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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
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Saturday, February 8, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 6
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Starduster Lounge brings cosmic Texas vibes to the Heights By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
New neighborhood bar opens on North Main Street
L VE is great, but so is a fresh copy of The Leader!
INSIDE.
The local bar scene is about to get a little more cosmic. Starduster Lounge, the latest addition to the Heights’ growing roster of neighborhood watering holes, is set to open later this month at 3921 N Main Street. The bar is the brainchild of Will Thomas, co-founder of White Oak Music Hall and Dan Electro’s, and Benjy Mason, the bar owner behind Johnny’s Gold
Brick and Winnie’s. Together, they’re bringing a fusion of West Texas grit and cosmic Houston energy to a historic 1940s building with a colorful past.
A Historic Setting with a Modern Twist
Starduster Lounge is housed in a restored 1940s building that once served as the iconic Spanish Flowers restaurant. Over the decades, the space has seen a variety of uses—from a Latin music venue to, as rumor has it, a brothel— before being transformed into its newest incarnation as a laid-back,
eclectic neighborhood hangout. The bar’s interior pays homage to 1970s Texas, blending cowboy culture, Tejano rhythms, and counterculture vibes with modern design. A desert-inspired mural by local artist Carissa Marx-Beaty, vintage fixtures, hand-painted tiles, and warm archways help create an inviting, lived-in feel.
A Drink List for Every Mood
At its heart, Starduster Lounge is a no-fuss bar where locals can See STARDUSTER P. 5
Starduster Lounge, exterior
ACCESS DENIED!
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Photos by Stephanie Shirley
Handicap access on the northeast corner of 13th and North Shepherd was recently blocked by the placement of a new utility pole.
Shepherd-Durham construction causes Heights residents more than traffic-related inconveniences Understanding the Shepherd-Durham Corridor Redevelopment
Memorial Groves public info session scheduled for Feb. 13
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Art Valet: Oak Forest artist opens yoga studio offering deluxe experience
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Square Dancing in Houston: A tradition of community, fun, and fitness By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
Not your ordinary Valentine’s date: Dinner, drinks, and heart dissections
Pet of the Week: Meet Sandy, a senior cuddlebug
Photo by Quit Nguyen
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor As with many municipal improvement programs, The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority’s (MHRA) ongoing project to update and renovate the Shepherd-Durham corridor between Interstate 10 and Loop 610 has been a long and disrupting process for most Heights residents utilizing those north/south thoroughfares. Given these inconveniences, it’s important to understand the process and participants involved in the project to help the community better manage expectations.
The Role of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ)
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones
Square dancing has long been a vibrant part of Houston’s social scene, bringing people together through movement, music, and camaraderie. While often associated with traditional fiddle tunes and Western attire, modern square dancing has evolved to include a wide variety of music genres, making it an engaging activity for dancers of all ages. One such square dancing community near the Heights, the “Hey Lollies” have had some of its members dancing squares for over 40 years with multiple generations of parents and children dancing together to create traditions and bonds through a shared activity. One of the most significant contributions to the square dance world originated right here in Houston’s Heights neighborhood. At the corner of Rutland and 14th Street, the Merrbach Recording Studio became a leading producer of square dance music, shaping the industry for decades. Founded in 1956 by Norman and Nadine Merrbach, the studio launched Blue Star Records, which would go on to become the largest and longest-running square dance music label in the world. Their work helped elevate square dancing’s popularity nationwide, cementing Houston’s place in the history of this beloved dance form. For Timbergrove residents Kenneth and Dawn Hengst, square dancing wasn’t always on their radar. Their adventure into the world of square dance began in 2016, when they unexpectedly See DANCING P. 5
A completed segment of the TIRZ 5 project, boasting improved utilities, better drainage, spacious pedestrian access and attractive landscaping.
(TIRZ) are effectively geographic zones created by City Council to help finance the costs involved with redevelopment and improvements and ultimately encourage expansion in areas that might not otherwise be able to attract the needed growth to keep pace sufficiently with that expansion. This TIRZ 5 project, also referred to as the
“Memorial Heights Redevelopment”, had its groundbreaking in late 2021, with heavy construction following. The project was divided into two different phases, primarily due to the approval and funding considerations involved, but also because the drainage See TIRZ P. 2
Submitted photo
Square dancing is a fun way to exercise your mind and your body.
Leather Apron Foundation shutters, donates remaining funds to Oak Forest Foster Closet COMMUNITY REPORTS
Community Calendar: See what’s happening around town
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THE INDEX. Topics ����������������������������������������4 Classifieds ���������������������������������7 Local Culture �����������������������������8
The Leather Apron Foundation (LAF), an Oak Forest-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering community engagement and support, recently announced its final donation of $11,000 to the Oak Forest Foster Closet. Since its founding over eight years ago, the Leather Apron Foundation has bridged the gap between individuals, businesses, and families in need. Reflecting on the organization’s origins, founder Jonathan Kolmetz shared:
“When I started LAF, I noticed a decline in community connection. Neighbors weren’t coming together as they used to for schools or families in crisis. I wanted to create an organization that could connect those willing to help with those who needed it most, while also encouraging local businesses to engage in meaningful ways.” One of those who answered the call was Kimberly Antley. “Volunteering with the Leather Apron Foundation was a great way to connect with like-minded neighbors and be of service to the com-
munity in which we all live, work, and play,” she said. Over the years, LAF has partnered with organizations like MANNA, St. Vincent de Paul, and various small businesses to provide food, clothing, financial assistance, and even physical infrastructure like wheelchair ramps and HVAC units for families in need. Sean Jez, a board member of the Oaks Dads’ Club (ODC), recalled LAF’s impactful contributions, including the donation of See LAF P. 5
Photo courtesy of Leather Apron Foundation
LAF recently donated its remaining funds, $11,000, to the Oak Forest Foster Closet.
H E L P SUPPORT Scan this QR code to make a donation through Paypal today!