Gucci opened a 6,500-square-foot store in The Woodlands Mall. The location, selling men’s and women’s shoes, handbags, luggage, small leather goods, jewelry, watches and eyewear, is the Italian luxury brand’s ninth boutique in Texas. The store utilizes eco-friendly technologies such as LED lighting and a building management system to monitor and promote energy efficiencies. The decor features custom, geometric painted wood floors, vintage-inspired display units and vintage oriental rugs. Gucci was founded in Florence, Italy, in 1921.
Rhone, an upscale men’s apparel brand for active lifestyles, opened its first standalone store in the Houston area at Market Street-The Woodlands, part of Trademark Property Co. and Institutional Mall Investors. Rhone has nine stores and also sells merchandise at Equinox, Nordstrom, Dillard’s and other retailers.
Chick N Max, a Wichita, Kan.-based fast-casual franchise specializing in almond wood-smoked chicken and wings, sandwiches and fried chicken tenders, is preparing to open its first Houston area location in the Market at Willis Shopping Center at 12312 Interstate 45 N. and has signed a lease for a second location in Fulshear. Aaron Johnson, a veteran of the franchise industry with brands including Bennigan’s, Smash Burger and Mod Pizza, signed a development agreement last fall to open as many as 25 stores in the Houston area. Expected to open in June, the 3,000-square-foot Fulshear restaurant will be in the Market at Cross Creek Ranch at FM 1463 and Fulshear Bend Drive. Negotiations are underway for a location in The Woodlands. Chick N Max offers 10 flavors of sandwiches, including chicken and waffles, the smoked chicken BLT and the sriracha hot honey. Sides include onion rings, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and smoked white beans.
Chef-crafted sandwiches at Chick N Max feature almond wood smoked chicken or fried chicken tenders with a variety of toppings and sauces.
Chick N Max
Azteca Jewelry, a family-owned store selling fine jewelry and watches, leased 1,300 square feet at Sam Moon Center, 17937 Interstate 45 in Shenandoah. Katherine Wildman and Bunny McLeod of Wulfe & Co. represented the landlord.
Go Health leased 3,400 square feet in Steeplechase Shopping Center, 10703-10931 Jones Road in northwest Houston. Patrick Keegan of Partners Real Estate represented the landlord, Steeplechase Landing. Hannah Tosch and Wade Greene of Colliers represented the tenant.
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Woodforest National Bank opened its ninth location in Conroe with a bank branch inside the H-E-B store at 2108 N. Frazier St. The 590-square-foot branch offers full-service banking with lobby and ATM services and is the second branch within an H-E-B, following the opening at 13663 FM 1488 in Magnolia in November. Based in Montgomery County, Woodforest has more than 760 branches across 17 states.
Affordable Dentures & Implants leased 4,050 square feet in Spring Town Center, at FM 2920 and Kuykendahl Road in Spring, from NewQuest Properties. Lara Lee Lamendola and Kevin Sims of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Bill Wong of Orange Commercial represented the tenant.
McAlister’s Deli leased 2,800 square feet in Fort Bend Town Center Phase II, at Texas 6 and the Fort Bend Tollway in Missouri City, from NewQuest Properties. Andrew Alvis and Bob Conwell of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Clay Graham of Fox & Graham represented the tenant.
Gucci announced the opening of its new store at The Woodlands Mall in Houston.
Pablo Enriquez for Gucci
The Social House leased 7,250 square feet at 17776 State Highway 249 in northwest Houston. Andrew Leibman of Partners Real Estate represented the tenant.
The Learning Experience, a Florida-based early education and childcare franchise with 15 locations in the Houston area, announced plans to open six more locations in the region over the next two years. The newly built centers will contain 10,000 square feet with up to 5,000 square foot of outdoor playground space. The first new center will open at 1621 Bingle in northwest Houston in the second quarter, followed by a location in Conroe near Davis Street in late 2023. Next year, locations are planned in Tomball, 2111 W. 34th Street, Jersey Village and in Katy near Stockdick School Road. Each location will consist of a newly built 10,000-square-foot center and up to a 5,000-square-foot outdoor playground. Each center serves 180 kids ranging from six weeks old to six years old. The centers employ about 30 staff members and teachers.
katherine.feser@chron.com
