This East Tennessee–inspired barbecue joint moved from its Westbury location to Sawyer Yards in 2019 after being promised a “thriving new development.” But after COVID hit, the development’s plans fell through, and issues piled up, including construction that obstructed the entrance to Fainmous BBQ. Rather than shutting down completely, Fainmous owners Karen and James Fain pivoted to focus on its catering business, but it wasn’t enough to sustain the restaurant. Recently slammed with a $72,000 rent notice from their landlord, the two are ready to move on. The Fains launched a GoFundMe, requesting financial support to help relocate their catering operation and “set up shop for catering and light retail in a new space.” 

The closure comes after Texas Monthly reported that barbecue closures in Texas are on the rise due to fewer people dining out and rising costs, which can drive up menu prices. In the past year or so, Houston has lost other barbecue joints, including Brett’s BBQ Shop in Katy, which closed in December, Brooks' Place BBQ in Cypress, and Pecan Grill in West Houston, which shuttered last summer.

Following the announcement of its plans to close the Katy location of Union Kitchen, Gr8 Plate Hospitality decided to shut down its Ella Boulevard outpost, too, making way for the newly opened restaurant, Jax on the Tracks. According to a press release, the new spot marks an evolution for the Jax Grill brand, noting it will offer refined takes on wings, burgers, and pizzas, plus desserts from Kenny & Ziggy’s. 

Less than a year after opening in Regent Square, this Montrose restaurant officially closed its doors on Thursday, February 5. In a statement posted to Instagram, the restaurant owner, Shawn Virene, cited ongoing issues with “access, parking, and valet limitations,” noting that the nearby parking garage had at least two levels reserved solely for apartment tenants in the area. “Succulent was a labor of love, and this was not an easy decision,” Virene said in the statement. “It has been an honor to serve our guests, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported us.” Though it’s goodbye for now, Virene has invited fans of Succulent to a’Bouzy, the modern French restaurant he still owns in Montrose.

Wild Concepts’ second location of its coffee shop, cocktail lounge, and THC dispensary bar is now closed. Located on Westheimer, this Montrose hangout was an expanded version of its sister spot in the Heights, offering a speakeasy jungle-themed lounge with cocktails, hemp specials and elixirs, a dispensary, and a restaurant that once gave diners the option to infuse their meals with hemp-based THC or CBD. Houstonians looking for a place to unwind and catch a buzz can still visit Wild’s Heights flagship or Grinder’s Coffee Bar near Rice Village.

The Kirby Group, the hospitality team behind the recently closed Verde Garden, has also shut its doors on its Midtown cocktail bar, Wooster’s Garden, after more than a decade in business. In a text to CultureMap, co-owner Jeff Barati said he and business partner, Andy Aweida, chose to lease the space to another tenant, so an exciting announcement is in the works.