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Saturday, March 28, 2026 • Vol. 71 • No. 12
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So long, good-bye… By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com After 70+ years of telling the stories that make our neighborhoods feel like home, this is the one we never quite imagined writing. On April 1, The Leader will close its doors. This week’s edition (March 28) will be our final print product; in less than a week’s time, theleadernews.com and its social media will go silent. From the beginning, our mission was simple: to reflect the heartbeat of this small town within a big city—to cel-
ebrate its wins, chronicle its growth, and, when needed, ask the hard questions that help move it forward. We’ve had the privilege of documenting ribbon cuttings and final farewells, new businesses and beloved institutions, everyday moments and once-in-a-lifetime milestones. Through it all, one thing remained constant: you. You invited us in—to your events, your schools, your small businesses, your causes, your lives. You trusted us with your stories. And in return, we did our very best to honor them with care, accuracy, and heart. This newspaper was never just ink on
a page. It was a reflection of a community that shows up—for its neighbors, for its local businesses, for its parks and schools, for the small moments that become lasting memories. It was shaped by the voices of contributors, photographers, advertisers, and readers who believed that local stories matter. And they do. They always will. While this chapter is coming to a close, the spirit behind The Leader— connection, curiosity, and community—doesn’t end here. Those values live on in every person who picks up the mantle of telling stories, supporting
HEIGHTS RESET
Heights jazz pianist to be spotlighted during Jazz Appreciation Month in April
A neighborhood fixture in the Heights is celebrating a major milestone. Familyrun business C&D Hardware will mark its 75th anniversary on April 25 with a day of sales, giveaways and community events. For owner Duane Myers, the anniversary is as much about the people as it is about the store. “We’re in the nation’s fourth largest city, but we know the majority of our clientele by facial recognition and by name,” Myers said. “We’ve watched kids grow up. Some of them have been coming to work for us part time. It’s almost like a home you feel right inside the huge city.”
NIGHT LIGHT illuminates Allen’s Landing March 28
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The former home of Cal-Tex Citrus on 402 Yale was demolished in the blink of an eye and questions abound.
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Save the Date: See what’s happening in and around the neighborhood
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Pet of the Week: Meet Bubbles, the clever cat
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Heights mainstay C&D Hardware marks 75 years of service By JUHI VARMA The Leader News Contributor
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Coming to a Table Near You: Easter feasts, gameday bites, and spring sips
local, and staying engaged. To our readers: thank you for letting us be part of your lives. To our contributors and partners: thank you for helping us tell these stories with depth and meaning. To the Heights/Garden Oaks/Oak Forest community: thank you for giving us something worth writing about, week after week, month after month, year after year. It has been an honor. With gratitude, The Leader
Photo by Stephanie Shirley
Long-standing Heights structure has been razed—what’s next? By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor It was an eyesore and far too often the source of traffic congestion caused by entering and exiting 18-wheelers. The old Cal-Tex industrial facility, known to the community as ‘the juice plant’, spanned the entire eastern 400 block of Yale north of I-10 and served as an unwelcome entry to the distinctive charm of The Heights. Once plans to close/relocate the business were made public, speculations swirled, but there was little confirmation or clarity around ownership, disposition or future plans for the property, until now. While significant, the property located at 402 Yale is just one component of a much larger ongoing narrative and The Leader is
From fan store to hardware staple
C&D Hardware opened in 1951 as a fan store before transitioning into a hardware business. “C&D stands for Dailey and Cobb,” Myers said. “They sold fans and installed fans. After World War II, with the advent of air conditioning, fans were kind of out… so they decided to become a hardware store.” This is the third location of C&D Hardware, Myers said. The first (the former fan store) was closer to 19th Street; the second location was on West 11th. The business has been operating at its current location on East 11th Street since the mid-1970s, though the site itself has an even longer history. Before See C&D P. 2
Photo by Stephanie Shirley
North of I-10, the unsightly industrial building that used to house the former Cal-Tex plant served as an unwelcoming introduction to The Heights.
Azizi’s development firm providing an exclusive look is known for its focus on into the entire story. historical preservation and How it Started creative restoration. Azizi Around 2014, a prominent himself says he became obHouston real estate develop- sessed with its potential. He er and the owner of Caspian was convinced that someEnterprises, Mir Azizi, was thing spectacular could and introduced to a tract of land should be done with the loat the northwest intersection cation. He envisioned someof I-10 and Yale. thing similar to Mercado de
San Miguel, a historic covered market in the heart of Madrid. “I always felt this corner commanded something extraordinary, being the gateway into The Heights,” Azizi said in a rare interview granted to The Leader. However, it became readily apparent why See 402 P. 2
Submitted photo
C&D Hardware opened in 1951 as a fan store before transitioning into a hardware business.
New Mom School opens in Garden Oaks, bringing postpartum support to area families STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com A nationally recognized postpartum support program is expanding to Houston, with New Mom School set to open a new location in the Greater Heights area, serving families in Garden Oaks and surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in Newport Beach, California, in 2012, New Mom School was created to address what many experts describe as a critical gap in care during the “fourth trimester”— the first months after childbirth. The program offers an 8-week, researchbased series designed to support new mothers through early parenthood with expert-led sessions, practical guidance, and a built-in community of peers navigating the same stage of life. The need for that support is significant. Studies show that up to 85 percent of women in the United States experience some form of postpartum
distress, ranging from “baby blues” to more serious conditions like postpartum depression. For the estimated one in seven women affected by postpartum depression, the impact can be long-lasting, underscoring what many healthcare professionals consider a broader maternal mental health crisis. New Mom School Houston is owned by Danielle Flannery, a Houston native and mother of three who said her own experiences shaped her decision to bring the program to the area. After navigating two very different postpartum journeys—including time as a NICU mom— Flannery said she became acutely aware of how limited support can feel once families leave the hospital and begin life at home with a newborn. “That realization inspired me to bring New Mom School to Houston,” Flannery said. “Every mom deserves a place where she
feels seen, supported, and connected during the early months of motherhood. Our goal is to create a community where moms can build meaningful friendships, gain trusted guidance, and truly feel supported through the postpartum journey.” The Greater Heights program will feature a network of local professionals, giving participants direct access to specialists in areas such as physical therapy, mental health, lactation, infant sleep, and nutrition. Confirmed practitioners include experts from organizations such as Beyond Preemie Feeding & Developmental Therapy, Forme Chiro + Wellness, Enso Mama Physical Therapy & Wellness, Leading Lactation, and Baby Begin PT, among others. Alexandra Spitz, founder and CEO of New Mom School Franchising, said the Houston expansion represents an important step in broadening access to comprehensive postpartum care.
“We’re redefining support for new moms in a way that goes beyond traditional mommy-andme classes,” Spitz said. “Bringing this vital resource to the Greater Heights area of Houston is a milestone we’re incredibly excited about. We’re proud to see Danielle expand her franchise and can’t wait to nurture a community of empowered, connected mothers here.” Classes at the new location are set to begin in April. Ahead of the launch, the community is invited to attend a grand opening event on Saturday, March 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., where attendees can meet the expert team and tour the new studio. More information about the program and registration details are available at newmomschool.com/ houston-greater-heights-tx. New Mom School Greater Heights will be located at 1223 W. 34 th St., Suite C-A400, Houston, Texas 77018.