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Mockingbird Books creates ‘third space’ in Katy

Since opening last year, Katy residents Stephanie Pitcock and Julie Foster have transformed Mockingbird Books into a welcoming gathering place, offering customers a safe space where they can connect with others and build community.

The backstory: The two co-owners opened Mockingbird Books last July after spending 18 months planning the business. Pitcock and Foster have been friends for more than a decade and share a lifelong love of reading and books.

When bookstores began experiencing a resurgence following the COVID-19 pandemic, they saw an opportunity in Katy.

What to expect: The store features leather loveseats, velvet chairs, reading tables and custom bookshelves designed to resemble a home library. Customers are encouraged to linger over coffee, tea or a glass of wine, while reading, working or visiting with friends.

The bookstore was intentionally designed as what the owners call a “third space”—a place outside of home and work where people can gather, build friendships and feel welcome.

Looking ahead: Going forward, Foster and Pitcock hope to expand awareness of the bookstore and eventually launch in-store book clubs.
 
Now Open
Masala Pizza & Bitezz open 1st Greater Houston location in Katy

Masala Pizza & Bitezz is now serving South Asian flavors in Katy, owner Sree Gurrapu confirmed.

What’s on the menu: The modern fusion restaurant specializes in comfort foods such as pizzas, wings, loaded Masala fries, burgers and desserts, Gurrapu said. Halal options are also available.

Zooming out: The restaurant also has another Texas restaurant in Liberty Hill, according to its website.

  • 23523 Katy Freeway, Ste. 300, Katy
 
Mark Your Calendar
New menus for Houston Restaurant Weeks go live ahead of fall event

Produced by The Cleverley Stone Foundation, Houston Restaurant Weeks is a multiweek event from August through September that helps raise funds for the Houston Food Bank through specially priced, prix fixe menus at participating restaurants.

HRW is now entering its 23rd year, and menus for the 2026 event officially went live July 15.

How it works: Houston Restaurant Weeks will return Aug. 1 through Sept. 7, offering 38 days of prix fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menus. According to a July 15 news release, more than 350 restaurants are expected to participate across the Greater Houston area from the Inner Loop, downtown and the Galleria to Sugar Land, The Woodlands and Galveston.

Customers can expect to find special menus throughout the month that range from $25 to $55, depending on the menu. Brunch and lunch are $25, with dinner options priced at $39 or $55.

Why it matters: For every dollar donated, approximately three meals are generated by the Houston Food Bank. In 2025, the event garnered over $1.6 million, per prior reporting.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Church Garage Sale

CKC Houston Scrapbooking Show

July 17-18, 8 a.m
Houston

July 17-18, times vary
Conroe

Learn more.

Learn more.

 

FOLK Book Sale

Old Pearland Farmers Market

July 17-18, times vary
Kingwood

July 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Pearland

Learn more.

Learn more.

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Statewide News
Gov. Abbott: More than 75 people rescued amid 'record' Texas rainfall, flash flooding

As heavy rain and flash flooding threatens large swaths of South and Central Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott spoke to reporters about the state's preparation for and response to the severe weather July 15.

The big picture: The heaviest rainfall is occurring in southwest Texas, according to the National Weather Service, with 10-15 inches of rain expected through July 16 along the U.S. 90 corridor west of San Antonio. As of 2:40 p.m. July 15, all or parts of 14 counties were under a flash flood warning, including Comal, Hays and Bexar counties.

The city of New Braunfels announced several road closures July 15, and the city closed recreational access to the Comal River due to continued rainfall and rising water levels, Community Impact reported.

The severe weather came just over a year after historic flooding killed more than 130 people in Central Texas on July 4-5, 2025.

More details: Dozens of other counties were under flood watches, advisories and warnings. Fifty-nine counties were also under a state disaster declaration as of July 14.

 

Your local team

Aubrey Howell
Editor

Amy Martinez
General Manager

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