Heights' HITS Theater Fundraiser is All American

Located in the Heights for over 35 years, HITS Theater is a leading nonprofit performing arts education organization for young people. In addition to wonderful, family friendly, and affordable performances, HITS provides production and technique training through after-school and weekend performance based-classes. Each year, HITS serves approximately 900 students, grades 1 through 12, at their Heights theatre home. The theater also demonstrates a strong civic commitment, developing theatre education classes during and after school. This allows our local public schools to deliver and augment their current performing arts curriculum. Currently outreach programs are in place in the Heights at Harvard Elementary and, new this year, Hogg Middle School.

HITS is a 501(c)(3) organization. Individual support is their primary avenue for funding their mission to "inspire youth through the power of theatre." In addition to the support of patrons, they have one amazing fundraiser: The annual American Girl Fashion Show. The American Girl Fashion Show attracts a diverse, family oriented audience, and features an interactive and stylish showcase of historical and contemporary fashions by the ever popular American Girl. Attendees also get a seated meal, raffle prizes, take-home treasures, and more.

Photo: HITS Theater 

HITS is currently seeking approximately 125 girls, ages 6-13, to model in this show. They  will be holding model calls this weekend, August 29^th and August 30^th. 

Photo: Culture Map

HITS Theatre is holding a model search for its upcoming American Girl Fashion Show®. Girls ages six to thirteen are invited to audition to be in the fashion show, which features American Girl® historical and contemporary fashions as well as the Girl of the Year doll, Grace. Model searches will be held on Saturday, August 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial City Mall (303 Memorial City Way) and Sunday, August 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble – River Oaks (2030 West Gray). 

HITS Theatre is looking for approximately 125 girls to model historical, contemporary and Bitty Baby fashions in the fashion show. Auditions are held on a first-come, first-served basis. Girls who pre-register are seen first. Pre-registrations are accepted through August 24, but walk-ins are also welcome. The audition is free, but there will be a model fee of $45 for girls selected to participate in the fashion show. Model s will be selected based on their resemblance to the American Girl® dolls and whether they fit in the size 10 and 6x clothes provided by American Girl®. To download a model application and learn more about the fashion show, visit www.hitsfashionshow.com.

The 21st annual American Girl Fashion Show® will be held on:

Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 

Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 

The show takes place at the Junior League of Houston. Adults and children are invited to attend as the American Girl® dolls come to life. The show features a showcase of historical and contemporary fashions , with an array of outfits, from sleepwear to fancy dress. A limited number of advance general admission tickets will go on sale August 29 and 30. Information on purchase of advance tickets will be available at the model search events. Tickets sales open up online for all shows and all seats on September 21. All proceeds from the American Girl Fashion Show® benefit HITS Theatre, a 501(c)(3) performing arts education organization for Houston area youth.

Sponsor tables are now available online and are the only way to reserve a runway table at the fashion show. Call 713-904-3777 or visit www.hitsfashionshow.com/sponsor to purchase a sponsor table.

Photo: HITS Theater

This is a unique and fun way to support art and theater in our community. If you're not interested in participating by attending, but want to assist HITS with their mission, you can always make a donation HERE. If you're not interested in donating cash, you can still support HITS via amazon.com, Kroger, and other rewards programs. Learn about how to do that HERE. 

Blockbuster Beauty

Since the day Blockbuster on Cavalcade at the five corners closed, everyone has been aflutter wondering what was going to go in to the space. The "For Lease" sign came down and work was seen in progress but no one could answer the question "What will it be?" 

Apparently, it will be the newest location for Sola Salons:

In 2004, Sola Salon Studios® was established with the opening of our first location. Now with over 200 desirable locations open nationwide, Sola Salon Studios® is proud to offer salon professionals the freedom and benefits of salon ownership without many of the risks associated with opening a traditional salon. Sola Salon Studios® is an innovative salon model in which experienced hairdressers, estheticians, nail stylists, massage therapists and other like-minded salon professionals come together under one roof to take their careers to the next level. To date, we have provided more than 5,000 professionals with premium, individual salon spaces in which they own and operate high-quality salons. If designing your own salon space, setting your own schedule and prices, and creating a larger profit margin with retail sales appeals to you, then follow your dreams with Sola – all for about the same price as renting a chair or booth (and maybe even less).   

