HOUSTON – With NewQuest at its side, New York-based Thursday Boot Co. has selected Houston for its only Texas store in a four-city expansion of the popular e-commerce brand’s brick-and-mortar locations.
The online retailer, which is on Shopify’s 200 Best Stores’ list, is planning to open in October at 5407 Kelvin Dr. in Houston’s Rice Village. Thursday will stamp its trend-setting brand on a 2,812-sf storefront in one of the city’s most vibrant pedestrian-friendly shopping districts.
“It speaks volumes for Houston that it was selected in a competition with other major cities in the country,” says Josh Friedlander, leasing director and senior vice president of locally based NewQuest. He represented Thursday in the site search and lease negotiations.
Thursday’s choice of Houston’s Rice Village puts it on par with its existing storefronts in New York’s fabled Flatiron District and SoHo, Wicker Park in Chicago, Hayes Valley in San Francisco and the high-end Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J. Shopify has recognized the footwear influencer for the quality, durability and pricing of its line of boots and shoes, which is complemented by clothing and accessories.
Also this year, Thursday will be opening storefronts in Denver’s Highland District, Silver Lake in Los Angeles and Georgetown in Washington, D.C. The selection of cities, including Houston, was based on a thorough evaluation of online customer bases, mining the data down as deep as zip codes, according to Friedlander.
“We’ve been honing our craft for more than a decade. Now we have customers across the U.S. asking to shop with us in person,” says Connor Wilson, Thursday’s co-founder. “We have prioritized cities where we believe Thursday resonates most, where teammates can build exciting careers and where we can provide genuine hospitality to our customers.”
Thursday will occupy more than half of a 4,600-sf retail building in Rice Village. Renee Kaiser and Christie Amezquita of the SHOP Cos. represented the landlord, Slice of Rice LLC.
“There were a few options for the Texas store,” Friedlander says, “but Rice Village stood out from the others. It’s a destination that closely matches the brand’s other locations.”
NORTH TEXAS LEASE
Urban Vybe has leased 2,085 sf of retail space in Lantana Town Center, located at the intersection of FM 407 and Jeter Road, Bartonville, from NewQuest. Josh Friedlander and Nina Kuhn-Irwin of NewQuest represented the landlord. Robert Luleff of City Commercial Realty represented the tenant.
SOUTH TEXAS LEASES
Bath & Body Works has leased 3,671 sf of retail space in Texas Heritage Marketplace, located at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Texas Heritage Parkway, Katy, from NewQuest. Bob Conwell and David Meyers of NewQuest represented the landlord. Grant Rising of Belfort Assets represented the tenant.
Bafang Dumplings has leased 3,402 sf of retail space in Baytown Plaza II, located at the intersection of Garth Road and Independence Boulevard, Baytown, from NewQuest. Kevin Sims and Nick Ramsey of NewQuest represented the landlord. Rebecca Le of NewQuest represented the tenant.
Thursday Boot Co. has leased 2,812 sf of retail space at 5407 Kelvin Dr., Houston, from Slice of Rice LLC. Josh Friedlander of NewQuest represented the tenant. Renee Kaiser and Christie Amezquita of the SHOP Cos. represented the landlord.
Dunkin/Jimmy John’s has leased 2,450 sf of retail space in The Grand at 249, located at the intersection of TX 249 and Grand Parkway, Tomball, from NewQuest. Andrew Alvis of NewQuest represented the landlord. Rebecca Le of NewQuest represented the tenant.
Grit + Grind has leased 1,950 sf of retail space in West Lake Shopping Center, 15444 Highway 105, Conroe, from NewQuest. Bob Conwell and Austen Baldridge of NewQuest represented the landlord. Rob King of Connect Realty represented the tenant.
