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    A Business Mission

    A new non-profit Houston coffee shop fights sex trafficking with every cup of caffeine

    Whitney Radley
    Whitney Radley
    Aug 2, 2012 | 1:56 pm
    A 2nd Cup, coffee house, Heights
    A 2nd Cup volunteers transformed a little-used room attached to The Vineyard Church into a cozy space. The non-profit organization does not have religious affiliations.
    Photo by Whitney Radley

    For Erica Raggett, a California veterinary student-turned-middle school science teacher in Houston, owning a coffee shop was a pipe dream.

    In December of 2010, Raggett was teaching at YES Prep when she uncovered the truth about child sex trafficking and Houston's part in it as a major hub. She knew that she couldn't just sit idly by, and wanted to get the word out to Houstonians that this happens in their ZIP codes, along their streets, in unassuming strip centers.

    "I couldn't believe that human beings could treat other human beings like this," Raggett tells CultureMap.

    Visitors can stop by for a jolt of caffeine or a quiet spot to work and leave with a greater understanding of human trafficking — and hopefully a drive to do something about it.

    During her early days of interest in the topic, Raggett spent a large amount of time and effort to discover local key players. She noticed gaps in funding for aftercare, which meant many victims — an astounding 96 percent, most of them girls between the ages of 11 and 14 — were lured back into the sex trade.

    She wanted to find a way to connect people with organizations and organizations with each other, so she combined her passion and her pipe dream to found A 2nd Cup, a non-profit coffee shop aimed at raising awareness and funds, cup by cup, for local organizations that fight against human trafficking.

    More than 50 volunteers transformed a little-used room at The Vineyard Church in the Heights into a warm, inviting "incubator" space, one that will serve as a temporary location while the fledgling organization gets on its feet.

    Visitors can stop by for a jolt of caffeine or a quiet spot to work and leave with a greater understanding of human trafficking — and hopefully a drive to do something about it.

    "The first question that people usually ask is, 'OK, what can I do?,' " Raggett says.

    A 2nd Cup has set up a bulletin board listing the mission statements of local allies — like Houston Rescue & Restore, Free the Captives, Redeemed Ministries and Freedom Place — and tear-off sheets indicating who to contact to get involved, plus a calendar for events, movie nights and book discussions at the coffee shop.

    "I think that people are interested in partnering with us because we are doing something very different," Raggett says.

    "I think that people are interested in partnering with us because we are doing something very different," Raggett says.

    One of those partners is Children At Risk, which plans to hold meetings in the space; another is Boomtown Coffee's Matt Toomey, who roasts the coffee and has proven to be an invaluable resource for tips on starting a successful business.

    The shop officially opened its doors on June 24, and although it is currently only open for business two days each week, the board expects to extend hours and the menu over the next several months and secure a permanent location within a year.

    Meanwhile, A 2nd Cup will be raising awareness this weekend with a booth at Boomtown Coffee during the White Linen Night festivities. Stop by to pick up some merchandise (they'll be selling T-shirts, mugs, cold cups and more) and learn more about the mission — and to see Boomtown's Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

    A 2nd Cup is located at 1035 East 11th Street, and business hours are Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    A 2nd Cup volunteers transformed a little-used room attached to The Vineyard Church into a cozy space. The non-profit organization does not have religious affiliations.

    A 2nd Cup, coffee house, Heights
      
    Photo by Whitney Radley
    A 2nd Cup volunteers transformed a little-used room attached to The Vineyard Church into a cozy space. The non-profit organization does not have religious affiliations.
    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    long live the king

    Houstonians will get the royal treatment at this lively new steakhouse

    Eric Sandler
    May 14, 2025 | 11:20 am
    King Steak restaurant food spread
    Photo by Lauren Holub
    King Steak serves its guacamole with bacon.

    Houston’s newest steakhouse aims to lure diners with a simple, back-to-basics approach. Opening Wednesday, May 21, King Steak is the latest project from restaurateur Johnny Vassallo and chef Eric Aldis, two of the people behind Mo's...A Place for Steaks, a see-and-be-seen steakhouse that thrived on Post Oak until it closed in 2016.

    Working together, Vassallo as owner and Aldis as operating partner, the duo intends for King Steak to recapture Mo’s lively atmosphere while serving a menu in line with current trends, such as frying items in beef tallow rather than seed oils. For Aldis, who’s done everything from serving as a senior manager who helped grow Federal Grill to operating a short-lived barbecue joint in Midtown, the opportunity to focus on a single location is a welcome change of pace.

    “I’ve been overseeing a bunch of pubs and restaurants,” Aldis tells CultureMap. “Now, I’ll be at King’s six days a week. I want to be more centralized and do one spot for the next 20 years.”

    For a restaurant with “steak” in its name, King Steak keeps things simple. It serves a 16-ounce strip, a 20-ounce ribeye, and a filet in three sizes ranging from four to 12 ounces. They’re joined by steakhouse staples such as Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, and four different potato sides — loaded baked potato, jalapeño hashbrowns, mashed potatoes, and beef tallow fries.

    Where the restaurant sets itself apart is its selection of non-steak entrees. Options include a short rib with mashed potatoes, chicken Parmesan, ahi tuna with mushrooms and Brussels sprouts, and a French dip sandwich. One item Aldis hopes diners will embrace is the restaurant’s vegetable charcuterie, a shareable appetizer platter made with grilled and roasted vegetables paired with an array of dipping sauces.

    “Having artichoke carpaccio, beet pastrami, all different types of vegetables presented in the style of charcuterie. It’s fun and a little healthy, too,” Aldis says. “Don’t get wrong. I still love a great charcuterie board with meats and cheeses, but it’s something different that goes well with a glass of wine and chilling on a patio.”

    Speaking of the patio, Vassallo and Aldis have invested in major upgrades to location’s outdoor seating, which now has year-round utility courtesy of glass walls and climate control. Formerly Osteria Mazzantini and Cafe Ginger, the dining room has been transformed with a mural and artwork that evokes the American West.

    Aldis is confident that the patio, and the restaurant’s private dining room that can be divided into three spaces, will help lure customers — as will Aldis’ outgoing personality.

    “Don’t shy away from a caviar bump when I’m walking around with a kilo to get the party started,” he says with a laugh.

    Yes, the Galleria area is thick with steakhouses at all price points, but many are corporate-owned or part of larger chains. Aldis sees an opportunity for a locally-owned, single location to distinguish itself with a more personal approach.

    “We’re not chef driven. We’re guest driven. That’s where we want to be,” he says. Later, he adds, “Whatever you want, we’ll go above and beyond to make it happen. Give me a couple days, I’ll get it in. We’ll make it beautiful for you.”

    King Steak is located at 2200 Post Oak Blvd. It will be open for dinner Monday through Saturday beginning at 4 pm. Weekday lunch service is expected to follow in mid-June.



    King Steak restaurant food spread
      

    Photo by Lauren Holub

    King Steak serves its guacamole with bacon.

    news-you-can-eatopeningsking steakthe galleria houston
    news/restaurants-bars

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