We take pride in being the largest, fastest-growing salon studio business in the country. Join the Sola Salon Studios® community and experience a level of creative independence and career support you won’t find anywhere else.

So there it is. They have divided the building, built out a small space and a larger space, from what I could tell, and now have two front doors. Maybe Sola's concept will only be part of the complete build out? I guess we will just wait and see. According to a follower on FB, the whole building will be salons, possibly as many as 22 individual studios.

You can find out more about Sola Salon Studios on their website or Facebook page

What's also curious about Sola Salons going in to the old Blockbuster is the other new business opening in the strip just south of 20th. "Glam and Glow" at 1911 Studewood has paper over the windows and a sign promising blow outs, sunless tanning, and other beauty treatments. What they do not have is any on-line presence. It's like all of the sudden this part of the Heights is some kind of beauty vortex. It's interesting to me that these businesses turned up here, when the only other recent development in that area has been a dialysis center and beer (TownIn City brewery). 

Of course, if you drive around East Sunset Heights or even Monte Beach, you can see the rapid changes going on. Development has pushed quickly in to those neighborhoods, as original homes come down and townhouse, patio homes, and large single family homes replace them. It's still unusual to see these types of businesses be the trailblazers. Makes me wonder what will be next?

226 Recordings: A 2nd Look at Studio Life on 19th Street

Back in 2010, I was invited to an open house at a new recording studio in the Heights. I couldn't make the event, so I was invited by the studio owner for a private tour instead. What resulted was not only a blog story (This Neighborhood Is Being Recorded)  but a wonderful friendship. 

It is a funny "small world" kind of story. As Mairi Cox, whose husband Paul is the audio engineer who runs the studio, gave me a tour and talked about the studio, their then 18 month old daughter Clara toured with us. I also had a toddler around the same age and conversation flowed between studio business, living in the Heights, and parenting. Eventually my younger son went to school with her daughter. In a real small world twist, Mairi's mother ended up teaching both of my sons at the Montessori school they attend; one that Mairi, herself, also attended as a child. Us meeting- it was all kind of meant to be.

After the tour, Mairi invited me to see their home behind the studio. I met her dog, Telly, whose fluffy, Samoyed hair was appropriately caked with some mac'n'cheese (appropriate when you have a toddler, that is). We talked a lot about the Heights and living on/ raising kids in a business dominated area, which I was totally fascinated by. I love living in my little Historic District- tidy bungalows all in a row. It was hard to imagine living in the heart of the 19th Street shopping district! 

I asked Mairi what it was like living on 19th Street in the middle of a commercial district. I kind of expected an "it is what it is" answer, but that is not what I got. She referred to the store owners as her "neighbors" and said they all drown Clara with attention. She said "When you live in a [residential area], you can't just walk outside and in to your neighbors house," but she can. The merchants on her block were totally supportive, even when construction of the building took up Gen's parking lot. She likes the fact that it's kind of the "opposite of a neighborhood" by being full of activity during the day and then totally quiet at night. Of course, it suits the work they do as well. "Bands can hang out in the [front courtyard] and not disturb anyone." She also loves how she can walk so many places. That, she says, is a "Heights thing."

Now it's almost five years later. Mairi and Paul have added to their family- another Samoyed, Sampson, and also had another child, Georgia, who is affectionately known to everyone on 19th Street as "Peach." The Cox family has grown and the demands of their recording studio have grown, as well. They are currently working to meet the growing desire for their studio by reconfiguring current space to add a second studio. They have also added an education component with a program for people who are interested in becoming Audio Engineers.

An Audio Engineering class in progress at 226 Recordings on 19th Street

The years since they put up their metal building have brought a lot of changes to the Heights and 19th Street, as well. Having the shopping district as their front yard gives the Coxes a unique perspective on the neighborhood. I asked Mairi if she still has the same feelings about living in our own, little downtown.

