Lisa Lankford found herself wanting something to do during the day while her kids went to school, which is what inspired her to buy Golden Needle in 2015.

Some details: The needlework shop started in 1989 under different owners in Port Charlotte, Florida. Lankford took ownership of the store while her family was living in the Sunshine State for her husband's job.

Lankford and her family returned to Texas in 2021, which is when she brought the needlework shop to San Marcos. In 2023, she moved Golden Needle to its current space off of FM 306.

For Lankford, needle art is a hobby that takes her mind off of everyday stresses. During times her husband was deployed, needle art kept her occupied.

“There’s enough going on, that the back of my brain was less worried about things,” Lankford said.

A pizzeria has closed its doors in New Braunfels.

In a nutshell: Stout's Pizza Co. closed its New Braunfels location on Nov. 1, an employee of one of the San Antonio locations told Community Impact. The restaurant, located at 1850 Hwy. 46, Ste. 101, decided not to comment on why the location closed at the time of publication.

Stout's Pizza Co. has two other locations in San Antonio at:

• 1742 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 123

• 7915 W. Loop 1604 N., Ste. 114

What else? Stout's Pizza Co. served pizza rolls, calzones, salads and specialty pizzas.

• Closed Nov. 1

• 1850 Hwy. 46, Ste. 101, New Braunfels

Check out six new business updates from the city.

Now open

Esaltare Arts: The stained-glass business has operated for over a year in San Marcos and recently moved into a new studio, expanding its offerings to community members.

Waterford, Wedgwood, Georg Jensen and Royal Copenhagen: The new store at the San Marcos Premium Outlets unites the four lifestyle brands under one roof, offering home goods that blend heritage, innovation and quality.

Coming soon

Dickies: A new Dickies store will open at the San Marcos Premium Outlets.

Hays County Pets Alive! Thrift: The newest city thrift store will open soon and support the work of PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, a local animal shelter.

Hoka: The popular shoe brand will open its own dedicated store in the San Marcos Premium Outlets next to Perfumania.

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving woman and Black legislator in Texas history, said she has the votes to become Texas House speaker when the legislature convenes in January.

What to know: Thompson released a list Nov. 6 of 90 House members whom she said pledged to support her speaker candidacy.

The 87-year-old was first elected to the legislature in 1972 and took office the following year. She would become the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker.

The context: Thompson's candidacy comes after Democrats swept Texas' statewide seats in the Nov. 3 election, ending 24 years of Republican dominance. Rep. Eddie Morales, D-Eagle Pass, threw his hat in the ring for speaker on Nov. 5 before endorsing Thompson less than a day later.

Quote of note: "I know that with the colleagues that are being sent to the legislature, both Democrats and Republicans working together, we can make a difference in the state of Texas and the lives of the people that we represent," Thompson said.