Reporting Live from the Former Houston's in Century City

After a 20+ year run, Houston's in Century City shuttered on October 8 to the surprise of many. Just now a reader stopped by the restaurant to provide the following report: "Was just over at the Century City mall. Houston’s closed as of October 8th. There’s a Hillstone rep standing outside giving people the bad news. Apparently the company is looking to operate independent locations that are not in malls so they opted not to renew their lease (probably a big rent increase too). The interior is being completely stripped, presumably by Hillstone. The rep didn’t think the space has been re-rented. Either Hillstone’s lease required them to strip the space upon termination or they didn’t want someone coming in and opening up a copycat restaurant in their old space. My guess is the latter. It’s really a terrible loss for the mall and the neighborhood. Aside from sister-restaurant Gulfstream, most restaurants in the mall have come and gone over the years. Houston’s was the only one that withstood the test of time. I guess all good things must come to an end at some point. Fortunately Gulfstream lives on?for now."
·Houston's Announces Century City Shutter via Google Ad [~ELA~]