Katy North Edition | March 2025

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Katy North Edition VOLUME 13, ISSUE 7 MARCH 19APRIL 15, 2025

2025 Camp Guide

Decade in the making Long-awaited Texas Heritage Marketplace breaks ground, lling in I10 corridor plat

INSIDE

See what Pappasito’s Cantina has planned for the former Uncle Julio’s space Impacts: Page 6

Business: Page 14 Learn more about nding your “natural harmony” at Color Match Studio

Texas Heritage Marketplace, a $400 million mixed-use development by NewQuest, will be anchored by a 149,000-square-foot Target and will feature other big box stores. (Rendering courtesy NewQuest)

“We have been extremely pleased in the build quality. In recent months, we have had the pleasure of meeting and working with Brookfield’s new Customer Care Representative. He has been of great service, support and a wealth of knowledge to us as new homeowners to ensure our new home continues to look & feel like a new home for our first year and many more years to come.” Building homes and relationships.

JANSEN V. ACTUAL BROOKFIELD HOMEBUYER

Want to experience amazing customer service? Come see our model homes, open daily in Elyson, or explore our 16 unique floor plans from the high $300s.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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Advancing health. Personalizing care.

KATY NORTH EDITION

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The Culinary Crawl Home Tour is an opportunity to sample diverse culinary delights and flavors prepared by local restaurants while checking out our gorgeous model homes. A DJ will complement it all. It’s a culinary adventure you don’t want to miss. Plus, you’ll have the chance to enter to win $500. Cross Creek West is hosting the tastiest home tour ever with beautiful model homes and mouthwatering delights.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Asia Armour Angela Bonilla Melissa Enaje Valeria Escobar Wesley Gardner Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Ryan Reynolds Nichaela Shaheen Jessica Shorten Haley Velasco Aubrey Vogel Kevin Vu Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Ellen Jackson Matt Mills

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See ALL the reasons to discover West Houston’s premier community. Call 1-888-884-4174 for your free brochure.

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KATY NORTH EDITION

Impacts

CLAY RD.

pastas, calamari, garlic dough and lobster bisque. • Opened Feb. 11 • 2710 W. Grand Parkway, Ste. 150, Katy • www.mypiada.com 4 Lumin Fitness The business offers 40-minute group fitness classes in studios with wall-to-wall screens that create an interactive environment. • Opened Feb. 24 • 27131 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Ste. 450, Katy • www.lumin.fit/cincoranch 5 Montessori Reggio Academy of Katy The private institution offers a specialized curriculum for children age 3 months to 6 years old. • Opened March 3 • 20318 Franz Road, Katy • www.montessorireggioacademy.com/ • montessori-mra-katy-campus 6 R&B Tea The international brand serves customizable teas, coffees and other beverages. • Opened March 6 • 3325 W. Grand Parkway N., Ste. 600, Katy • www.rbteausa.com

C BIRCH VIEW LN.

10 12A

99 TOLL

529

13 8

12B

MORTON RANCH RD.

KATY FORT BEND RD.

TEXAS HERITAGE PKWY.

2855

99 TOLL

FRANZ RD.

PARK ROW BLVD.

CANE ISLAND PKWY.

HIGHWAY BLVD.

KATY FWY.

K I N G S L A N

Katy

HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR.

1463

GEORGE BUSH PARK

S N E R

1463

CROSS CREEK BEND LN.

Coming soon

99 TOLL

F R Y R D .

7 MBody Fitness The hybrid training facility aims to help members discover their physical and mental strength, with strength and

1093

MAP NOT TO SCALE

conditioning classes. • Opening March 19 • 2206 Katy Flewellen Road, Ste. D, Katy • https://mbody.us

Fulshear

FULSHEAR GASTON RD.

2 Taco Cabana The menu includes a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos. • Opened Feb. 5 • 22213 FM 529, Katy • www.tacocabana.com 3 Piada The eatery features Italian-inspired piadas, salads,

Now open

723

359 1 Twins Tavern Katy The locally and family-owned bar offers live music, Guinness beer on draft, and a large selection of wines, bourbons and specialty drinks. • Opened Dec. 24

8 Great Clips The Minnesota-based franchise will offer hair services for men, women and children. • Opening in March • 29087 Jordan Crossing Blvd., Ste. 250, Fulshear • www.greatclips.com

• 5805 Highway Blvd., Katy • www.twinstavernkaty.com

SPRING FAMIIY FUN DAY APRIL 5TH 10AM � 2PM

FOOD TRUCKS LOCAL BUSINESSES CY-HOPE STEM BUS BALLET & MARTIAL ARTS PERFORMANCES KIDS’ GAMES & ACTIVITIES A VISIT FROM THE CHICK-FIL-A COW!

