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Entrepreneurs look to transform the landscape of The Leader area, whether it’s shrimp remoulade or roller skates
New tenants at Ella Plaza and other business briefs 2B
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Saturday, March 7, 2015 • Page 1B
Potential skating rink revival Southern Goods to bring captures local nostalgia a new vibe to 19th Street
Photo by Jonathan Garris While the former home of the Tradewinds skating center on West 34th Street sits empty now, there’s a chance that could change in the future.
Renovating an iconic former skating rink comes with plenty of risks, rewards By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com While social media networks were abuzz with the idea that residents might be lacing up their roller skates for the rebirth of a local, iconic roller rink in Oak Forest, the potential proprietor of the establishment said the dream might have to wait a little bit longer. The former home of Tradewinds Skating Rink, located at 5006 W. 34th St. next to the Randall’s grocery store, has been unoccupied for years. According to previous Leader articles, Tradewinds was first opened in 1957 by Walter Louis Gordon and Marie Gordon. These days, however, the nearest places families have to turn to to get their skating fix are establishments like Dairy Ashford Roller Rink west past the Beltway, the Lockwood Skating Palace east of US Highway 59 and the Airline Skate Center which is north of Oak Forest off of Interstate 45. Janett Ogola, who owns her own business, said there are a litany of risks and challenges to consider when opening any business, particularly a roller rink. Ogola owns Promote Social Teeth, a personalized social media management and consulting company focused on dentistry. Ogola said she has meet with the Small Business Association regarding the
potential investment and said heading up a new roller rink could be great for the area. Ogola, a single mother of three, has taken her children to the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink but at a 30 minute drive it’s not exactly in the most convenient location. She had fielded the idea of bringing a rink to the area over a month ago, and she was met with a “huge response� from the community, drawing over a hundred comments on a post on the Oak Forest Homeowners Association’s Facebook page. “It would be wonderful to have a local roller rink,� Bob Hurt said on Ogola’s post. “Kids need something that doesn’t need batteries or electronics and gets them some exercise.� Others remembered Tradewinds fondly. “It was the hangout Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when I was growing up,� Linda Eschenfelder said on Ogola’s post. “Good wholesome fun for the whole family.� Part of vision for the rink would include offering space for birthday paties, roller derby, skating classes and even bringing back ramps for skateboarding. “I know I would have a great time doing it, but I’m also thinking of the future,� Ogola said. “I could put the time in but I would have to
take a step back and look at where my career is.� Some of the hurdles in establishing the business would be renovations on the facility, Ogola said, which could cost an upwards of a $200,000 investment. The facility has sat dormant for years and most of the copper wiring for its electricity has been removed. The building also needs to be brought up to standards for fire codes and Americans With Disabilities Act compliance. According to the Harris County Appraisals Office, the 20,000 square foot building has its physical condition listed as poor, with poor functional utility, no sprinkler system with “adequate� plumbing. “I had considered doing some type of Kickstarter program online perhaps but that might not put a dent in what it would take to get it open,� Ogola said. On top of a renovation costing thousands of dollars, hiring staff, securing insurance to protect the rink in the event of an accidental injury and balancing a current business on top of it has given Ogola a bit of pause. However she remains optimistic, as some other local business owners and residents have mentioned becoming investors or helping with the facility’s operations. See Skate, P. 2B
Business Spotlight
Phillips Tire & Service Center
Photo by Jonathan Garris The staff of Phillips Tire & Service Center are inviting the community out to enjoy their new services and their new renovations.
New owner brings new dynamics in customer service By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com After taking over Phillips Tire & Service Center several months ago, Eric Freibot is inviting car owners to come into his service center for its new look and services. Freibot, who had been trying to open a place of his own for the last 20 years or so, said the condition of the building had begun to slide after the former owner’s health had declined. He also has a commercial service company and owns other rental properties in the area. “The previous owner had dedicated most of his services to commercial and fleet vehicles,� Freibot said. “We’ll be expanding into more retailfocused services, and we’ll be expanding into servicing hybrids and more European vehicles.� The business will also be hosting community workshops for groups of residents
like seniors and teens. “For seniors, we can invite older residents out and talk with them about certain things on their vehicles and how to keep their vehicle in good condition.� Freibot said. “For younger drivers, we’re looking to have a go kart set up and show them how to do things like change tires and oil.� Freibot also said the service center will be hosting a Ladies Night on March 12, and will offer a raffle for Starbucks Gift Cards, wine and other activities. “With any kind of auto repair shop it’s all about wordof-mouth and having a trustworthy place where you can bring your vehicle and advise you about what you need and not more than you need,� Freibot said. “I’m looking to do what I want with this business and that’s do the right thing.� For more information, call 713-683-0251.
