Sondra Hernandez Staff writer July 31, 2024

In the midst of downtown Conroe’s revival in recent years, new shops and restaurants have emerged in the district around the Montgomery County Courthouse square. 

As the area continues to evolve, summer has brought some shifts to the downtown businesses. 

Here’s what to know about downtown retailers that have closed, opened, moved or returned this summer:

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A Game Changer closes 

Conroe’s first bar arcade on Metcalf Street A Game Changer has closed this month after opening in November. The closure was confirmed by the building’s owner this week. 

A trio of Houston hospitality experts brought the new concept for downtown to the old MoCo Food Hall at 109 Metcalf Street. The food hall was open from August 2022 to July 2023 after a major renovation of the historic building near the north/south train tracks. 

A Game Changer offered vintage arcade games and a variety of arcade-style games, dining and “A Bank Job” bar which was a hidden bar that ran the length of the venue. 

The last post on A Game Changer Facebook page was June 27 and invited patrons to enjoy downtown Conroe’s Fourth of July fireworks from their second-story balcony. 

No new plans for the building have been announced. 

Small Town Famous moves 

The storefront for the vintage Western wear boutique Small Town Famous at 312 Metcalf Street has closed and owners Farralyn Withrow and her daughters Libby and Katey now have booth No. 77 inside of Conroe Central Market at 225 N Thompson Street still in downtown Conroe. 

Katy native Withrow said she has always loved Western wear and vintage finds and Small Town Famous opened in the old State Hotel building in April 2023. The shop helped outfit Montgomery County residents for the Montgomery County Fair, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and more with unique styles. 

The shop specializes in pearl-snap shirts, vintage Wranglers, boots, belts, belt buckles, hats, leather purses and jewelry. An online shopping experience is also in the works for Small Town Famous. 

Withrow continues to host the weekly Main Street Market on Thompson Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Galavant’s Coffee is back 

Galavant’s Coffee stand is back in downtown Conroe. In early 2021, Brad Bailey opened the mobile coffee cart at Main and Metcalf streets. 

Bailey had worked at a coffee shop in Houston and a few others locally, but was ready to strike out on his own. The cart kept going through April 2022. After a hiatus, Galavant’s Coffee cart opened again in June at Clover House Antiques, 118 North San Jacinto Street.

“Thanks again for all the love and continued support y’all are the best,” Bailey wrote on the Galavant’s Coffee Facebook page in June. Visit the Facebook page for open days and hours. 

Kofe Num Pang out of commission 

Kofe Num Pang opened at 330 N. Main in downtown Conroe in June 2023. Prior to that the spot was Vernele’s Bayou Bakery and Café and has been a host of other restaurants over the years. 

Kofe is a nod to everyone’s favorite morning jolt. Num pang is a style of Cambodian sandwich. The location is operated by the Cheng family that also owns the Taste the Asian food truck and Dragon Bowl C Noodle Bar in downtown Conroe. 

The location is temporarily closed as they continue to make repairs caused by recent rains. No reopening date has been given. Earlier this year, the Cheng family opened a second location of Dragon Bowl C at Hop Scholar and Sabbatical Spirits in Spring. 

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Newer arrivals 

Paulette Café is a French restaurant in downtown offering breakfast, crêpes, pizzas, pastries at 406 N. Thompson Street. The spot opened in December 2023 on the first floor of the Moreland Professional Building. 

On July 1, Erika Prothow’s E.Free’s On Main had its grand opening in the former location of candle and soap shop Almost August across from the Crighton Theatre on Main Street. 

After launching her own loose-leaf tea brand, Teavotion, in the Houston area in 2022, in February she had the soft opening for her E.Free’s On Main tea shop in downtown Conroe that carries her Teavotion teas and other tea-related finery. 

Additionally the Conroe Collective has become The Collective in Downtown Conroe and has a new owner. The space has even more vendors and coffee is coming soon to the business at 213 N. Thompson Street. 

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