6545 Stockdick School Rd. Katy, TX 77449

SCAN HERE FOR STORE AND DONATION HOURS

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

14 Palladium Park Row Katy Living The 93-unit affordable multifamily development will feature a swimming pool, a fitness center, a business center, a dog park, a children’s playroom and a clubroom. • Opening in December • 19250 Park Row Blvd., Houston • www.palladiumusa.com/us GOGO Charters The ground transportation bus service will bring key stops to Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Corpus Christi as well as stops along the way in Katy, The Woodlands, San Marcos, Temple and Waco. Routes have not been finalized with pick-up and drop-off locations. • Address TBD • www.gogocharters.com/houston-charter-bus

9 Amazing Explorers Academy The child care facility will incorporate science, technology, engineering, arts and math curriculum for

Coming soon

those up to age 4. • Opening in March • 6907 Peek Road, Katy • www.aexplorers.com

10 Crust Pizza Co. The Chicago-inspired eatery will offer specialty thin-crust pizzas, calzones, pastas, salads, flatbread sandwiches and desserts. • Opening March 15 • 24924 Morton Ranch Road, Katy • www.crustpizzaco.com 11 Steadfast Primary Care The clinic will offer immunizations, annual physical exams, diagnostics for acute symptoms and treatment 12 Airi Ramen and Sushi The restaurant will serve Japanese-style ramen, sushi, poke bowls, bao and some Chinese food. All bases for the ramen, as well as the noodles, are made from scratch by the restaurant’s staff. • Opening in mid-March • A 24826 Morton Ranch Road, Ste. 700, Katy • Opening in July • B 29911 Jordan Crossing Blvd., Ste. 600, Katy • www.airiramen.com 13 Big City Wings Known for its chicken wings, beer and burgers, the restaurant and bar will also sell crawfish, onion rings, salads, loaded fries, and chicken and waffle platters. • Opening in the fourth quarter of 2025 • 29807 Jordan Crossing Blvd., Ste. 100, Katy • www.bigcitywings.com for chronic illnesses. • Opening March 17 • 28432 FM 1093, Ste. A, Fulshear • www.steadfastprimary.com

18 Pappasito’s Cantina The Houston-based Tex-Mex brand is known for its sizzling fajita platters, combination plates, grilled seafood and desserts. The eatery will feature a patio, two private banquet rooms, a large dining area and a U-shaped full-service bar. Construction on the building is set to begin this fall, a representative said. • Opening TBD • 20526 Katy Freeway, Katy • www.pappasitos.com sewing supplies, seasonal decor, art supplies, paints and more craft products. • Closing TBD • 1219 N. Fry Road, Katy • www.joann.com 19 Sunright Tea Studio The shop in Katy Asian Town offered iced beverages such boba tea, milk tea, fruit tea, blended “frosties” and coffee. • Closed Nov. 24 • 23015 Colonial Parkway, Ste. B-201, Katy • www.snrtea.com

Relocations

15 Mi Pueblito Restaurant The authentic Colombian eatery moved its Katy restaurant from 402 W. Grand Parkway S., Ste. 102, Katy, to a new spot with multiple terraces, a bar, bakery and the same traditional Colombian dishes. • Opened Feb. 10 • 20940 Katy Freeway, Ste. H, Katy • www.mipueblitohouston.com 16 Big Z’s Chicago Pizza & Brew The Chicago-inspired pizzeria closed its doors Jan. 28 at 2004 S. Mason Road, Katy. The eatery serves Chicago-inspired specialty pizza, meatball and nacho appetizers, Greek and Italian salads, as well as Alfredo

and spaghetti pastas. • Relocating in April • 10610 Gaston Road, Katy • www.bigzspizza.com

Closings

17 Joann Fabrics and Crafts As part of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the brand will close all of its stores nationwide, with closing sales expected to be ongoing for several months. Stores sell

LOCAL EXPERTISE

Did your property value increase? Are there things you can do to improve the value of your home? I have the access and expertise to provide you with an accurate market analysis of your home. CALL US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY MARKET ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOME

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©Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens ® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated.

KATY NORTH EDITION

Government

BY AUBREY VOGEL

HOME

Katy council enacts fiber moratorium after damages

APRIL 26

Grand Opening

Fiber companies may no longer work in the city of Katy’s right of way without a permit. What’s happening? At a March 4 special meeting, Katy City Council approved the final reading of an ordinance to begin a 120-day moratorium following at least 16 instances of damage to public infrastructure, including water and wastewater line breaks, Public Works Director Jason Rivera said. The first reading of the ordinance was approved by council Feb. 24. A closer look The moratorium aims to allow city officials time to create a stan- dardized process for fiber com- panies to receive city permitting, Rivera said. The process will also allow the city to ensure quality control and restoration standards are met when third-party contrac- tors are working in Katy.

“I feel this is a responsible and appropriate response to an infrastructure conflict that we have going on right now,” he said. “What folks are bringing to our attention right now at public works is we have private property concerns ... for restoration and impacts during these installations.” Fiber companies who wish to work in city rights of way during the moratorium can come into the city to sign a temporary agreement, City Attorney Bridgette Begle said. Going forward The moratorium suspends all fiber installation, except for companies with an approved city agreement, for up to 120 days, although it may be lifted sooner, according to agenda documents. Council can also extend the moratorium if city officials deem more time is necessary.

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Fiber company damages in Katy

Water line damages and repairs

Service line damages and repairs

FEB. 14

MORTON RD.

KATY FORT BEND RD.

NOV. 1 DEC. 13 DEC. 17

2855

99 TOLL

FRANZ RD.

DEC. 13

CANE ISLAND PKWY.

