Bill Bain, owner of KT Antiques in Katy, is building a new, two-story building at 908 Ave. B in downtown Katy. The new, roughly 10,000-square foot building will be a replica of the Stewart and Wright Drug Store on the outside and feature office space on the second floor and two businesses on the lower floor – including Must Be Heaven, a deli that features pies, quiches and Blue Bell ice cream.

“We’re just excited about this café going with us,” Bain said. “We’ve got a couple of people interested in the other space on the first floor – a boutique and a bookstore.”

Traci Pyle and her husband Charlie Pyle own the original Must Be Heaven in Brenham, Tex. They said they were excited to bring their deli to Katy, a town with an appreciation of its heritage and history. The original Brenham location has been in operation for almost 30 years.

Must Be Heaven has been with the Pyles for more than 20 years, they said. They also want to make sure the restaurant is a nod to Katy’s history, Traci said.

“Our restaurant is kind of like a (glimpse at the past),” Traci said. “We have an old soda fountain that’s in the front and we have a lot of antiques in it.”

The new location will be owned and operated by Edgar Carlson and Larry Martin, who already own multiple restaurants. They said finding a partnership with Bain and the Pyles was serendipitous.

Martin lives in the area and found out Bain was looking at developing the lot behind KT Antiques. Bain had been considering a building there for the last 11 years but had been delayed due to the refurbishment downtown and the pandemic. However, Martin and Carlson stuck out the delays which Bain said he appreciated.

While the downtown renovations and COVID-19 delayed the project, construction is now underway. Completion of the building is expected in the third quarter of this year, provided weather cooperates, Bain said.

Carlson and Martin hope to not only serve amazing food but to be actively involved in the community. Activities including sports teams sponsorships, having a non-alcoholic place for families and kids to enjoy Blue Bell ice cream and a social hub with outdoor seating are on their bucket list for the shop.

Martin said he’s hoping to be a part of the ongoing revitalization of downtown Katy and being involved in the community through churches, supporting sports teams and participating in events such as Katy Market Day and the Katy Rice Festival.

Martin and Carlson have also reached out to the local Blue Bell distribution center to make sure the restaurant can provide the traditional Blue Bell ice creams that are a Must Be Heaven tradition.

The restaurant will also have gluten-free and vegetarian options for those with dietary restrictions, Traci said.

Traci and Carlson want to make sure they honor the city’s history and Bain’s passion for it.

 “This is more of an experience,” Traci said. “Like, going in and seeing all of the décor back in time. That’s kind of our tagline, I guess you could say. So, it’s not going to be like a Panera Bread or something like that where you’re going to get a feeling when you go in. It’s unique looking.”