Black restaurateurs to figure prominently in culinary redevelopment of Midtown Sears.
Black chefs and operators will figure prominently in culinary offerings planned for the Ion and the innovation district redevelopment of the former Sears in Midtown.
The Ion recently announced three restaurants, including Late August, a concept from chefs Chris Williams of Lucille’s and his James Beard Award semifinalist partner chef Dawn Burrell, and a brick-andmortar location for Third Ward food truck Stuff ’d Wings. Both are Blackowned businesses.
Late August, one of the projects under Lucille’s Hospitality Group, will feature an Afro-Asian menu from Burrell, serving lunch, dinner and brunch. The restaurant’s name is inspired by Sears, whose catalog was traditionally released in late August prior to the holiday shopping season.
Burrell also is one of two Houston chefs who will be among the contestants on the 18th season of Bravo’s hit reality show “Top Chef,” premiering April 1. The other competing chef is Sasha Grumman, former executive chef at Rosalie Italian Soul.
Stuff ’d Wings, which will be adjacent to the Ion, is the first standalone restaurant from Jarrod and Prisoria Rector, whose food truck at 6402 Tierwester has developed a loyal following. Their restaurant will feature their signature wings, chicken and pork boudin, seafood boudin, macaroni and cheese, dirty rice, loaded fries and milkshakes. The 2,400-squarefoot restaurant will include an outdoor patio.
The Ion’s third culinary partner will be Common Bond Cafe, the bakery and bistro chain that already enjoys a strong footprint in Houston. The Common Bond On-the-Go Ion will feature a graband-go menu of baked goods, breakfast, cold sandwiches, salads and coffee drinks. The restaurant will offer both indoor and outdoor seating.
All three are expected to open early summer as part of the transformation of the former Sears at 4201 Main and the surrounding Innovation District, part of Rice University’s Ion innovation hub.
“The new restaurants coming to the Ion and district showcase Houston’s deep culinary culture and local flair that Houstonians identify and
connect with. We’re excited for the Ion and district to be a place that celebrates and supports Houston’s diverse entrepreneurial community,” said Sam Dike, manager of strategic initiatives at Rice Management Co., which is leading the development of the Ion and surrounding Innovation District.