this week's hot headlines

Hoffman's glowing memories of I.W. Marks upon his store's surprise news leads week's top stories

Ken Hoffman shared his memories of Irv Marks.

I W Marks Jewelers/Facebook

Editor's note: It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week.

1. Ken Hoffman remembers a Houston retail icon as his jewelry store closes forever. Houston will be a little less Texan and a little more everywhere else without I W Marks.

2. Memorial Park invites Houston to grand opening of new, state-of-the-art running complex. More than a simple running track, the complex is designed to be a central gathering spot for all Memorial Park visitors.

3. Lakeside Houston neighbor is 10th fastest-growing affordable suburb in U.S., report finds. The city's average housing price is the fourth most affordable out of all 20 cities in the study..

4. Downtown’s new record shop spins vinyl vibes, speakeasy-style cocktail bar, and listening lounge. The bar will feature themed vinyl nights and resident DJs who will spin tunes covering a range of eras and styles.

5. 3 Houston ZIP codes are among hottest in U.S. for new apartments, report says. The area near Memorial Park, 77007, added more than 5,000 units between 2018 and 2022.

Courtesy of Houston First Corp.

Fifteen Texas restaurants now hold one Michelin star.

Editor's note: It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week.

1. 7 hot takes on Houston's 31 restaurants in the Texas Michelin Guide. The night's biggest takeaway is the more than 20 barbecue restaurants that made Texas' first-ever Michelin Guide.

2. How to watch the invite-only Michelin Guide Texas ceremony — plus predictions. People from all over the world tuned in to see which Texas restaurants would be included.

3. Michelin Guide removes shuttered Houston Vietnamese restaurant. The Montrose restaurant closed after the inspectors made their selections but before Monday's announcement.

4. A Houston desi wedding to remember: Ruchi and Walter’s unforgettable union. Bollywood-inspired glam and timeless Texan charm danced side by side at the Bryan Museum in Galveston.

5. Steakhouse wine expert wins prestigious Houston sommelier competition. The winning presentation showcased Rhone-style grapes, such as Cinsault, Syrah, and Grenache, grown in places other than France’s Rhone Valley.