As Montgomery County continues to see growth, residents are starting to take fewer trips to Houston as they have more restaurants, stores and entertainment nearby.
From farm-to-table restaurants to arcades, several businesses have opened during the summer and fall around the county.Â
On YourCourierNews.com: Dairy Queen, Jack in the Box, Gringos among Conroe restaurants opening soon
Here are businesses that have opened between August and October in Montgomery County:
Farm-to-table restaurants and suburban fun
New farm-to-table restaurants include The Wheel Kitchen’s Thelma Portillo, an ice house inspired by “man’s best friend,” a restaurant intended on showing customers that “life is still fun in the suburbs,” as well as a pirate-themed restaurant.Â
After opening The Wheel Kitchen in 2016, the Tomball restaurant owners decided to expand into the Conroe area. In July, the Portillos opened The Wheel Cafe at 1905 Longmire Road on Conroe’s northwest side in an area plentiful with homes but sparse on dining opportunities. A pizzeria is scheduled to open soon, which will include farm-fresh ingredients.Â
On YourCourierNews.com: Fastest growing US suburbs: Conroe makes top 20 in list
Hound Hauz, a family-owned ice house that encourages visitors to bring their furry friends, opened in August between the Magnolia and Montgomery area. About five minutes away from downtown Magnolia, the ice house is just off the beaten path with food trucks sitting in front, varying from burgers to Asian fusion.Â
Suburbs Bar and Grill, off Fish Creek Thoroughfare in the Woodforest community, opened on Aug. 18, with the intent on showing guests that they can “still have fun in the suburbs.” The menu includes sandwiches, tacos, flatbreads and burgers. It also has entree plates that include a seafood platter and steak. The drink menu includes custom old fashioned’s, other cocktails, wine and beer.Â
Two restaurants are expected to open soon in The Woodlands, one being a pirate-themed restaurant and the other being a restaurant-style grab-and-go business. Â
Arcades opening for people feeling nostalgic
Two arcades have opened, or are expected to open in the Montgomery County area.Â
The 8-0 Retro Arcade in Willis opened in June and features nearly 20 arcade machines such as Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat and pinball machines. The arcade held public events until it switched to private events due to the extreme heat over the summer. Private event bookings range from $299 to $499, depending on the length of the rental, according to the arcade’s website.Â
Conroe is expected to open its first “barcade,” replacing the MoCo Food Hall — which closed in July. The arcade will be “part bar, part arcade” and is expected to open around Black Friday. Guests will find a two-story patio bar at the front of the building. Another bar area will be to the right of the entrance.The game floor will feature 40 arcade games. Some are vintage like “Donkey Kong,” “Millipede,” “Space Duel” and others.Â
Cafes opening in The Woodlands
Spring-based coffee brand Barbarossa Coffee is expanding with two new locations near The Woodlands and Spring set to open this year. The Woodlands location is expected to be the Spring-based specialty coffee brands’ headquarters and will be a coffee shop that doubles as the brand’s first education center.
In August, Ome Calli opened at the Grogan’s Mill Village Center. The artisanal coffee shop incorporates health-conscious, plant-based ingredients as well as elements from Mexican and Aztec culture.Â
New Target, record store
New Caney residents now have a new Target, after the Minneapolis-based retailer opened its 40th store in the Houston market. The store joins Academy, Kroger and TJ Maxx and other anchor stores in Valley Ranch Town Center. It also includes electric-vehicle charging stations.Â
The Woodlands township also opened its first record store. ZT Records opened in September in The Woodlands Mall.Â