"We absolutely love being in the Heights. And we love living on 19th Street. We actually bought the lot in early 2008 and definitely noticed the neighborhood changing. Sometimes we walk our dogs down the street and try to remember the histories of all the storefronts.  It’s actually hard to keep track of all the changes, even though we’ve been here for just a small fraction of the street’s history.  Of course, we were sad to see some great neighbors go, like Tansu, Young at Art, and Balinska’s."

Paul Cox, left, was as an audio engineer in LA, working with the likes of Macy Gray,  Stanley Clarke,  Ernie Watts, and more. Home in Houston, Cox records local musicians at his 19th Street studio and offers classes in Audio Engineering. 

Cox has a positive outlook for the recent wave of businesses, though. There are some tough losses (Harold's comes to mind), but she sees "there are also new businesses with a lot of momentum."   And as far as the future, Cox says "more than anything, the sense of community among the merchants seems to be solidifying more and more, which is great.  There are some really motivated new businesses and everyone’s attitude is really positive."

As the Heights has grown in popularity, it's hard to imagine it could do anything but help 226 Recordings to be in the heart of one of Houston's most popular communities. This has been especially true for the Audio Engineering program they added. The new program is a unique opportunity to learn the craft of audio engineering school right inside their Heights recording studio. While they get students from nearby areas like Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Near Northside, and, of course, from right here in the Heights, they also draw a lot of future engineers as far away as Katy, The Woodlands, and Pearland. 

It's worth the commute for a lot of people. 226 has created "an intense" and hands-on 16-week program, which consists of instruction during three 3-hour classes and one 4-hour lab per week, which prepares students to be audio engineers, not just assistants. They also go beyond instruction, to help with client development for their students.

And often, the supportive environment plus great, local vibe of our neighborhood wins them over. "More than a few students that lived in the suburbs have moved to The Heights after getting to know the area by attending our class," Cox says.

A commissioned art piece for the studio by local artist Chad Landry

"Our students and clients definitely take advantage of our location.  We love giving clients and students recommendations on places to shop, eat, or drink.  We are very proud to be where we are and really enjoy sharing all the area has to offer with our guests. Down House, Carter & Cooley, and Alli’s Pizzaria are places we always recommend to anyone looking to grab a bite. I can’t tell you how many times a client or student has called and said they’re just grabbing some Boomtown and will be right over.  Or after a session or class, they head over to Vinal Edge to shop for records."

The Coxes are rabid supporters of local businesses, too. I can go with Mairi to pretty much any store in the Heights, not just on 19th Street, and they know her. This is because their shopping philosophy is "to pretty much to look for whatever we need from one of our neighbors first."

This great 48x36 painting hangs in the living room of Paul and Mairi Cox's home on 19th Street. It is from their 19th Street neighbor, Gallery M Squared.

This shows in their home and their studio. "Many pieces of our furniture are from Gen’s Antiques, and probably all of our picture frames and lamps we own are from Bliss on 19^th.  And of course our kids are taking advantage of Big Blue Whale being right across the street.  Thread and Man Ready are also pretty well represented in our house.  All of our art is from Gallery M Squared or directly from a local artist." The art part is key for Mairi. 

Another painting in the Cox home, purchased from one of my favorite Heights stores, Hello-Lucky.

"I think having local art in the studio is especially important.  Even though we don’t create visual art, we definitely feel proud to help recording artists fulfill their visions.  We know how hard it is to make artistic dreams a reality, so it’s important to us to support local artists regardless of their medium. " This local-centric behavior has made a difference in surprising ways. This year one of their engineering students actually decided to forgo the Galleria at Christmas and do all his shopping on 19^th. He lives in Katy, so Mairi thinks it says a lot about what the neighborhood has to offer.  And I'm sure her leading by example had an impact as well. She was impressed with his dedication to this community and, like many of us, ended her thoughts with "I wish some of our residential neighbors cared as much about our unique local businesses as he does." Me, too.

This piece from Gallery M Squared hangs in the studio at 226 19th Street.

