Look back at the local businesses Community Impact Newspaper featured throughout 2019 in the Lake Houston, Humble and Kingwood areas, including Nectar Cafe, Green Oaks Tavern and Ingenious Brewing Co.

Lake Houston Pilates helps customers stay healthy, happy

Issue published: January

Lake Houston Pilates opened its doors on June 18, 2016, shortly after a local fitness center where owner DeeAnne Lowe had been teaching yoga and Pilates ended its Pilates program.

Triple Play Treasures sells rare trading cards, memorabilia from sports, films



Issue published: February

Humble native Anthony Macias turned his hobby of collecting sports trading cards into a career. He opened Triple Play Treasures, a shop for sports cards and collectibles, to bring back the nostalgia of his childhood and to introduce the hobby to today’s young people.

Humble eatery Nectar Cafe specializes in coffee, waffles and ice cream

Issue published: March


Nikki and William Loyd opened Nectar - A Nitro Cafe, or Nectar Cafe for short, in a space that used to house The Honey Baked Ham Co. on Nov. 16, 2017. In spite of various differences between the customers who visit the shop, Nectar Cafe’s customers can bond with one another over the food and coffee served at the cafe, Nikki said.

Editor's note: Since the feature was published, Nikki Loyd has died, according to a Nov. 7 Facebook post from the business. The cafe is still open and serving the community.

Green Oaks Tavern: Historic Humble building attracts music fans with nightly live performances

Issue published: April


Two sturdy oak trees wrapped in green lights flank the entrance to Green Oaks Tavern: a two-story brick building in downtown Humble that bumps with blues beats and soulful melodies or improvised guitar riffs most nights. Before owner Debbie Bixby and her husband, Steve, opened Green Oaks Tavern, Steve worked as the bar manager in The Woodlands for almost 14 years.

Warren’s Southern Gardens: Kingwood lawn center branches out in Lake Houston area

Issue published: May

Warren’s Southern Gardens began as a supplier of rocks, mulch and trees to landscapers in 2006 and became a destination garden center that caters to the homeowner. Owners Dean and Bernice Warren consider themselves more as business people than gardeners, Bernice said.


Kenneth’s Complete Car Care: Kingwood business driven by passion for cars, people

Issue published: June

Before Craig McLain became CEO of Kenneth’s Complete Car Care of Kingwood, he had a lifelong passion for racing and working with cars. The repair shop helped him achieve both. When a young McLain needed money to start racing, his dad referred him to a close friend, Kenneth Majeski, who founded Kenneth’s Complete Car Care in 1976.

Ingenious Brewing Co. brings unconventional flavors, ingredients to Humble area


Issue published: July

At the ends of their 100-hour weeks during medical school, Justin Gyorfi and Mike Broderick had time for little else besides grabbing a beer. The brewery scene in the Northeast U.S. was nothing like what he was used to in Texas, Gyorfi said. So once Gyorfi finished his residency in Pennsylvania, he and Broderick sought to recreate that environment with Ingenious Brewing Co. in Humble.

True Songs Productions: Kingwood recording studio offers artists space to grow, learn

Issue published: August

William Lemuel, owner of True Songs Productions, once had a young artist come to the recording studio with nothing more than a melody. In 15 minutes, they came up with a song. A lifelong musician who has written more than 700 original songs, Lemuel said he hopes to help independent artists gain exposure and work on their music in a welcoming environment.

Lamp Monkey: Humble resident creates industrial home decor

Issue published: September

It started with a boat motor lamp. When Lamp Monkey owner Lee Kendrick first laid eyes on a lamp made from an old boat motor, he thought, “I can build that.” Despite his lack of experience in welding, crafting or electrical work, Kendrick said he spent the next few weeks toiling away in his garage to build a similar lamp.

The Food Zone: Food truck park attracts various cultures, cuisines to Porter area

Issue published: October

Jesse Flores, owner of The Food Zone, opened the food truck park April 2018 with the idea of bringing a variety of cultures and flavors to the Porter area. The unsuspecting lot off FM 1314 has space for eight food trucks, but it is home to five trucks serving homemade dishes every day of the week.

Pet Ranch continues 40-year legacy after Hurricane Harvey

Issue published: November

Owner Kent Stevens said his in-laws opened the first Pet Ranch in downtown Humble in 1978 before opening a second store in Kingwood in 1984. Pet Ranch opened its third location on FM 1960 in Humble in 1985, and then opened its location at the intersection of West Lake Houston Parkway and Kingwood Drive in 1990.

Zoolala Boutique thrives in small space thanks to community support

Issue published: December

Zoolala Boutique opened in a small space at the entrance of Park Avenue Studios in September 2008. Although the almost 200-square-foot boutique is small, owner Linda Keltch packs it to the brim and often stretches her selection of items into the lobby.