Here's How to 'Feel Good' at The Ion’s New Outdoor Market

Here's How to 'Feel Good' at The Ion’s New Outdoor Market

The Ion

HELLO, SEPTEMBER! THERE’S a new outdoor market in town the first Thursday night of the month through November that might get you thinking about, um, holiday shopping. But the Feel Good Market at The Ion multi-use development in Midtown is not just about shopping, so put away the Christmas lists. It’s also about eating and drinking, socializing, and enjoying live music.


The Ion Downtown kicks off its fall Feel Good Market series on Thursday, Sept. 1, from 5-8pm. The evening market will showcase a selection of Feel Good Group’s favorite makers from across the Houston area, including NG Jewelry, La Planta, Krishna's Favorite Things, N and R Candles, Dank Beards, DoteON, 6pm Candle, Serenity Knives, Susie's Snacks, Aura Portrait Booth, MediaFLO, Cranky Carrot Juice Co., Hey Falafel!, and Cousin’s Maine Lobster – among many others.

To liven up the atmosphere this Thursday, Houston’s very own ZZ Top tribute band Tres Hombres will be rocking out hits from the iconic little ol’ band from Texas. Getting thirsty? The sunset gathering will feature refreshments including spirits, local wine, and craft beer from regional brewing establishments. By the way, the event is free to attend but registration is required.

The Feel Good group, co-founded by Casey Barbles and Travis Denson, has been creating unique outdoor markets around Houston since 2021. The events are well known for high quality vendor lists and experiential nature. Its Thursday market series at The Ion will continue on Oct. 6 and Nov. 3 with a full line up of vendors and live music. Check out the full schedule here.

Wondering what else is open at The Ion in the food and beverage category? The latest includes Common Bond On-the-Go, a fast-casual version of the coffee shop-bakery-restaurant, and STUFF’d Wings with a menu of bone-in chicken wings and sides including mac and cheese and a variety of boudain. Late August, the brainchild of chef Chris Williams (Lucille’s) and Top Chef Season 18 finalist Dawn Burrell, will bow any day now, followed by brewpub Second Draught, and The Lymbar from chef David Cordúa.

Feel Good Market

Co-founders of the Feel Good Group, Travis Denison and Casey Barbles

People + Places
Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less

ON JAN. 3, 2025, I observed a big personal anniversary. As of that day, it’d been 20 years since I first moved to Houston — from the Big Apple media circus, by way of my home state of Louisiana — and began working as an editor in the lifestyle-magazine biz here. It’s been two full decades, which is hard to believe! I like to joke that I’m far too young and good-looking to have done anything for two decades. But here we are.

Keep Reading Show less

Christopher Salazar stars as troubled-genius chef in the Alley's 'Seared'.

ONE OF HOUSTON'S favorite theater makers — Alley Associate Artistic Director Brandon Weinbrenner — has gotten some delicious news about his latest show. The run of his Seared, a sometimes-funny and sometimes-intense tale of life in the kitchen at a suddenly hot New York restaurant by playright Theresa Rebeck, has been extended beyond its original schedule and will now be up through March 9.

Keep Reading Show less
Food+Travel