With signs that the fog of the economic recession is finally starting to lift, the Tomball business community is hoping the worst is over and that growth and prosperity are once again on the horizon.

Last week, Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Hillegeist spoke to the Tomball Rotary Club and offered a few items of good news while reminding club members and guests that while Texas was among the least-affected by the recession, the Tomball community still took its hits.

“In the past 20 months,” Hillegeist said, “ten restaurants have closed down.” He also cited the recent closing of Klein’s Super Market, while not directly linked to the recession, as a sign of overall change in the marketplace.

However, an April “Business Development Update” provided by the Chamber reveals that while some establishments have failed to survive the crunch, the Tomball community is expecting to see new businesses make forays into the area.

Central to the most significant business growth is Tomball Marketplace, located just west of SH 249 and anchored by Academy Sporting Goods. Last year saw the opening in that shopping center of a Sears Appliance Store, an Allied Windows and Siding and a Buffalo Wild Wings sports restaurant.

According to the report, Weingarten Realty, the center’s developer, has stated that Ross Dress for Less “has signed a contract for a store to open in the center in the next 18 months.”

What was rumored in the fall of 2009 appears to be a reality as Cracker Barrel will open a new restaurant on two pad sites northeast of Academy “in the near future,” the report states.

While nothing has been finalized and leases have yet to be signed, two more marquee name-brand stores are also considering the Tomball Marketplace. Best Buy, long hoped-for by Tomball area residents, and Marshall’s “have both negotiated leases, but no lease with either has been signed,” the Chamber’s “Update” stated.

But while retail and restaurants get people most excited, light industrial and manufacturing businesses are repeatedly finding a home in Tomball and as they do, they bring and create jobs.

Creacom, a highway light fixture manufacturer, is relocating to Tomball on Hufsmith-Kohrville Road and will bring approximately 35 new employees to Tomball.

Fab Corp., Inc. of Houston is relocating within Tomball’s extra territorial district, two blocks west of SH 249 on Red Fox Lane. The fabricating and machine operations company will bring approximately 50 jobs to Tomball.

Other new developments expecting to land in Tomball soon are Trilogy Dance and Cheer, which has secured 10,000 square feet for a facility in the Persimmon Business Park, Dollar Tree, expected to open next to Leslie’s Pools in the Target shopping center, and a Best Value Inn, currently under construction at the corner of FM 2920 and Park Road.

While the Tomball business marketplace appears to soon be expanding, so too is the residential community. The City of Tomball has approved plans for two major home sites, The Reserve at Spring Lake and Pine Country of Tomball.

The Reserve will be located on 232 acres along Zion Road and will feature 75 one to five acre “large estate style” homes.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed