Revitalizing Third Ward: Project Row Houses Business Residency Flourishes

In the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward, something new is stirring. The Project Row Houses’ Business Residency Program is breathing life back into the community.

It’s not just about giving entrepreneurs commercial space. The program builds a vibrant, creative, and community-centered atmosphere where local businesses can actually thrive.

This initiative gives a real boost to businesses that reflect Third Ward’s deep cultural and entrepreneurial roots. Instead of letting nightlife and noise define the neighborhood, they’re betting on creativity and community spirit.

Project Row Houses started in 1993, always with an eye on shaping a future for Third Ward that centers on arts, culture, and entrepreneurship.

The Business Residency Program is proof of that commitment. Entrepreneurs get up to three years of discounted commercial space—an absolute game-changer for many.

But it’s more than just a lease. The program includes mentorship, marketing, and promotional support, plus a stipend for hosting community-focused events.

Empowering Local Entrepreneurs

This year’s group of residents really captures what Project Row Houses is all about. Each business feels unique, but they all share deep roots in the community’s culture and real needs:

• Third Ward Blooms — Brittany Mayfield’s botanical design business and plant shop. She wants to bring color, vibrancy, and a welcoming vibe to the neighborhood.
• Piano Vibes — Achille Javois set up this music education studio, offering piano and drum lessons to local kids. It’s about nurturing their creativity and growth.
• Back to Naturel — Quijah James owns this hair studio, focusing on natural hair care and encouraging self-love and acceptance.
• Come Bee — Jasmine Lynch leads this holistic self-care and wellness center, putting the well-being of the community front and center.

Impact on the Community

These businesses do more than just offer services. They’re woven into the fabric of Third Ward, creating spaces for creativity, learning, and wellness.

Brittany Mayfield of Third Ward Blooms says her shop is more than a flower and plant store—it’s a *living and breathing community space*. Quijah James of Back to Naturel calls the program a *dream come true*, helping her take her business to the next level.

Revitalizing Third Ward

Third Ward has a long history, going back to the 1830s. It started as a self-sustaining community with Black-owned businesses and cultural institutions.

But over the years, as people moved away and investments dried up, the neighborhood struggled. Nightclubs and bars were some of the only businesses left standing.

The Project Row Houses’ initiative is trying to flip that script. They’re focusing on arts, culture, and entrepreneurship to bring new energy to the area.

Solange Knowles, the artist, dedicated her *Eldorado Ballroom Houston* series to Third Ward. She praised Project Row Houses and The Ensemble Theatre for keeping the arts, music, and culture alive. She feels lucky to have that richness right in her backyard.

The Role of Government and Community Support

With federal programs for minority-owned and small businesses disappearing, local efforts like the Business Residency Program matter more than ever.

These programs help keep opportunities alive and protect the community’s identity. They show that Third Ward doesn’t have to settle for someone else’s story—it can write its own, one creative business at a time.

Looking Ahead

The Project Row Houses’ Business Residency Program shines as a beacon of hope for Third Ward. It shows what can happen when a community leads its own development, instead of waiting on outside help.

By backing local entrepreneurs, the program breathes new life into the neighborhood. It honors Third Ward’s deep cultural roots and stories.

As these businesses find their footing, they’re bound to lift up the community in unexpected ways. You’ll see spaces for creativity, education, and wellness pop up—maybe even in places you’d never expect.

Curious to learn more about how this program shapes Third Ward? Check out the Houston Chronicle for deeper insights.