If you or someone you know is interested in sound engineering, 226 Recordings' 16 Week program begins each year in January and September. They also offer a more intense summer program that begins in June and ends in August. Students can also earn credit for an internship related to a traditional degree. Learn all about the studio, the curriculum, pricing, and registration here: 226Recordings.com

Opportunities for Giving in the Heights #GivingTuesday

Today is what has become known as #GivingTuesday in the social media world. From GivingTuesday.org

What is #GivingTuesday?We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

There are so many opportunities to give in the Heights, both for #GivingTuesday, and all through the Holidays. Actually, the organizations that help our community could use help all year round. In the spirit of the season and the day, though, here are some local, greater Heights area organizations that would appreciate your support:

AIDS Housing Coalition Houston

Located in the Heights, AHCH has been assisting those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS for over 20 years. Gifts donated to this organization will be used to house, feed and otherwise educate people living with the HIV virus and AIDS progression. AHCH-inc. has also served guests Cancer and other immune system chronic diseases.

They need donations of winter clothing, volunteer hours, and many other resources. Please visit this How You Can Help Page link to donate.

Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry

This small pantry, opened in 2009, is 100% volunteer based. It was started by a consortium of Heights Faith communities to serve families in our local zip codes (77007, 77008, 77009, and 77022).  With so many families suffering from food insecurity in a growing neighborhood, the help of the community is so necessary so the HIMFP can serve the needs of our neighbors.

Donating is so easy! You can Feed Frank at the HIM building, 3525 Beauchamp, 24/7. Frank would love to be filled with non-perishable foods and diapers (larger than newborn size). This time of year, Frank also graciously welcomes new and lightly used toys for client parents to gift their kids at Christmas. You can also give funds via their PayPal link.

Wesley Community Center

Founded in 1904, Wesley Community Center has helped generations of Houstonian's in the Near North Side community and beyond. Offering everything from early childhood education to care for needy seniors to job training, this community service agency is truly full service. Their missions statement reads: Helping people help themselves and each other. And they do! Their amazing Financial Opportunity Center helps people struggling to get out of poverty by teaching them how to change their spending behavior and make long term financial goals. Read more about the FOC here.

Wesley can use help with everything from tending their gardens (which provide fresh produce for needy families) to office help. Like most non-profits, though, they can also use financial and in-kind support. They accept non perishables for their food pantry, have an on-going wish list for materials,  and also gladly take financial donations via their giving page link.

Support our local schools

Texas is 46th in the nation for per capita spending on public schools. Our schools, especially those with high rates of poverty, depend on the community to help them provide a proper education for their students. When kids can learn and thrive, we all benefit! Here are several projects to help build stronger schools and raise smarter kids in our community:

Jefferson Elementary

Jefferson Elementary is a high poverty school in 77009, just across 45 from the Heights. They currently have four projects on DonorsChoose.org including a couple of basic necessities lists for things like paper, dry erase markers, and folders.
This link will take you to all of their projects: 
http://www.donorschoose.org/school/jefferson-elementary-school/17337/?teachers=true

Browning Elementary

Browning is a high poverty school, with 65% of students qualifying for free lunch. They are a Title 1 school in Monte Beach with a great need for access to arts and technology. They only have one small project- to buy a new iPod. It has received $0 so far and only has a couple weeks left until the project expires. This should be such an easy wish for our community to grant!
Help buy a new iPod and bring joy to the little ones at this school here: http://www.donorschoose.org/project/please-help-replace-our-old-orange-ipod/1388249/#materialsList 

Love Elementary

Many of you probably remember when HISD wanted to shut down Love a few years ago. The parents and community fought back, and now they continue to fight for the best education for their students. Love needs a lot of basics and their amazon.com wish list gives you the opportunity to help by sending everything from tempera paint to uniform pants for students in need.

