Officials said these types of entertainment businesses may be attracted to the city’s demographics—such as the surplus of families enrolling their children at Katy ISD and young adults who attend the University of Houston’s Katy locations.
“When it comes to that specific industry market, a lot of that has to do with what Katy is being recognized as—a growth opportunity,” said Matthew Ferraro, president of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce.
Angie Thomason, president and CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council, said this industry will continue to bolster the city’s growth in coming years.
“It’s not just creating those fun experiences. It’s more of a strategic approach,” Thomason said.
The big picture
In the last five years, more than 10 diverse entertainment options have opened in Katy, according to previous Community Impact business reporting.
Slick City, an indoor slide park for ages 3 and older, will join venues near Katy Mills mall this winter, representatives with the mall said. Its neighbors include Dig World, the construction-themed amusement park that opened in March 2022; Urban Air Trampoline Park that opened March 2020; and Typhoon Texas, which opened a $4 million kids-only minipark in late 2022.
Along I-10 and Grand Parkway, sports-centered venues Home Run Dugout and PopStroke cater to both kids and adults. Opened March 2023 and December 2022, respectively, they feature several bars and full-service restaurants in addition to batting bays and a small-scale golf course.
Ferraro noted each location is near a major thoroughfare that provides access to and from heavily populated areas around Greater Houston.
“It’s pulling people from Tomball, Montgomery County, Fort Bend County, just because of ease of access,” Ferraro said.
A concentration of entertainment businesses are located at the intersection of I-10 and the Grand Parkway, Katy Mills mall, and Hwy. 90 and First Street, near Katy’s downtown square.
“You can drive down I-10, Grand Parkway, Franz Road, any of the roadways in the Katy area one week, and the next week something new has popped in,” Thomason said. “It’s just great for the economic growth of our community.”
Looking ahead
Continuing the trend of new entertainment venues is the incoming Electric Pickle, a complex to be located near the intersection of I-10 and the Grand Parkway that will feature 10 pickleball courts and full-service private cabanas with TVs, fireplaces and a 10,000-square-foot restaurant, Thomason said.
“Any of these new businesses coming, whether it’s entertainment or [otherwise], will bring job opportunities, economic growth and improvement of quality of life for our community,” she said.