JAN. 1

FEB. 5

OCT. 24

K I N G S L A N

SPRING GREEN BLVD.

NOV. 6

FEB. 2

OCT. 16

OCT.11

JAN. 27 FEB. 7

HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR.

DEC. 11 DEC. 12

1463

Katy

KATY FLEWELLEN RD.

S N E R

Pricing and information subject to change. 3/25

SOURCE: CITY OF KATY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY EMILY LINCKE

Harris County early childhood education program facing closure A pilot program offering free early childhood edu- cation for children ages 4 and younger across Harris County could be ending soon once federal funding runs out, county commissioners said Feb. 6. The overview Officials launched Harris County’s Early Reach Education Access for Children pilot program in June 2023 to provide free, high-quality child care for fam- ilies in high-need areas, addressing the challenges faced by both children and child care providers in the county, Community Impact previously reported. It was launched using funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, which were temporary, meaning additional funding would eventually be needed, officials said. ARPA funds must be spent by the end of 2026.

County to look at $130M shortfall

Early reach centers

Precinct 1 Precinct 3

Precinct 2 Precinct 4

Harris County officials said at a Feb. 6 meeting they are anticipating a $130 million gap in funding of drainage projects due to inflated costs of construction materials. The full story Harris County’s subdivision drainage program was designed to reduce the risk of flooding for 45,000 homes countywide upon completion, as previously reported by Community Impact . The funding shortage follows a number of challenges for the program, including a $277 million funding shortfall announced in 2023, prompting the county to pause 33 projects under the program. Most of the $130 million gap could impact projects in Precinct 1, which makes up much of central Harris County, officials said.

290

99 TOLL

610

149

GALVESTON BAY

1,300 children across the county participated in the program

$15 guaranteed minimum wage for child care providers

4 and younger are ages of eligible children

$29 million in ARPA funding spent on the program

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

KATY NORTH EDITION

Transportation

BY KELLY SCHAFLER

Grand Parkway frontage road projects gain $58.6M

The Texas Department of Transportation will receive a

engage residents on sound wall designs and position these projects for funding opportunities like this H-GAC allocation.” What else? It’ll cost at least $108 million to fill in the remaining frontage roads between FM 1093 and I-10, but it could cost more with rising construction costs, Grigar said. The county will fund the remain- der of the cost through county road bonds or other regional and statewide monies. Grigar said county staff hope to receive an additional $20 million from TxDOT, leaving the county to cover roughly $29.4 million unless more grant funding is allocated. “We will look into the shortfalls of the other projects and deter- mine how much is remaining for reallocation,” he said. Looking ahead Construction on the frontage roads is expected to begin in early 2026 and finish in by the end of 2028, according to the release.

$58.6 million grant to help fund future frontage road projects along the Grand Parkway from FM 1093 to I-10 in Katy. The grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council will cover more than half of the estimated $108 million project costs, said Dwayne Grigar, director of planning and infrastructure for Fort Bend County Precinct 1. This funding, previously set to be paid by the county to TxDOT, will allow county staff to reallocate funding to other Precinct 1 mobility projects, he said. Quote of note “First, I wish to thank the lead- ership of the Houston-Galveston Area Council for their partnership— this funding marks a significant step forward for our community,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales said in a Jan. 13 news release. “When I took the lead on these projects in 2022, my focus was clear: expedite timelines,

Hoopla New Home all march long HAPPY HOMES + HAPPENINGS Join us for a month-long celebration of what’s new at Elyson. We’re talking new homes, new schools, new places to play and 21 models to tour. It’s also a month full of fun, with live music, family-friendly events, prizes, food trucks and more. Hoopla New Home all Get the details at Elyson.com/hoopla

Funding frontage roads Three frontage road projects will receive funding from the H-GAC grant.

march long

281.640.4004 7303 Prairie Lakeshore Ln Katy, TX 77493 From Grand Parkway, exit FM529 and travel west. Turn right at Elyson Village Rd. and then right on Sundown Prairie Ln.

$23.2M Southbound Bay Hill Blvd. to Cinco Ranch Blvd.

NEW HOMES FROM THE $300s�$1M+

99 TOLL

$17.6M Southbound Westheimer Parkway to South Fry Road

I M E

Homes at Elyson ® are built and sold by home builders (“Builders”) unaffiliated with NASH FM 529, LLC (“Owner”), Newland Real Estate Group LLC (“Newland”) or their related entities. Buyers should review the purchase agreement, public offering statement., and other offering materials provided by the seller prior to signing any contract to purchase a home. Details on the prospective development are provided for informational purposes only and there is no guarantee that the final development will match the developer’s vision. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. Copyright © 2025 NASH FM 529, LLC (“Owner”). All Rights Reserved. No reproductions, distribution, or unauthorized transmission of any portion is permitted without written permission of Fee Owner. (2/25) Hoopla New Home Newland is proud to be a part of Brookfield Properties. We are one of the largest developers of mixed-use communities in the United States. With our partner, North America Sekisui House, LLC, we believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. newlandco.com | nashcommunities.com

