Australian inspired coffee shop picks Heights for Texas entry

Bluestone Lane, an Australian-inspired coffee roaster and neighborhood café based in New York, is coming to Texas.

The company, which as been working with advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal Property Solutions in New York in its expansion since 2017, has selected a 4,400-square-foot building at 115 W. 19th St. in the Heights neighborhood for its first location. The building, now owned by Wolf Capital Partners, was previously home to Becks Prime.

"Houston is a market with huge growth potential as it offers a great mix of local residents and urban professionals,” Nick Stone, founder and CEO of Bluestone Lane, said in an announcement. “Our first venture into Texas, this location will provide our signature premium coffee along with our entire cafe menu of deliciously healthy all-day fare."

Daniel Bodner, senior director at Alvarez & Marsal Property Solutions, along with Chris Reyes and Tyler Trevino of Shop Cos. represented the tenant. Bluestone Lane will occupy the entire building, which has two stories and a large outdoor seating area.

Wolf Capital Partners, a Houston-based company that has renovated several buildings in the Heights, acquired the building in September.

"When they became aware of this property, they were just really excited about it and moved really quick," said Zach Wolf, owner of Wolf Capital Partners.

Wolf said the freestanding building's location on 19th Street at Yale and dedicated parking was appealing. Nearby, Goode Co. has leased the former Down House location.

"We really liked the architecture of the building," Wolf said. "We think it has a traditional Heights look to it." 

Bluestone Lane operates 51 coffee shops and cafés across the U.S., primarily concentrated in and around major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston and San Francisco. The new Houston location plans an early 2022 opening.