This week’s edition of Business Leaders takes a look at a new housing development in the Heights, new tenants at Sawyer Yards and our 3000th Facebook “Like” Swim lessons for generations 1B · Chamber to host Mayor Turner at luncheon 2B • New fitness center coming to Heights 2B Saturday, July 2, 2016 • Page 1B
Business Briefs
Corkscrew closes doors on W. 20th Corkscrew closing
The Corkscrew Wine Bar announced on its Facebook page that it was closing effective June 28, 2016. The post said the close was “due to an immediate issue regarding the location/extension of current lease.” The post also said that “this break up is temporary and we want you to know it’s not you, it’s us. We hope to see our customers again soon at another location in our neighborhood.”
First tenant for Yale development
Rocky Stevens said that the first signed tenant for his development in the former Dorsey’s Beauty Academy across from Yale Street Grill is The Joint chiropractic. Their website states that their mission is “to improve quality of life through routine and affordable chiropractic care delivered through a nationwide network of modern, comfortable chiropractic clinics staffed with experienced,
licensed chiropractors.” There are still one or two spots available at the space, including room for a signature restaurant. Interested? Call 713-409-2259.
Fiesta demolished
The Fiesta on Shepherd has been demolished but according to Lance Gilliam with Waterman Steele Real Estate Advisors that does not mean any decisions
See Briefs P. 2B
The Leader readers’
Forest Pines swim instructor a mainstay among local swimmers to be my students,” Young said. Since Young’s pool is outside, the weather dictates when lessons start and end, typically May through September. She invested in a pool canopy so she can teach throughout the day. Another draw for students? Bubba, Young’s 19 year old hyacinth macaw, sits near the pool. “We went to the grand opening of the movie Rio at Edwards,” said Young. “He’s a dear.” It’s not just swimming that’s a passion for Young. During the school year she teaches motorcycle lessons at the Harley-Davidson on 290 at Hwy 6. During the summer, she teaches on weekends. “I’ve been riding since 1994 and teaching since 2010,” said Young, who got hooked when Harley-Davidson used to offer half-price Wednesdays. She would drop her kids at school at Oak Forest Elementary and ride during the day. “I was helping a friend learn how to ride,” she said. “I just loved it.” She also offers water aerobics on Tuesdays and Thursdays and teaches yoga too. This jack of all trades can be reached at 281-380-8872 or noortje@sbcglobal.net.
Fisher Homes brings focus on family with Victoria development Terry Fisher. “In the Heights, a buyer can’t even buy a lot for that price anymore. With the Victoria, families can take See Victoria P. 2B
713.864.8652
Dr. Dora Cantu
Northwest Eye 1740 W. 27th St. Suite 180 www.northwesteye.net
Small-town appeal to meet all your hardware & gift needs of e s t 20
THE LEADER
Readers' Choice
Best Local Hardware Store
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wners Jim and Kathy Stratton and Duane Myers purchased C&D Hardware in 1999 from Mrs. Alice Dai- From front, left to right, Tina, Alan, Deborah ley and her mother, Rosie Arthur, Dan, Elias, Lynn, Jeremy Cobb, widow of Sam Cobb. The store, located at 314 ing a full-line hardware Diet Pet Foods. The store East 11th in the Heights, store, the store also carries a also provides services that was once the site of a re- large selection of home and include: metal screens made cording studio and record garden decor. Looking for and repaired, key cutting, store owned by Pappy Daily a gift? Browse through the glass cutting, lock re-keying, and his sons. With its small- unique selection of gifts for sharpening service, carpet town appeal, C&D Hard- wine enthusiasts, Jim Shore cleaner rental, pipe cutting ware still prides itself on collectibles, candles and and treading, and computer being a family-owned and scented oils, seasonal deco- paint color matching. operated business serving rations, crosses and more. Call 713-861-3551 for helpthe Heights since 1951. The Recently-added products ful advice, to place an order, store has grown through include Traeger Wood Pel- or check for a needed item the years and is constantly let Grills, G.E. Energy Smart in stock. adding products to keep Bulbs, Bona Wood and Hard You can also visit us online up with customers’ needs Surface Cleaners, Science www.CandDHardware.com and expectations. C & D Hardware carved out a niche for itself long ago and continues to strive to maintain outstanding 314 E. 11th Street • 713-861-3551 customer service. Weekdays 8am-6:30pm • Saturday 9am-6pm • Sunday 10am-5pm Although C & D Hardware prides itself on be-
C&D Hardware & Gifts
3rd Year in a Row!
