Postino Wine Café, a runaway hit since it opened in April at Heights Mercantile, is expanding in Houston with a second restaurant planned in Montrose.

The new Postino will make its home in the former Montrose Mining Company, 805 Pacific, the longtime gay bar that closed in September 2016. It is expected to open in early 2019.

The Phoenix-based Postino, known for its affordable wine selection and assorted bruschettas, opened in the spring at Heights Mercantile, 642 Yale. At the time, co-founder Lauren Bailey said she was so impressed by the Houston market that she strongly suggested she was looking to expand operations in the Bayou City.

"We've fallen in love with Houston. Since we first opened our doors in the Heights neighborhood, we found ourselves drawn to Montrose time and time again," Bailey said. "Montrose checks every box that gets us excited: civic pride, a robust arts scene, diversity, authenticity, and an incredible history that speaks to our values."

Sommelier's Pick at HoustonChronicle.com: Brent Karlicek of Postino Wine Cafe

Postino, founded 18 years ago, is a company that builds its restaurants in historically significant buildings. The company takes its name from the Italian word for postman, which references the former mid-century post office in Phoenix that was the brand's first restaurant. Like the Heights Mercantile building (a former distribution center for the Pappas family restaurants), the former Montrose Mining Company space caught Postino's eye.

"Walking into the old Montrose Mining Company – such a storied space that's been a neighborhood gathering space since the 1970s – gave us goosebumps," Bailey said. "Something just felt right, and we're thrilled to honor its historic legacy, the neighborhood, and the people who have come before us."

Alison Cook at HoustonChronicle.com: Postino serving some of Houston's best bruschetta

The 3,500-square-foot space will feature eclectic décor similar to the Heights store, and the same menu of bruschetta options, sandwiches, soups and salads to accompany a unique list of wines by the glass and bottle. The restaurant is known for its daily deal of $5 glasses of wine from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Follow him on the podcast BBQ State of Mind to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture.