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Multiple businesses have closed in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose areas since January. This list is not comprehensive
1. EQ Heights
Coffee shop Equilibrium Social House, also known as EQ Heights, closed its doors Dec. 29 after 10 years of service, according to the business in a Dec. 14 social media post.
2. ParkerJoe
ParkerJoe, a local boutique specializing in boys' clothing and related products, will close its temporary River Oaks location at 2020 W. Gray St. to open a permanent flagship store inside Rice Village in early 2025.
Mother-and-daughter duo Lisa and Chelsea Hostler opened a temporary location of ParkerJoe inside the River Oaks Shopping Center in April. However, Lisa Hostler confirmed with Community Impact that the location will close to prepare for the opening of the store's permanent Houston location in Rice Village.
The Rice Village location, 5515 Kelvin Drive, will be situated between Vuori and Paper Source, according to a Nov. 12 news release. The 1,975-square-foot store is anticipated to open in January and is the only boutique in Houston dedicated exclusively to boys' fashion and accessories, the owners said.
3. Holman Draft Hall
Industrial-style beer hall Holman Draft Hall in Midtown closed July 1 to usher in a new concept called Solarium. Solarium will offer an expanded experience with a full drink menu and dining service, but no new details have been announced. The venue is managed by hospitality company The Kirby Group.
4. Urban South Brewery
Louisiana-based Urban South Brewery closed its taproom in the Washington Corridor on April 19. Despite the closure, its products will remain available to Houston consumers through various distribution channels, according to an April 19 news release from the company.
5. Damian’s Cucina Italiana
The upscale Italian restaurant that has served Midtown for more than 40 years closed Aug. 17. The sister company, Mandola’s Catering, will remain open and continue its Italian catering services.
6. Xin Chao
Vietnamese-American restaurant Xin Chao closed on Washington Avenue on June 8. The restaurant served a contemporary take on Vietnamese cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients from Texas and the Gulf Coast.
7. Love Buzz Pizza Pub
Montrose pizza staple Love Buzz Pizza Pub closed its Westheimer Road location on May 13.
In an Instagram post, officials thanked followers for the memories, attributing the closure to "extenuating circumstances."
The pizza joint was known for its creative pizzas, late-night hours and 1990s-themed decor, as well as its venue, a vintage hotel from the 1930s that was repurposed into a restaurant space.
8. Harold’s
Harold’s Bistro, Bar & Market closed its doors in the Heights on March 3 after 10 years in business.
According to a news release Feb. 27, owner Alli Jarrett said the former restaurant will focus solely on catering.
Harold's, which originally opened in 2013, served Southern-style food such as fried chicken and shrimp and grits along with hand-crafted cocktails.
9. Picnik
Austin-based Picnik closed its Montrose Collective location on Jan. 23, less than a year after opening its doors.
The Austin-based Picnik opened in Montrose last spring and offered healthy cafe fare, including keto, paleo, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The venue also had an expansive patio.
10. Urban Eats
Urban Eats on Washington Avenue closed on Jan. 28, citing challenging financial situations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The American bistro, bar and market offered a full menu including breakfast, brunch, dinner and happy hour, with food items procured locally, according to its website.
11. Dinette Vietnamese Kitchen and Bar
Dinette Vietnamese Kitchen and Bar served its final meal on Feb. 4 after serving Vietnamese-inspired cuisine for a year and a half.
The team behind Hando and Kanpai Club served classic dishes and drinks with a menu that highlighted small to medium plates, such as tamarind wings and thit kho on crispy rice, as well as larger, family-style dishes, including a brisket with puff pho noodles.
12. Alice Blue
Owner Claire Smith’s modern bistro Alice Blue, which has served daily breakfast, lunch and dinner for 20 years in the Houston Heights, closed its doors on Feb. 25.
