Houstonist: River Oaks Shopping Center could be on Weingarten's *hit-list

Lavalevel

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:12:29 -0600

Oh. Hmmm. So I guess my friends who work the River Oaks Theater Bar could be out of a job in a few years? yikes. Good Cause. But I would guess it would stay open. There are way to many super rich clientele that pay 150$ a seat whenever some famous actor comes there and shows a movie. good to sign on anyhow.

Jim Parsons

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:56:26 -0600

LL, this is still very much the case. Weingarten has already demolished half the original part of the center, as you probably know, and is replacing it with a two-story retail thing with a giant Barnes & Noble attached. The other half is scheduled to come down next, though it's not clear when that'll happen given the economy. Landmark does operate the River Oaks Theater, but it doesn't own the theater — just leases the space from Weingarten. The theater lease has been extended a bit (I think until 2012), but after that, it's anyone's guess as to what will happen. My guess: no more River Oaks Theater.

Lavalevel

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:26:32 -0600

Isn't this not the case anymore? I clicked a banner which led me to this link. The banner was about signing a petition? Landmark theaters which own hundreds of theaters across america bought it a while ago. right?

tejasgurl

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:31:18 -0600

Besides writing to Weingarten, the mayor, etc. We might want to write Barnes & Noble too. See http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com for info. We can work off the facts that they are proud of their history and the original store is still standing in NYC and their mission includes listening to the communities they serve. And we are being greatly served by them just 1 mile away in the Alabama Theater Bookstop [which we love very much]. See below for lifts from their website regarding history and mission. History The Original Barnes & Noble Barnes & Noble's beginnings can be traced to 1873, when Charles M. Barnes started a book business from his home in Wheaton, Illinois. In 1917, his son, William, went to New York to join G. Clifford Noble in establishing Barnes & Noble. During the height of the Great Depression, what later became the Barnes & Noble flagship store was opened on Fifth Avenue at 18th Street in New York City, where it still resides today. This store developed a worldwide reputation for excellence by serving millions of customers with its comprehensive selection of general trade books, academic titles and textbooks, and medical books. Mission Above all, we expect to be a credit to the communities we serve, a valuable resource to our customers, and a place where our dedicated booksellers can grow and prosper. Toward this end we will not only listen to our customers and booksellers but embrace the idea that the Company is at their service. Thanks for caring and doing!

Lorie

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:06:28 -0600

thougt you might like to read this

Jooley Ann

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:13:20 -0600

As someone who was born and grew up in SW Houston in the 70's & 80's -- and frequented the RO Theatre -- I find this utterly tragic. The theatre is a cultural and historical icon. It is irreplaceable and should be on a list of protected properties, not a hit list. If it were poorly cared for or abandoned, an argument for demolition and replacement might be tenable. However, it is neither of those things. Surely there is something that can be done...?

Phototainable

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 17:03:15 -0600

As I said on Houston Photobloggers; It is ironic then, that the Houston Chronicle should list River Oaks theatre number 2 in it's top 20 cool things about Houston!

Katya (Slight Clutter)

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 10:07:14 -0600

Houston, It's Worth It? Maybe, but not for long if companies like Weingarten keep having their way with our city's landmarks. It's a shame.

lauren

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 19:09:11 -0600

also, the shopping center's site (http://www.riveroaksshoppingcenter.com/aboutcenter.htm) says it's the oldest shopping center in texas, and the second oldest in the nation...

jim

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:44:09 -0600

I just don't understand how they could think of tearing down the things — River Oaks theater, Art Deco shopping center, bookstore in the restored Alabama theater — that make people want to go to these places at all. It'll be a real shame if Houston lets this happen.

Sonia

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:10:44 -0600

We tend to stay away from the north side, and katy area because after a while everything starts to look the same. The same old big chain restaurants, clothing stores, coffee shops, electronics outlets etc. We love living in the Galleria/Richmond/Montrose area because there is so much diversity. We frequent Mom & Pop stores often and enjoy getting to know the owners. I can't imagine living anywhere where that type of diversity doesn't exist (well, technically, I can because I grew up near Willowbrook Mall, but got away as soon as I could!). Reading about the River Oaks Theater being demolished makes my stomach turn. Welcome to the homogenization of the "ecclectic" parts of town. Yeh, what we need is another high rise...and while they're at it could they possibly entertain the idea of putting a Starbucks in said high-rise for a sum total of THREE Starbucks on one block!?! ARGH!