CultureMap Video
Coffeehouse recovery: Agora rises from the ashes and reopens
Indie coffeehouse cruisers feared the worst after an early Halloween morning fire at 1712 Westheimer: A prolonged closure of the beloved Agora. But fret not.
After nearly two and a half months of repairs and renovations, and a planned New Year's Eve relaunch that had to be put off, the haunt will reopen Wednesday — in time for the weekly belly dancing bacchanalia.
Agora devotees worried that the coffeehouse's Greco character would be forever altered by the blaze, but owner Michael Sotiropoulos implemented smart innovations that leave the original alternative flavor intact.
After the fire, the roof collapsed, destroying portions of the café below. Along with a new roof, Sotiropoulos installed new wood floors, railings and air conditioning. Diehard Agora goers will notice sly updates, like tinted windows on east and west-facing walls and corner resting spots.
The steep staircase and balcony setup is the same, and although the majority of the furniture has been replaced, Sotiropoulos culled pieces from Montrose antique ateliers to maintain the established style.
Other bonuses: A top-notch Italian espresso machine and expanded surface parking in the lot formerly occupied by Antiques Warehaus, which completely burned down in the fire. Expect a food stand to pop up at any moment in the empty lot.
On Tuesday afternoon, the construction crew and Agora employees were putting the final touches on the building between requisite smoking breaks. Take a sneak peek tour with Sotiropoulos and CultureMap: