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New opening date announced for The Kebab Shop in Valley Ranch Town Center

A new estimated opening date has been announced for The Kebab Shop restaurant slated to open in Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney.

What happened? The 2,400-square-foot location was originally expected to open last fall, but the project was delayed.

Craving Kebabs? The Kebab Shop is a Mediterranean restaurant with a menu of fire-grilled skewers, wraps and bowls. The Kebab Shop has locations across Texas, California and Florida.

  • Opening estimated for September
  • 21856 Market Place Drive, New Caney
 
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Coming Soon
Coffee shops, Greek restaurant: 5 businesses coming soon to Valley Ranch Town Center

From coffee shops to restaurants, check out these businesses coming soon to Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney. This list is not comprehensive.

Coming soon
A new 2,200-square-foot Starbucks location is coming soon to Valley Ranch Town Center. The shop will offer a menu of brewed coffee, espresso drinks, blended frozen Frappuccinos, teas, pastries and more.

  • Opening this summer
  • 11805 N. Grand Parkway E., Ste. 100, New Caney

Nick The Greek will be opening a new location in Valley Ranch Town Center. The West Coast-based Greek eatery offers a menu of gyros, plates, bowls, salads, and desserts as well as burgers and loaded fries.
  • Opening date TBD
  • 11805 N. Grand Parkway E., Ste. 200, New Caney

Qargo Coffee—an Italian-style cafe—will be opening a new location soon in Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney. Based in Miami, Qargo Coffee sells drinks, pastries, breakfast and lunch.
  • Opening date TBD
  • 21580 Market Place Drive, Ste. 100, New Caney
 

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Metro News
St. Luke's Health awards $1M in grants to Houston area nonprofits

St. Luke’s Health has awarded $1.01 million in philanthropic grants to 19 nonprofits in the Greater Houston area, according to an April 6 news release. The grants are intended to address health disparities and enhance the well-being of underserved populations, according to the news release.

What we know: The grants are a part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program.
According to a news release, the program will:

  • Improve community health

  • Advance health equity

  • Enhance local services through charitable contributions

The impact: Participating nonprofits applied to receive grant funding to cover issues found within St. Luke’s community health needs assessments.
Needs include:

  • Improving access to care

  • Behavioral health

  • Chronic disease

  • Food security

  • Preventative practices

  • Social determinants of health

What they're saying: The local initiative by St. Luke’s is a part of a larger effort by CommonSpirit Health, which has awarded $15 million to 329 organizations nationwide, according to the release.
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Nutcracker Spring Market

Bellaire Book Sale

April 17-19, times vary
Houston

April 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Bellaire

Learn more.

Learn more.

 

Puranava India Art & Culture Fest

Hot Sauce Festival

April 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Pearland

April 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tomball

Learn more.

Learn more.

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Statewide News
Texas education board moves forward with first mandatory K-12 reading list

The State Board of Education gave preliminary approval April 10 to roughly 200 literary works that all Texas public school students would be required to read beginning in 2030.

What happened: The SBOE trimmed about 100 titles from a list proposed by the Texas Education Agency, which board members and educators criticized as too long to be taught. The Republican-led board signed off on a revised list in a 9-5 party-line vote April 10.

The details: The draft list ranges from nursery rhymes and short stories in early grades to classical and 20th-century literature in high school. The list also includes about a dozen excerpts from the Bible. While students learn about world religions today, Texans testified that if the reading list is approved, it would be the first time in recent history that state leaders mandate religious readings in the classroom.  

Next steps: Board members are scheduled to take a final vote on the reading list in June. If approved, the list will be used in classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.

 

Your local team

Hannah Brol
Senior Editor

Kim Sommers
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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