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Montrose's Vibrant cafe opens second location in Memorial Park (PHOTOS)


By Jeff Jeffrey – Senior reporter, Houston Business Journal
Apr 16, 2024

A new restaurant opened in Memorial Park this week, offering a second permanent dining option for those visiting the massive park.

Vibrant, a Houston café focused on healthy and sustainable fare, chose Memorial Park’s Running Complex for its second location. The original Vibrant opened at 1931 Fairview in Montrose in 2018.

Memorial Park Conservancy, the organization charged with operating and maintaining the park, said Vibrant’s health-focused food will complement the existing Becks Prime location at the Memorial Park golf course, as well we the rotating selection of food trucks at Live Oak Court.

“Vibrant introduces a new gathering space at Memorial Park, offering the community a place to enjoy nourishing, sustainable food amidst the park's natural beauty,” Memorial Park Conservancy President and CEO Shellye Arnold said in a news release. “The café's opening and the broader expansion of dining and recreational options in the park reflect our ongoing commitment to meet the diverse needs of all Houstonians.”

The new 2,200-square-foot Vibrant location at 7575 N. Picnic Lane offers a similar menu as the Montrose location, with all items made in house from scratch.

Patrons can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings complemented by a full-service organic coffee program, freshly made pastries and bread, natural wines and specialty retail products. All menu items are completely free from gluten, dairy, refined sugars, peanuts, GMOs and gums, according to Vibrant.

A portion of the café’s revenue goes toward the conservancy's efforts to maintain and preserve the park.

The space was designed by Houston-based Schaum Architects to reflect the natural aesthetic of the park. Pin Oak Interests and Tellepsen, which are both based in Houston, oversaw the build-out. No brokers were involved in the lease. However, a spokesperson said the conservancy and Vibrant worked with their respective legal counsels. The conservancy also engaged Houston-based A la Carte Food and Beverage Consultants, which has worked on other park projects, to craft the lease agreement.