HTX-TOM: Impact 10/14/2025

Bloomers Florist, a full-service retail florist in Tomball, celebrated its 25th anniversary on Oct. 1, owner Doreen Gordy and manager Chelsea Mahoney confirmed.

Staying local: The florist shop, which relocated from Baker Drive to Keefer Road in 2024, creates designs for events including weddings, birthdays, funerals, anniversaries and holiday celebrations. The shop offers plants such as roses, tulips, lilies and orchids.

While Bloomers Florist serves the greater Tomball, Magnolia and The Woodlands areas, Gordy and Mahoney said they also support and design for nonprofits such as the Tomball Lions Club, Tomball Rotary Club and Miss Tomball pageant.

• 1305 Keefer Road, Ste. 103, Tomball

Einstein Bros. Bagels is now open in Tomball.

The details: Known for its variety of bagels, the bagel shop also offers double-whipped cream cheese.

• 14090 FM 2920, Tomball

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough declared a local state of disaster and issued a countywide burn ban effective Oct. 14, citing rapidly worsening drought conditions and an elevated risk of wildfires, he announced in an Oct. 13 Facebook post.

What you need to know: The order, made in consultation with the County Fire Marshal and the Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, prohibits all outdoor burning not specifically permitted and inspected by the Fire Marshal’s Office, according to the resolution. Commercial land-clearing operations using air curtain incinerators must also suspend activity until receiving inspection approval.

Keough said prolonged dry weather has left local vegetation dangerously dry, warning that “even small sparks can quickly become dangerous wildfires.” 

Diving in deeper: The declaration activates the county’s emergency management plan and authorizes emergency response and recovery measures. Violations of the burn ban are punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to 180 days in jail.

The order will remain in effect until weather conditions improve and the county determines it is safe to lift restrictions.

Houston First Corporation, the parent organization of the Houston Film Commission, announced Oct. 8 the launch of a new local film incentive program designed to attract film and television productions to the Houston area.

What this means: The announcement comes amid growing momentum for Houston’s film industry. Productions filmed in the region generated $27.1 million in direct spending and an $81 million economic impact in 2024, according to the Houston Film Commission.

The program offers a 10% rebate on local spending, capped at $100,000 per qualifying project, with a total of $400,000 available annually, per the news release. Officials said the initiative, the most competitive of its kind in Texas, aims to boost local job creation and strengthen Houston’s position as a film production hub.

Diving in deeper: To qualify, projects must film at least 60% of principal photography within 60 miles of downtown, spend at least $500,000 locally and hire at least 55% Texas residents as cast and crew. Houston First and the Houston Film Commission will oversee the application process.  

Check out several new restaurants that have recently opened across the Houston metro, as recently reported by Community Impact.

Aki Sushi and Asian Fusion
At the restaurant, customers can choose from a variety of sushi, including popular items such as spicy tuna rolls, shaggy dog rolls and California rolls. Additionally, Aki Sushi and Asian Fusion offers bento boxes, rice and noodle dishes, hibachi, nigiri and sashimi.

• Opened in September
• 17307 Highway 6, Ste. 108, Manvel

• Opened in September
• 2004 S. Mason Road, Ste. A1, Katy