Nichols should know. He joined the U.S. Navy at 18 years old and, at the time, had no plan for his career — except to maybe join a police force. His thinking was that the military might be a steppingstone to get there. “I had never been to San Diego, so when I was assigned active duty on a ship, I jumped on board,” says Nichols.
After leaving the Navy, Nichols held jobs at several companies including GE, and was introduced to many locals who owned small businesses. He got motivated after he met a friend and eventual mentor who had purchased a local branch of nationwide FastSigns. One thing led to another, and Nichols took the plunge on his own FastSigns shop in The Woodlands 14 years ago.
However, the timing was challenging. “My new business debuted during the 2008 recession, so things could not have been worse,” says Nichols. But he drew on his coping skills from the Navy and persevered. “I lived on a ship for two years. You become accustomed to long hours on watch duty in the middle of the night and living in a uniform.” Nichols was able to push through the long days of running a small business with only a few employees. Over the years, Nichols has created vibrant signage for new and older businesses including Exxon, The Woodlands Township, Waste Connection and Huntsman, as well as restaurants Mexican Mom, Conroe Lake House and more.
Luckily, the initial Covid-19 pandemic did not hurt his business as much as it did the hospitality industry. Nichols and his employees had myriad inquiries for creating signs as businesses were adjusting and pivoting during the shut-down. In fact, military-owned businesses did a great job surviving the pandemic compared to many. According to a survey on military-affiliated entrepreneurs, 87 percent of respondents were able to successfully adapt their business during the pandemic, and 56 percent were even able to add additional opportunities for revenue.
His advice to veterans ready to explore a Houston-area business of their own? “Any major franchise … is a great place to start if you don’t want a 9-to-5 job working for someone else.”
Nichols
Eunice
Artisans
Artisans
Celebrate friends and family at this French classic from 11am-3pm with an exceptional five-course lunch ($99/person). Sweet potato soup with lump crab; Canadian lobster tail; roasted turkey with creamy mushroom sauce, and pumpkin opera cake are just a few of the sumptuous courses.
Bludorn
Bludorn
Known for French-inspired, New American fare, chef Aaron Bludorn is whipping up a Thanksgiving spread of comforting classics and savory specials. The three-course menu ($105/adult, $55/child) features appetizers such as maitake mushroom with cashews and preserved lemon vinaigrette; Heritage turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce; dry-aged New York strip with beef jus, potato gnocchi with butternut squash brown butter foam; and desserts. Sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts are served for the table. The menu will be offered from 3pm-7pm. Reservations required.
Brennan's of Houston
Brennan's (photo by Kimberly Park)
Leave the details up to this Houston Creole icon and indulge in its holiday menu for lunch or dinner Thanksgiving Day. The three-course prixe fixe menu includes a variety of classic dishes for the whole family ($84/adult, $30/child).
Back Table Kitchen & Bar
Check out this deal: Back Table Kitchen & Bar in The Woodlands will be offering an eye-popping lunch buffet Thanksgiving Day ($75/adult, $32/child, ages 5 and under eat for free). Begin with freshly baked croissants and specialty breads from the bakery shop, curated meats, artisan cheeses and more from the butcher’s block, and on to custom omelets from the omelet station and classic breakfast staples. Hit the seafood and raw bar, and then indulge in braised beef short ribs, cornmeal fried catfish, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, smoked prime rib and roasted turkey. Satisfy your sweet tooth with pumpkin tarts, cranberry orange bread pudding, pistachio almond panna cotta, and spiced apple crisp. What more could you ask for?!
Etoile
Etoile
The bustling Uptown Park spot is offering a four-course French affair ($92/adult, $28/child) for lunch and dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Reserve ahead for delicacies like butternut squash soup with truffle cream; duck foie gras with praline mousseline; roasted turkey; beef short ribs, and Etoile’s vanilla-bourbon-pecan pie.
