Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Harmon.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started in the service industry when I was 18 years old in the New Orleans area. In the late nineties, I moved to Houston then on to Austin where I worked in the very popular restaurant and bar scene. On a random Thursday, a friend invited me to College Station for a night out. Almost immediately upon arriving to North Gate (the strip of bars across from TAMU), I felt awkward and completely out of place, that rarely happens. The only “stereotype” that I might fit is your “all American looking guy”. I’m 6″2″, 250 pounds with an athletic build, blonde hair and blue eyes. At that time, a certain bar had “gay” night. You could literally see the segregation the moment you walked through the door. J0kingly, my friend suggested that I open a nightclub and a few months later, that is exactly what I did. I moved from Austin to College Station to open a nightclub in historic downtown Bryan, Texas. In July of 2003, I opened Halo, the only LGBT nightclub between Houston and Austin and the only dance club in Bryan / College Station. A few years later, I opened Pyro Mongolian Fusion Grill in Bryan. In June of 2015, Halo suffered a fire that was catastrophic. Halo, has been closed and under major renovations. However, Halo will re-open in July. In 2016, I was approached with an idea about being a part of an event center which would be located at 2401 San Jacinto, in Midtown. Soon into the discussions and planning it was determined that an events venue would be shelved and Rich’s would open its doors again. For many, many months crews worked around the clock to restore the “Studio 54 of the south” back to its glory. In 1983, Rich’s Houston was designed to be a multi-level dance palace that welcomed anyone and everyone. It was specially designed to have state of the art lighting, sound, video and special effects that was only seen on television or mega-clubs in New York or Los Angeles. Since re-opening in 2016, Rich’s Houston has continually reinvested into 2401 San Jacinto and in the very soon future, Rich’s Houston will have a stunning swimming pool and party-patio area normally reserved for noteworthy hotels in Las Vegas! Rich’s Houston, has been called the “most storied Houston address” and the “most infamous Houston nightclub” We have big shoes to fill but our goal is to keep reinvesting and giving our patrons something that other nightclubs will not. If you take care of your customers and employees, they will take care of you. Every day, I thank God, because I realize how special it is to be a part of so much history and I love that I get to make new memories with our guest! I’m a lucky guy!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have had tons of hurdles to overcome throughout my career. Originally, I opened Halo in 2003 with a business partner. He closed the business in 2005 without my knowledge. Luckily, I was able to re-open Halo on my own within a month. I built a restaurant from the ground up, literally. I hired a general manager from a major restaurant chain in hopes that she could run it efficiently. However, she embezzled a great deal of money from me and went to prison for her crime. In June of 2015, Halo caught fire and has been closed and under renovation. If it weren’t for that awful accident, I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to resurrect Rich’s Houston. I’ve learned a lot from those hurdles but in the end realize that things DO actually happen for a reason.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Rich’s Houston story. Tell us more about the business.
My career is in the service industry. (Restaurant and Bar). I have a staff of roughly 50. All of my co-workers are needed to keep these businesses functioning properly. I will soon be hiring additional staff to accommodate the new additions. We might only be open 12-16 hours a week but operating these businesses takes a lot of work and dedication. I couldn’t do it without them!
Rich’s Houston is known for being a very welcoming and inclusive nightclub that guest dance the night away to. I think our acceptance and openness makes me most proud. We don’t judge who you are or who you love, we just want you to celebrate and dance with us! Overall, besides my previous statements, I feel that our continued reinvestment and attention to detail will be noticed and carry Rich’s into the future with Houston.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that what you put out into the world, you get back, the good and the bad. My parents always said “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I certainly TRY to follow that advice. I absolutely believe that Lady Luck has been generous to me and I am very appreciative!
Contact Info:
- Address: Rich’s Houston
2401 San Jacinto St
Houston, Midtown, Texas 77002 - Website: www.richsnightclub.com
- Phone: 281-846-6685
- Email: info@richsnightclub.com
- Instagram: Rich’s Houston
- Facebook: Rich’s Houston
- Twitter: Rich’s Houston
Image Credit:
Jeff Harmon
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