Major Midtown Development The Ion Announces 3 Culinary Tenants
The plaza at The Ion in Midtown.
According to an announcement on Thursday, three food concepts will open this spring at The Ion and its surrounding District, located among 16 acres at Main Street and Richmond Avenue.
Those concepts are Late August, the restaurant from Lucille's Hospitality Group led by Chris Williams and Dawn Burrell; the first brick-and-mortar location of Third Ward-area food truck STUFF'd Wings; and the fourth Common Bond On-the-Go.
"The new restaurants coming to The Ion and District showcase Houston’s deep culinary culture and local flare that Houstonians identify and connect with," said Sam Dike, manager of strategic initiatives at Rice Management Company, which is leading the development of the project. "We’re excited for The Ion and District to be a place that celebrates and supports Houston’s diverse entrepreneurial community."
Late August, a concept that was announced last week and will be a showcase for Top Chef season 18 contestant and 2020 James Beard semifinalist Burrell, will occupy the former Sears department store space at the development. In fact, the name Late August comes from the time of year the store's iconic catalog would be published. Burrell's menu will focus on Afro-Asian fusion.
"I’m really excited for the opportunity to introduce this original concept in such a historic space, which has been given new life as Houston’s heart of innovation," says Williams. "Our goal with Late August is to honor the origins of the property, while also tapping into its future."
A rendering of the entrance to Late August.
Image: Courtesy Late August
STUFF'd Wings, from Jarrod Rector, will take on a fast-casual profile at a 2,400-square-foot space inside The Ion. Look for bone-in chicken wings stuffed with boudin, macaroni and cheese, and other Southern comfort specialties, plus non-food-truck offerings and milkshakes. STUFF'd Wings will have an outdoor patio as well.
Finally, Common Bond, which over the last year has opened three On-the-Go concepts that sell baked goods, all-day bites, and quick cold lunches and salads, along with coffee, beer, wine, and other drinks, will have a space with indoor and outdoor seating.
This won't be all for The Ion and its District, which aims to be a hub for innovation with space for incubators, accelerators, entrepreneurs, and more. The Ion will soon announce additional retail tenants for both the 288,000-square-foot building and its surrounding area.
