Help us track Northgate through the years

For a research project, The Association of Former Students seeks Aggies and Bryan-College Station residents’ help collecting photos and making a list of how the businesses on the “front row” of Northgate have changed over the years. Below is some information we have gathered with permission from sources including the Brazos Buildings and Businesses blog and city records.

If you can help us with photos, or specific dates when a certain business occupied one of these buildings, please email us at AggieNetwork@AggieNetwork.com!

For any photos, please give us the closest guess you can (year/semester) as to when the photo was taken. Thank you!

Note: Dates are known to be incomplete (if a business is marked only in a single year, that likely means that is a year we have documentation for). All assistance is welcome!

203 University Drive. 1962-late 1970s: Handy Burger. 1979: The Onion Ring. 1983-2006: Deluxe Burger Bar, renamed Deluxe Diner. 2006-Jan. 2013: empty. Jan. 2013-present: Chimy’s Cerveceria. 

30: 205-207 University Drive, estimated construction 1965. Possibly (if renumbered) in 1965: W.L. Ayers Laundry & Cleaning and Lew-Ann's restaurant. 1966-70: Restaurant with no name that students nicknamed the "Greasy Spoon." 1992: New York Bagel. Mid-1990s: M&M Grill. 2006: DoubleDave's PizzaWorks. 2007-2015: Schotzi’s & Skybarr (renamed Sky Bar circa 2013-14). 2015-spring 2020: 4.0 & Go. Oct 2021-present: Good Bull Icehouse.

29: 209 University Drive, estimated construction 1965. 1972-2007: Aggieland Flowers. Early 2015: The Ranch. Present: 12 Rooftop Bar & Lounge.

28: 211 University Drive, estimated construction 1955. Early 1970s: Don's Barber Shop. 1980: Pyramid Audio. 1995: DoubleDave's PizzaWorks. 2007-2013: Zapatos Cantina. Mid-2010s: Possibly leasing office for Aspen Heights. Fall 2018-present: Draconian Lounge.

27: 215 University Drive, estimated construction 1955. Undated: Andre’s Bicycle Shop. 1979-1995: Bill’s Style Shop (barber). 2008: Barber Shots (bar), part of Zapatos Cantina. ?-2012: Part of Zapatos Cantina. Undated: Wobbly Monkey. Late 2014: Northgate Juice Joint. 2019-present: Commanders Cove.

26: 217 University Drive, estimated construction 1940. 1940-1980s: Campus Theater. 1995-Dec. 2004: Shadow Canyon. 2006-07: Midnight Rodeo. 2009-13: Daisy Duke’s. 2013-14: renamed Duke’s. 2014–15: Boulevard 217. Fall 2016-present: Shiner Park.

301 University Drive. Historic use: Private home. Early 1970s: Phillips 66 gas station. 1980: Thirsty Turtle. ??:  12th Man & Co. Mid-1980s: Citgo containing a 7-11. 1993: E-Z Mart. 2000s: Aggie Food Mart (renamed Food Mart. Circa 2016: Chevron (renamed Gig Em Food Mart). Late 2022: Razed; lot for sale.

25: 303 University Drive, estimated construction 1930. Possibly built as Varsity Apartments when address was 213 Sulphur Springs Road. Nicknamed "The Alamo" by residents. 1970-1978: Handy Burger. 1979-81: Alamo Bar and Grill. 1982-83: Sebastian’s Tavern. 1983-1984: Bogie’s Restaurant & Bar. Early 1985: Vacant. Late 1985-1991: Flying Tomato Pizza In A Pan. May 1991-1993: Two Pesos. 1994-May 2013: Fitzwilly’s. Aug. 2013-present: The Backyard.

24: 305 University Drive, estimated construction 1955. 1969: Hobby World. 1973: Andre’s Bicycle Shop. 1979-?: Pookie's Cave? 1985-1991: Sticky Chins ice cream parlor. 1991-present: Dry Bean Saloon (renamed Dry Bean).

22-23: 307 University Drive. 1968-1974: Aggie Den (pool hall). 1974-present: Dixie Chicken.