$17.8M Northbound South Fry Road to Westheimer Parkway

SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY KELLY SCHAFLER

Tesla plans $150M battery factory in Brookshire

Tesla plans to invest more than $150 million in a new Megafactory in Brookshire that will bring 1,500 manufacturing jobs to the area, Waller County officials said. The utility-scale battery factory will create Megapacks and provide energy in times of high electrical demand, per the tax abatement agreement approved at the Waller County Commissioners Court on March 5. Tesla’s facility will be a replica of the company’s Megafactory in Lathrop, California, Tesla Engineering Lead Shiv Mysore said at the meeting. The California facility can provide up to 40 gigawatt-hours of storage capacity per year, according to a

“This is going to have a huge, significant impact on the Brookshire area, south Waller County and Waller County in general,” he said. What they’re saying The agreement states Tesla must hire 1,500 employees by its third year in operation and through the abatement period, which ends Dec. 31, 2035. “This gives good-paying jobs right here in Waller County, so you don’t have to drive into Houston or the surrounding area to have a good income,” Precinct 4 Com- missioner Justin Beckendorff said. The median household income in Waller County is the second lowest among six Houston-area counties, according to five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. It’s also lower than the state’s median income of $76,292. Next steps Construction and opening timelines aren’t included in the agreement, but the abatement period begins Jan. 1, 2026. Brookshire City Council also approved an abatement agree- ment at a March 6 meeting.

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video on Tesla’s YouTube. What you need to know

Tesla, an automotive and clean energy company, already leases about 1 million square feet at 111 Empire Blvd. in Stream Realty Partners’ Empire West Business Park, said Vince Yokom, executive director of the Waller County Eco- nomic Development Partnership. Tesla will replace a third-party logistics company occupying the space, Yokom said.

memorialhermann.org/MNAKaty

Agreement details Tesla’s move into Brookshire will happen in multiple phases at the business park.

EMPIRE BLVD.

Joseph Herbert, MD Neurosurgery

Wesley Jones, MD Neurosurgery

1. 111 Empire Blvd., Brookshire • Stream Realty will spend $44M to improve the existing facility. • Tesla will spend about $150M to install equipment.

2. 103 Empire Blvd., Brookshire • Stream Realty will build a $31.5M manufacturing facility. • Tesla will spend $2M-$5M to install distribution equipment and make improvements.

SOURCES: WALLER COUNTY, WALLER COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

KATY NORTH EDITION

Decade in the making From the cover

61.07% rise insales tax revenue citywide from 2020-24 $3M annual sales tax revenue from project*

750K sq. ft. of retail and restaurants 300K sq. ft. of medical oces

Retail/restaurants

165 acres $400M investment

The overview

Medical oce space

550 apartments

P Parking

NewQuest’s long-awaited $400 million Texas Heritage Marketplace mixed-use project could be a “monster sales tax driver” for the city of Katy, City Administrator Byron Hebert said. City ocials said the 165-acre project has been in the works for nearly a decade. It’s projected to house retail and restaurant space, medical oce space, and apartments. Target is conrmed as an anchor tenant, bringing a 149,000-square-foot store, according to a Jan. 27 news release from NewQuest. Although the development—located at the southeast corner of I-10 and Texas Heritage Parkway—is outside of Katy’s city limits, it’s within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. This means Katy will still receive roughly $3 million in sales tax revenue annually from the property, city ocials said. Hebert said the amount of master-planned communities and subdivisions south of the development, such as Jordan Ranch, made the location attractive for NewQuest. The 6.5-mile Texas Heritage Parkway between I-10 and FM 1093 also links the development to a 5-mile trade area, whose population has grown 56% since 2020, per the release.

0 FRONTAGE RD.

Target

Proposed multifamily

Proposed detention pond

*PROJECTION BY CITY OF KATY

SOURCES: TEXAS COMPTROLLER, CITY OF KATY, NEWQUESTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The breakdown

Katy’s cost will come from Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County funds, Hebert said. “By strengthening our sales tax base, it gives us the ability to nance long-term maintenance of our infrastructure without having to rely ... heavily on property taxes,” City Planner Rachel Lazo said.

• Katy to reimburse NewQuest $20 million for detention and a road south of the project, upon NewQuest hitting retail milestones • The MUD to give NewQuest $20 million from sales tax revenue it collects from the development

Through an incentive agreement between the Willow Creek Farms Municipal Utility District and NewQuest, the city is set to receive $0.01 in sales tax revenue for every dollar spent in sales tax in the development, Hebert said. Other factors of the agreement require:

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The details

Looking ahead

NewQuest didn’t respond to multiple interview requests about Texas Heritage Marketplace. However, according to a brochure on its website, preleasing has begun with a proposed delivery date of its rst buildings in the second quarter of 2026. Hebert said the city has been anticipating I-10’s expansion, and he believes the space between Hwy. 90 and I-10 is the future of Katy’s growth.

drive signicant economic growth for Katy,” Angie Thomason, president and CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council, said in an email. Additionally, the city’s Pederson Road project that feeds into Texas Heritage Parkway will cost $3.3 million and add a lane to the road in July. “[These] types of developments ... will prevent people from having to go down I-10 and deal with the trac and the congestion of the existing developments,” Katy Community Development Director Ian Clowes said.

