Osteria di MercatoMercato and Company, a newly opened Italian market in West University Place, will open a restaurant in connection with its upscale grocery in early 2025.
According to a news release announcing the opening of the market, cafe and bottle shop, the Osteria di Mercato restaurant and wine bar will serve lunch and dinner.
Mercato and Company founder Arlene Ventura partnered with chef Tatiana Perna to develop the menu at Osteria di Mercato, per the release. Perna is a classically trained chef who helms the kitchen at the historic Tuscan resort Podere 1384.
Osteria di Mercato will feature authentic Italian dishes alongside a wine selection, according to the release.
The restaurant will provide an intimate setting for patrons and a collaborative experience with the market by using its offerings, per the release.
- Opening in early 2025
- West University, near 3642 University Blvd., Houston
- https://mercatoandcompany.com
Officials with Ojo de Agua signed a lease for a 3,400-square-foot space in the Texas Medical Center's Collaborative Building located in Helix Park.
According to an Oct. 15 news release, Ojo de Agua serves authentic Mexican and Mediterranean dishes, along with a beverage program that includes made-to-order juices, smoothies, teas, coffees and cocktails.
Featured menu items include Swiss enchiladas, white corn tortillas filled with chicken breast and covered in a roasted green sauce with melted manchego cheese; mahi mahi, cooked in a classic adobo marinade; and the Mexican bowl, brown rice topped with beans, zucchini, baby corn, guacamole and cotija cheese.
Ojo de Agua will offer full-service offsite catering to the medical center community and beyond. The restaurant also includes in-house private dining spaces for small and larger groups.
- Opening in 2025
- 7255 Helix Park Ave., Houston
- https://ojodeaguarod.com/
Camp will bring a combination of play, product and performance to the Galleria. It will be located on the mall's second level, near the children's play area. Per the release, the 7,500-square-foot space will be one-part toy store, one-part party venue and one-part immersive theater space.
The venue opens with one of its most popular collaborative exhibits, per its website—revolving around Emmy Award-winning show, "Bluey." It features dancing, games and a Bluey meet-and-greet finale.
The Camp store will also feature a permanent retail space that sells toys, clothes and accessories, and also features a slime creation station, a splatter room, playable trucks and a party room for birthdays, per the release.
- Opening late-February
- 5085 Westheimer Road, Houston
- www.camp.com
- Opening late 2025
- 4191 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. 175, Houston
- www.plushnailbartx.com
Construction on a new On Running sportswear retail space at the Rice Village shopping center is set to begin in early March, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.
The project will consist of an approximately 4,400-square-foot space at the retail center, with a new interior layout and new finishes. The existing storefront will be demolished and replaced with a new storefront, according to the filing.
- Opening mid 2025
- 6225 Kirby Drive, Houston
- www.on.com
Community Impact previously reported that the shoe store will replace previous tenant Allbirds. More information and a more specific opening date will become available in coming months, after construction begins, Rice Village General Manager AJ Jennings said in an email.
The business will neighbor other retail stores in the shopping district, including Lululemon and White House Black Market.
Birkenstock is a German company founded in 1774, according to its website. The brand is known for its signature sandals, clogs and other shoes with contoured cork soles.
- Opening early 2025
- 2503 Amherst St., Ste. A121, Houston
- www.birkenstock.com
The shop features a variety of bagel flavors, including asiago, cinnamon raisin, garlic, jalapeno cheddar and the everything bagel. When it comes to available spread options beyond the traditional cream cheese, guests can choose from brown sugar cinnamon, cake batter, cookies and cream, cannoli and hot sauce.
Jeff’s Bagel Run also serves coffee and desserts, such as cookies and s'mores, according to its menu.
- Opening Jan. 8
- 3849 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. A, Houston
- www.jeffsbagelrun.com
Fizz Nail Lounge, which has three locations in the Inner Loop area, will open a new location near Loop 610.
According to the salon's website, their services include manicures, pedicures, waxing and lash extensions. Nail enhancements—such as soft gel technology gel-x, dip powder and acrylics—are also offered at each of the three existing locations.
- Opening first quarter 2025
- 8845 W. Loop 610 South, Ste. B, Houston
- www.fizznaillounge.com
ParkerJoe is a local boutique specializing in boys clothing and related products, including shoes, toys, accessories and books as well as specialty items such as golf and tennis apparel, suits, formalwear and Texas-themed items.
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 late February and is set apart as the only boutique in Houston dedicated exclusively to boys fashion and accessories.
- Opening late February
- 5515 Kelvin Drive, Ste. 95, Houston
- www.parkerjoe.com
Construction on a new Tim Hortons located on West Holcombe started on Dec. 1, according to the Texas Department of Regulation and Licensing.
The scope of work includes renovating a former bank into a coffee shop. The PlainsCapital Bank is currently located at the 2348 West Holcombe address. According to TDLR, the renovation is expected to take roughly one year to complete with an estimated completion date set for January 2026. Details are subject o change.
Tim Hortons is a Canada-based coffee shop that offers cold and hot coffees, tea beverages, hot breakfast items, baked goods and seasonal options that run throughout the year.
- Opening early 2026
- 2348 W. Holcombe Blvd., Ste. 100, Houston
- www.timhortons.com
According to filings by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, construction on the 3,415-square-foot building will start in January 2026 with an estimated completion date in August 2026. However, details are subject to change.
Shake Shack offers burgers, fries and shakes along with chicken sandwiches, specialty lemonades and hot dogs. The fast casual restaurant will be located in Meyerland Crossing, a 5-acre retail center currently under development near Beechnut Street and Loop 610.
- Opening August 2026
- 8815 W. Loop S., Houston
- www.shakeshack.com
Cakes are available in 8 inches, 10 inches, tiered and mini sizes and can be created for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, graduations and sports. Party supplies are also available for purchase in store.
According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, construction started on the 2,000-square-foot buildout Sept. 30 and is estimated to be complete by Nov. 29. Although details are subject to change. Community Impact reached out to Nothing Bundt Cakes on the store's opening, but didn't get a response in time.
- Opening date TBD
- 8845 West Loop South, Ste. D, Houston
- www.nothingbundtcakes.com
While the opening date has not been disclosed for the Rice Village location, General Manager Aj Jennings confirmed in an email that the new restaurant is currently under construction at the former Victoria's Secret location on University Boulevard.
Hudson House specializes in East Coast comfort food that focuses on oysters, cheeseburgers and what restaurant officials call are the “world’s coldest martinis.” Oysters are flown in fresh daily, while other menu items will include fried chicken, lobster rolls, fish tacos, sushi and steak frites. Desserts include key lime pie and chocolate silk pie.
Community Impact reached out to Vanderlay Hospitality Group on the restaurant's opening, but didn't get a response by press time.
- Opening date TBD
- 2400 University Blvd., Houston
- www.hudsonhousehp.com
After opening up shop in Montrose, the Heights and Memorial City, the new scoop shop will be on Morningside Boulevard in Rice Village, according to the shopping center's General Manager Aj Jennings. The chain offers artisanal ice creams from founder and James Beard award recipient Jeni Britton Bauer.
Many of the store's ice creams, frozen yogurts, sorbets and toppings are gluten-free, according to the store's website.
Flavors include burnt orange dreamsicle, double dough chocolate chip cookie dough, green mint peppermint cream, Boston cream pie, and frose sorbet, which is a sangria-style frozen rose flavor. Jeni's also serves seasonal flavors and special collection pints.
- Opening date TBD
- 5511 Morningside Drive, Houston
- www.jenis.com