‘Renters are in a strong position’: Houston rental listings reach record high in August
The Houston rental market had a record number of available listings in August, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ August 2025 Rental Market Update released Sept. 17.
A closer look: According to the release, there was a 3.1% increase in the number of single-family homes leased this August compared to the same time last year. At the same time, active listings surpassed 10,000 units in August.
Rental properties are taking a little longer to lease, however, with an average of 35 days on the market compared to 32 days a year ago.
What they’re saying:“Houston renters are in a strong position right now with more choices and stable lease prices,” HAR Chair Shae Cottar said. “As mortgage rates continue to ease, we expect to see more renters exploring their dream of homeownership in the coming months.”
All-in-one pickle shop In a Pickle Co. prepares to open in Old Town Spring
An all-in-one pickle experience is preparing to open in Old Town Spring this October.
Meet the owners: Store owners Krystal and Tim Wertman said In A Pickle Co. is not your average pickle shop, but more of a big dill.
“The shop is more than a store, it’s the year-round extension of the In A Pickle Festival, the largest pickle festival in Texas,” Krystal said in an email.
A grand opening event is planned at the shop from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Oct. 1.
What to expect: During the event, customers can pick from local and viral pickle brands, whether found on social media or from small-batch local creations. Customers can also shop for pickle merchandise, pickle margaritas, lemonade and they can even sample multiple flavors in one sitting through a pickle flight.
Entergy Texas receives approval for 2 new power plants in southeast Texas
Entergy Texas will build two new power plants to support the growing southeast Texas region following approval by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, officials announced in a Sept. 11 news release.
Two-minute impact: Per the release, the two natural gas power plants will be able to provide "enough reliable electricity capable of powering more than 300,000 homes." Combined, the two power plants will add more than 1,200 megawatts of energy to the southeast Texas power grid, while generating $2.8 billion in economic activity and creating over 9,000 construction jobs.
Officials noted the power plants are expected to allow Entergy Texas to meet new customer demand, increase reliability and lower costs for all customers.
Quote of note: "We've heard directly from our customers and communities about the need for more power to support our rapidly growing region, and these facilities will deliver just that," Entergy Texas CEO Eliecer Viamontes said in a statement.
The timeline: Both facilities are planned to be in service by mid-2028, per the release.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
From crispy wings and fiery Nashville hot chicken to authentic Middle Eastern shawarma and freshly made tacos, Kilani Food Hall is a new food hub that offers a curated selection of dishes from a variety of world cuisines.
Per the website, the seven halal concepts include: Lit Wingz, which offers crispy fried wings with signature sauces; Burnin' Chick, which serves Nashville style hot chicken;Cheeky Buns, which features smash burgers and gourmet hot dogs; The Shawerma Man, which specializes in Middle Eastern shawarma; Gyro Bros, which offers traditional Greek gyros; A&M Fry Shack, which serves fried fish and seafood favorites; Taco Nova, which serves Mexican tacos.
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The owner of Sambrooks Hospitality, Michael Sambrooks, announced in a Sept. 16 news release that he has taken over the lease at Mandito's Tex-Mex in Bellaire, which closed over the weekend, and intends to rebrand it as Candente.
Candente is an industrial-style Tex-Mex restaurant that opened in Montrose in 2019. It is known for fajitas, carne asada, chicken and seafood cooked over a wood-fired grill. The spot also provides classic cocktails, such as margaritas, tequila flights and ranch waters.
Sambrooks said that the Bellaire location will serve the same menu of handcrafted Tex-Mex staples and classic cocktails as the Montrose location.