Mobility projects are also planned around the development. A stretch of I-10 near the site will undergo a $320 million expansion beginning in late 2026 that will widen it to 10 lanes, a Texas Depart- ment of Transportation spokesperson said. The average daily trac count on I-10 adjacent to the Texas Heritage Marketplace site rose 8.8% from 2019-23, according to TxDOT data. “Like any transportation project, the I-10 expansion may present temporary challenges, but its long-term infrastructure improvements will

“I think the citizens of Katy are denitely going to be pleased with

Upcoming mobility projects around Texas Heritage

Average daily trac counts on 110

the products that are coming, but I think people in the region are going to be just as satised.” BYRON HEBERT, KATY CITY ADMINISTRATOR

77,247

80K

Pederson Road reconstruction

2855

70,817

70,988

70K

71,525

PEDERSON RD.

60K

61,049

I-10 expansion

TEXAS HERITAGE PKWY.

2019 2020 2021

2022 2023

SOURCES: KATY, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

production of

April 25, 2025 7:00 p.m. April 26, 2025

1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Stafford Civic Center

WEST SIDE STORY SCHOOL EDITION Based on a Conception of JEROME ROBBINS

Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS

Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN

Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Summer Camp Registration is going on now!

Entire Original Production Directed and Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS Originally Produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince By Arrangement with Roger L. Stevens West Side Story School Edition Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

For Tickets & Info visit: bit.ly/FBCAOnlineTickets

KATY NORTH EDITION

Business

BY ASIA ARMOUR

During the appointment, Schlorholtz goes through a series of drapes to nd the best shades and color dimensions.

ASIA ARMOURCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The True Colour International method examines both neutral spaces and the three dimensions of color, which include hue, chroma and value.

ASIA ARMOURCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Color Match Studio nds clients’ ‘natural harmony’

Color Match Studio in Katy is run by Audrey Schlorholtz, who said her favorite word is “harmony.”

Schlorholtz said this analysis is a more in-depth study than the standard, four seasons approach that only includes winter, summer, spring and fall. “We’re looking at how your skin reacts,” she said. “If we see a negative change, like redness or splotching, if we see under eye circles ... those negative changes are things we don’t want.” What to expect The appointment-only experience—which costs $295 and includes a one and a half hour analysis—equips clients with an evergreen guide to shopping, Schlorholtz said. “It is an investment, but I like to remind people that you only need one color analysis in your life,” Schlorholtz said.

Audrey Schlorholtz said her goal at Color Match Studio in Katy is identifying which colors coordinate with a person’s natural harmony. “We were all created in harmony—our hair, our skin, our eyes; everything about us goes together,” Schlorholtz said. Certied to practice True Colour International’s 12-tone color analysis method, Schlorholtz has helped her clients nd their most complimentary color scheme since she opened the business in May 2022. How it works The TCI method examines both neutral spaces and the three dimensions of color, which include hue, chroma and value, Schlorholtz said.

PHOTO COURTESY COLOR MATCH STUDIO

S T S T .

814 East Ave., Ste. D, Katy www.colormatchstudio.com

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Community

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Camp Guide

2025

Art Camps at Cordovan Art School Type: arts Ages: 5-16 Dates: May 27-Aug. 12

Camp Cove Type: arts, religion, day Ages: 2-8

Dates: June 2-26 Cost: $225 weekly • 22765 Westheimer Parkway, Katy • www.thefellowship.org

Costs: $272-$549 weekly • 1627 S. Fry Road, Katy • www.cordovanartschool.com

Benedictine Tutors Type: academics, day Grades: K-eighth grade Dates: June 2-Aug. 7 Cost: $225-$295 weekly • 24210 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. 900, Katy • www.benedictinetutors.com/katy-summer-camp

Camp Invention Type: academics Grades: K-sixth grade Dates: vary Cost: $285-$300 weekly • Leaman Junior High School, 9320 Charger Way, Fulshear • Holy Covenant United Methodist Church,

Camp West Type: religious, day Grades: K-eighth grade Dates: June 2-July 4 Cost: $450 weekly • 2225 Porter Road, Katy • www.campwest.org

22111 Morton Ranch Road, Katy • Rylander Elementary School, 24831 Westheimer Parkway, Katy • www.invent.org

CONTINUED ON 16

KATY NORTH EDITION

Community

The Little Gym of Katy Type: day Ages: 3-10 (bathroom independent) Dates: May 23-Aug. 11 Cost: $37.80 daily (members), $42 daily (nonmembers), camp packs available • 23010 Highland Knolls Drive, Ste. A, Katy • www.tlgkatytx.com

Dates: June 9-July 31 (Mon.-Thu.) Cost: $220 weekly • 2633 N. Mason Road, Katy • www.thekatygym.com

CONTINUED FROM 15

Camp Westwood Type: sports, day Ages: 4-14 Dates: May 27-30, June 9-13, June 30-July 3, July 21-25, Aug. 4-8 Cost: $175 (mini camps); $230-$265 weekly

