HTX-SKL: Impact 9/3/2025

Chris Jepson is shaking up the bar scene with alcohol-free cocktails made with kava and kratom at Elixir Lounge in Old Town Spring. Founded on Aug. 30, 2022, to offer a vibrant alternative to the traditional bar scene, Elixir Lounge offers a place full of energy and connection without the presence of alcohol.

Quote of note: “As more people seek alcohol-free social spaces, I saw a real need for a welcoming environment where anyone, regardless of whether they drink, can come together to unwind, connect and belong,” Jepson said.

What’s special about it? At Elixir Lounge, customers 18 and up are served a variety of kava and kratom drinks, made from diffused kava roots and kratom leaves.

Cassandra Abercrombie, manager at Elixir Lounge, said kava is known for its calming and relaxing effects while kratom stimulates energy. Sourced from the Polynesian islands, Abercrombie said drinks and ingredients sold at Elixir Lounge are bought from trusted suppliers, including top farms across the South Pacific, including Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

The owner of medical spa King Wellness Institute, Winnie King, announced on social media the relocation of her practice.

What they offer: The medical spa offers aesthetic treatment herbal supplements, as well as services such as botox and dermal fillers, laser treatment and hormone replacement therapy, according to the company’s website. 

• Relocated in June
• 6384 Louetta Road, Spring

Chick-fil-A is opening a new location in Tomball near the intersection of Hwy. 249 and the Grand Parkway, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The details: Construction is set to begin in May 2026 and finish in October 2026, according to the filing. The project has an estimated cost of $4.5 million. Details are subject to change. Menu items from the fast-food chain include chicken sandwiches, strips and nuggets, along with sides such as salads and fries.

• 25527 Tomball Pkwy., Tomball

State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, will be officially named the sole finalist for the position of chancellor and CEO for the Texas Tech University System at a Sept. 4 board of regents meeting, according to the meeting agenda. Creighton will succeed former chancellor Tedd Mitchell, who announced his plans to retire within the year, according to a July 11 news release.

Some context: Creighton was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2014, and serves District 4, which encompasses parts of Montgomery, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson and Galveston counties, according to the district website. During the 89th regular legislative session, Creighton sponsored House Bill 2, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed June 4 and gives public schools $8.5 billion in funding over the next two years.

Quote of note: “I feel very blessed to have been considered for the role of chancellor,” Creighton said via X. “There is no greater purpose I would consider than working to make generational changes that transform the lives of young Texans for decades to come.”