Pub & Grill once operated in Shenandoah will remain intact, said Sidney Sanders, senior vice President of real estate at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Eventually the remaining shops will be landscaped and painted to improve the facility's appearance, he said.

Among the businesses still located and open in the shopping center include Charming Charlie's, Mike's Cigar Room, Mama Juanita's Mexican Restaurant and Batteries Plus.

"The rest of the center, in the next year or two, will be spruced up," Sanders said. "Our entire focus has been on getting the hospital permitted and under construction. As we head into the latter part of this year, the planning is we want to have a really visible presence, a wide boulevard access to [Hwy.] 242."

Sanders said for the hospital to accomplish that goal, it had to buy out the lease of Tailgators.

The access drive will be constructed where Tailgators previously operated and will extend from Hwy. 242 to the hospital. Access to the retail center will be on this same route.

Sanders said Houston Methodist The Woodlands, which owns the retail center property, has some vacant space the hospital could use as a human resources location for hospital employees.

"We'll have to start staffing up for the hospital," Sanders said. "As we get six to eight months out, we may set up an HR [facility]."

Sanders said doctors' offices at the hospital site will open in the first quarter of 2016 and the hospital will open in summer 2017.

Tailgators Pub and Grill reopened April 24 at 6062 FM 2920 Kuykendahl Road in Spring.