x
Breaking News
More () »

'Night Out for Austin Tice': Restaurants raising money for Houston journalist missing in Syria

The restaurants will be donating part of their proceeds to a new fund. That's an addition to the FBI’s $1 million reward for information leading to Austin’s return.

HOUSTON — It’s been almost 7 years since Houston native and journalist Austin Tice disappeared in the Middle East.

Since then, his family has worked nonstop to find him. Austin's parents Debra and Marc have been trying hard to free their son since 2012. They've been on CBS This Morning pleading their case for his safe return, and they've traveled to the Middle East as well.

Several businesses across the country banded together Thursday to raise awareness and money with hopes of bringing him home.

From the outside, it looks like any other day at Beautique Day Spa Salon. However, when you take a closer look, you’ll see it’s anything but business as usual.

Hairstylist Meagan Malone is Tice’s younger sister.

“We’re constantly keeping him in the forefront. Talking about him joining us. Hoping, wishing that he was here. Every single day we miss him,” Malone said. “I always have his hashtag, his number of days missing. I update it every day.”

Tice, an Eagle Scout and marine, was captured in Syria almost 7 years ago.

“We know, and it has been confirmed through our government that he is alive,” Malone said. “He will be coming home.”

Credit: CBS News
They're calling this a “Night Out for Austin Tice.” Restaurants all over the country, including several spread out all over the Houston area, are raising money and awareness for him.

The salon and more than 75 restaurants nationwide are donating a part of Thursday’s proceeds to raise awareness about his captivity.

“Night Out For Austin” hopes the money collected will be added to the FBI’s $1 million reward for information that leads to Tice’s safe return.

“The fact that we’re kind of getting this recognition now that it’s been 6 years and 8 months since he’s been missing, this kind of event is, it means a lot to my family," Malone said.

It’s a show of support that lets people know efforts to find him will never stop.

“It’s been a big hole in our family. We’re ready to have him home,” Malone said.

Here is the list of Texas restaurants that are participating:

The ‘401 Table and Tap
6700 Ferris St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
(832) 962-7649

bellagreen
2305 W Alabama St
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 533-0777

bellagreen
2501 Research Forest Dr
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 292-4515

Boheme
307 Fairview St.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1099

Georgia James
1100 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 241-5088

The Gold Fish
724 N. Mesquite
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 980-7171

Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen
2631 Underwood Rd
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 470-7424

Güero’s Taco Bar
1412 S Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-7688

Jason’s Deli Dairy Ashford
14604 Memorial Dr.
Houston, TX 77079
(281) 531-1999

Jimmy Changas
5144 Center St
Pasadena, TX 77505
(713) 575-2700

Luby’s
1414 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 528-0880

Luby’s
1727 Old Spanish Trail
Houston, TX 77054
(713) 797-0078

Luby’s
1743 Post Oak Blvd
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-1713

Luby’s
9797A South Post Oak Rd
Houston, TX 77096
(713) 728-4841

Lytle Land & Cattle Co.
1150 E South. 11th St.
Abilene, TX 79602
(325) 677-1925

Max’s Wine Dive
214 Fairview St., Ste. 2
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-9200

Max’s Wine Dive
4720 Washington Ave., Ste. B
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 880-8737

One Fifth Mediterranean
1658 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 955-1024

Saint Arnold Beer Garden
2000 Lyons Ave.
Houston, TX 77020
(832) 588-4424

UB Preserv
1609 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77006
(346) 406-5923

Tap here for a complete list of participating restaurants.

ALSO POPULAR ON KHOU.COM

Before You Leave, Check This Out