Inside Today: Houston adopts scooter, ATV curfew to improve safety, walkability Page 2
Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, November 29, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 48
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INSIDE.
Heights retailers credit local shoppers, not holiday sales, for success By JUHI VARMA The Leader News Contributor Thanksgiving is around the corner, bringing with it the annual wave of Black Friday sales. But in the Heights, small, independently owned shops take a more measured view of the retail frenzy. Some plan modest promotions, while others say the day has little effect on their overall sales. Across the board, store owners report steady business, knock on wood, and say they don’t depend on
Black Friday, not with the loyal Heights customers who make a point to shop local year-round. Heights Antiques on Yale, a large two-story shop at 2110 Yale St., has been in Hunter Erlenbach’s family for decades. Hunter Erlenbach, who started helping at the store when he was 12—about 18 years ago— says Black Friday has little effect on small, local businesses. “Black Friday doesn’t really impact us,” he said. “Corporations use it to boost sales because they’re trying to
turn a profit. Small businesses don’t need to rely on it.” Owners of retail boutiques — not including the neighborhood’s many restaurants, cafés, and wellness studios — consistently credit the community for keeping them strong. Emerson Rose, a boutique on West 19th Street, offers unique apparel, accessories, gifts, and home décor — the kind of items shoppers won’t find in big-box stores. “We see a lot of foot traffic on Manready Mercantile is a premium general goods store known for its soy candles. Pictured above is employee Sean Gogolin.
See SHOP P. 2
SMALL COTTAGE, BIG SPIRIT
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Surveillance photos: Person of interest sought in fatal stabbing of teen
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Cocktails for a Cause: The Kid teams up with Kids’ Meals to fight childhood hunger
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Pet of the Week: Meet Bingo, a gentle soul ready for a fresh start
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Houston Heritage Holiday Market to complement 62nd Annual Candlelight and Carols Tour
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Houston’s Michelin Moment: 39 restaurants earn spots in 2025 guide — with several standouts close to home
The ‘Heights Holiday House’ on the Nicholson Trail never fails to enamor and inspire its neighbors and community.
Photo by Stephanie Shirley
Nicholson Trail home is a festive favorite in the Heights
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor At first glance, the two men living in a cottage home along the Nicholson Trail couldn’t be more different. Eric, who is very artistic and creative, works for a décor and events company. Scotty, who is more analytical and numbers-oriented, works for a prominent financial services company. But when they met, they found they both had a shared passion for bringing happiness to those around them -- and that wasn’t the only thing they had in common. Coincidentally, they also shared the last name Martinez even prior to their marriage. Scotty has owned the modest Heights cottage on the Nicholson Trail since 2013 and had always done some holiday decorating. “It was mostly decorated at just Halloween and Christmas and far more
Submitted photo
Eric and Scotty Martinez, owners of the ‘Heights Holiday House’ shown here with their pups Presley and Bennet, proudly spread holiday spirit.
Houston’s dining scene continues to participate on a global stage. At a private ceremony in downtown Houston last month, The Michelin Guide released its 2025 Texas selections — and the Bayou City delivered once again. Thirty-nine Houston restaurants made the list this year, a jump from last year’s inaugural showing and a sign of the city’s growing culinary influence. As expected, the lineup includes finedining heavyweights, creative neighborhood gems, and some of Houston’s most beloved barbecue joints. But for readers in the Heights, Garden Oaks/Oak Forest, Independence Heights, and surrounding neighborhoods, the highlight is clear: several of the Michelin-recognized restaurants are right here, close to home.
★ Michelin Stars: Returning Favorites
Michelin Stars are reserved for restaurants offering “exceptional cuisine” and masterful execution. Houston’s 2025 one-star restaurants — all retaining their stars — include: • BCN Taste & Tradition • Le Jardinier • March • Musaafer • Tatemó
subdued,” he said. Then, after meeting Eric, that all changed and the neighboring community was the beneficiary. “The decorating, both inside and out, continued to grow and build and become more detailed and expansive,” Scotty said. “Everyone viewing the décor stops to admire the creativity. Marveling at the sheer detail, one of the most frequently asked questions we get from passersby on the trail is ‘Where in the world do you store all of this?’” But, where there’s a will, there’s a way. The little cottage was built in 1936 and not remodeled until 2023, expanding their interior but reducing their exterior space. So, they make best use of their frontage space, bordering the trail. Although artistic expression was not
★ Bib Gourmand: Great Food at a Great Value Michelin’s Bib Gourmand designation recognizes restaurants offering highquality cooking at an excellent value. Returning to the Bib list: • Blood Bros. BBQ • Casaema • Killen’s • Killen’s BBQ • Mala Sichuan Bistro • Nam Giao • Nancy’s Hustle • Nobie’s • Pinkerton’s Barbecue • The Pit Room • Rosie Cannonball • Street to Kitchen
See HOUSE P. 2
See MICHELIN P. 3
Give Where You Live: Houston gears up for a powerful Giving Tuesday Hop Into the Holidays: Houston Rabbit Resource hosts “Winter Bunderland” event
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STAFF REPORTS On Tuesday, Dec. 3, communities across the country will rally together for Giving Tuesday, the global day of generosity that encourages people to support the organizations doing the hard, everyday work of strengthening neighborhoods. Here in the Heights, Garden Oaks, and Oak Forest, dozens of nonprofits are transforming lives— feeding families, rescuing animals, supporting students, empowering vulnera-
ble neighbors, preserving local history, expanding arts access, and much more. To help residents give back in meaningful, local ways, The Leader has compiled a guide to communityrooted nonprofits serving our readership area and beyond. Whether you’re looking to donate, volunteer, adopt, mentor, sponsor, or spread the word, these organizations represent opportunities to make an immediate and lasting difference.
Area Nonprofits Making a Difference This Giving Tuesday (Listed in alphabetical order)
Avenue CDC Mission: Builds affordable housing, strengthens local neighborhoods, and advocates for equitable development across Houston. Website: https://www.avenuecdc.org See GIVE P. 3
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