Despite COVID-19’s continued presence in Greater Houston, there is still some business activity in the Bellaire-Meyerland-West University Place area. Here is a rundown.
Now Open/Reopenings
Located at 1212 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, a new Sprouts Farmers Market officially opened its doors Oct. 14. The new 26,000-square-foot grocery store, located within two miles of Texas Medical Center at a former Toys 'R' Us location, brings 110 jobs to the area. The Phoenix-based national grocery store chain focuses on providing healthy products, and over 90% of its more than 19,000 items are natural or organic. 346-326-7639. www.sprouts.comLocated at 2502 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Hu's Cooking reopened its dining room to customers Oct. 12. The Chinese fusion restaurant, which originally opened in March 2019, offers a contemporary dining atmosphere with Szechuan cuisine that draws on other Chinese cultures as well. The restaurant continues to offer delivery and carryout services. 713-660-0020. www.huscooking.com
The Texas Hearing Institute, formerly known as The Center for Hearing and Speech, a full-service resource that teaches children with hearing loss to listen, speak and read, moved to 3100 Shenandoah St., Houston, the week of Sept. 14, according to a center spokesperson. Previously, the hearing center was located at W. Dallas St., Houston, before moving to a temporary location at 1417 Houston Ave during construction of the new building. The hearing institute provides early intervention help, along with an audiology clinic, a speech clinic and the Melinda Webb School, which recently expanded enrollment to include preschool-aged students without hearing loss. Because the hearing institute is a United Way agency, it provides all services on a sliding fee scale. 713-523-3633. www.texashearing.org
Coming soon
The Palace Social, a bowling alley, arcade, event space, bar and restaurant that will anchor the Southside Commons development at 4191 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, announced new details ahead of its spring 2021 opening. The 30,000-square-foot space, built on the former location of the longtime Palace Bowling Lanes, will also feature other entertainment options, such as sport simulators, karaoke and an esports lounge. “We are excited with the team assembled to bring this project to life, one that will make a positive impact on the community as a gathering space for all ages,” said Billy Forney, Palace Social’s managing partner, in a news release. “Palace Social will draw on elements from the past while firmly establishing itself as a new concept sure to create memories for new generations to come.” Ryan Hildebrand, formerly of FM Kitchen, is consulting on the development of the restaurant, which will feature brunch, lunch and dinner with Southern and American flavors, complemented with a full bar.Toasted Yolk Cafe will be bringing its 16th location to Bellaire Town Center in March, according to a news release from commercial real estate firm Henry S. Miller, which represented the company when it signed the new lease. The Houston-area restaurant chain, known for offering breakfast, lunch, and brunch items as well as beer and wine, has leased approximately 4,100 square feet at Bellaire Town Center. www.thetoastedyolk.com
