By Charlotte Aguilar Many bibliophiles were skeptical whether Barnes & Noble — when announcing the closing of the 28-year location in Vanderbilt Square last year — was sincere about its posted request for help in finding a new location nearby. It was. Rip Reynolds, leasing agent for Weslayan Plaza, confirmed to Essentials Saturday that the store is reopening on the west … [Read more...] about Barnes & Noble opening new chapter at Weslayan Plaza

Bellaire Business
It’s official: state is taking over Houston ISD starting with an appointed board
By Charlotte Aguilar The state made its move Wednesday (March 15) to take over Houston ISD, which Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said would begin in earnest after school is out with replacement of the elected school board by a local “board of managers” that he will appoint by June 1. In fact, the education agency posted listings Tuesday — apparently … [Read more...] about It’s official: state is taking over Houston ISD starting with an appointed board
Weslayan Plaza gains one high-profile tenant, close to signing another as Tuesday Morning exits
By Charlotte Aguilar The rumor that’s been spread in salon chairs and on local social media for weeks is official: Beautique Day Spa and Salon is leaving Rice Village after 67 years to relocate to Weslayan Plaza. Rip Reynolds, leasing agent for Regency Centers, confirmed the move to Essentials Monday evening (Feb. 22). He said center management is prepping the spaces formerly … [Read more...] about Weslayan Plaza gains one high-profile tenant, close to signing another as Tuesday Morning exits
O’Reilly’s plans to rebuild at same Bellaire site
The concerns about the demolition of O’Reilly Auto Parts, 5134 Spruce St., in Bellaire, and outcry about the business’ future should subside: The store will rebuild at the same spot and is working with the city to meet the quirky development requirements for the Urban Village-Downtown area in which The chain’s original request for a variance to build a new one-story structure … [Read more...] about O’Reilly’s plans to rebuild at same Bellaire site
The odds on Trader Joe’s coming to town: Will Two-Buck Chuck ever live in Bellaire or West U?
By Charlotte Aguilar The murmur never quite goes away, reaching a crescendo at times like this, when a nice-sized, reasonably updated supermarket property becomes available in the Bellaire-West University area. It’s always campaign season when a community is trying to snag a Trader Joe’s Market. Read social media posts or converse with a Trader Joe’s aficionado, and one would … [Read more...] about The odds on Trader Joe’s coming to town: Will Two-Buck Chuck ever live in Bellaire or West U?