An East Coast restaurant chain has leased the remaining space in the 217,004-sf Market at Hunting Bayou as its inroad into Greater Houston and second location in Texas.

Flaming Grill & Supreme Buffet is planning to invest $2 million into the interior of a 21,164-sf spot in the retail center, located at 11900 East Freeway in Houston's Jacinto City community in the I-10 East submarket. Construction on the junior anchor space will take roughly five months.

Flaming Grill will be the first super-size Chinese buffet in the Market at Hunting Bayou and immediate trade area. The chain has restaurants in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The daily menu features more than 250 items of American, Italian, Japanese and sometimes Mexican dishes alongside traditional Chinese cuisine. Each restaurant hosts a large hibachi section, sushi bar with freshly prepared delicacies, salad bar, dessert bar with a wide variety of fresh fruits, pastries and cookies and an ice cream buffet with eight flavors and large selection of toppings. Incorporated into the design is a large private room for special occasions.

Flaming Grill was one of several Chinese buffet operators chasing the lone vacancy in Market at Hunting Bayou, which is positioned in a prime retail corridor with strong restaurant sales supported by a dense working-class community. "It was interesting that I was contacted by four buffet operators within a three-week period for this space," says Brad Elmore, vice president with Houston-based NewQuest Properties, who represents the landlord, JBL Asset Management of Miami.

Drew Huggins of Huggins Realty Group in Raleigh, NC, represented the restaurateur, which also has a location in Dallas. Flaming Grill's lease will bring Market at Hunting Bayou's occupancy to 100% and was the ninth one to be signed in the center since JBL acquired it two years ago when occupancy was just 64%.

"The owner has been able to capitalize on the growth on the east side of Houston," Elmore says. "Flaming Grill & Supreme Buffet thought it was a good fit for their entry into Houston."

Market at Hunting Bayou has direct access to Interstate 10 E., which carries more than 168,000 vehicles per day. Positioned between Loop 610 and the Sam Houston Tollway, the center is anchored by a 13-screen Cinemark Tinseltown USA, 43,560-sf 24-Hour Fitness and 24,515-sf Goodwill Select. The property's two available pad sites are for sale.

"It's the best anchored center in the submarket," Elmore says.

JBL owns four retail centers in Greater Houston, two of which are now fully leased. NewQuest Properties holds the leasing assignment for the portfolio.

SOUTH TEXAS LEASES

Jason's Deli has leased 55,936 sf of retail space in Bay Colony Town Center, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and FM 646, League City, from NewQuest Properties. Rebecca Le of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Brad Sondock of BDS Realty represented the tenant.

El Pollo Loco has leased 33,884 sf of retail space in Victory Lakes Shopping Center, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Victory Lakes Drive, Houston, from NewQuest Properties. Rebecca Le of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Matt Reed and Jon Jamison of NewQuest Properties represented the tenant.

Flaming Grill & Supreme Buffet has leased 21,164 sf of retail space in Market at Hunting Bayou, 11900 East Freeway, Houston, from JBL Asset Management Co. Brad Elmore of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Drew Huggins of Huggins Realty Group represented the tenant.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ has leased 3,783 sf of retail space in Katy Freeway Plaza, 11301 Interstate 10, Houston, from Braun Enterprises. Josh Friedlander of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Eric Lestin and Kyle Golding of CBRE represented the tenant.

MedSpring has leased 3,695 sf of retail space in Stableside at Falcon Landing, located at the intersection of Gaston Road and Falcon Landing Boulevard, Katy, from NewQuest Properties. Austin Alvis and Brad Elmore represented the landlord. Jamie Weaver of Edge Realty Properties represented the tenant.

Shield-Bearer Counseling Centers has leased 3,166 sf of retail space in Windcliff Town Center, 12340 Jones Rd., Houston, from A-S 47 Jones-Cypress N. Houston. Ronnie Miranda of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Blake Virgilio and Brad McGuire of Caldwell Cos. represented the tenant.

Kolache Factory has leased 1,860 sf of retail space in Eldridge Plaza, 930 N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston, from Trailing Vine Interests Ltd. Austin Alvis of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord in the direct deal.

Amazing Lash Studio has leased 1,800 sf of retail space in Baytown Shopping Center, 3407-3517 Garth Rd., Baytown, from KSTX Baytown North LLC. Rachael Keener and Jon Jamison of NewQuest Properties represented the tenant. Danny Miller of Gulf Coast Commercial Group represented the landlord.

US Security Associates has leased 1,787 sf of office space in Texas City Building, 2501 Palmer Hwy., Texas City, from A-K Texas Venture Capital. Ronnie Miranda of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Lesa French of Jones Lang LaSalle represented the tenant.

Amazing Lash Studio has leased 1,760 sf of retail space in Fairfield Town Center, located at the intersection of FM 290 and Mason Road, Cypress, from Fairfield Town Center LLC. Rachael Keener and Jon Jamison of NewQuest Properties represented the tenant. Sarah Allen with Edge Realty Partners represented the landlord.

El Kiosko Dessert Shoppe has leased 1,750 sf of retail space in Tomball Parkway Plaza, located at the intersection of Theis Road and TX 249, Tomball, from Tomball Plaza LLC. Brad Elmore and Austen Baldridge of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord in the direct deal.

Wingstop has leased 1,750 sf of retail space in Grand Morton Town Center, located at the intersection of Grand Parkway and Morton Ranch Road, Katy, from NewQuest Properties. Josh Friedlander and Rebecca Le of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Jeff Goldberg of R1 Brokerage represented the tenant.

Marco's Pizza has leased 1,400 sf of retail space in Marketplace at Ninety-Six, located at the intersection of League City Parkway and Hobbs Road, League City, from NewQuest Properties. Rebecca Le of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Pam Guillote of American Commercial Real Estate represented the tenant.

Texas Dow Employee Credit Union has leased 1,395 sf of office space in Texas City Building, 2501 Palmer Hwy., Texas City, from A-K Texas Venture Capital. Ronnie Miranda of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Edward Edson of Colliers International represented the tenant.

Smoothie King has leased 1,200 sf of retail space in Baytown Shopping Center, 3407-3517 Garth Rd., Baytown, from KSTX Baytown North LLC. Rachael Keener of NewQuest Properties represented the tenant. Danny Miller of Gulf Coast Commercial Group represented the landlord. Cody Salona has leased 1,000 sf of retail space in Katy Freeway Plaza, 11301 Interstate 10, Houston, from Braun Enterprises. Josh Friedlander of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Mario Rodriguez of Sudhoff Cos. represented the tenant.