Support Love's teachers and students here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=cm_wl_search_1?ie=UTF8&cid=A3I02VFMIRD3A0

Field Elementary

Field, perhaps the cutest school in all of the greater Heights, is experiencing a bit of a renaissance. The Friends of Field group has not only donated time, talent, and money to making the school better; they have actually enrolled their kids there! Still, this small group of parents wants to help the whole school community. Their big goal for this year is to stock the library with all the great books elementary schools need to fuel the learning and imaginations of their students. This project, if completed, would add 3000 books to the schools library.
Help buy books by simply buying off their Amazon wish list and they'll be sent directly to the school: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1D67XYE243S98/ref=cm_sw_su_w

Roosevelt Elementary

Roosevelt, in Oak Forest area, is another Title 1, high needs school. This school caters to many kids whose first language is Spanish. They have projects that include listening stations, so students can hear books read to them in English to increase fluency, and just generally providing books for the student population.

They have seven projects on DonorsChoose.org. You can select one to help here: http://www.donorschoose.org/school/roosevelt-elementary-school/16576/?active=true

I know there are ample other opportunities to give in the greater Heights, so please do share info and links in the comments if you have other organizations that also need our support!

In The Zone: Zone 9 Tropicals

Growing up in Louisiana, Wayne DuPont lived with a mom and two sisters who loved plants. He was surrounded by the houseplants they would grow and grew to love plants as well. After his sisters left home, he took on their roles of resident plant grower, learning the many lessons it takes to successfully propagate and grow plants. His first lesson in household horticulture came along with his first "greenhouse," his sisters' unused doll house. Without enough light, his plants died. Lesson learned.

Around the 8th grade, DuPont's interest in engineering (he's now a pipeline engineer) started to surface, and he once again decided he needed to engineer a greenhouse. A real one. Again, at the age of 13, he learned a valuable lesson: 7' is not enough height to manage temperature in a green house. Plants- fried. Lesson- learned.

For the next few years, DuPont would continue to tinker with house plants and dabble in propagation, the process of creating new plants from seeds, cuttings, bulbs, and other plant parts. When he went off to college, he got ... busy... and kept a couple houseplants but generally left the cultivation hobby behind.

A variety of tropicals in different stages of growth in the "propagation room."

In 1990, Wayne DuPont bought an original bungalow at 1015 Arlington in the Houston Heights neighborhood. The house had your usual St Augustine front yard. The back yard was "largely empty, low lying, and flood prone." There were a few trash trees and a long driveway along the south side of the house. With space to use, the itch to work with plants resurfaced. He used the back of the long driveway to build a greenhouse; this time, one that was functional for real cultivation. DuPont started working with tropical plants, suited to the heat and humidity of Houston. He collected different plants and propagated them, soon filling up his greenhouse. And then outgrowing it. He was good at what he was doing, and his hobby had become very successful, a bit more than he needed for himself. DuPont figured he should move some of the plants out so he could continue growing more. He started Zone 9 Tropicals as a way to do this, and maybe make some money to support the habit, plus share wonderful, unique plants with others who enjoy them. DuPont started offering his plants online at Zone9Tropicals.com and quietly hosting "open garden days" 2 weekends a month at his Arlington Street home. 

The back of the main greenhouse

When you walk under the sun-faded Zone 9 banner, it's hard to imagine what you're going to see. A narrow driveway has been transformed in a greenhouse bursting with amazing plants, many taller than an average man. Rows and rows and rows of smaller pots cover shelves. Pots sit on pedestals and the ground. It is hot and damp and vivid green and amazing flowers. As you reach the back side of the greenhouse, you might think that's it. After all, it's amazing enough. A doorway appears and leads to another green house, full of smaller plant rooms, some for shopping, other for propagation, and a dry room for certain varieties of plants that need a slightly different climate. Zone 9's administrator Randy Judd has noticed locals love exploring these nooks. The small rooms have a "certain Heights character," says Judd. While Zone 9 continues to have strong internet sales, local sales have started to surpass online receipts. 

