Snapping up a freeway-fronting site, Los Angeles-based BCD Tofu House will open its first location in Texas in NewQuest Properties' Carrollton Town Center, a 91%-leased project of Asian-influenced restaurants, bubble tea spots and innovative retail shops.
Construction will begin in the spring on one of the project's most prominent pad sites. The half-acre tract fronts East Trinity Mills Road at an on-ramp to President George Bush Turnpike. BCD Tofu House's 4,137-sf freestanding restaurant, featuring a 128-seat capacity, is expected to open in the fall.
Heather Nguyen, development partner for Houston-based NewQuest Properties, and associate John Nguyen negotiated directly with BCD Tofu House. The lease at Carrollton Town Center has been four years in the making.
"They studied the market extensively and made several trips to Texas," Heather Nguyen says. "They saw and heard first-hand the success stories of our tenants in Carrollton Town Center. And they paid attention."
Carrollton Town Center's phase I, totaling 154,872 sf, is a dining and shopping destination with leading Asian brands as its drawing card. The lineup is anchored by 99 Ranch Market, one of the world's largest gourmet Asian supermarket chains. Retailers Daiso, Today Comfort and Kinokuniya books are co-tenants with a growing list of "foodie" attractions like 85°C Bakery & Café, Gen Korean BBQ House, T-Swirl Crepe and Kula's Revolving Sushi Bar.
"We're at the point in our tenancy that we're being selective," Heather Nguyen says. "BCD Tofu House is a recognized name in the Asian community. Its customers know the quality and the brand."
First-generation Korean immigrants Hee Sook Lee and her husband, an award-winning chef, opened the first BCD Tofu House in 1996 in Los Angeles. Named after a city in Korea where the family once owned a restaurant, the chain now has 10 restaurants in California, two in New York and one in New Jersey. The Korean cuisine's specialty fare – velvety soft, organic Soon Tofu – is made at each location and known for its superb taste and health benefits. Soon
Tofu soups, other popular Korean dishes and sides like rice and Kimchi are served in hot stone crocks. Vegetarian and cold dishes are on the menu too. Trip Advisor has ranked BCD Tofu House as the fourth best restaurant in Los Angeles.
"They came to the U.S. and fulfilled their dream," Nguyen says. "They're still very humble people. NewQuest is honored to add them as a tenant."
CENTRAL TEXAS SALE
Austin Lodging Associates has sold a 0.51-acre tract in downtown Austin at the junction of 74 N. Interstate 35, 72 N. Interstate 234B and 68 East Ave. to Perry Lorenz. Glenn Dickerson of NewQuest Properties represented the seller. Jack Weiss of Quick & Co. Commercial Realty represented the buyer.
NORTH TEXAS LEASE
BCD Tofu House has leased a 4,137-sf freestanding restaurant on a half-acre pad site in Carrollton Town Center, located at the intersection of TX 161 (President George Bush Turnpike) and Old Denton Road, Carrollton, from NewQuest Properties. Heather Nguyen and John Nguyen of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord in the direct deal.
SOUTH TEXAS LEASE
Citi Trends has renewed 10,290 sf of retail space in Fondren Southwest Village, located at the intersection of West Bellfort Avenue and Fondren Road, Houston, from Garrison Fondren LLC. Austen Baldridge and Brad Elmore of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord in the direct deal.