(Part of 22?) 309 University Drive. 1963: Loupot's Trading Post. 1972: vacant. 1976: Farkelberry’s Pool and Domino Parlor. 1978: Miranda’s Rock & Roll Whiskey Joint. 1979: Becomes part of Dixie Chicken.

21: 311 University Drive, estimated construction 1948. Historic use: Retail? Mid-'60s to mid-'70s: Ralph's Pizza. 1977-present: Duddley’s Draw.

(Part of 20?) 313 University Drive, estimated construction 1948. 1995: The Alley. (See entry below.)

(Part of 20?) 315 University Drive, estimated construction late 1940s. 1971-1982: Budget Tapes & Records. 1986: Wing Joint. Late 1993: The Bullseye. 1995: Split into 315 and 317 (see entry below). 1995: The Alley. 1999: Coupe de Ville. 2005-2012: Bar 315. 2012-May 2017: empty. May 2017-present: Whisper Sister Shots.

20: 317 University Drive, estimated construction 1948. 1978-1993: Cow Hop. 1995: King of The Roadhouse. (See entry above.) 1996-2001: Cow Hop. ?-2011-15-?: Mad Hatter's.

19: 319 University Drive, estimated construction 1948. 1980-81: Backstage. Late 1960s/very early 1970s: Godfrey’s Restaurant. 1974: Henrici's Restaurant. Circa 1978: Brazos Bottom. 1980: Backstage Restaurant & Bar. 1984: Billy Jack's. 1991-present: Freebirds World Burrito.

(Part of 18-19?) 321 University Drive. 1963-87: Charlie's Grocery. 2001: Wells Fargo.

(Part of 18-19?) 323 University Drive. 1975-76: The Varsity Shop.

(Part of 18-19?) 325 University Drive. 1971-73?: Jeans 'n Things. 1973: Heroes Clothing Co. Late 1970s: Briefly Loupot's before it moved next door.

18: 327 University Drive, estimated construction 1948. 1969-present: Texas Aggie Book Store, with name changes including Texas Aggieland Book Store (circa 2006) and TXAG Store (circa 2023-2024.

17: 329 University Drive, estimated construction 1948. 1969: Iva Starness Men's Wear. 1971-73: The Pub. 1973-77?: Kesami's Pizza and Subs. 1977- Farmer's Market Sandwich Shop. ??: Gideon's Farmer's Market. 1993: Equinox. 1995-96?: Northgate Cafe. 1999: Crooked Path Ale House. 2003-08?: The Library. 2009: BMO's. 2009-??-2011? Basil Whippet's Pub & Apothecary Lounge. 2016-25: Icon Nightclub & Lounge.

331 University Drive: Upstairs area of 329 University; eventually absorbed into it? 1969: Shamrock Employment Service. 1972: Guinn & Co. insurance, Kentucky Life Insurance Co., Homer B. Adams Realty Co. 1975-78: The Shape of Things hair salon. 1975: Bear Paw Turquoise & Silver Jewelry. 1984: On the Double.

16: 335 University Drive, estimated construction 1925. 1979-2012 Loupot’s (with other businesses upstairs at some point?). 2020-2022: Z Bar & Bistro. 2022-2025: Toku 12. 2024-2025: Baumhaus and First Down opened on second and third floors.

15: 401-405 University Drive (Sparks Building), estimated construction 1925. 1972: Barker Photography. 1980s-? Campus Photo Center. 1989: Right Angle Calculators, Starships & Dragons comics. 1993: L-T L & Associates, Haight-Ashbury Co., Star of the Sea Catholic Bookstore. 1994?-2004: Nipa Hot (Thai restaurant). Feb. 1995: Campus Photo, Quantum Cow, Steve 5. Early 2010s?: Pita Pit, Northgate Vintage, Potato Shack, Aggieland Barber Shop (closed 2022), Quantum Cow, Handmade Jewelry & Gifts, Blast from the Past. 2010s-present: The Corner.

14: 409 University Drive, estimated construction 1940. 1995: University Bookstore. 2025: Domino’s pizza, Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Starbucks.