Throughout 2024, Community Impact spoke with owners and managers of nine local businesses to be featured in our monthly editions. Here’s a look back at the Katy and Fulshear retailers we featured.

1. Diverse entertainment space AGR Sports offers something for everyone in Katy

Searching for a U.S. city with the most favorable weather and growth potential, Alex Babichev, owner and founder of AGR Sports, chose Houston.

He moved in 2017 and opened the first state-side iteration of the Ukraine-based sports park and entertainment venue near downtown Houston in 2020. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Babichev was able to expand the brand out to Katy, where he lives with his family, in October 2022.

Read more here.2. Tiffany’s Tiny Flower Truck cultivates, connects Fulshear community


What began as a mobile flower business in September 2020 to “spread blooms” across Katy and Fulshear during a time of uncertainty has transformed into a collaborative space for women and neighbors, said Tiffany Callicott, owner of Tiffany’s Tiny Flower Truck.

“The community needed it, [and] I needed it,” Callicott said. “I think a lot of people needed it just to feel connection again after the hard years of [the COVID-19 pandemic].”

Read more here.
Coffee flights are a popular menu item at Humble Grounds, which has Fulshear and Katy locations.
Coffee flights are a popular menu item at Humble Grounds, which has Fulshear and Katy locations. (Courtesy Humble Grounds)


3. Faith-based coffeehouse Humble Grounds centers God, family, community


The name for Humble Grounds coffeeshop in Fulshear is derived from Bible scripture Micah 6:8, co-owner Rebecca Speed said.

The verse reads, “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humble with your God.”

Speed said she and her husband, Garrett, felt this was fitting for their brand and business model.

Read more here. 4. Arteastic owner offers 'escape' at Katy-area art gallery, tea room


For Sobella Loreto, artist and co-owner of Arteastic, it wasn’t much of a stretch to blend the concepts of a tea shop and art gallery, she said.

The tea sommelier displays her watercolor and acrylic paintings throughout the shop. She said it has always been a dream to combine her passion for teaching, tea and artistic expression into a business.

Read more here.
The Growler Spot rotates 40 craft beer taps and has 12 local wines available. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
The Growler Spot rotates 40 craft beer taps and has 12 local wines available. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)


5. The Growler Spot in Fulshear credits 10 years of business to customer embrace


As The Growler Spot approaches its 10-year anniversary, the owners reflected on watching the city of Fulshear grow around them.

When Susan Ladart and her son, Josh Schultz, opened the business Aug. 11, 2014, the city's population was around 2,284. That’s grown to 21,552, according to 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Read more here.6. Katy Crossing Icehouse creates community hub in the heart of downtown Katy

As the owner of the first bar in the Historic Downtown Katy Square, Bill Fanning said his goal in establishing Katy Crossing Icehouse was maintaining the charm of a small town.


“We wanted to repurpose a lot of the materials [and] build on the rich history of Katy with the train theme,” Fanning said. “[We wanted to] make it a classy date night kind of place that you can also bring your family. I think we've achieved that.”

Read more here.
Active Cycling sells a variety of bikes, parts and equipment, and provides maintenance and repairs to bicycle owners' rides. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Active Cycling sells a variety of bikes, parts and equipment, and provides maintenance and repairs to bicycle owners' rides. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)


7. Active Cycling owners find brotherhood in biking

Five friends who met through a Latino bicycling league decided to open local boutique shop Active Cycling in Katy because of their shared passion for cycling.

Assistant Manager Juan Manuel Sanchez said the owners chose the shop—a converted home near Katy’s historic downtown—to foster a familiar atmosphere.

Read more here.8. Iron Supply Powersports in Katy creates family-centric, inclusive environment

Owner Jason Pennington said he aims for Iron Supply Powersports in Katy to create a more inclusive environment within the powersports industry.

“Too many times I've walked into dealerships ... where I didn't feel like I belonged,” Pennington said. “We want anybody that visits this property to feel like... they're immediately accepted.”

Read more here.
Pucci Cafe's amenities and offerings cater to humans and their pets. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Pucci Cafe's amenities and offerings cater to humans and their pets. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)


9. Pucci Cafe in Katy supports pet rescues through dog-friendly boutique, cafe

Bobby and Maria Davidson were inspired to create Pucci Cafe after a Mediterranean cruise took them to Monaco, Barcelona and London, Bobby Davidson said.

The European-inspired, dog-friendly boutique cafe opened in September 2022 as a passion project the couple began after their kids left home, he said.

Read more here.