Kinokuniya Book Stores of America Co. Ltd., a leading retailer of Anime and Manga, is in the soft opening stage in NewQuest Properties' phase II of Katy Grand in west Houston, where the vision is to create a crossroads of culture within the tenant mix.
The 4,000-sf store is Kinokuniya's first in Houston, fourth in Texas and 14th in the U.S. While being a relative newcomer to the Lone Star State, the Japan-based retail chain is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the opening of its San Francisco store, its first in the nation. Kinokuniya has more than 1,000 locations worldwide.
"Kinokuniya has a strong fan base. People have been coming to Katy Grand to see if it's open," says Heather Nguyen, a development partner with Houston-based NewQuest. "I can't begin to describe all the things this store carries. You'll be surprised at what you find."
Among the innovative features in Kinokuniya's new store is "Makerspace," a dedicated nook for workshops, presentations, lectures and interactive experiences that will allow customers to connect with people from different backgrounds. The store also will offer an expanded Anime and Manga selection featuring special editions and English translations of the popular shows and books. Employee training and final in-store tweaks are underway.
"With so many young families in Katy, this is giving children a different cultural experience," Nguyen says. "It will give local bookworms and the culturally curious far more than what is typically found in a bookstore. It's an adventure going into Kinokuniya."
In fact, the second phase of Katy Grand is rolling out as an exchange of cultural experiences in west Houston: 85° C Bakery & Café opened in June; SomiSomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki in July; and now Kinokuniya. Coming on line in two weeks is Kula Revolving Sushi Bar. Tim Ho Wan, a Michelin-rated restaurant chain, will open in February.
Katy Grand came to life as a Cinemark-anchored class A development of leading American retail brands, a 21.47-acre project planted at the junction of Interstate 10 and Grand Parkway/TX 99.
In early 2018, the decision was made to fill the 7.43-acre phase II with international retail shops and restaurants, as Nguyen has done at Carrollton Town Center in north Dallas.
To date, Nguyen and Rebecca Le, one of NewQuest's senior vice presidents, have filled all but 2,000 sf of the 19,119 sf in the first building of Katy Grand's expansion phase. They are now preleasing a second structure to add 16,902 sf to NewQuest's vision to use retail developments as a diversity resource for communities. Construction will begin in the coming months.
Katy Grand, which has dual freeway visibility, is passed by more than 200,000 vehicles on daily commutes between the rapidly expanding western suburbs and Greater Houston's major employment centers, including the Energy Corridor and Houston CBD. One of the retail development's amenities is a six-level Metro parking structure with 1,727 spaces.
There are more than 266,000 people living within the five-mile trade area of Katy Grand. And in the next seven years, the Katy Independent School District's enrollment is projected to hit 900,000 students.
"NewQuest is at the forefront of an emerging development trend," Nguyen says. "We see Katy Grand as a prototype for multi-cultural, family-oriented regional destinations of experiential dining, shopping and entertainment options for everyone."
CENTRAL TEXAS LEASE
Bath & Body Works has leased 5,000 sf of retail space in Stone Hill Town Center, located at the intersection of TX 130 and 45, Pflugerville, from NewQuest Properties. Josh Friedlander and Rebecca Le of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. David Shelton of CBRE represented the tenant.
SOUTH TEXAS LEASES
Timewise has ground-leased 2.45 acres in the Grand at Aliana, located at the intersection of West Grand Parkway S and West Airport Boulevard, Richmond, from NewQuest Properties. Josh Friedlander and David Meyers of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Dave Ramsey of NewQuest Properties represented the tenant.
BurgerIM has leased 2,001 sf of retail space in Metropark Square Shopping Center, 8888 Metropark Dr., Shenandoah, from Metropark Square Ltd. Rebecca Le and Grace La of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Jesse Hernandez of Huntington Properties represented the tenant.
SOUTH TEXAS SALE
Texas Northpoint LLC has sold four commercial acres along Tomball Parkway/TX 249, Tomball, to Tomball Integrated Investments LLC to develop a 60,000-sf medical office project. Jeff Lokey and Ashley Strickland of NewQuest Properties represented the seller. Robert Garcia of Brauman Realty Inc. represented the buyer.
NewQuest Properties, founded in 2001, is a privately owned, full-service commercial real estate firm specializing in development, land brokerage, leasing, tenant representation, investment sales and property management services. Headquartered in Houston, NewQuest owns a portfolio encompassing more than 60 retail and mixed-use projects valued at $2.2 billion and provides leasing services for more than 12 million square feet of commercial space in Texas, Louisiana and throughout the U.S.
