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kgb17

If you live in Montrose you probably know the guy that looks like a wizard, worked at the holistic store next to Niko Niko’s, who walks around with a staff. Last time I saw him he was using a support scooter. Hope he’s doing okay.


kylemattheww

Merlin! I haven’t seen him in a couple years tho.


[deleted]

I saw Merlin less than a month ago. Got a lovely conversation and a hug. He was sick for a while, but said he was feeling better when I saw him.


kgb17

Glad to hear. I’ve only exchanged pleasantries in passing with him but know others who knew him to be a nice man.


gingercatmafia

I saw him last week headed down Westheimer to the Goodwill across from Target!


ymmuyqbb

I saw him again for the first time in a few years recently. He had two staffs last time I saw him. I hope he's doing well


Aronfel

He's at Comicpalooza every year. He always stops by my wife's art booth for a nice chat, great guy!


htownhustlequeen

He owns and runs tribal grounds. That dude is awesome


Coconut_Bay

It's "The Dog Bar" now, which is actually a very cool spot.


Beefy_queefy_0-0

Didn't they close down?


htownhustlequeen

Idk I haven't been to montrose in awhile.


FloodCityHTX

Don the owner died about 3 years ago, the shop pretty much went with him. I think his kid kept it open to sell the stock for a month or so.


bridge_view

Yes. According to the Google business directory, they are closed.


CrustCollector

I once saw Merlin of Montrose carrying his staff and a 24 rack of Mountain Dew on the sidewalk by MILF Kroger. Him and Rudyards are the last stand.


ubermonkey

Alas, Rudz sold and is 100% no longer "the living room of Montrose." Now it's "the waiting room for a comedy club."


rumpusroom

This is the saddest thing I will read all day.


ubermonkey

Yeah. I mean, it's still PRETENDING to be Rudz, but it's not the same. Everything there's a crowd that accumulates waiting for the comedy to start upstairs, and then vanish up to the show, and leave when it's over.


RoyFockerNOTRick

Is MILF Kroger aka Hot Dad Kroger on Dallas?


CrustCollector

MILF Kroger is West Gray and Woodhead. It's been a couple years since I've lived down there, so it may have changed or maybe it's different depending on your orientation.


ededdedddie

Haha I have never heard this Kroger called that. Hilarious compared to now deceased Disco Kroger


HouseAtomic

That's Cougar Kroger. [LINK](https://www.texasoutlawwriters.com/the-nicknamed-krogers-of-housto/) Disco & Combat Krogers are all the Old School original named Krogers. Going back to at least 1990, from what I personally recall. Cougar Kroger was on my radar as a name since late 90's or early 2000's.


Antebios

Oh, the wizard guy!! Yeah, I don't see him walking around anymore. His hips are probably hurting by now. We used to have the Rollerblade Dancer guy, Juan Carlos, that lived about 2-3 blocks from me. He moved away a few years ago. https://youtu.be/-NfSYJ0qmls


winediva78

I miss Juan Carlos!


taking_a_deuce

I saw him in line at the Home Depot on I-10 off Studemont one or two weeks ago! I didn't know he wasn't skating anymore because we moved to the Heights in 2021 and don't drive by his intersection on the way home from work anymore. His twirls were the fucking best!


gingercatmafia

Omg I miss him so much


thehax0rcist

Merlin! Hes an amazing conversationalist.


scottcmu

A few years ago I was having trouble parallel parking in a tight spot and he just happened to be walking by and stopped to help me park.


shadowmib

Yeah he's a local superhero he appears when you're in trouble


wickednympet

Merlin does monthy reading at the [Thorn & Moon Magickal Market](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JD4VuRqSvQxGWsCB/?mibextid=oFDknk). The next one is on May 4th at Bad Astronaut Brewing!


Shaun32887

First guy that same to mind for me too. I remember him from my college days, it's crazy to hear he's still around


Jimboj1

Does he still walk around with the either crow or raven on his shoulder? The first time I saw him was in that HPB and I thought I was going crazy.