Eunice
This chic Upper Kirby eatery will offer a special Thanksgiving menu until 4pm on Thanksgiving Day. Menu highlights include Dan Dan delicata squash with spicy aioli, pickles and herbs; pumpkin bisque; Cajun-stuffed turkey and fixings with sweet potatoes, dressing, satsuma cranberry marmalade; and pumpkin pie tart with toasted meringue, and pistachio ice cream. Reservations can be made here.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
Fleming's
The venerable steakhouse opens early at 11am on Thanksgiving Day. Its three-course menu features traditional style herb-roasted turkey, filet mignon or prime bone-in ribeye. It includes a starter, all the side fixings, and dessert (starting at $53, three-course kids menu also available).
Gatsby's Hospitality Group
Join Gatsby’s Hospitality as they celebrate Thanksgiving Day for lunch and dinner at both of their concepts, Gatsby’s Prime Steakhouse and newer Gatsby’s Prime Seafood. Both restaurants will offer regular menus for guests, in addition to a turkey entrée option with all the fixings.
Indianola
EaDo’s Indianola will host Thanksgiving this year with a prix fixe menu. Expect elevated Thanksgiving favorites, from hors d’oeuvres like andouille sausage puffs with Creole mustard, to Cajun Heritage turkey with citrus cranberry sauce and herb gravy, and sides including toasted pecan brussels sprouts and roast kabocha squash, all served family-style ($65 adults, $25/child, kids under 3 eat for free). Love a certain dish? Just ask the server for seconds!
Le Jardinier
Le Jardinier
Relish a fine-dining experience in the heart of the Museum of Fine Arts at Le Jardinier, The Bastion Collection’s modern restaurant led by Michelin-star chefs. The menu ($165/person) includes an amuse bouche, three courses, sides for the table, and artful desserts. Highlights include foie gras royale with pumpkin emulsion and red port; citrus cured ora king salmon with beets and yuzu; and Heritage turkey ballotine with confit. Kids get their own menu with a la carte options. The restaurant will be open from 12pm-7pm. on Thanksgiving Day.
Musaafer
Tandoori-spiced turkey (photo by Raydon Creative)
Spice up your holiday at this exotic Indian destination serving lunch and dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Its dine-in plate ($40/person) includes tandoori-spiced turkey, spiced cherries, cranberry chutney, mushroom bacon Brussel sprouts, truffle fries, baby carrots, and makhini sauce. Add on the complex Maple Kheer Kadam dessert — coconut shortcake with mango strawberry compote, nut cluster, maple cremeux and almond sable.
Roma Ristorante
Roma (photo by Pop Studios)
Roma will open Thanksgiving Day for lunch and dinner with the option of a classic Thanksgiving plate by chef Kevin Bryant including house-roasted turkey with dressing and brown gravy, green bean casserole, yams, mashed potatoes, a house salad, butternut squash soup, and a dessert of choice ($59/person).
The Annie Cafe & Bar
The Annie
Relax in a chic setting Thanksgiving Day with the three-course prix-fixe menu at lunch or dinner ($90/person, $35/child). Anticipate butternut squash with cinnamon veloute; Texas shrimp & grits; roast breast of Heritage turkey with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauces; prime rib toast; mouthwatering sides, and dessert. Grab complimentary hot apple cider and pumpkin cookies on the way out!
Tonight & Tomorrow
The elegant eatery inside historical La Colombe ‘d Or boutique hotel will be open for lunch and dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Expect an a la carte menu of traditional flavors with an elevated twist, such as sweet corn tamales with duck mole and Maine lobster pot pie. Entrées include roasted Heritage turkey bacon-wrapped turchetta with wild mushrooms and cornbread dressing, French green beans, giblet and boudin gravy; blackened prime rib; and seared scallops with Gulf jumbo lump crab, spinach, and marble potatoes. Save room for apple crumble served with vanilla ice cream.
Tribute
Gather and give thanks to Texas holiday favorites like Post Oak wood-grilled turkey with whipped sweet potatoes and candied pecans, cornbread dressing, haricot verts, and cranberry relish, or smoked prime rib with jalapeño potato gratin, and grilled asparagus. Open for lunch and dinner on Thanksgiving Day with complimentary valet parking.
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