Taco Palenque has announced plans to open a new location in the Cypress area, which will be it's second location in the north Houston area.

The details: Per a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the fast-casual Mexican restaurant will be opening a new 4,000-square-foot building along Hwy. 290 near Fry Road in Cypress.

On the menu: Taco Palenque offers a variety of tacos, burritos and fajita plates with beef or chicken. The restaurant also offers "Palenque bowls" which include beef or chicken, Mexican rice and charro beans, per the website.

MilkShake Factory soft opened a new location Feb. 9 in Elyson Town Center, a staff member confirmed with Community Impact.

On the menu: The dessert shop offers a variety of gourmet handspun milkshakes, with flavors including Campfire S'mores, Bananas Foster and Caramel Toffee Cappuccino as well as classics like chocolate and vanilla, per its website.

The menu also features several non-dairy milkshakes and other dessert options, such as fresh fruit cups with molten chocolate.

Zooming out: Several business and medical offices are also coming soon to Elyson Town Center, a 17.5-acre mixed use development near the Elyson master-planned community in Katy, including Haraz Coffee House, Coco Crepes & Coffee and Memorial Hermann. 

Stay tuned: MilkShake Factory Elyson plans to hold a grand opening celebration March 7, the staff member said.

• 7040 Elyson Exchange Way, Ste. 100, Cypress

Candidates for the Republican primary for U.S. House District 2 gathered at The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership on Feb. 19 for a forum on economic and business topics during the first week of early voting.

What happened: Incumbent Dan Crenshaw and candidates Martin Etwop and N. Lee Plumb attended the forum, and state Rep. Steve Toth, who represents District 15 in the Texas Legislature, was also invited but did not attend.

The details: The candidates offered information about their backgrounds and motivations for running, and questions covered topics such as the economy and legislative policies.

Get involved: Early voting began Feb. 17 and will end Feb. 27. A list of some of the positions on the sample ballot for voters in The Woodlands area in Montgomery County can be found here.

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