A trio of restaurants and more than two acres they occupy in the Montrose district of Houston have been sold, with the new owner envisioning an entertainment center in their place.
Nino’s, Vincent’s and Grappino di Nino were sold by the family of founder Vincent ‘Bubba’ Mandola, who died from Covid-related heart failure in the Summer of 2020. The 2.57-acre property on West Dallas Street was bought by an affiliate of Houston-based Oxberry Group and TKG Capital Partner, according to the Houston Business Journal.
The Montrose area is known as a cultural hub of Houston, known for its arts and dining scene as well as a history as one of the first neighborhoods in the Bayou city to have a notable LGBT population. Some of its gay bars and nightclubs date to the 1970s.
The new owners are planning to completely redevelop the site this fall and turn the buildings into a new dining destination dubbed the “Harlow District.” The development will span the entire block, along with the Printing Museum on Peveto and West Clay streets. The Harlow District’s first concept is expected to open in late 2022, but there are still leasing opportunities available, according to an announcement.
Mandola opened Nino’s Restaurant in 1977 with his wife Mary Mandola. In 1984 he opened Vincent’s, followed by Grappino’s in 1996. Their daughters, Vinceanne Mandola and Dana Mandola Corbett , joined the family business in the 1990s.
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— Maddy Sperling