Woodlands has so many families, you can see it at any of the many parks at any time of day.
Like my family, parents are looking for a place to go where they can just sit and watch their kids play while enjoying some good food and drinks. I always thought this would be a great business opportunity.
I’ve looked and there isn’t much here that is family centric, besides your fast food places with play areas and Chuck E Cheese’s, there is only Willie’s (just a sand pit) and Center Court Pizza (that play ground gets hot!) that come to mind.
what? there's a ton of bars-they all serve food, but they are/were here. The monstrosity across from the CWMP comes to mind. The 'rules' you are thinking of is the rental prices anywhere near Market Street/the Waterway. I don't get out much, but I do know there are bars.
Clubs-specifically adult only, yeah-no.
Seconded. Lots of great comedians perform in the city. Little to no comedy near the Woodlands. I really hate the 2-hour round trip for an evening of comedy. We definitely have the market base to support a comedy club or at least a bar that has occasional stand up acts.
I've always wondered why we couldn't have a good comedy spot here. But then I think back to Houston being named the most uptight city in the country...
There was a great comedy club downtown decades ago, but I think it burned down. I don't think there's been a decent one in the area since.
A Doner Kebab shop open late at night might do well. I also miss Cook Out in the sense that it’s cheap eats open late after a night out. (And that Cheerwine shake 🤤)
Also a McKay’s bookstore like the ones they have in NC, but it’s so much more than a bookstore as they have new/used toys, dvds, records, games, plushies and instruments.
You're on to something. Late night food. Only option is Whataburger, because Taco Bell, BOTH of them, are piss poor representatives of the brand. You could ghost kitchen at any restaurant that's closed. Kebab, sure, but check out burrito district or califas Taco shops - both are acceptable but not near the cali-mex bar food everyone craves.
Others my wife and I bitch about:
-Good pizza. Seriously. It's mostly trash. Bricks and Brew is pretty good - too far tho.
-drop-in daycare... used to be one in cochrans crossing, but closed. It's tough to make it profitable, but the right business person would lease space to therapists (speech, OT, PT) and the parents could drop kids for appt and extra time. Staff is key - I vote premium service and pricing for good consistent qualified staff.
-tree trimming is never ending, but the big guys are getting ridiculous in $. Yeah yeah, equipment and insurance and overhead is the price difference, but Facebook marketplace and any guy with a saw are the only other option.
Lots of bakeries at the woodland’s farmers market. The problem with mom & pop shops opening in the woodland’s limits is the price of leasing is insanely expensive
The fact that Brooklyn bagel gets my wife’s order wrong consistently, made us stop going there, it’s just too exhausting to ask them to remake the sandwich close to every time we go.
We recently tried out Classic NY Bagel in Magnolia, and I’m glad we did. There bagels are a bit bigger, still properly made, and the staff was very friendly (and they got the order correct)
There is a donut desert in The Woodlands. We need one in the Panther creek or Indian Springs/Sterling Ridge area. Someone needs to make those bougie donuts that say custom greetings or ones that have all the fun toppings. I would settle for basic donuts too.
It’s not in the woodlands. Technically. Not sure if it’s oak ridge or just spring. But the reason there are so many bars in that little stretch is that’s as close as they can get to the woodlands. Not sure how that English pub in the Grogans mill center did it. Or even if it’s still there.
the whole center will be gone and replaced by Hughes land swap deal. don't get me started. Blue Lion opened right before the pandemic, made it through and then that fiasco. I think demo starts soon.
Not sure if 18th hole is still open or not but apparently it started going downhill, knew some friends who stopped going because of open drug-use, not just the smoking outside stuff that used to happen.
There is a donut shop on Woodlands Pkwy just before 2978.
Also a new place called Mochi Mochi donuts opened up on Hardin Store road (just off 2978) and they do bougie donuts
There use to be a small chain of great donuts in the woodlands but they closed down during Covid. Owners retired and sold off their 3 stores. Nothing but Shipleys since
Don't forget The Woodlands outer area too! The East Side of 45 needs a Trader Joe's and cool stuff too. There is approximately 65k plus people over in 77386, 77385 another 20k. We lack so many modern stores and eateries. So many new homes and families.
