Southwest Houston, August 21, 2024 – The Southwest Management District celebrated the grand opening of Soju Blues with a ribbon-cutting event that drew over 40 attendees, including local business owners, community leaders, and Southwest Management District board members. This event not only marked the official opening of Soju Blues but also served as the district’s very first evening business mixer, introducing a new dynamic to their regular networking events.

A New Tradition for Networking in the Southwest Management District

The evening began with an enthusiastic welcome from Board Member Dawn Lin, who brought her signature energy to the event. In her opening remarks, Dawn Lin emphasized the Southwest District’s mission to support local businesses and enhance the community’s appeal. She highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at improving safety and cleanliness in the area and welcomed attendees to share their ideas on further enhancing the district. With a mix of humor and spontaneity, she engaged the attendees, even inviting some to introduce themselves.

A few guest who introduced themselves included Dan King, a prominent real estate broker, Archie Galang, a gardening consultant and landscaper, and Noemi N. Frias, Ph.D., President of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston. Many other notable guest attended this event filling the room with meaningful conversations, while enjoying delicious food and a sense of community.

Typically, the Southwest Management District hosts its business mixers during the day, but with the success of this evening event, the district plans to alternate between daytime and evening mixers. This approach will offer more opportunities for professionals to connect and collaborate.

A Taste of Korean Cuisine

One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for guests to sample a variety of dishes from Soju Blues’ menu, offering a true taste of Korean cuisine. Each table was served an array of flavorful dishes that showcased the diversity and richness of Korean food.

Guests enjoyed Bossam, a traditional Korean dish featuring thinly sliced pork belly served with fresh garlic, kimchi, and a variety of dipping sauces. Tteokbokki, chewy rice cakes smothered in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, a popular Korean street food. Another crowd favorite was the Bulgogi Cheese Fries, a fusion dish that combines the savory flavors of marinated beef bulgogi with crispy fries and melted cheese.

Other dishes served included Pork Cutlet, Popcorn Chicken, Seafood Pancake, Bulgogi Quesadillas, and Fried Chicken.

Celebrating Diversity and Economic Growth in Southwest Houston

A representative from Commissioner Leslie Briones’ office addressed the attendees, congratulating Soju Blues on behalf of the Commissioner and presenting a proclamation. The proclamation recognized the importance of small businesses to the local economy and extended appreciation to the Southwest Management District for its continuous support of entrepreneurs in the area.

Board Chair Kenneth Li spoke next, proudly declaring Southwest Houston as the “Diversity Capital of the World,” where businesses from various cultures—Korean, Chinese, African, Indian, and more—thrive together. He invited attendees to participate in the district’s public committee and board meetings, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in driving the district’s prosperity. Li also expressed gratitude to Annie Trinh, a dedicated staff member, for her efforts in organizing the event.

David Peters, Head of the Economic Development Committee and Board Member, also addressed the crowd, highlighting the significance of recognizing and supporting small businesses within the district. He encouraged attendees to notify the district of any new businesses opening so they can extend their support.

The owner Yunchul Bae (known as Sam) expressed his gratitude to the Southwest Management District for their support since the soft opening of Soju Blues. He shared his excitement about being part of the district and his eagerness to share Korean culture with the community.

A Memorable Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

After the awards were presented and speeches were given, the ribbon-cutting took place inside Soju Blues, with guests able to watch while enjoying their meals. Southwest Board members Kenneth Li (Chairman), David Peters, Dawn Lin, and Jonathan Shih (Head of the Southwest Public Safety Committee) joined owner Yunchul Bae to celebrate this significant moment.

The red ribbon they cut had “Southwest District” and “Soju Blues” written on it, adding a special touch to the moment. With giant scissors in hand, the group cut the ribbon at the count of three, and the crowd erupted in applause. It was a memorable moment for the management district, the owner, the staff, and all the guests in attendance.

A Bright Future for Soju Blues

The event wrapped up with a fun raffle, where a few lucky guests walked away with Southwest-branded goodie bags. In a funny twist, Bae, the owner, ended up being one of the winners, which brought laughter from the crowd.

Overall, the event was a success, and attendees are already looking forward to returning to Soju Blues for more delicious food, top Korean music, karaoke, and soju!

A Message from Bae

Following the event, Bae expressed his gratitude:

“First of all, I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to collaborate with the Southwest Management District on this event. I enjoyed meeting many people from the community, and I truly appreciate you celebrating the grand opening of our Soju Blues with us. The event organized by the Southwest Management District was excellent, and I was very satisfied. As a member of the community and a small business owner, I will strive to contribute to the development of the community in any way I can. Thank you!”

Visit Soju Blues

Soju Blues is located at 9938 Bellaire Blvd a, Houston, TX 77036. View the hours of operation and menu on their website. SOJU BLUES – Best Korean Pocha in Texas (soju-blues.com)

We Want to Hear from You

If you know of a new business opening within the Southwest Management District, the board wants to hear from you! Please email [email protected] to inform them of new business openings and help the district continue its mission of supporting local businesses.

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