After more than four decades in business, Catalena Hatters has become a destination not just locally but for those all around the state and country.

The business regularly ships out hats internationally as well and sees generations of families come in all the time, General Manager Scott Catalena said.

The history: Catalena Hatters was founded by Catalena’s parents, Sammy and Carolyn. Sammy always had an interest in custom hats, but the machinery to do so is notoriously difficult to get, Catalena said.

“The bottleneck is the machinery,” he said. “The stuff we have is over 100 years old, and it’s tough to find whenever this machinery becomes available.”

Staying local: Catalena said the business gets people from out of town “every day,” but it’s the longstanding relationships built within the community that make it enjoyable.

“They bring their families in, their friends in, they’ll have us make hats for their businesses. Those relationships are a lot of fun,” Catalena said. “Open a lot of doors for you, truly.”

• 203 N. Main St., Bryan

College Station is positioning itself as a growing hub for sports tourism, with several national and international events scheduled to bring large crowds to the city throughout 2026.

Visit College Station officials said in a news release that the lineup, which ranges from international soccer to professional softball championships, reflects increasing collaboration between Texas A&M University and the city, aimed at attracting large-scale events.

At a glance:

• May 2: Savannah Bananas make a tour stop at Kyle Field
• June 6: "Road to 26" international friendly comes to Kyle Field
• June 6: EB Cushing Stadium hosts USA Track & Field Lone Star Grand Prix
• July 25-26: College Station hosts Athletes Unlimited Softball League 2026 Championship Weekend

Shipley's Do-Nuts will be serving its signature treats in Bryan by this fall.

Construction is ongoing next door to the Chick-Fil-A along West Villa Maria Road.

What they offer: Shipley's Do-Nuts has dozens of varieties of fresh donuts, paired with other treats, including kolaches, beignets and coffee.

About the project: According to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulations, the new construction is worth more than $1.7 million and began last year.

In a statement to Community Impact, Shipley Do-Nuts said they do not have an exact opening date for the location yet.

"We are looking forward to opening a newest location in Bryan on West Villa Maria Road by the end of the summer," officials said in an email.

Before you go: This newest addition is set to be Aggieland's fifth Shipley's location.

• Coming soon, set to open by the end of summer

Texas residents are increasingly facing damaging storms that drive up home insurance rates and other housing costs. Ahead of the state's 2027 legislative session, consumer advocates and insurance industry representatives are urging lawmakers to consider affordability solutions.

What's happening: The average Texas home insurance premium—the amount paid to an insurance company—was $3,291 in 2024, according to the latest Texas Department of Insurance data. In total, premiums rose about 50% between 2022-24.

Texas’ high propensity for natural disasters has been “the No. 1 driver” behind recent rate increases, said Rich Johnson, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas.

Stay tuned: While Texas can't legislate itself out of weather risks, lawmakers have considered some policy changes to increase disaster resiliency and boost regulatory oversight of the insurance industry. Proposals range from creating grants to help residents weather-proof their homes to placing limits on future rate hikes.