Kiddie Academy of Katy-West Type: arts, day Ages: 5-12 Dates: June 2-Aug. 8 Cost: $250 weekly, $25 registration fee • 27613 Pine Mill Ranch Drive, Katy • www.kiddieacademy.com/academies/katy-west Momentum Indoor Climbing Type: sports, day Ages: 4-16 Dates: May 27-Aug. 8 Cost: $335 weekly (half day), $575 weekly (full day) • 25410 Katy Mills Parkway, Katy • www.momentumclimbing.com/katy/youth Republic Gymnastics & Dance Type: day, arts, sports Ages: 3 and older Dates: June 23-27, July 21-25, Aug. 4-8 (gymnastics); July 14-18, July 28-Aug. 1 (dance) Cost: TBD • 21227 FM 529, Cypress • www.republicgymnastics.com/camps

• 23333 Taswell Drive, Katy • www.westwoodgym.com

USA Ninja Challenge Katy Type: sports Ages: 4-14 Dates: June 2-Aug. 4 Cost: $250 weekly • 22564 Franz Road, Katy • www.ninjakatytx.com

Carson’s Art School Type: arts, day Ages: 6-17 Dates: May 26-Aug. 12 Cost: $189-$363 weekly • 5131 S. Fry Road, Katy • www.carsonsartschool.com

Wonder Camp - Mark A. Chapman at Katy Main Street Type: academics, arts, sports, day Ages: 5-15 Dates: May 27-Aug. 1 Cost: $225 weekly, $45 registration fee • 1350 Main St., Katy Wonder Camp - Monty Ballard YMCA at Cinco Ranch Type: academics, arts, day, sports Ages: 5-11 Dates: May 27-Aug. 1 Cost: $225 weekly, $45 registration fee • www.ymcahouston.org/programs/ childcare-and-camps/summer-camp

Challenge Island Type: arts, academics, day Ages: 4-12 Dates: June 2-Aug. 1 (no camps week of July 4) Cost: $125-$295 weekly • Cinco Ranch Lakehouse, 25202 Springwood Lake Drive, Katy • www.challenge-island.com/nwhouston-katy Creator Camp Type: academics, day Ages: 6-13 Dates: June 2-Aug. 8 Cost: $159-$178 (two days), $238-$269 (three days), $1,399 (summer pass) • 3700 S. Mason Road, Katy • www.creatorcamp.org

Spanish Learning Castle Type: arts, academics, day Ages: 1.5-8 Dates: June 2-July 25 Cost: $130-$295 (two- to five-day program) • 5024 E. Fifth St., Katy • 2501 S. Mason Road, Ste. 290B, Katy • www.spanishlearningcastle.com

• 22807 Westheimer Parkway, Katy • www.ymcahouston.org/programs/ childcare-and-camps/summer-camp This list is not comprehensive.

iCode Katy Summer Camps Type: academics, arts Ages: 6-14 Dates: May 27-Aug. 8 Cost: $449 weekly • 9550 Spring Green Blvd., Ste. 432, Katy • www.icodeschool.com/katy133/camps

Spotlight Acting Academy Type: arts, day Ages: 8-18 Dates: June 3-Aug. 1 Cost: $300-$400 weekly • 21412 Provincial Blvd., Katy • www.spotlightactingacademy.com

Katy Gymnastics and Sports Performance Type: sports Ages: 5 and older

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Funtastik Labs STEAM Camps Katy Type: academics, arts, day Ages: 5-10 Dates: May 27-Aug. 1 Cost: $209-plus weekly • 615 S. Mason Road, Katy • www.funtastiklabs.com/tx-katy/summer-camps

School of Rock Katy Rock Camps Type: music, day Ages: 5-18 Dates: May 27-Aug. 9 Cost: $450 or $550 weekly • 3750 S. Mason Road, Ste. 800, Katy • www.schoolofrock.com/locations/katy/ music-camps

Skills Samurai Summer Camp Type: day, academics Ages: 6-16 Dates: June 2-Aug. 1 Cost: $250 weekly, $1,000 monthly • Activate Houston, 20225 Katy Freeway, Katy • Monty Ballard YMCA, 22807 Westheimer Parkway, Katy • www.skillsamurai.com/tx-katy

Featuring the annual Premier Culinary Awards

Summer ART CAMPS

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Buy 3, Get 4th Camp FREE* or $25 off any Half-Day Camp Sale applies to 5-Day Camps *Only pay supply fee for 4th camp. Cannot be combined with other offers Expires March 31, 2025 Art Classes / Art Camps / Pottery / Parties CordovanArtSchool.com

by Norris 21402 Merchants Way

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must be 21+ to attend

KATY NORTH EDITION

Events

BY ASIA ARMOUR

and their teams to promote workplace wellness, the event will also feature live music and food.