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Sitting on a double lot between 8th and 9th Streets at 829 Yale Street in the Heights, The Leader’s readers will notice a small condominium complex under construction. The new mid-rise, called the Victoria, is a development project under the umbrella of Fisher Homes. The Victoria will stand seven stories tall when completed, with the top five floors hosting condominiums and the first two, parking garages. The new structure replaces an old car repair shop, and a used furniture outlet. With only 40 units, the Victoria is designed to provide a boutique environment with
high-end amenities customarily found in larger developments. There will be a rooftop deck, private gym, guest suite and party room. The building is slated for move-in beginning in 2017, with five of the 40 units under contract now. The size of the units run from about 890 square feet to 2,100 square feet. The address is zoned to Harvard Elementary School, Hogg Middle School and Reagan High School and officials hope it will be attractive to families with young children which has been a growing demographic in the Heights area. “A person can get into the Victoria for $250,000, making it one of the only places in the Heights that is still affordable,” said Victoria builder, developer and Heights resident,
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By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader
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Readers' Choice
Thank you for all the support!
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If you’ve been a swimming instructor for 35 years, it stands to reason that you’re probably pretty good at it. Nora Young has taught countless children in The Leader area how to swim and she’s still going strong. “I bought this house 26 years ago for the shape of the pool,” said Young. “It was vinyl then.” Young was born in Holland and moved to Houston when she was four. She came from a swimming family, and used to take her own mother’s students when her mom was on vacation. Young also taught lessons in college. When she started out in her Forest Pines neighborhood, Young went door to door with flyers and later put flyers out at local schools. “I had a big clientele,” Young said. “I was packed for group lessons. I didn’t do private lessons.” Then Pengu opened in Garden Oaks and Young saw a significant reduction in her business. She started doing private lessons again, as well as the popular group lesson. One Oak Forest playgroup of four and five year olds started with Ms. Nora, as she
is called by students, for lessons a month ago. The parents pay $20 for their child to spend an hour’s time in the pool. The lessons have been a hit. “My son wouldn’t put his head under when we started and now he’s really comfortable,” said Lindsey Levy. “Ms. Nora is very good at making kids comfortable. She’s also really good at breaking down each stroke.” Part of the group lesson is free play as Young cycles through the students and gives them individual instruction. “Nobody has to sit on the side,” said Young. Private lessons are a dollar per minute, so $30 for a half hour and $60 for the full hour. Group rates are dependent on the number of people in the group. Young says that 3 year olds must start with private lessons until she gets a feel for their comfort and skill in the water. It’s not just younger kids she teaches – in May, Young gets older students who are brushing up on their strokes for summer swim team and she even has a student from St. Pius who is preparing for her school’s swim team. “Some of the coaches at Blue Marlin Swim Team used
THE LEADER
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By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
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Photo by Betsy Denson Nora Young catches a student as he takes a jump into a pool during a swim lesson. Young has been a swim instructor for 35 years and has taught swimmers young and old.
1st Place eye Care Provider
THE LEADER Readers' Choice
1st Place - Best Private School
1st Place - Best Learning Center 2nd Place - Best After School Program
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ur Savior Lutheran School Faculty and Staff would like to thank everyone who voted our school as the 1st place winner in the Best Private School category, 1st place winner in the Best Learning Center category and 2nd place winner as Best After School Prgram. We are honored to be acknowledged and appreciate the continued support of our school families, church congregation, and the community at large. We strive to continue to provide the Houston area with excellent classical Christian education, and to share Christ’s love with the world.
Contributed Photo The Victoria brings another option for families looking to settle into a more luxury-style complex with access to local schools and various other amenities.
Serving Families for Jesus Christ 5000 West Tidwell • Houston, TX 77091 • www.oslschool.org • 713-290-8277