A new locally-owned coffee shop is now brewing in the Cy-Fair area.

The details: Officials with Simply Brew Coffeehouse announced the soft opening of the new cafe in the space, which was formerly occupied by The Daily Brew.

According to store management, there will be a grand opening event scheduled at a future date but residents can begin enjoying coffee and pastries from the cafe.

• 12303 North Eldridge Parkway, Ste. A, Cypress

Fast food franchise Golden Chick announced the grand opening of a new location serving the Cypress area in a Jan. 7 news release.

The details: Golden Chick offers a variety of meals centered around roasted or fried chicken with sides such as fried okra, macaroni and cheese, green beans and more. The store marks the brand's 19th Houston-area location, and offers dine-in, drive-thru and takeout options. 

In their words: “Houston continues to be one of our most important growth markets,” said Brian Loescher, president of Golden Chick's franchising. “Reaching 19 restaurants in the trade area reflects both strong guest demand and the confidence franchisees have in our brand. It’s the kind of market where Golden Chick’s value, quality and community focus truly resonate.”

• 5734 Barker Cypress Road, Houston

Officials with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County announced Jan. 5 its transition to a new fare system, RideMETRO, which replaces and discontinues the METRO Q Fare Card.

The gist: METRO riders can purchase the RideMETRO $2 fare card, according to METRO’s website, and load money at any of the following locations:

• METRO RideStore locations
• METRO Online RideStore
• RideMETRO app
• Participating retail locations
• Ticket vending machines

Riders can check their balance on the RideMETRO app. After 10 paid trips, riders get one free trip, according to METRO’s announcement.

The cost: No fare increases are taking place as part of the new fare system, according to the METRO website.

A new U.S. Postal Service rule could impact when time-sensitive mail, such as tax forms and mail-in ballots, is considered officially sent.

The overview: Effective Dec. 24, mailed items are postmarked when the USPS processes them, rather than the date items are dropped in a mailbox. A postmark refers to the date and location stamped or printed on most mailed items, indicating when and where the USPS “accepted custody” of a mailpiece, per the federal agency.

Zooming in: According to the Texas comptroller’s office, the updated USPS guidance means items could be postmarked “several days” after they are dropped in a mailbox. This includes date-sensitive items sent by Texas residents and businesses, such as property tax payments, federal tax returns, mail-in ballots and required business reports.

To ensure that mail is postmarked on the day it is sent, customers can take mail into their local post office and request that the item be hand-stamped for free, according to the USPS. Texans can also pay property taxes and submit ballots in-person at county offices.