March

• March 29, 7 a.m.-noon • $25-$30, free (kids run)

Spring Katy Campout Sponsored by the Katy Parks Department, this free, family-friendly event takes place at VFW Park. Attendees can pack tents and sleeping bags for the overnight event, which will feature an outdoor movie screening, kids activities, s’mores and a light breakfast. • March 21-22, 4 p.m.-9 a.m. • Free (with registration) • 6202 George Bush Drive, Katy • www.cityofkaty.com Cornhole & Crawfish Bash Lutherhill Ministries, a year-round retreat center and summer camp based in La Grange, Texas, will host this first-ever fundraising event for its programs at the

• 5902 Sycamore Ranch Lane, Fulshear • https://chamber.fulshearregional.com

Texas Chili Cookoff The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce invites local cooks and hungry residents to a cooking competition. Proceeds will benefit Katy ISD FFA students, who focus on agricultural education. • April 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • $5 (individual ticket), $250 (chili team or sponsorship) • American Furniture Warehouse, 500 Pin Oak Road, Katy • https://business.katychamber.com

Wild West Brew Fest This weekend-long beer and wine festival returns to the grounds of Typhoon Texas Waterpark in Katy. The volunteer-created and -led event will feature a wine grotto and a flights and bites craft beer tasting. Proceeds benefit the Katy Rotary Club, a nonprofit which donates to local charities. • March 27, 6-9 p.m.; March 28, 7-10 p.m.; March 29, 3-8 p.m. • $20-$300

April

Wildcatter Saloon. • March 22, 1-4 p.m. • $20 • 26913 Katy Freeway, Katy • www.lutherhill.org

Baskets and Bunnies Drive-Thru The Katy Parks Department and the Easter Bunny will pass out Easter Eggs and goodie bags to Katy residents for this drive-thru event at Woodsland Park Community Center. • April 12, 9 a.m.-noon • Free • 443 Danover Road, Katy • www.cityofkaty.com

Texas Heritage 5K This run event starts and ends at Randle Elementary School in Fulshear. Sponsored by the Fulshear Regional Chamber for Commerce to spotlight small businesses

• 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy • www.wildwestbrewfest.com

State

BY HANNAH NORTON

Gov. Greg Abbott outlines 2025 legislative priorities This legislative session, Texas needs to work on housing affordability and continue adding power to the state grid, Gov. Greg Abbott told Community Impact in an interview at the state capitol Feb. 7. What action should lawmakers take on property taxes this session? are, it will reduce the cost [of coverage]. There are other reforms we are taking a look at to make sure that we will … be able to contain any potential increase in the cost of insurance. What can Texas do to help the power grid withstand growing electric demand?

Home values are going to [continue to] go up, but a law that we passed in 2019 ... says that any property tax revenue for any jurisdiction is capped at 2.5%. If your property value goes up 10%, your property taxes cannot go up 10%. The real fix for this is to stop making it so easy for local taxing jurisdictions to increase property taxes. That’s why [I’m proposing] two-thirds approval by voters before property taxes can be increased. What can the Legislature do to address home insurance affordability? We want to make sure Texas is a state that attracts insurers, because the more providers there

Last session, Texas provided incentives to entice the addition of 10,000 more megawatts of power. We want to repeat that this session. One reason for the power demand is because of AI facilities coming here. We want to make sure that these AI data centers ... are responsible for bringing power to the grid themselves.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .

MARIE LEONARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT MARCH 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

DETOURS: An El Paso Refuge CRITTER: American Bumblebee OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas

MADE IN TEXAS: A Leathermaking Legacy FEATURE PREVIEW: Where to Eat Now

Above: The Ysleta Mission, in El Paso.

KATY NORTH EDITION

DETOURS

A Tribal Sanctuary On a Sacred Trail

Location: eleven miles southeast of downtown El Paso. BY JOSH ALVAREZ

CRITTER

American Bumblebee

The bumblebee does something most bees don't: buzz pollination, which involves gripping the plant with its legs and vibrating its whole body. If you eat blueberries, potatoes, or tomatoes— all of which rely on buzz pollination— you’ve got a bumblebee to thank. WHY IS IT SO BIG? The better to collect all that sweet pollen to feed its young. That fuzz is actually densely packed hairs, or setae, that trap pollen as the bumblebee floats from flower to flower. Its large body likely evolved to provide even more surface area.

DOES IT STING? Only if you mess with its nest.

HOW MANY SPECIES ARE THERE? Texas has between seven and eleven types. The most common is the American bumblebee, found statewide. North Texans might spot the brown-belted bumblebee, while those in the west are likely to see the Sonoran variant. The gentle giant is in trouble, though: Since 1974, popula- tions across North America have fallen by 46 percent. SCIENTISTS KEEP TABS, RIGHT? Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is one of several Texas orga- nizations partnering with Jacqueline Staab, the owner of Darwin’s Bee Dogs. Her German shorthaired pointers are trained to sniff out bumblebee nests for population surveys. “If we lose bees,” says Staab, “we lose Texas ecosystems.” —Rose Cahalan

INSIDE THE ADOBE walls of the Ysleta Mis- sion are clues to a deep history of acculturation that characterizes El Paso to this day. The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe, more commonly known as the Tigua, established the mission in 1682, making it one of the oldest in Texas (much of the current structure was built in 1851). The Tigua arrivedherefromNewMexico,whichtheyfled after the Pueblo Indians there overthrew the

Spanish colonial system, in 1680, forcing Span- iards and Christianized Pueblos to seek safety elsewhere. The Tigua dedicated the mission to Anthony of Padua, patron saint of things that have been lost, whose figure stands atop the entrance; inside are blankets dyed in brilliant blues and reds and a statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, the Catholic Church’s first Native American saint. The structure, part of the El Paso Mission Trail, holds a mass every day. If you can, plan your visit for June 13, when the Tigua celebrate Saint Anthony with traditional dancing.