Plant lovers benefit from stopping by the greenhouse. Because it's labor intensive to keep plants at an appropriate size for shipping and, because there are additional steps that must be taken to mail a plant, the cost of the process is added to the price of the plant, plus the cost to ship. Locally, shoppers get lower prices and more variety. DuPont is proud of the unique selection of plants he can offer thanks to his independent propagation and growing. Larger, local nurseries and local suppliers make their money selling bedding plants, so it's not in their best interest to sell tropicals. Roughly 75% of what DuPont sells is unique to Zone 9, not for profit but for the sheer pleasure of growing and owning these varieties of plants. DuPont knows that "people care that it's local." They appreciate that the plants are well cared for and "get excited to have the one [plant] they want that they can't find elsewhere."

If you are interested in tropicals or plants different from what you've seen at the bigger nurseries, you can pre-shop on the website, keeping in mind that your local price will be lower. There are also a number of plants that aren't offered on line, i.e. items that can't be kept in small pots or generally wouldn't ship well. A visit during open garden weekends will allow you to browse a greater variety, including tropical fruit trees and spice plants.

As Zone 9 Tropicals has gained a strong, local following, Wayne DuPont has figured out that he wants to do more. His love of plants is bigger than his residential yard on Arlington. DuPont and Judd, the admin, are excited to have purchased six acres in the nearby Independence Heights neighborhood. They are planning multiple greenhouses and much more room. As a full nursery, they'll also be able to be open regular hours. 

Until then, you can still visit Zone 9 Tropicals on Arlington Street and see what they have to suit your plant fancy. They are open the 1st and 3rd weekend of month during the growing season; Saturdays 9am -5pm, Sundays 1pm-5pm (although Sundays are packing/shipping days so you might catch them there on off weekends, too).

Zone 9 Tropicals

1015 Arlington (parking on street)

Zone9Tropicals.com

Zone 9 on Facebook

Sneak Peek: The Big Blue Whale

The Pink Polka Dot/Olive Anne has vacated the spot on 237 W. 19th Street. Opening in it's place comes The Big Blue Whale, a more comprehensive toy shop with items for more ages (and more genders) than it's predecessor. 

Owner Vanessa Woodhouse is a Native Houstonian and Heights resident who hopes the shop will become a destination for "curious kids and the people who love them." The Big Blue Whale will carry brands familiar to many with kids in their lives, like Crocodile Creek, Playmobil, Skip Hop, Hape (sustainable bamboo and wood toys from Germany), and Schleich (realistic animal and nature figures). There will also be lots of books, arts and crafts, games, and vintage style toys.

The shop will open for business next Tuesday, July 15th. Until then, a quick peek:

The Big Blue Whale

237 W 19th

281.685.3044

Facebook/bigbluewhaletoys

Seeing More Red: A quick look at the completed Red Dessert Dive on Studewood

As we all wait with bated breath for Red Dessert Dive on Studewood to actually open, here is a further look at the 961 sq ft bakery and coffee/wine bar. For background on Red read

my post from April- Sneak Peek: Red Dessert Dive

Here is the light fixture which inspired the interior design of the whole space. It hangs in front of the southern window and adds a lot of visual interest to a decidedly clean and organized space.

Coffee bar is ready to go. Staying true to her desire to be local, shop owner Jessica Lusk is using coffee products from Boomtown Coffee on 19th Street.

I love the view from a good window seat. Not everyone thinks Studewood is a view, but I adore living in the city and that means passing cars.

The night we crashed her party popped in, Lusk had invited a few friends and family to come by. The menu was limited but we were treated to samples of beer bread, cookies, and this dreamy thing: A kolache filled with bacon and cream cheese. I hate to admit that I went back for seconds and could have probably had a third. I hope these are regular menu items!

This blondie was also to die for. I don't even know what was in it other than a taste of heaven. My husband, who was born without much of a sweet tooth, enjoyed it immensely.

Giant jars of cookies that are a step above everyday seem to really exemplify what Red Dessert Dive will be- a comfortable, local spot that is just the other side of ordinary. 

I look forward to their opening in the next couple of weeks and will be sure to step across this threshold often!

Sneak Peek: Red Dessert Dive

Jessica Lusk grew up in Tomball, but with strong ties to the Heights. Her grandfather grew up here, her mother lived here until high school, and her family still owns her grandfather's Heights home. These ties make it no surprise that this community has drawn her in, this time to start a small business in Houston's most local-business-loving neighborhood.

