Podcast: Culpeppers are legacy residential, retail developers who still have plans
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
If you’ve lived in College Station or Bryan more than a minute, then you probably know about the Culpepper family. If not, then you’re certainly living, shopping, dining or being entertained in spaces that were developed by the Culpeppers.
President/CEO of Culpepper Realty Co. Jack Culpepper and General Counsel Larry Haskins talked to me about the beginnings of the family business, its early successes throughout the twin cities (and beyond) — and even gave some hints about their next redevelopment moves on property just across from Texas A&M. Hint: Think of the space where IHOP, Schlotzsky’s and Hurricane Harry’s are located — across from Century Square.
There’s great insight from a family that’s already invested in College Station for nine decades, with its fourth generation already working on the next big announcement.
All Up In Your Business is now available via Podbean, Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher.
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his 10th year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
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Podcast: Real talk about Gringo’s and Buc-ee’s
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and I had a jaunty (thanks, thesaurus!) podcast discussion this week about some businesses either recently on the ground or that we at least have a really good shot at.
But we also talked about one that appeared to be a sure thing until it wasn’t: Gringo’s.
Others topics we cover:
- How genuine the interest is from Buc-ee’s in a College Station location vs. Nat’s own wishful thinking?
- Why does it matter so much that the extensions to Lakeway Drive and Pebble Creek Parkway are now open? (Hint: Midtown)
For those brave enough to sample the video version of this episode, we apologize profusely for obscuring Nat’s face with the new microphone. A partial Nat eclipse is definitely visible to the naked eye.
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his 10th year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Podcast: How Krispy Kreme finally came to town
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
Like BBQ, burgers, tacos — or any other food type you can think of — donuts are a pretty personal thing for people. College Station has a variety of options, all with loyal followings.
But long-suffering fans of Krispy Kreme can finally rejoice: The red light of happiness is in Aggieland.
Franchisee Brian Davis doesn’t have the typical connection with College Station or with Texas A&M University. He talked to us about why he chose College Station, why the Harvey Road location was actually his second choice, how it takes nearly 100 people to operate a single location, and how he plans on giving back to a community that he’s only spent limited time in.
Enjoy this first episode of All Up In Your Business!
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his 10th year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Podcast: Is This a Thing? (Episode 10)
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
In this episode of “Is This A Thing?” we share Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz’s recent presentation to the Economic Outlook Conference, which recapped market trends and successes from 2018, along with a look ahead through 2019 and into 2020.
Natalie then took a deeper dive into the city’s emerging Midtown Business Park and why that entire area of College Station is so important to the city’s future. (more…)
Small Business Saturday focuses on entrepreneurship
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
When our family’s business closed its doors in 1987, it ended more than six decades of serving families in our small, West Texas town — and families in many of the towns around it.
So, maybe it’s in my DNA to shop and dine at mom-and-pop establishments — even when online or big-brand storefronts might save me a few bucks.
That’s what Small Business Saturday (Nov. 24) is all about. While we appreciate all the businesses that operate in College Station, Small Business Saturday allows us to place additional focus on the entrepreneurs who took tremendous personal risks to invest here and compete in an incredibly tough retail, dining and services landscape.
If you happen to own one of these small businesses, let us hear from you in the days leading up to Small Business Saturday by tweeting at us (@CityofCS) with your business name and what it offers. Be sure to include the hashtag #ShopSmallCS.
Including small businesses, like the one my family operated for 60+ years, in your shopping and dining habits is a great way to support our community. And there’s no better time to start than after Black Friday (Nov. 23) and before Cyber Monday (Nov. 26).
Thank you, small businesses, for investing in us. Let’s all commit to investing more in you.
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his 10th year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Is This A Thing? Live from The Stella Hotel
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
This episode of “Is This a Thing?” was taped Sept. 17 in front of a live audience and featured College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz, Bryan Economic Development Manager Todd McDaniel, and Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation Chair-Elect Bobby Gutierrez.
Total run time: 50:31
- 00:00 — Message to live audience.
- 01:05 — Show open and introductions.
- 03:06 — Ruiz on whether or not the time of year affects the ability to succeed at economic development.
- 05:15 — McDaniel on how Bryan is prepared to tackle the redevelopment of Texas Avenue between Villa Maria Road and downtown.
- 08:56 — Gutierrez on what the EDC’s role is in complementing the work performed by College Station and Bryan.
- 12:28 — Ruiz on the importance of sales tax revenues and how online and brick-and-mortar retailers are joining forces.
- 16:30 — McDaniel on the changes we can expect in the proximity of the future super park development at the former Bryan Golf Course site.
- 20:35 — Gutierrez offers to answer the question McDaniel was asked about the super park area.
- 24:33 — McDaniel on what BCS needs to attract more jobs and industry.
- 26:00 — Ruiz adds to the perspective.
- 26:51 — Gutierrez chimes in on the same topic.
- 29:12 — Gutierrez answers an audience question: What types of industry are you trying to recruit?
- 31:14 — Ruiz answers an audience question: What’s being done about the ever-emerging multifamily developments?
- 33:08 — Gutierrez answers from a Bryan Planning & Zoning Commission perspective.
- 35:01 — McDaniel adds perspective from a City of Bryan standpoint.
- 36:35 — Audience question: Gutierrez talks about addressing growth and needs in surrounding communities.
- 39:36 — Audience question: How do nonprofits fit into your planning and economic development work?
- 41:07 — Gutierrez addresses how nonprofits fit into that work.
- 44:03 — Audience question: Plans for Highway 6?
- 45:33 — Natalie adds the College Station perspective on Highway 6.
- 46:54 — Gutierrez gives Bryan P&Z perspective on development along major corridors.
- 49:48 — Show wrap-up.
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his 10th year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
