BY EMILY LINCKE
The cost
The other side
Average monthly retail rent per square foot
Linabury said mobile businesses are not unique to New Caney and Porter. However, he speculated that perhaps high pricing for commercial rent opportunities in the area draws business owners to nontraditional storefronts. “In Porter, New Caney, I would say we don’t have an abundance of … lower-lease, lower-rent commercial opportunities for smaller business,” Linabury said. Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray said local growth may be spurring a rise in new businesses. “With our area growing at such a rapid pace, we are seeing an increase not just [in] mobile busi- nesses, but brick-and-mortar storefronts ... as well.” The average monthly rental price for retail spaces was $18.22 per square foot for 2025 in the North Region—which includes the New Caney, Conroe and Spring areas—according to data from Partners Real Estate. However, the average rental price for retail was $20.66 per square foot for the overall Houston region in 2025.
Having a variety of local businesses to shop or eat at can be great for the community, Linabury said. However, he added that mobile businesses can sometimes create challenges for brick-and-mortar businesses. “It depends on if they’re competing directly with an existing brick-and-mortar who has invested a lot of time and money into a successful business, so that could be considered a con. … It really just depends on the [mobile] business and what their future goals are,” Linabury said. Schouten said she and her husband may eventually choose to open a traditional co ee shop, but they don’t want to rush. “We do eventually plan on doing brick-and- mortar, but we also know that sometimes that is a caveat to building things too quickly and too fast,” Schouten said. “Because we’re doing great right now.”
North Region Houston Market total The average monthly rent price per square foot for the North Region was $18.22 for 2025.
$21
$20.87
$20
$20.89
$19
$18.05
$19.90
$18
$0
2024
2025
Q3 Q4 Q1
Q2 Q3 Q4
North Region
59
45
249
99 TOLL
The North Region includes the New Caney, Porter, Spring and Conroe areas.
290
10
10
610
59
N
SOURCE: PARTNERS REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: DATA ON HOUSTON RETAIL RENT PRICES WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF 2024 AS OF PRESS TIME ON APRIL 24.
15
NEW CANEY PORTER EDITION
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