Local business owners in the Conroe and Montgomery area are struggling with rising costs, leading at least 13 businesses to permanently close or move online-only since early 2025. The majority of these businesses offered fast and sit-down dining experiences.

The big picture: According to a Texas Restaurant Association survey, business owners face increases in labor and the overall cost of goods, including products like beef and credit card processing fees.

Additional challenges impacting these local businesses include:

• A 30.4% increase in average gasoline costs since August 2025.

• Labor cost increases reported by 60% of restaurant and dining venue owners.

• Day-to-day operating costs significantly increasing for 45% of restaurant owners.

What they're saying: In Harris and Montgomery counties, researchers note a decline in economic trust. Daniel Potter, director of the Houston Population Research Center, stated that the percentage of people feeling good about Houston job opportunities dropped from 70% at the start of 2025 to under 50% by the start of 2026.

A new family-owned bagel and pastry shop has opened near Lake Conroe.

The details: Sunrise Nook Bagels and Pastries opened on Sept. 3 off State Highway 105 near Lake Conroe.

The bakery serves bagel sandwiches that are topped with deli meats, cheeses and vegetables and a variety of other add-ons. The menu has Asian-inspired flavors with coffee and matcha served as well.

Meet the owners: Sisters Christina Delcano and Marinda Sourinphoumy own the shop. Delcano said the inspiration behind the restaurant was their family's love of food and gathering everyone at the table to share a meal.

"We're for the community," Delcano said. "We're here for everyone to try out something new, something Asian-inspired as well. We just want to give something different here for the community and brighten everyone's day."

On Oct. 28, the Lone Star College System formally signed a Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement (GTPA) with five higher education institutions.

The framework: The partnership includes Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, Texas Tech University and the University of Houston-Downtown. The program is part of Lone Star College's 2025–2030 strategic plan to create pathways for students to get gainful employment and transfer opportunities. The GTPA will create 50 different guaranteed transfer pathways to degrees. Under this program:

• Students will know which credits transfer toward their degrees from the start for up to six years.

• Continuously enrolled students do not lose ground if course requirements change.

• High school students taking dual credit courses can apply those credits toward a bachelor's degree at a partnered university.

What they are saying: University of Houston-Downtown interim president Deborah Bordelon noted the agreement is about accountability and holding each other to higher standards.