“I had a concept that I wanted ... you can come into the Annex, and you can have a nice sit-down date dinner, or you can come in and sit at the bar and get wings and beer, and watch a game,” Kimball said.
The eatery opened in September 2019 and serves American and Tex-Mex-style food, such as wings, street tacos and brisket quesadillas, as well as cocktails and brews. The restaurant’s name, Kimball said, is a nod to Texas’ 1845 annexation into the U.S.
Kimball, who worked in Texas restaurants back in the 1980s and 1990s, said he has fond memories of the industry, which is one of the reasons he decided to open his own restaurant.
“I always enjoyed the business. ... I love going to work, I love working with people, I love talking a lot and so it’s kind of in my DNA,” he said.
Working alongside business partner George Norrell, Kimball said the duo prides itself on creating a positive atmosphere for both customers and staff.
“If your environment isn’t a positive one, people aren’t going to come,” he said. “So we try to focus on our culture for our employees here. ... [Management] does a great job of promoting that culture.”
Kimball said his favorite part of his job is interacting with customers and working with management to ensure every patron is satisfied with their visit.
“Every Saturday night that we fill up or every Friday that we fill up, and I walk around, and I see people smile, and I see people happy ... that just really makes my day,” Kimball said.
The Annex Crafthouse
122 Vintage Park Blvd., Ste. A, Houston
713-909-3051
www.annexcrafthouse.com
Hours: Mon. 3-10 p.m.; Sun., Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight
