Tidwell
2.74
Antoine
2.79 43rd Crosstimbers
2.89 2.91
610 n
Ella Blvd
2.83
Yale
34th
He m
2.77
Shepherd
2.85
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290
2.82
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2.89
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Pumped Up
Saturday, November 1, 2014 • 1B
11th
2.91
2.75
10
3.09
45
3.05
Source: GasBuddy.com Consumers across The Leader area will likely enjoy the falling gas prices around the area as the holiday shopping season kicks off this month. According to GasBuddy.com, many area gas stations offer lower prices for regular gas than many other parts of Houston, including $2.69 a gallon at the Phillips 66 on Ella Boulevard (pictured to the right, as of Tuesday afternoon). Even with the season’s healthy outlook for businesses, however, some are still treading lightly.
Lower gas prices boost confidence for consumers as holiday shopping begins By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com The Leader area consumers have much to be thankful for this holiday season – particularly the relatively low cost of gasoline that is predicted to contribute to a healthy shopping season across the nation. According to Gas Buddy, the average price of gas across the US is $3.02, while the average price of gas in Texas is $2.81.
Residents living in The Leader area are enjoying gas prices at or lower than the state average, with some of the lowest priced regular gas offered at stations like the Phillips 66 located at 1801 Ella Boulevard, offering regular gas for $2.69. Other prime spots for cheaper gas, as of Tuesday afternoon, includes the Citgo located at 3650 W. 11th St., offering regular gas at $2.75, the Citgo at 6000 Antoine Drive,
offering regular at $2.74, Fuel Express as 211 W. Crosstimbers St., offering regular gas at $2.77, and Fuel Expo at 857 W. Tidwell Road, offering gas at $2.79. Experts believe that low oil costs will allow consumers across the country to put their money towards gifts and other holiday expenses. The National Retail Federation’s latest survey shows that retail sales in November and December
are expected to increase 4.1 percent to $616.9 billion, higher than 2013’s actual 3.1 percent increase during the same time frame. According to the NRF, this year would mark the first time since 2011 that holiday sales increased more than 4 percent. Local businesses are also readying for a holiday season and some, like Adolf Hoepfl & Son Garage auto repair shop on North Shepherd, are en-
joying some of their strongest seasons yet. Kathryn van der Pol, coowner of the repair shop, said they’re having the “best season ever.” “I really hope it’s because we’re doing a good job and
people keep coming back,” Van der Pol said with a laugh. With the price of oil so low, van der Pol said it certainly makes it easier for her customers to travel to and from work See Shopping, P. 2B
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Pinemont Pavilion attracts businesses with rich histories, plenty of diversity
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By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com After a bit of a lull, the Pinemont Pavilion office and retail development is taking off. Pario Novo’s Andre Reed has three of the spaces in the 13,680 square foot building leased with more soon to follow. Pinemont Pavilion at 965 Pinemont Road is near Garden Oaks and Oak Forest and backs up to Shepherd Park Plaza. It’s also right by Shepherd Park Terrace which The Leader recently highlighted as a hot housing market. Reed said that he’s been conscious about who he’s leased to and has turned some parties down. “We don’t just want any business,” he said. “I’ve gotten e-mails from people in the community who have expressed what they want to see there.” Reed is waiting on some water permits and hopes to start building out some of the spaces soon for an early 2015 opening. He said there is space for three or four more tenants. Here’s a rundown on who is already coming.
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Everyone Needs a Place of Their Own...
Contributed Art While it may have taken some time, the Pinemont Pavilion is continuing to attract new businesses, including a restaurant, bakery and a childcare center.
Marchese’s Kitchen Susan Henn and her siblings own Marchese’s Sausage Company named after grandfather Ottavio Marchese who came to the United States from Palermo, Sicily, in 1907 with his sausage recipe. Marchese, who dropped the “e” to become Marches, had a café in the Heights for years with wife Netha, and sons Anthony and Joseph. For the last four years, the family has sold their sausage at farmers markets as well as
B&W Meat Market and Nundini Chef’s Table. Their sausage company warehouse is just down the street from the Pinemont Pavilion. Henn said that they are still working on the concept for Marchese’s Kitchen but that it will be a takeout place, similar to Tres Market Foods in Memorial and My Fit Foods. While the menu is still being finalized, it will offer lasagna, meatballs and Eggplant Parmesan, owing to their Italian heritage. Their sausage will
definitely play a part in their dishes too. Henn was hoping to be open before the holidays but acknowledges that it will most likely be next year. “We looked elsewhere but thought this was a good fit,” said Henn. “We have a lot of ideas.” Artisana Bread Rosemarie Abbouchi said she looked for more than a year to find a spot for her com-
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See Pinemont, P. 2B
Heights resident offers new way to shop for clothing By Christina Martinez christina@theleadernews.com It’s always been a dream for Sarah Platt to have her own store and she’s always wondered how she was going to make that happen. One day the idea of having a mobile fashion truck just came to her and after some research, Platt found how she was going to make that dream into a reality in the form of Urban Izzy, a mobile boutique on wheels. “One day this idea just came about to go mobile,” Platt said. “I looked it up and they were already out there all over the
place. Thats when I kind of thought I’m going to do it and just go for it. The overhead costs are something I can deal with and that are in my budget.” Platt bought the truck in October of 2011 and immediately wanted to get the business up and running. The name for the truck came first and was something Platt had planned out. “I wanted a name that meant something to me and Izzy is my grandfather, Isadore, and everyone called him Izzy,” See Clothing, P. 2B
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L-R: Amy Ritter – Bank Officer/Lender, Margaret Vandever – SVP/Lender, Scott Lester – Bank Office President, Cecilia Rodriguez – AVP/Office Manager, Justin Vickrey – VP/Lender
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Photo by Christina Martinez Sarah Platt sits outside of Urban Izzy, a mobile boutique built inside of a truck she bought in late 2011.
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