Uptown Park Modernization Nears Completion, New Southern California Fast-Casual Concept Announced

As the modernization wraps up at Uptown Park, another restaurant joins the dining lineup. Southern California-based fast-casual concept Mendocino Farms will offer a chef-driven sandwich and salad menu. The restaurant will also feature a seasonal menu with ingredients sourced from farms and food artisan partners. 

“We have long had restaurant guests passing through California from Texas who discover our food and beg us to open in their home state,” Mendocino Farms co-founder Mario Del Pero said in a release. “We're thrilled to have partnered with Edens to join the Uptown Park community and provide a welcoming neighborhood gathering place for local foodies and families.”

Mendocino Farms is the latest brand to join Uptown Park since the site launched its renovation plans in 2015. Rejuvenation, a Williams-Sonoma company, will open its first Texas location on Nov. 16. The Arizona-based health-food concept Flower Child opened in September. Uptown Sushi is currently undergoing a complete renovation and will reopen in January.

Edens, the developer behind the transformation of Uptown Park, seeks to bring more dining, fitness, entertainment and shopping concepts to expand the offerings there. Retail openings will continue into next year. 

“The addition of Flower Child and the reimagined experience at Uptown Park is the start of many new changes customers will see in our district,” Edens Managing Director Tom Kiler said in a statement. “We will continue to bring exciting and transformative concepts to the neighborhood as we execute our commitment to deliver an elevated and community-focused experience for Houstonians and visitors.”

Renovations at Uptown Park included updating all building facades for a clean aesthetic, maximizing storefronts and brightening the exterior colors to modernize the consumer experience. Trellises were added throughout the property to provide shaded walkways that connect the buildings for pedestrians. 

In the final steps, the firm will reconfigure the parking to accommodate outdoor gathering areas for visitors and improve walkability and safety. It will also add customer benches from local company RootLab and public WiFi.