While attending Texas A&M, where she would eventually graduate with an Environmental Design degree, Lusk left Texas to head to New York City for an architecture internship, where she fell in love with the small spaces occupied by unique businesses. So much in New York seemed "tiny and weird" compared to what she had always known in Texas, but she relished it. She returned to Texas and then stayed close to home, earning a Masters in Architecture at University of Houston.

When Lusk began her career in Houston, she soon realized that, despite her excellent education, the working environment of architecture was not where her heart was. She decided she wanted to be an entrepreneur and Stella Bakes was born. Stella Bakes, a homebaking cupcake business, was an experiment; a way for Lusk to see if she had the mettle to own her own business- to do all the work and assume all the risk. She decided she did and put together a business plan for... more work and even greater risk.

1045 Studewood, next to the new SOHO boutique

When Jessica Lusk was living in New York, one of her favorite places was the original Magnolia Bakery. Tucked in to a tiny space in the West Village, Magnolia Bakery was practically an institution the day the doors opened. Inspired by the Magnolia and encouraged by her experience with Stella Bakes, Lusk decided she wanted to own a dessert shop. Unlike both Magnolia and Stella Bakes, Lusk did not want this dessert shop to be "cute." She doesn't think that desserts, whether it's cupcakes or cheesecakes, need to always be so "girlie." She wanted something decidedly different and came up with the concept of Red, a business named for her grandmother, a "feisty redhead and amazing baker."

While the general aesthetic of Red will be very different from it's inspiration in New York, one similarity remains in Lusk's new venture: small. She knew she wanted the Heights area and she knew she wanted less than 1200 sq feet. What she has ended up with is a little sliver of Studewood, coming in at a very New York-ish 961 sq ft.

The state of 1045 Studewood 2 weeks ago, when Jessica invited me in to chat

Jessica Lusk's background in architectural design has definitely helped her dream of tiny become a big reality. Lusk did all the plans for Red herself and has plans to put every inch of the space to use. As plans developed, the concept became clear for Lusk. Red will have "classic American desserts with a twist" plus a nice selection of beer and wine. There will also be a strong coffee program from Boomtown Coffee on 19th Street. Coffee "was not am afterthought" for Lusk, and in it's final incarnation, Red be more "of a coffee shop with an emphasis on desserts" than a bakery itself.

The Fredricksburg light fixture that is dictating the interior design of Red

Red will share parking with SOHO Boutique, eeking out just enough to allow permitting for eating and drinking in house. Right now, there isn't much to see inside, but that isn't stopping Lusk from holding to a May opening. What you will be able to expect come May is a "a funky, fun, eclectic bakery," where the Rolling Stones provide the soundtrack and funky versions of desserts you love will satisfy your sweet tooth. Lusk has drawn interior design inspiration from an amazing light fixture she found outside of Fredricksburg, TX. A subway tile wall will give focus to the service area, where you'll find eight bar stools and a window bench for enjoying your sweet with your beverage of choice. Materials like reclaimed wood and cast iron piping will create an environment, Lusk hopes, that bucks the trend of cutesy when it comes to desserts.

Service area will be on the south wall,
eye catching white subway tile and rustic elements for an almost masculine aesthetic

Plans for the finished space, including a micro-office for Lusk

True to the neighborhood, Lusk is focusing on using local vendors for everything from beer selection to coasters to employee uniforms. While she is getting help on the wine list, Lusk will be putting the beer list together herself. And she is no longer doing the baking. Focusing on operations is where she thinks she's best used, so she has a pastry chef, as well as a barrista to handle the front of the house. When the doors open for business, Red is going to be open from roughly 7 am until 8 pm. Lusk is open to changing this as she is able to see what her customer base prefers. With hours and some other aspects of the business, Lusk is willing to remain flexible and experience some trial and error "until we find our sweet spot." Pun intended?

As of today, April 16, some good progress toward Red's anticipated May opening

Red Dessert Dive + Coffee Shop

1045 Studewood

Houston Heights

Twitter/ @Red_HoustonTX

Facebook/RedHouston