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.
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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? Krispy Kreme, Lululemon and Spice World
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
Episode 8 of “Is This A Thing?” finds College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz talking about the status of some restaurants and businesses you’ve been hearing about for a while, plus new trends that are showing interest in College Station, such as “entertainment uses.”
Total run time: 32:22
- 00:00 — Open.
- 00:57 — University Town Center: Lots of interest, looking for an anchor.
- 02:34 — Chimney Hill: Republic/Primrose Path, drive-thru Starbucks, hotel, restaurant.
- 05:18 — Century Square: Lululemon, Clean Juice and more on the way.
- 08:38 — Northgate: Stunning number of new beds, commercial demands, food trucks.
- 13:05 — Texas Avenue activity
- 13:43 — Harvey Road update: Krispy Kreme IS A THING.
- 15:12 — What does old Toys R Us location lend itself to?
- 16:44 — Jones Crossing + H-E-B.
- 17:47 — City View Southwest at SH40/Barron Road.
- 19:24 — CapRock + Tower Point: What’s working, what’s coming?
- 20:52 — The Yard (sounds kinda cool).
- 21:39 — Gringo’s is STILL A THING + Walk-Ons and Starbucks.
- 22:56 — Highway-6: Stella Restaurant, BV Autoplex, At Home (opening soon!).
- 24:14 — More interest in entertainment, such as bowling/games, rock climbing.
- 26:40 — What it was learned at the largest retail conference in the U.S.
- 31:10 — Next time + show close.
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his ninth 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: Jones Crossing H-E-B built for technology – and pizza
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
H-E-B‘s newest store in College Station is set to open Sept. 12, and there will be striking differences when compared to locations at Holleman Drive and at Tower Point.
In this edition of the podcast, H-E-B Area Community Coordinator Diane Besosa talks about everything from app-based shopping/checkout to the restaurant that will be located inside.
Total run time: 23:30
- 00:00 — The Name Game, what exactly Diane does for H-E-B.
- 02:25 — A typical day for an H-E-B area coordinator is …
- 03:30 — What’s the strategy for the new store?
- 04:53 — There really is a difference in the way each store location is stocked.
- 05:17 — Let’s talk about how the Jones Crossing store will be unique.
- 05:41 — Coming: A new app, HEB60, that puts the shopping/payment power in your hand.
- 08:03 — Full-service restaurant to be located in-store: SoFlo
- 09:20 — This store will have full buildout for curbside service.
- 10:32 — Next-level floral presence + delivery.
- 14:48 — Anxious ahead of opening? State of the store right now?
- 19:02 — How do BCS shoppers behave differently than in other parts of Houston market?
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his ninth 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? How the At Home deal was sealed (Episode 7)
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
Home decor superstore At Home has announced it will occupy the property that was formerly Gander Mountain on Earl Rudder Freeway in College Station. That’s great news for consumers, but also for those in the economic development business since empty box stores along a major highway is not the image you prefer.
On this edition of Is This A Thing?, College Station’s Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Oldham Goodwin Group EVP Clint Oldham talk about how the At Home deal came about, how fragile this deal – and all eco-devo deals, to be honest – really was, and how retail attitudes are no longer cowering from The Amazon Effect.
Total run time: 15:46
- 00:00 – Show Open
- 01:20 — Conversation started last summer when Gander Mountain was rumored to close.
- 02:28 — What happened when CS initially reached out to At Home.
- 03:40 — Some expansion of this facility will need to happen.
- 04:30 — When Oldham Goodwin engaged Gander Mountain ownership.
- 05:25 — Among the challenges of that property.
- 07:07 — Among the positives of this location.
- 08:33 — The effectiveness of a CS-OGG partnership to make the deal happen.
- 09:35 — What people don’t see: How close deals are to NOT happening.
- 10:50 — Other areas in College Station where OGG is working.
- 11:30 — Could’ve announced this sooner, but didn’t want to jinx the deal!
- 12:38 — Conditions this year feel different regarding which retailers are ready to expand.
- 13:33 — Amazon Effect not as smothering; brick and mortar still matter.
- 14:30 — Guesses on when At Home will be ready to open? (Spoiler: Nope)
Related Links:
- City of College Station Economic Development Website (GROW.cstx.gov)
- Podcast Archive
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his ninth 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!
