Yilun Cheng | April 4, 2023
West Houston soon is to welcome a diverse blend of new restaurants and stores, including 99 Ranch Market, Teso Life and Gen Korean BBQ House, as a redevelopment project aims to transform a run-down strip mall into a thriving 90,000-square-foot commercial center spotlighting international merchandise and cuisine.
The shopping center, previously known as the Pavilion Center, was expected to relaunch under its new name, "West on West." It is to occupy a 10-acre site between South Dairy Ashford Road and South Kirkwood Road.
NewQuest Properties, the real estate firm spearheading the project, scoured the globe for innovative concepts to delight Houston's food enthusiasts, according to the company's development partner, Heather Nguyen. The goal was to provide Houston with a "wow factor," as suggested by the project's acronym.
“We’re passionate about creating an adventurous dining destination that offers options to please every palate,” Nguyen said in a statement. “The resulting W-O-W acronym is so fitting for what’s in store for guests from a food, fashion and fun factor.”
NewQuest Properties has announced three tenants slated to debut in late 2023 or early 2024: Asian-centric grocery store 99 Ranch Market, Japanese department store Teso Life and South Korean restaurant Gen Korean BBQ House.
South Korean bakery chain Paris Baguette also filed a project plan to open a new location at the address. NewQuest Properties included other businesses in its site plan, such as the Ramen restaurant Tsujita La Noodle and bubble tea store The Alley Tea. The developer also has proposals to add a sushi restaurant, another bakery and a soft-serve dessert shop called Somisomi, none of which had officially been confirmed as of Tuesday.
The Houston area is already home to three Ranch 99 Markets, including one in Sugar Land and one in Katy. Founded by a Taiwanese immigrant, the national chain is known for its groceries, snacks, home goods, cosmetics and other products from a range of Asian countries. Each location also features a food court and a bakery celebrated for its egg tarts and other fresh baked goods.
Houston's newest Ranch 99 Market location is expected to open at the heart of the West on West Center in late 2023. It is expected to take $4 million to renovate the 33,029-square-foot space, according to project filings, as the market aims to become the focal point of the revitalized commercial center.
Joining the supermarket is Teso Life, a value-oriented, New York-based department store chain that sells Japanese brands. Customers will find a wide array of low-cost, high-quality Japanese home goods, beauty and cosmetic products and grocery items in the 13,340-square-foot location – the first and only Teso Life in Houston.
Also coming to west Houston is Gen Korean BBQ House, which already has found success in this market through its two existing locations. The restaurant will occupy a 6,212-square-foot space. Both the South Korean eatery and the Japanese department store are expected to open late this year or early next year.
Paris Baguette, which had not yet been formally announced, submitted plans with city and state regulators to open a new location at West on West, with an estimated construction cost of $490,000 and an October completion date. The South Korean bakery recently opened a location in Katy Asian Town and announced its plan to expand to Houston. Soon, Houstonians also will be able to enjoy its freshly-baked breads, delicious coffee and cakes.
NewQuest Properties, also responsible for a similar project called Katy Grand, said the redevelopment was intended to serve the diverse community in its surrounding area, of which approximately 15 percent of residents within a five-mile radius are Asian.
“We are thrilled to be helming a significant redevelopment that not only further enhances, but also draws on, the unique attributes of this community,” said NewQuest Properties President Austin Alvis, according to a statement.
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