The metal yard art and absurdly oversized chairs in front of BJ Oldies Antiques have come to define the landscape of Lower Westheimer as much as the trendy restaurants and the neon lights in tattoo parlor windows.
But those distinguishing features will soon be history: A "For Lease" sign was posted this week on the green building at the bend, and BJ Oldies owner Becky Pieniadz tells CultureMap that the antique shop will be moving down the street to 1726 Westheimer, in the much smaller storefront next to Cool Stuff formerly home to The Antique & Design Guy.
This means approximately 9,000 square feet of high-profile Montrose property is up for grabs.
This means approximately 9,000 square feet of high-profile Montrose property is up for grabs, just across the way from the oft-celebrated Anvil Bar & Refuge, down the street from award-winning eateries like Hugo's, Uchi and Underbelly and next door to Boondocks, the soon-to-come Stone's Throw and that new hookah lounge.
Calls to the listing agent were not immediately returned, but Pieniadz cites the rising cost of rent (allegedly $10,000 per month) and insurance at 1435 Westheimer as reasons for the departure. A previous listing suggested retail and restaurant tenants would find a good fit in the property along the "high traffic" artery.
"The last thing I wanted was to move out of here," Pieniadz says. The store will remain open through the end of August as they clear out inventory and transport vintage and antique furniture, vinyl records, kitsch knickknacks and flying pigs down the street.
Pieniadz explains that BJ Oldies — which stands for Becky Jo — started in the flea market in 1990, and has been open at 1435 Westheimer for five and a half years. A second location at 1714 Westheimer, next door to Agora, will also remain open.
The furniture and metal yard art outside of BJ Oldies Antiques have come to define the Lower Westheimer landscape in recent years.