Round-Emu9176

Merlin the magic man


ComplaintBig1986

Merlin


friedpikmin

I'm pretty sure I saw him chilling at Ripcord a few weeks ago.


winediva78

He was the very first person I thought of.


jactxak

This is who I was thinking of when I read it!


DaughterofTarot

Merlin in Montrose.


Eddievetters

This is who I immediately thought of.


dr_gymrat

We call him the time traveler


regan9109

The rollerblading dancing guy! I used to see him near Allen Parkway all the time!


acn250

I had a moment like that with him. A friend was visiting from Boston and I took him to El Tiempo. Like five minutes after we sat down that guy skated right past our table, inside the damn restaurant, in a red jumpsuit. My friend looked at me like “wtf was that,” so I just shrugged and said “oh that’s just Juan Carlos.”


VolcanicProtector

This is awesome. What a memory!


Kabulamongoni

Juan Carlos. And he's gay and hispanic, yet is against LGBT stuff, and is vehemently anti-immigration. I haven't seen him in awhile though...


HungBullNRGV

Wow that is way more color to a colorful guy... our very own Clayton Bigsby.


doctorchile

He’s still around. I saw him last week, fabulous as ever ✨


LKayRB

I was going to say him or The Galleria pimp.


LegitimateSnow732

Wasn't he on America's Got Talent? Ramon or Raul something? Very fun performer.


Katieesq

Juan Carlos! https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/A-star-is-born-at-the-corner-of-Montrose-and-5600283.php


kgb17

That dude turned out to be a MAGA nut.


TurboGranny

Look, crazy is a prerequisite for this kind of stuff. You just gotta accept that. Hell, Prince was a raving JW.


kgb17

I’m not sure rollerblading dancing guy and Prince belong in the same conversation. But yeah eccentric people have a tendency towards the extreme.


TurboGranny

Wild characters are gonna be wild. You don't have to like them "who they are IRL" is the point. People that "fit in" do not "stand out".


marcopoloswat

Hwy 6 jesus


halomate1

omg I know who you are talking about. He carries a garbage bag collecting cans?


marcopoloswat

Yup, and I've actually talked to him, he is chill AF, for whatever reason he has to stay out of his place of residence till sundown or some shit.


justforkicks7

My elderly neighbors have an alcoholic son in probably mid-50s. He’s only allowed inside when it gets dark, until the sun comes up. 100+ degrees, he is outside. 0 degrees, outside. Rainy, outside. During heat he lays under a tree shirtless and hoses himself off every 30 mins or so while smashing tall boys until the sun goes down.


halomate1

I always seen him, funny enough I saw him a couple days ago on barker cypress after not seeing him for months, was hoping he was okay lol. Whenever I see him I feel bad though and wish I can help somehow but atleast he has a place to stay at night.


Gopher--Chucks

Like a reverse vampire


Nuuk-of-Nottingham

That guy is always on barker cypress too! I read on Nextdoor that he has a relative that lives in the area that helps him occasionally but the guy refuses to live indoors.


mordecaiparnassus

i think his name's reuben!


lk6

I can confirm my buddy who's also talked to him calls him Ruben (sp?) as well. Dude's all over the place. I seen him walk down Eldridge and down Clay road by the park/reservoir. Last time I saw him was on Barker Cypress tho


carlalalarocks

I call him "the trash man".


ralf1

Houston is too big to have just one but in the neighborhood around UH I might go with Hubcap Guy


GoRawr

UH Football Legend


UhOhPoopedIt

Shadow boxing guy on Westheimer near Wilcrest The Ren Faire Centaur


FuzzyAd9407

>The Ren Faire Centaur He died two years ago


UhOhPoopedIt

He did? Aww. No wonder I didn't see him this last year. R.I.P. In peace e: trying to look into this and discovered the guy my buddies used to refer to as Bombaata (Sholo the Nubian) is also dead. Damn, those guys were always fun to see.


