Look back at the local businesses Community Impact Newspaper featured throughout 2020 in the Lake Houston, Humble and Kingwood areas, including The Hop Stop, Vessel Pilates, Paco Pops and Yummy Tummy Bakery.

JANUARY: Ettin Games and Hobbies creates space for gaming enthusiasts

By day, owner Dave Donohoo works as a social studies teacher at New Caney ISD. At night, he brings his longtime passion for games into operating the Humble gaming store Ettin Games and Hobbies.

FEBRUARY: Aquatic Care Programs uses water therapy to alleviate patients’ pain

For almost 24 years, Aquatic Care Programs has been offering aquatic and land physical therapy for people in pain. Patients come in for various issues, including back pain, neck pain, shoulder injuries and neurological injuries.


MARCH: The Hop Stop brings craft beer, community feeling to Humble

Dawn and Rick Tyler’s love of beer coupled with their exit from the food service industry and logistics sectors, respectively, led to the couple opening The Hop Stop, a craft beer bar near downtown Humble that offers beer to go.

MAY: Vessel Pilates owner strives to create ‘wellness sanctuary’ despite coronavirus crisis

While Vessel Pilates owner Jessica Sowyrda normally offers Pilates, rebound and align, barre, yoga and suspension training classes, stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic brought in-person sessions to a halt in mid-March. Instead, the studio began offering live classes every day via Zoom, a videoconferencing app, during the outbreak.


AUGUST: Paco Pops serves 80-plus flavors of handmade ice cream, pops

Paco Pops features more than 60 pop flavors, including Gansito and avocado, which can be dipped in rich Mexican chocolate and coated in a variety of toppings. Co-owner Francisco Sanchez said the shop also collaborates with local businesses to source unique ingredients for the pops.

SEPTEMBER: Kingwood Meat Market continues tradition of family-owned markets

When Eduardo Garza and his wife, Jennifer, noticed Kingwood was missing a meat market, he said, it seemed natural to open their own. The couple—with the help of their children, Miguel and Emily—opened the Kingwood Meat Market in March 2012.


OCTOBER: Family business K&S Sportswear faces new challenges during pandemic

For 25 years, K&S Sportswear has provided printing and design services to the Humble community. However, owner Brittney Mittag said, instead of a celebration to commemorate the anniversary, 2020 has brought unexpected challenges.

NOVEMBER: Kingwood gift shop The Forest Collection adapts throughout almost 14 years in business

Since The Forest Collection opened, owner Angela Leviner said, she has adjusted the store’s offerings. Moving from initially selling mostly jewelry and clocks, her store is a product of years of adapting to the interests of the community.


DECEMBER: Yummy Tummy Bakery owner overcomes health struggles, pandemic to serve community

“God gave me the strength that I need again, and I’m here to make my customers happy,” Yummy Tummy Bakery owner Letty Martinez said. “I want them to know that I’m here; I’m back; I’m better; I’m strong, and I want them to be happy when they buy a cake from Yummy Tummy.”