Houston landmark The Stables demolished

The home of the late, great Stables Restaurant was demolished this week after shutting down operation last December. The restaurant was sold to an investment partnership last fall, ending the 40-year run of one of Houston's favorite dining establishments. The same investment partnership has been acquiring other tracts of land in the area.

The Stables had been around since it opened in the 1950's. Another of the restaurant's locations in River Oaks, a favorite among Houston's "movers and shakers," shut down many years ago. The more recently axed location on South Main, famous for its resemblance to a barn, used to be the center of fine eatery in Houston:

The Main Street location, meanwhile, is in an area of town that used to be considered the place to go out and eat. Bygone restaurants such as Sonny Looks, Gaido's, Ruby Red's and the Red Lion were all popular places there in past years.

The demolition of The Stables represents the end of an era for many Houstonians, who now have only 5,000 restaurants to choose from when they want to eat out.