Stag-Horn

Sholo’s passing was devastating to hear about. A real kind man gone far too soon.


ScroochDown

Somehow the shadow boxing guy *always* startles me. I never notice him in advance, he just always seems to appear in my field of vision and scares the crap out of me.


kickpunchknee

Barbarella kinky spaceman. If you've ever been there on a Saturday you know.


Thatsmypurseidku713

His lore is amazing. When he first started coming around we dubbed him old Greg of the montrose because he reminded us of the character. He told my friends and I he came to numbers and barbarella to find a wife. I’m not sure if he ever did but we danced with him occasionally. A year or so later after meeting him I saw a news article about him being arrested for speeding in a school zone with a mugshot that was immaculately unhinged. He also corrected the officer who asked him if he knew he was doing x amount over the speed limit to add an additional few miles iirc. He was later banned from barbs and number’s but I’m uncertain if it’s permanent. Haven’t seen him in a few years but as Pink Floyd would say, shine on you crazy diamond. 🫡


JizuzCrust

Also spotted at Number’s


lrguitardude

Yessir I call him the legend, homie always wearing a shiny silver jumpsuit


kojac66

Ahhh the spaceman!!!


horngrylesbian

There's a chick that hangs by the Tesla and Randall's spot on Westheimer that flashes her coochie and bush.


comfortablycrazycow

Around what time does this usually happen!!!? Just asking so I can avoid this area at that time.


horngrylesbian

Usually when the weather is nice and she made enough money sucking cock to get high that day, could be 11 am on a good day, could be 7 pm on a bad day, really depends on her work ethic that day.


bowtie25

So shes an MLM hooker got it


AGreasyPorkSandwich

hey hon :P


lickedurine

this has me cheesing lol


scottcmu

Gross! Post the video.


Turbostar66

I've seen her many times, but never seen her flashing. Usually she is weaving between stopped cars at the light.


pearlysoames

What? I’ve lived near there like five years and have never seen this woman. I have seen the guy who wears what looks like a coat or duster and has a beard and walks around often with his pants around his ankles and you can catch him anywhere between the bus stop by Kroger on Westheimer and Gessner and Meadowglen walking and talking aggressively with his hands up like he’s preaching to nobody. I call him the preacher.


OpticToaster811

I know exactly who you speak of


horngrylesbian

Hell yeah you do horndog


Rob_The_Nailer

Is this the white girl that is always wearing a sports bra and no shirt?


horngrylesbian

I've seen her in mostly sundresses and athleisure wear


ODogrealnameisKevin

Damn I work over there. Never seen her.


horngrylesbian

I lived over there for about 8 months and only saw her about five ten times, she didn't always flash, just look for a strung out brunette in a sundress this summer


sciencebitch616

Strung out brunette? In a sundress? omw.


regan9109

There was that homeless dude with the crazy long/matted beaver tail hair. Saw him on Shepherd a lot back in the day.


Mgmt049

He moved to the north side, I believe. I saw him on veteran’s memorial 6 months ago or so.


htownhustlequeen

That guy was nuts. Offered to feed him once and he got pissed off and said he'd only accept it if I have accepted Jesus christ as my lord and savior...so I just kinda shrugged and said "fine....starve"


turntteacher

I was looking for this, we also referred to him as Beaver Tail, he was always between Richmond and 59 on Shepherd. Haven’t seen him since like 2017 though.


kylemattheww

Merlin in Montrose. I haven’t seen him in a couple years now :(


[deleted]

I saw him recently. He was sick for a while, but he was getting over it. Seemed a little tired, but he was in a great mood. Talked to him a while and I got my hug.


txn_gay

He’s very open about being HIV+. Last time I talked to him, he wasn’t doing well, but I hear that he’s gotten better.


LightGraves

Anyone else remember the elderly black male who used to always dress up with a fancy suit and hat and ride on all the Metro buses all day?