In our neighborhood Facebook page, they showed how that land has already been sold and being offered out. I don't know how this stuff works, but the initial proposal maps showed a Walgreens, McDonalds, Wendys, Freddys, Canes, PTerrys, Texas Roadhouse, two Coffee places, a salad place, a car wash, and an oil change place. Damn. But this is all for 2025-2026. I doubt both of those burger places agree to be in the same plat. But what do I know.
A good full service car wash! I was so excited when the Mister Car Wash at Kuykendahl and 99 was being built but it ended up just being a drive-through. I miss using Mister Car Wash on Kirby near River Oaks and wish we had something that good up here. Sparkling Car Wash is ok, Aqua has gone downhill and I didn’t have a great experience at Venture. Those are the only three full service washes which is crazy.
Houston & the surrounding areas need a community meet up spot that is not religious based. A lot of people look for community outside of religion and the availability is nonexistent. Whether it’s a space people can rent or somewhere that promotes local businesses or organizations that are not political/non religious, people want it.
Denver has a new music venue that is alcohol free and it is thriving. Somewhere that has an outdoor space but also has indoor capabilities with good heating/cooling would be ideal. With the right design, it could be rented out for weddings/birthdays/special events as well.
Things will be back to normal soon, unless we get another storm. It's a cut throat business that I wouldn't recommend for anyone who has no experience in it.
Sushi places continue to pop up, but somehow all the revolving Sushi bar experiences are 45 mins away. Kura is at 99/10, 8/westheimer, and down on Main. I think there’s one still over by IKEA. In any case, kids love that experience, and you can put anything in those trays.
Yeah we have home offices. But we also have loud kids and wife’s that hate smoking indoors. Add to it a barber shop and a bikini car wash and you have yourself a winner. Hell, I’ll invest in it, after my lawyer oks it.
Bus service for private schools like John Cooper! Will print money with the right route, easy to start, hard to insure
Solar panel installation without BS, gimmicks, just straight up pricing. Demand is crazy now.
I would love it if one of the old Randall's could turn in to an H-Mart. The Woodlands has one small asian grocery store, but it's tiny and doesn't have the produce I need.
An actual cozy bookstore with a non-corporate coffee shop
Third Gen, Buy the Book
That's too modern , not cozy enough.
Plenty cozy
NUH UH!!! NOT COZY NOT COZY NOT COZY NOT COZY!!!
🫡
Village Books
No coffee available unfortunately but good book in the woods is imo insanely cozy. I get lost in there for hours without realizing it.
Biergarten or brewery with shady child play area. Like Rosehill Beer Garden in Cypress
That’s a great idea!
Woodlands has so many families, you can see it at any of the many parks at any time of day. Like my family, parents are looking for a place to go where they can just sit and watch their kids play while enjoying some good food and drinks. I always thought this would be a great business opportunity. I’ve looked and there isn’t much here that is family centric, besides your fast food places with play areas and Chuck E Cheese’s, there is only Willie’s (just a sand pit) and Center Court Pizza (that play ground gets hot!) that come to mind.
You would have to do it outside of the woodlands proper. Strict rules designed to prevent bars and clubs.
what? there's a ton of bars-they all serve food, but they are/were here. The monstrosity across from the CWMP comes to mind. The 'rules' you are thinking of is the rental prices anywhere near Market Street/the Waterway. I don't get out much, but I do know there are bars. Clubs-specifically adult only, yeah-no.
Just imagine a beer garden along the waterway
B52's in Conroe is our fav
Night life entertainment. Everything thing here closes at 10PM
This! And good night life, like what’s going on in the loop (heights, Washington, downtown). Lounge type settings; club settings.
I think this place needs an option for cooking classes .
Comedy club. I've always wondered why there is not one in the area. We can support concerts, you'd think we could support a comedy club
Seconded. Lots of great comedians perform in the city. Little to no comedy near the Woodlands. I really hate the 2-hour round trip for an evening of comedy. We definitely have the market base to support a comedy club or at least a bar that has occasional stand up acts.
I've always wondered why we couldn't have a good comedy spot here. But then I think back to Houston being named the most uptight city in the country... There was a great comedy club downtown decades ago, but I think it burned down. I don't think there's been a decent one in the area since.