Photo by Betsy Denson Lyle Bento, left, and Charles Bishop had been talking for a while about opening a restaurant together.
Southern staples with a twist on the menu By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com If Charles Bishop and Lyle Bento have their way, their new restaurant – Southern Goods, located in the spot formerly occupied by Table 19 and Pie in the Sky, 632 19th St. – will be open in time to take advantage of patio weather. Originally Bishop and Bento hoped to be open by January but are making their way through the permitting process like many other restaurateurs in the area. “We signed a lease on the building in September,� said Bishop. Whenever they open their doors, however, Southern Goods will be a welcome addition to the culinary offerings in the area. Chef Lyle Bento, who worked under Chris Shepherd at Underbelly until last October, said that the food will showcase what’s going on in the south right now, and how food is evolving. “Biscuits, chicken fried steak, collard greens are good, and we’ll include traditional Southern food,� said Bento. “But there’s so much more than that. We will have fun with food. It will be a smart menu.� To prepare to head up the Southern Goods kitchen, Bento embarked on a culinary tour in the fall and apprenticed in restaurants in New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Oxford, MS and Louisville, learning from chefs like Sean Brock and Ed Lee. He notes the influence of other cultures in the South’s food, like French influences on New Orleans cooking and Vietnamese food in Houston. “Tamales are big in the Delta and you find red beans
and rice in India and Northern Africa,� Bento said. “You can’t pigeonhole it.� Bishop, who left his partnership in Cottonwood and Liberty Station to focus on this new venture, and Bento, had been talking for some time about opening a new restaurant. They looked at the location where City Oven used to be, now Barnaby’s, and although they wouldn’t have had to do a lot to the space, Bishop said his ideal space would be one where he could really put his stamp on it. An Oak Forest resident, he was looking for a freestanding building in the Heights. “I like the vibe here,� he said. “It’s my speed, a little more laid back.� Bishop and Bento signed a 15year lease on the space at 632 19th St. with Bryan Dana. Dana also owns the building where Ken Bridge has Lola as well as the space at 1901 N. Shepherd Drive where Fat Cat Creamery is. Cisneros Design are the architects for Southern Goods. “We’re in it for the long haul,� said Bishop. Because Southern Goods is located in the dry section of the Heights, the restaurant will operate as a club, similar to Shade with memberships that allow patrons to enjoy beer and wine. The indoor portion, which had some interior walls removed, seems much more spacious and will seat 150-200. There will be large tables that offer communal style seating. “It’s a club, so we will let it feel like a club,� said Bishop. A big change will be the boot shaped patio on the west
side facing Shepherd that will wrap around the restaurant and provide 3,000 square feet more of space. They removed a storage shed behind the property which gave them a lot of room to play with and still let them keep their parking lot. There will be an entrance off of Shepherd as well as 19th Street to the restaurant. A pop-up window will open from the inside bar, allowing patrons to order drinks and food from the patio. There will also be a stage with live music.
Because Southern Goods is located in the dry section of the Heights, the restaurant will operate as a club, similar to Shade “It will have a good indoor/ outdoor feel,â€? said Bishop, who notes the casual ambiance, as well as a robust wine program and a wide selection of draft beers on tap. The restaurant will be family friendly during the day, especially on the patio. “Customers dictate who you are,â€? said Bishop. They’re making an effort to maintain the original details of the building, such as the brick that lies under the plaster walls. A self-proclaimed Pinterest addict, Bishop has a board with pins of his ideas for the dĂŠcor, including the retro 50s style patio furniture. They are also being smart about costs. When Texas Cafeteria closed, See Southern, P. 2B
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