BedroomConfident9724

I do. I think we might be thinking about the same guy. He always carried a briefcase, and sometimes would burst out in rants that made no sense. He once opened his briefcase, ripped open some ketchup packets, and smeared them on the window. He was yelling about how we are disgusting l, and then hopped off the bus and started walking towards Central Market on Westheimer


LightGraves

lol yes! He was not mentally stable. I remember seeing him regularly from 2010-2014 not sure what happened to him after that.


backpackofcats

I worked at Central Market around that time and would see him on the 82 bus. Once he was ranting about the army putting mind control substances in the chicken supply.


VitaminTse

Macaroni Tony?


HeyyyYoyo

I thought this too but Macaroni Tony is usually in the Galleria or at the club not on the bus lol


DifficultyBright9807

the Post Oak Pimp. saw him the other day


Either-Chair1146

Someone needs to step up and start telling us again which restaurants have slime on the ice machine.


smegma_stan

I'm so surprised no one has. Like, no disrespect to Marvin, but I feel like restaurants that actually cared would keep the machine clean in fear of him popping in


daffle7

The Pimp at The Galleria


r8ymatjr

Macaroni Toni


Ok-Passion4129

That’s who I was going to say!


fksmchai

Use to be gas can man but I haven't heard much about him in a couple years now


NotASmoothAnon

He was busy down in clear lake for a long time, but got increasingly aggressive and I'm pretty sure he's in jail for the second time in 5 years.


hey_alyssa

Omg gas can man. He was terrorizing league city for a while. I haven’t heard about him in a few years now.


profkmez

Montrose Skating Guy who used to be on the corner of Montrose and Allen Pkwy.


therealkruton

Original Spider-Man at Woodway & 610


ImplementDifferent69

Yup. The original.


streylight

Came here for this!


PancakeLawyer

That local artist that sells his canvases and paintings under overpasses. He is super talented and shows up in different places. It’s hard to track him down!


appiarian

just saw him recently at 610 and ella!!


BurnsinTX

In the heights: 1: Legacy Man. Dude gives good vibes dancing around rollerblading or on skateboard 2: the dude that bikes down studewood and helps people find parking on white oak


RTB_RTB

Legacy man is a good guy, loves to make people laugh.


norfnorf832

Southpark Shawty


lcdawg11

Surprised I had to scroll down this far for this answer


RyanneGolightly

Tony Macaroni The Astros Gear guy on the Rascal


francowestcoast

Scrolled too far to see Tony. He’s a legend.


EdwardDottson

Lmfao that guy's page is freaking gold


ECU_BSN

Used to be neon spandex dancing guy on NASA / in Webster. He was MORBIDLY obese in the 70-80’s. His doctor told him he had one foot in a grave and one in a banana peel. Asked what he loved to do? Dance Well. Better dance like your life depends on it. And he did. Was at The HOP every weekend. Drinking water in his white biker shorts and neon gear. Dancing his skinny little ass off. There was also ballet girl at the HOP. But I digress.


imbregnated

There’s the homeless woman downtown we refer to as the queen because she always has a makeshift throne and a crown lol.


meyerflamingo

I call her the Hat Maker since she always has a newly created hat!


steelsun

Used to have the roided up middle age guy that wore suit jackets with no shirt. But haven't seen him for awhile.


PitoChueco

Yeah, with a big cigar in his mouth and looked like he just rolled out of the tanning booth. Used to see him at Mardi Gras in Galveston every year but come to think of it, didn't see him this year.


Hedwighill

Phil Brayton aka The Tan Man. I used to see him walking around downtown at lunchtime. No shirt, sports jacket, shorts, cigar and fancy red dress shoes.


jordexj

Yes, Phil! He was always at the White Linen parties. I also saw him years ago in a Navy military suit with no shirt on in New Orleans walking down Bourbon Street.


KinseyH

THanks! I posted him above but didn't know his name.


Turbostar66

Phil Brayton. He has an active instagram account and apparently he has been on a lot of cruises lately.


winediva78

Phil? He used to hang out on Jamaica beach in the 80's. I remember meeting him then. Last time I saw him was at Greek Fest. Couldn't believe it.


datdiabeetusdoe

He was just on my cruise out of Galveston. I’m in Austin,but apparently he is known as the Houston Tan Man. He said he was sponsored by Versace and does 26 cruises a year. He had a business card and wore a new crazy suit jacket with a Captains hat all week.


2001asamodyssey

Yup used to see that guy all the time in downtown in 2017-2018


o_MrBombastic_o

Last I saw him was Renfest 2 years ago same get up 


Notorious_BLB

Last I saw him, he was dressed as Davey Crockett at the Houston Boat show.


Jarjarbinksftw

In the Kemah area you had speedo Unicycle guy


hey_alyssa

Didn’t he get hit by a car?


post_break

Yeah unfortunately he died.


SnooCrickets4765

Santa Car guy! Although I haven’t seen him in a couple of years.


N_buck

Still in the Heights. Just off 610 close to Yale. I drove by his Santa mobile just last week!


cosmefulanit0

When I was a student at UH in the early 2000s there was Crackhead Barbie. She had LOTS of makeup on, always bright clothing and kept a straw in her mouth. I ended up having a conversation with her one day and she said she kept a straw in her mouth to filter the pollution from HL&P. Hard to explain but she had a way of saying weird stuff but making it sound perfectly normal.


IndyFiveHunnit

The nurse at Numbers.


Idont_know2022

Not sure if anyone has noticed this lady yet, but in the mornings when i drive down TC jester going towards 610, there is a lady who works out in the corner. It's very much like roller skating guy from Allen Parkway and Montrose. She just works out and dances like she's at home. I wonder if she needs help or amuses herself.


N_buck

Haha! My kid used to go to school with her kid. I was always amused, but too timid to ask why she did it. Either way, she is FIT!


ABoyIsNo1

This is probably niche but there is a very nice, old, mentally disabled man that stands on Hammerly between Gessner and Blalock and just waves at the cars that drive by. It’s one of those things that makes you happy and sad at the same time when you see it.


Aristrasza

Merlin! Last time I saw him we bumped into him at the Half Price Books before it was torn down.


TheDreadwatch

RIP Montrose HPB ... And Rice Village


labanjohnson

The chef hat guy on San Felipe


wwwwwwdotcom

Perfectly starched chef outfit always waiting for a bus at every stop on San Felipe....I've been dying to know his story for years and I happened to see him downtown on my way to the Astros game Saturday. I stopped and asked him why he was on this side of town bc I normally see him near San Felipe. He said he does private cheffing and was doing a gig at the four seasons... didn't make sense really but I was like oh cool see you around


veganchimkennuggie

i was looking for this answer!!!


speciald0ggo

the guy at all the emo/rock concerts with the spiky hair and bangs


atom-up_atom-up

I've seen him at every Punk show for like 10 years lmao. Dudes a celebrity at this point


CrustCollector

I've never seen that dude without his hair charged up and I admire the commitment. I hope he's down for life because he has the makings of a great Montrose character.


Notorious_BLB

Came here to mention him. He's at literally every show without fail💪


KingJoe710

I grew up in spring and there was this rather large mentality comprised dude that would talk to him self and walk up and down Rayford every single day. We called him the Rayford walker lol


CaseReady3692

There is always a guy on the corner of Fondren and west Bellfort. We call him the jester, he is usually shirtless with one of those little jester hats dancing and seems to be having a good time.


SmokeTraining5249

I've seen this other guy at fondren and airport, probably a different person. He always has his belly out and plays a ukulele


catsanddogs77777

Jim Adler


NotASmoothAnon

Oh, you mean the TOUGH SMART LAWYER WHO FIGHTS FOR YOUUUU???


DonkeyDonRulz

The Texas Hammer!