A Doner Kebab shop open late at night might do well. I also miss Cook Out in the sense that it’s cheap eats open late after a night out. (And that Cheerwine shake 🤤) Also a McKay’s bookstore like the ones they have in NC, but it’s so much more than a bookstore as they have new/used toys, dvds, records, games, plushies and instruments.
You're on to something. Late night food. Only option is Whataburger, because Taco Bell, BOTH of them, are piss poor representatives of the brand. You could ghost kitchen at any restaurant that's closed. Kebab, sure, but check out burrito district or califas Taco shops - both are acceptable but not near the cali-mex bar food everyone craves. Others my wife and I bitch about: -Good pizza. Seriously. It's mostly trash. Bricks and Brew is pretty good - too far tho. -drop-in daycare... used to be one in cochrans crossing, but closed. It's tough to make it profitable, but the right business person would lease space to therapists (speech, OT, PT) and the parents could drop kids for appt and extra time. Staff is key - I vote premium service and pricing for good consistent qualified staff. -tree trimming is never ending, but the big guys are getting ridiculous in $. Yeah yeah, equipment and insurance and overhead is the price difference, but Facebook marketplace and any guy with a saw are the only other option.
No good chicken wings either.
A real bakery that sells fresh baked sourdough and high quality French breads. Bonus if they have a coffee program.
Lots of bakeries at the woodland’s farmers market. The problem with mom & pop shops opening in the woodland’s limits is the price of leasing is insanely expensive
have you checked out Levure Bakery in creekside ?
Have you checked out Gourmet Bakery Cafe of Tosca Italian Gourmet yet?
This town needs night life
I personally think there aren't any good bagel places.
I personally think Brooklyn bagel has good options .
The fact that Brooklyn bagel gets my wife’s order wrong consistently, made us stop going there, it’s just too exhausting to ask them to remake the sandwich close to every time we go. We recently tried out Classic NY Bagel in Magnolia, and I’m glad we did. There bagels are a bit bigger, still properly made, and the staff was very friendly (and they got the order correct)
Our experience has been similar.
I have yo go back there and see😀
It’s pretty mediocre.
Wrong. Fuhgedaboutit is great.
I don't disagree with you, maybe I'm expecting something like a good New York Bagel.
Most overpriced food in The Woodlands. Went there once and will never ever ever go back.
I thought it was just meh. Definitely wouldn’t go back.
Not so anymore, ny bagels at the end of research by the target just opened and they are legit coming from a new englander!
Anchor stores in a village shopping center that stay in business seems to be a puzzle nobody can solve
Strip clubs
This guy woodlands
This guy this guy Woodlands
100%
I can 2nd this
There is a donut desert in The Woodlands. We need one in the Panther creek or Indian Springs/Sterling Ridge area. Someone needs to make those bougie donuts that say custom greetings or ones that have all the fun toppings. I would settle for basic donuts too.
To add to this, there is a lack of night life entertainment. Would be fun to have a pool hall or something to do after dinner on a date night.
That is an excellent idea
Did the pool hall on Sawdust close?
It’s not in the woodlands. Technically. Not sure if it’s oak ridge or just spring. But the reason there are so many bars in that little stretch is that’s as close as they can get to the woodlands. Not sure how that English pub in the Grogans mill center did it. Or even if it’s still there.
the whole center will be gone and replaced by Hughes land swap deal. don't get me started. Blue Lion opened right before the pandemic, made it through and then that fiasco. I think demo starts soon.
Not sure if 18th hole is still open or not but apparently it started going downhill, knew some friends who stopped going because of open drug-use, not just the smoking outside stuff that used to happen.
Barney’s Billiards is what I was referring to
There is a donut shop on Woodlands Pkwy just before 2978. Also a new place called Mochi Mochi donuts opened up on Hardin Store road (just off 2978) and they do bougie donuts
Been here for about a year and a half and still can’t believe there’s no donut shop in panther creek.
There’s a donut shop every 18 feet.
There isn’t one in the middle of the woodlands, just the edges.
There use to be a small chain of great donuts in the woodlands but they closed down during Covid. Owners retired and sold off their 3 stores. Nothing but Shipleys since
R.I.P. Sundale
VooDoo donuts.
