Concordia Lutheran High School to undergo 45,000-square-foot expansion
Concordia Lutheran High School—located on 42 acres along FM 2920—will undergo a project that will affect 75,000 square feet of space, with 45,000 of those square feet being new construction, according to an Aug. 19 news release.
The gist: According to the news release, the project will add a new indoor athletic complex featuring:
Two full-length courts
A practice gym
Locker rooms
Athletic training and weight rooms
An event venue hall
Classrooms
Concessions facilities
What they’re saying:“This new complex will not only solve longstanding scheduling challenges, but will also create an environment where our students can holistically thrive in personalized and team endeavors,” Head of School Todd Eklund said via news release.
Stay tuned: The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 2. The project is anticipated to be completed by early 2027.
Owners Michael Ngo and Jackie Sim are opening Collective, a yoga and Pilates studio with classes seven days a week, Sim said.
What you need to know: Formerly known as Roll Out Yoga, Collective is the relocated and expanded studio that will offer yoga and mat Pilates classes in infrared-heated and non-heated options as well as reformer Pilates classes, Sim said. Sim said Roll Out Yoga will continue in operations in Spring, Texas, until the new location opens.
DATA: Housing affordability remains steady across Houston region
Home affordability in the Houston region decreased slightly according to the second-quarter housing affordability report from the Houston Association of Realtors.
At a glance: Out of the five major counties in the Houston region, Montgomery County had the highest rate of home affordability, with 46% of residents able to afford a median-priced home. The least affordable area was Harris County, where only 34% of residents are able to afford a median-priced home.
What else?: For those who rent homes, the average monthly payment across the region dropped from $2,190 to $2,100 a month. Galveston County saw the highest increase in monthly home rental prices, going from $2,100 to $2,175 per month.
Ulta Beauty and Target announce plans to conclude partnership
An Aug. 14 Ulta Beauty news release announced Ulta Beauty and Target mutually agreed to not renew its partnership once its agreement concludes in August 2026. The Ulta Beauty at Target experience will continue in Target stores and on Target.com until then.
The details: Per the release, both Target and Ulta Beauty said they remain committed to delivering a seamless shopping experience through the end of the partnership and will continue to support their teams and partners during the transition.
Quote of note: “We’re proud of our shared success with Ulta Beauty and the experience we’ve delivered together,” said Rick Gomez, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Target. “The magic of shopping for beauty at Target is the combination of on-trend products that delight consumers with an inspiring and convenient shopping experience. We look forward to what’s ahead and remain committed to offering the beauty experience consumers have come to expect from Target.”
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
After a divine vision and a lifetime of inspiration from her entrepreneurial parents, Gloria Taylor traded real estate for the restaurant kitchen to openApple-licious Bakery Bistro, a soul food spot built on faith, family and second chances.
At Apple-licious Bakery Bistro customers can find honey crisp and granny smith flavored pastries from cheesecakes to pies and 20 different gourmet candy apples as well as breakfast tacos, apple wood smoked pulled pork, quiches, sandwiches, soups and salads.
Local Houston restaurant group Goode Company opens new bar in River Oaks (Read More)
Nourish Cafe is a ‘hidden gem’ within a wellness hub in Conroe (Read More)
New sushi restaurant opening in Manvel Town Center (Read More)
New Mexican-inspired restaurant with large, covered patio opening in Kemah (Read More)
ShanShan Su opened Mimi Garden TX in December to offer a comforting taste of home and to share the authentic art of Chinese dumpling making in The Woodlands. Rooted in his heritage, the restaurant embraces culinary creativity with handcrafted dumpling and bao dishes, he said.
“In Chinese, ‘mimi’ means secret. Our restaurant is nestled in the woods, like a hidden garden waiting to be found; a peaceful retreat where comfort, flavor, and quiet joy come together; a secret worth sharing,” Su said.
Texas House approves youth camp safety, flood relief bills following Central Texas flooding
What's happening: House lawmakers approved six bills Aug. 21, all of which were drafted in response to the July 4-5 floods that killed at least 137 people in Central and West Texas.
Lawmakers said the bills were designed to mitigate the damage of future floods by requiring youth summer camps to implement approved disaster plans, establishing licensing requirements for local emergency managers and facilitating the development of a statewide emergency communications plan.
What they're saying: “We have a chance now to right these wrongs, to say ‘Never again,’” Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said on the House floor.
Also of note: The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced the organization will invest $40 million into a housing fund for victims of the July 4 flooding.
At an Aug. 21 press conference in Kerrville, Gov. Greg Abbott said the nonprofit’s housing fund will help affected Texans receive new housing within months.