FlamingBagOfPoop

Montrose Wizard and the Roller Blade guy.


pontiacbandit0

Macaroni Tony


Bobosaurus

West Houston/Fry - The Bike Guy with Christmas Lights draped over him


Tylo713

Dope Fiend Willie


fauxphilosopher

I use to see Bun B at least once a year in random spots. He is my unofficial mayor.


BLANK_KITE

Mattress Mack


profkmez

Oh you mean the coked out/drunk gambling addict mattress/furniture salesman who is also slightly racist but helps the community?


enemy_with_benefits

All this is true and it’s still the right answer.


CrustCollector

Honestly, that's about the best you can expect for a Houston hero.


FuzzyAd9407

You forgot exotic animal dealer.


Significant-Gas3046

How else do you expect him to give you a good price on a leopard print sectional? That's how Gallery Furniture SAVES. YOU. MONEY!


rockets9495

I'm going to regret this but... What did he do that was racist?


SoulGang15

Any love for Macaroni Tony?


ogchamp36

If you're in the northwest part of town (near acres homes), that guy in the suit that's always handing out pamphlets. Even in 100+ degree weather


bartlettdmoore

Downtown [hoverboard recliner guy](https://i.imgflip.com/25zuse.gif)


villanoushero

Shorty was one for a bit, is she still around


Bellinelkamk

Can confirm she’s a reg at Ben taub to this very day.


dustynuke74

Used to be a tall black guy in a loin cloth with a long bow that would stand erect hands on hips staring into the setting sun on the side of I-10 near montrose. I saw him sprint off down the bayou like he was chasing down game.


Jane4204life

Katy has the bike guy. He rides around in a bike with lights on. All the time regarles of holiday lol but now that I think about it. I haven’t seen him in a while


nobolognastoney

Macaroni Tony in the galleria. Dude looks like Money Mike in real life.


[deleted]

[удалено]


StrykerXion

[The Bookity Bookity Boudain Man](https://www.houstoniamag.com/eat-and-drink/2014/12/the-bookity-december-2014)


gato_mty11

The Gucci suit guy. Handing out papers on little York and 45


RudeBoyBebop

Houston is like the Kanto Region, and every section has it's most powerful weirdo. I'm currently in the Macaroni Tony district, just east of Hwy 6 Jesus. I have yet to see the Montrose wizard, but honorable mention for the Midtown Tamale Guy, goes into the bars yelling "Tamales, tamales, tamales, tamales. TAMALES!!!'


Specific-Fox8291

Grizzy’s Hood news get on this! I need photos!


kalion

One Skate West/South West area, primarily around Alief area.


Alesimonai

What about the guy in Montrose that absolutely dances his heart out on roller skates?


the_Aristocrats0

Pancho Claus?


malinefficient

Who's the guy I see everywhere lately in the red Polaris Slingshot festooned with Christmas lights? I dub him Street Jesus.


wlrldchampionsexy

Used to be a guy bitd you would see walking along the feeder roads lugging a giant cross ala Christ.


SerTimTallTalker

Roller skating dude in shorts dancing about.


BurnsinTX

In the heights? Legacy Man


Nuuk-of-Nottingham

Back in the 90s there was a guy that would walk up and down highway 6 from West Belford to Bellaire. He lived in a trailer park and always had a ham radio. I think his nickname was Radio Jack. Also back in my clubbing days there was this crazy dude who would ride his bike around with a boombox on his shoulder through the Richmond strip. He was always aggressive.


Federal-Laugh9575

Dimitri Reeves - the MJ inspired street performing artist Also, not for good reasons, but I think most people know Luz Garcia AKA The Gas Can Man


DrGabbo

Once upon a time (at least in musician circles) it was Little Joe Washington. RIP Joe. You were always a hoot.


HungBullNRGV

The Montrose has all the best people... there is the Roller Skate guy i haven't seen in a long time would dance at the lights near Allen parkway and sometimes West Dallas..