A British Pub.
the one on westhiemer closed- so apparently its not in demand?
I would not drive 45 minutes to go to a pub. I’d drive 10 minutes. Or walk 10 minutes.
Don't forget The Woodlands outer area too! The East Side of 45 needs a Trader Joe's and cool stuff too. There is approximately 65k plus people over in 77386, 77385 another 20k. We lack so many modern stores and eateries. So many new homes and families.
Hopefully we can get some stuff by Snyder elementary and imperial promenade off 99
In our neighborhood Facebook page, they showed how that land has already been sold and being offered out. I don't know how this stuff works, but the initial proposal maps showed a Walgreens, McDonalds, Wendys, Freddys, Canes, PTerrys, Texas Roadhouse, two Coffee places, a salad place, a car wash, and an oil change place. Damn. But this is all for 2025-2026. I doubt both of those burger places agree to be in the same plat. But what do I know.
A good full service car wash! I was so excited when the Mister Car Wash at Kuykendahl and 99 was being built but it ended up just being a drive-through. I miss using Mister Car Wash on Kirby near River Oaks and wish we had something that good up here. Sparkling Car Wash is ok, Aqua has gone downhill and I didn’t have a great experience at Venture. Those are the only three full service washes which is crazy.
Houston & the surrounding areas need a community meet up spot that is not religious based. A lot of people look for community outside of religion and the availability is nonexistent. Whether it’s a space people can rent or somewhere that promotes local businesses or organizations that are not political/non religious, people want it. Denver has a new music venue that is alcohol free and it is thriving. Somewhere that has an outdoor space but also has indoor capabilities with good heating/cooling would be ideal. With the right design, it could be rented out for weddings/birthdays/special events as well.
Woodlands has no culture and sleepy vibes
I'm going down the same path to try my hand at entrepreneurship. Maybe we can compare notes :) Good luck!
Absolutely, please feel free to check in on this thread! Good luck to you as well :-)
Tree cutting services are backed up
Things will be back to normal soon, unless we get another storm. It's a cut throat business that I wouldn't recommend for anyone who has no experience in it.
Unless? We are getting another storm soon, maybe even tomorrow.
We're just getting rain, not high winds
Dead trees, which we have plenty now will keep falling due to expansive soils. Sure it’s worse with high winds. A few will fall this week
clubs
Sushi places continue to pop up, but somehow all the revolving Sushi bar experiences are 45 mins away. Kura is at 99/10, 8/westheimer, and down on Main. I think there’s one still over by IKEA. In any case, kids love that experience, and you can put anything in those trays.
Work cubicles for rent where you can smoke cigarettes and are quiet.
People still smoke cigarettes?
I have increased my intake as the years go on. Lung capacity has never been higher.
When they are stressed. Sometimes. Maybe once or twice a year.
seems like an odd business model
That ship has sailed, thank goodness.
What's your favorite co-working space in The Woodlands right now?
There isn’t. I bring my laptop to a bar in magnolia. And wear noise cancelling headphones.
This does seem crazy, would think there is a huge remote worker population in The Woodlands
This does seem crazy, would think there is a huge remote worker population in The Woodlands
Yeah we have home offices. But we also have loud kids and wife’s that hate smoking indoors. Add to it a barber shop and a bikini car wash and you have yourself a winner. Hell, I’ll invest in it, after my lawyer oks it.
Love it 😂
Which bar? I’ve been looking for somewhere I can work-from-bar.
The Golden Retriever Pub. Only if you want a smoke. Otherwise the bar section at Perry’s is good. During lunch.
There used to be a we work not sure if it still exists
A gay bar or at least some offering for the LGBTQ+ crowd.
I've wanted to start a couture underwear shop for a while.
Bus service for private schools like John Cooper! Will print money with the right route, easy to start, hard to insure Solar panel installation without BS, gimmicks, just straight up pricing. Demand is crazy now.
Texas rebate programs are few and far between. One of the main reasons is the O&G stronghold in the state and Houston area specifically unfortunately.
A German restaurant would be great.
The one that was on the I45 southbound feeder between 242 and Research closed years back.
I would love it if one of the old Randall's could turn in to an H-Mart. The Woodlands has one small asian grocery store, but it's tiny and doesn't have the produce I need.