The church interior at the Ysleta Mission, in El Paso.

KATY NORTH EDITION

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MADE IN TEXAS

He Goes With the Grain Clint Wilkinson carries on his grandfather’s leatherworking legacy out of the same downtown Denton storefront. BY PAUL L. UNDERWOOD

OUT THERE

Meanwhile, In Texas

After the San Antonio Zoo announced the birth of Tupi, the first capybara born there since 2000, it had to clarify to X users that it was “not associated with or benefiting from” a crypto- currency named after the baby animal. The number one item on the TSA’s top ten list of the most unusual airport confiscations in 2024 was a gun tucked into the back of a baby stroller at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport. The Texas State Aquarium, in Corpus Christi, released into the Gulf of Mex- ico some 270 green sea turtles it had rescued when they became hypother- mic during a recent cold snap. A Temple woman was sentenced to felony probation for theft after with- drawing money from a GoFundMe account created for her after she lied about a cancer diagnosis so that her friends “would like her more.” A Bexar County jail officer was arrest- ed and fired after allegedly giving an inmate food from Whataburger . After the Houston Police Department announced plans to clean up its prop- erty warehouse, authorities revealed that rats had possibly compromised ongoing cases by eating mushrooms and other drugs stored as evidence. A man stole a pickup truck and led police on a chase to the Midland airport, where he drove through the perimeter fence and onto the runways before abandoning the vehicle. —Meher Yeda

George W. Bush and Fort Worth soul star Leon Bridges, as well as Stetson and 7-Eleven. Wilkinson works out of the downtown cor- ner storefront once owned by his grandfather Weldon Burgoon, who opened Weldon’s Sad- dle Shop & Western Wear in 1957. Burgoon, who helped cover the cost of Clint’s birth, in 1982, by giving a saddle to the obstetrician, taught his grandson the craft. Wilkinson started an e-commerce site for the shop and, with his grandfather’s encour- agement, began branding his own handsewn leather goods with his name. In 2019, a year after Burgoon died, Wilkin- son reopened the shop, which he renamed Wilkinson’s Fine Goods. He’s known for his leather tote bags, belts, and wallets, and he sells wares from other brands, like Nocona- based Fenoglio Boot Company. He’s also de- veloping a line of leather-crafting supplies. The intention, he says, is to create “a way that I can still be in the leather community when I’m seventy-five years old and can’t make anything anymore.”

LAST SUMMER, WILKINSON’S FineGoods, in Denton, received its biggest online order to date. Owner Clint Wilkinson was intrigued by his new client, who purchased a massive array of custom desk mats, bootjacks, and cherrywood boxes with hand-tooled leather accents. “I was just like, ‘Holy crap,’�” Wilkin- son recalls. “He must be a politician or lawyer or something.” Not quite. Wilkinson looked up the buyer, a Utah resident named Austin Post, and re- alized that he was doing business with Post Malone, the rapper who was raised in nearby Grapevine. Wilkinson emailed him to explain that fulfillment would take some time be- cause every item would be handmade. The two now exchange texts about everything from the order’s progress to the woes of their be- loved Dallas Cowboys. Eventually Wilkinson’s client list would include former President

Clint Wilkinson and Charlie Talkington in the Wilkinson’s Fine Goods workshop, in Denton.

KATY NORTH EDITION

2025

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Japanese hand rolls, sashimi, and sushi and en- joy the restaurant’s excellent vinyl collection. What does all this say about dining in Texas as weapproachtheendofthefirstquarterofthe twenty-firstcentury?Maybejustthis:Weneed to make room for more fun. The hospitality industry knows hard times all too well, with the ever-rising costs of raw ingredients and labor and the hollowing out of once vibrant restaurant-centric neighborhoods. Given all that, who wouldn’t opt for a break from the real world? It was in the same spirit that we selected the ten best new restaurants in Texas, along with a handful of honorable mentions. So get out there. Ask some friends to dinner; try some wild and crazy dishes; visit a place not on your radar. Life is serious enough—live a little. And eat a lot. To read the list of the best new restaurants in Texas, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

IS IT OUR imagination, or are Texas restau- rants more, well, imaginative than ever? On our visit to an idiosyncratic spot in the Gulf Coast town of Kemah, we were treated to bil- lowing dry ice, a blowtorch, and a pasta cre- ation that was a dead ringer for a coral snake. In Dallas, we settled into a long, narrow dining room that looked as if it had been uncoupled from the Orient Express. In Fort Worth, we were sure that characters in The Crown would have felt right at home in a convincing replica of a posh London townhouse. Of course, not everything we loved this past year was stagy. One of our favorite venues was a comfy lit- tle place in Houston where guests can order

FEATURE PREVIEW

Where to Eat Now Dining in Texas has been one big experiment this year. Dry ice. Pasta snakes. Whey foam. Corn bubbles. (That’s right: corn bubbles.) Our best new restaurants want you to have a meal you’ll never forget.

BY COURTNEY BOND AND PATRICIA SHARPE

A scallop dish from Ishtia, in Kemah; smoked king salmon crudo at the Chumley House, in Fort Worth; sabering a bottle of wine at Isidore, in San Antonio.

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