By Jane Humphrey By Jane Humphrey | July 11, 2024 | Food & Drink, People, Feature,
Lance McCullers Jr. is at the top of his game—celebrating the birth of his second daughter, the opening of Maven Coffee + Cocktails, and so much more.
“My favorite thing about the Houston community is how proud everyone is that they are from Houston and how this community continues to support each other,” shares Houston Astros’ top brass Lance McCullers, Jr. The superstar pitcher has been on fire since making his debut with the team in 2015. “The sense of purpose and work ethic that everyone has here, along with the desire to become the best version of themselves, is something I have admired and identified with since the beginning of my career.” Originally from Tampa, Florida, McCullers was selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his professional launch in 2015, and it was no time before he was named an All-Star in 2017. McCullers, who recently celebrated the arrival of his second daughter with his wife, Kara, has just opened the doors to the highly anticipated culinary concept MAVEN Coffee + Cocktails nestled inside the Thompson Houston. “My partner, Juan Carlos De Aldecoa, and I met on a trip a few years ago. We instantly hit it off,” shares McCullers. “We were at dinner one evening and discussed creating a brand together. One that focuses on the consumer first through dedication to hiring, sourcing, and providing the best quality concepts possible. The very purpose behind our brand is that people feel our mission statement through every concept we create: “quality or nothing”! We created REX Hospitality during that trip, and MAVEN Coffee + Cocktails is our first concept.” McCullers has always shared his passions through a heavy presence within the community. He and his family launched The Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation in 2016, focusing on animal welfare and giving Houston’s stray animal population a second chance at life. “We launched our transport efforts after Hurricane Harvey hit, and to date, we have successfully re-homed over 80,000 animals across the United States with our partners Rescue Pets Movement and Houston PetSet. “We have been able to provide service dogs to several veterans in need and impact their lives for the better.” With his entrée into the hospitality industry, we have no doubt his passions will continue to prosper. What’s next for the heavy hitter? “REX Hospitality will expand and launch several new concepts in the near future,” notes McCullers Jr. “Next up is MAVEN Coffee + Cocktails at Silver St. Studios in Sawyer Yards. At this location, we will showcase our entire Maven brand under one roof at our first stand-alone brick-and-mortar. We will continue to create an elevated experience by day and transform it into a curated cocktail lounge by night. We also plan to offer elevated culinary experiences brought to you by respected industry leaders.”
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Photography by: Photos by Traci Ling