HTX-PLF: Impact 4/23/2026

Good Morning, Pearland, Friendswood & Manvel!

Top Story

The Gilded Page bookstore coming to Friendswood

The Gilded Page Literary Lounge is expected to open in Friendswood in May, according to an April 10 social media post from the business.

An official opening date has not been announced.

What’s in a name: The store will offer a selection of books alongside coffee, wine and pastries from Roland’s Swiss Bakery, as well as provide space for book clubs and small gatherings, according to the post.

313 S. Friendswood Dr., Ste. 103, Friendswood

See more details.

Coming Soon

Sprouts Farmers Market coming to Webster in May

Sprouts Farmers Market is opening a new location in Webster in late May, according to the business's website.

What they offer: Sprouts offers fresh, natural and organic food with products that cater to a range of dietary needs, including gluten-free, plant-based and non-GMO products, according to the business's website.

1001 W. Bay Area Blvd., Webster

Read now.

Metro News

HAR reports a record number of Houston rental homes leased in March

According to the April 15 Houston Association of Realtors’ March Rental Market Update, Houston's rental market has seen an increase in leased listings.

The details: For March, HAR reports there were 4,718 leased listings for single-family rentals on the market, a 15.8% increase compared to last March. For pending listings, there was an increase of 7.8% compared to last year, totaling 6,172 homes on the market. Lease prices in comparison to last March dipped by 2.1% to $2,242 from $2,290. Homes have also spent slightly longer in the market, from 43 to 47 days.

What else: According to HAR, the townhome and condominium market has also seen changes in March; 673 properties were leased this March, leading to a 12.4% increase compared to the 599 properties last March.

Alongside the rental market, the number of new listings for townhomes and condominiums has grown by 10.1% to 1,082 properties; last March’s listing amount was 983 properties. Meanwhile, the number of days on market has grown to 61 days this March from 53 days last March.

Learn more.

Key Information

Texans have until April 27 to register to vote in May runoff elections

Texans interested in casting a ballot in next month’s primary runoff election have until April 27 to register to vote or update their registration, if applicable.

The background: Texas’ primary runoff election will be held May 26. A runoff is held when no candidate secures over half of the vote in a partisan primary race.

Registering to vote: Prospective voters must submit a paper application, which is available online. Applications must be printed, signed and mailed to the voter registration office in a voter’s county of residence.

On the ballot: Various federal, state and local races will appear on the May 26 runoff ballot.

At the top of the ticket, Republican voters will pick between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton to determine the party’s nominee for U.S. Senate. The winner of that race will face state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, in November.

Something to note: The runoff election is separate from upcoming local elections, which take place May 2. Visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide for more information about those elections.