Read the latest business and community news from Community Impact Newspaper's coverage of the Houston area.

Houston Fourth of July celebration to go virtual, keep fireworks show

Houston’s annual Freedom Over Texas 4th of July celebration will be altered to accommodate coronavirus social distancing guidelines, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced June 15.

The Teacher Creature Store to celebrate 5 years in Old Town Spring this July

The Teacher Creature Store, located in Old Town Spring at 315 Gentry St., Ste. A1, Spring, will celebrate five years in business with a special event July 18-19.



Montgomery County libraries launch virtual staff reference service

A new one-on-one reference service provided by the Montgomery County Memorial Library System staff launched June 15.

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts reopens June 16, plans virtual gala for August

After three months of being closed to the public due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts reopened June 16.
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Texas Republic Veterinary Hospital to open Katy-area clinic

Family-owned and -operated Texas Republic Veterinary Hospital plans to open a clinic at 25011 Lakeview Road, Katy, this summer, clinic manager Jessica Buvinghausen said.

Signarama opens new sign printing center on Robinson Road in Conroe

A new location of the national signage services company Signarama opened east of Oak Ridge North in early May. The new store, Signarama—The Woodlands (South), is located at 28131 Robinson Road, Ste. D, Conroe.


Putt-Putt FunHouse closes permanently

Less than a year after celebrating 40 years in the community, Putt-Putt FunHouse at 806 E. NASA Parkway, Webster, has permanently closed as of late April.

YMCA of Greater Houston announces Phase Two of reopening

The YMCA of Greater Houston announced it will be opening more amenities effective June 15 as part of its phased approach to fully reopening.


League City's Fireworks Extravaganza still on for July 3

Despite the coronavirus pandemic closing businesses and canceling events worldwide, League City still plans to hold its annual Fourth of July celebration—though it will look different this year.

Voodoo Doughnut signs new lease for Montrose location

Just six months after cutting the ribbon on its first Houston location on Washington Avenue, Voodoo Doughnut has signed a lease for its next outpost, at 1214 Westheimer Road, Houston.


Summer movie nights return in Harris County Precinct 4 parks with registration required

Harris County Precinct 4 presents its annual Summer Movie Nights series, featuring a free outdoor screening of a movie at a local park, beginning June 16. Unlike previous years, guests must call to reserve a space to ensure social distancing can take place at the event.

NOW HIRING: Messina Hof announces job openings for upcoming Harvest Green location

Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery and Kitchen, which broke ground Jan. 17 at 8921 Harlem Road, Richmond, is now looking to to hire an executive chef and general manager. The company is also looking to onboard 80-100 new staff members prior to opening, according to a June 9 press release.

Montgomery County nonprofit forms in the wake of George Floyd's death

The ongoing protests over the death of George Floyd have formed a new nonprofit in Montgomery County to mobilize residents. The nonprofit took to downtown Conroe on June 14 to protest and to register voters.

24 Hour Fitness files for bankruptcy, closes 12 Houston-area locations due to coronavirus

National fitness chain 24 Hour Fitness announced June 15 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. The news release stated the company has permanently closed more than 100 gyms across the U.S., including 12 in the Greater Houston area.

Roll Out Yoga to reach one year in Spring location

Roll Out Yoga will celebrate one year of business in Spring on June 29. Located at 9702 Spring Cypress Road, Ste. 122, the studio offers heated and nonheated yoga classes for strength-building, flexibility and mobility.

Harvest Kitchen & Bakery opens in mid-June in Katy area

Harvest Kitchen & Bakery opened June 10 at 21971 Katy Freeway, Katy. It is owned by Danny Casino and Lori Pope, who are siblings, and Pope is the chef de cuisine.

GALLERY: #ArtforJustice takes viewers inside virtual museum dedicated to George Floyd, Black Lives Matter movement

Sugar Land resident Karim Farishta founded #ArtForJustice, a virtual art gallery, following the death of George Floyd as a way to energize the community in the fight for racial justice, Farishta said in a statement.

Roundup: 5 Heights, River Oaks and Montrose restaurants look to reopen after COVID-19 cases

Five local restaurants in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose are hoping to reopen soon after reporting positive cases of COVID-19.

Ben Thompson, Jake Magee, Andrew Christman, Emma Whalen, Matt Dulin, Anna Lotz, Beth Marshall, Andy Li, Kelly Schafler, Adriana Rezal, Jen Para, Claire Shoop, Hannah Zedaker