A new, 6,500-square-foot gift shop and home decor store is getting ready to open its doors in a historic building in Gruene.

What we know: Molak Corporation officials announced they will be opening a new curated gift shop, called H.D. Gruene Mercantile, on Feb. 17. The shop will be located inside the historic H.D. Gruene mercantile building, which was first established in the early 1900s at 1607 Hunter Road, according to a news release.

Susie Molak, co-owner of the Molak Corporation and wife of founder Pat Molak, said the opening of the new store reflects the storied history of Gruene.

“H.D. Gruene Mercantile has always been part of Gruene’s story, and this reopening is about honoring that legacy while creating something that feels relevant, inspiring and distinctly Texan,” Susie Molak said in the release.

Some context: Named after Henry D. Gruene, the founder of Gruene, the store will feature gifts, home decor, apparel and more.

• 1607 Hunter Road, New Braunfels

A Spring Branch-based nail studio is opening its second location in New Braunfels this spring.

Long story short: House of Nails is expected to open a new location inside the Divine Aesthetics Studio at 931 N. Elliot Knox Blvd., Ste. 200, salon staff told Community Impact.

The nail business is owned by Jessia Perez, who said the salon will open sometime in March, according to a Facebook post.

What they offer: House of Nails specializes in Russian manicures and pedicures along with eyelash lifts, teeth whitening and lip waxing services.

• 931 N. Elliot Knox Blvd., Ste. 200, New Braunfels

Stretching over 100 miles in a loop around the city, the Howard W. Peak Greenway has over 50 major trailheads, with links to local parks and approximately 1,600 acres of green space near creeks and natural areas.

The big picture: District 9 council member Misty Spears said the greenway has revolutionized how San Antonians interact with their city.

“It’s one of the [greatest] quality of life investments we’ve been able to make for San Antonio, particularly in North San Antonio, to provide a safe place for recreation, unite neighborhoods and connect our communities with nature—all while protecting our drinking water supply by preserving land over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone,” Spears said.

The specifics: Ross said the greenway comprises multiple trail networks, such as the Medina River Greenway, Leon Creek Greenway and Salado Creek Greenway, with each offering a unique experience.

“Every one of these trail segments are a little bit different from each other,” Ross said.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, or TWPC, has approved $21.2 million to help create and improve outdoor recreational areas in over 40 communities across Texas.

The big picture: The grants are awarded through the agency’s local park grants program. The program requires a 50% local match from participating governments and mandates that funded sites remain public parkland in perpetuity, according to a news release Jan. 30.

Once completed, the projects are expected to add or enhance amenities at approximately 50 community parks statewide. Planned improvements include nature trails, native landscaping, playgrounds, splash pads, sports fields, kayak launches, piers and other outdoor recreation features, according to the release.

The grants are designed to expand access to outdoor recreation while helping local governments develop and maintain high-quality park spaces. All funded parks must be properly maintained and remain open to the public, according to the TWPC website.

TPWC administers grants based on community size and project scope, according to the release.

From a new pizza spot in New Braunfels to a cat cafe coming soon to San Antonio, check out these top stories for the week of Feb. 2-6.

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Texas gained more new residents last year than any other U.S. state, recently released U.S. Census Bureau data shows. Yet the Lone Star State’s overall population growth slowed significantly amid a nationwide reduction in immigration from other countries.

The big picture: Texas grew by 391,243 residents in 2025, bringing the state’s total population to 31.7 million. This includes:

• Domestic migration: Over 67,000 people moved to Texas from other states.
• International migration: Over 167,000 people moved to Texas from other countries.
• Natural change: There were roughly 157,000 more births than deaths in Texas.