Convenience Big Store: The Woodlands residents rank among biggest holiday spending budgets in US, study says

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The Woodlands residents have the 10th biggest holiday spending budget in the U.S., study says

What's in your wallet this holiday season?

The Woodlands residents have an average holiday spending budget of $3,316, the 10th largest in the United States, according to a WalletHub study.

Small business owners haven't seen much of a jump from last holiday season but are looking forward to another crucial and hectic month. The holiday season starts as early as Nov. 1 and accounts for about four months worth of sales, Tumbleweeds & Notions owner Caroline Powell said.

Even in a community that's seeing a Woodlands Mall expansion and new Market Street stores, The Woodlands is a place that embraces local businesses, The Learning Express franchise owner Jenny Kuten said. Visitors at the toy store regularly know their customers' names and preferences, while Buy The Book hosts event spaces for book clubs, book signings and classes.

When Powell lost her dad due to COVID, the community rallied around the boutique to help. The store even expanded over the last year and a half.

While purse strings are tight this year as people's pandemic savings dry up, according to the study, the businesses are hoping for another steady year.

What are your favorite local businesses to buy gifts from in The Woodlands? Let me know at claire.partain@houstonchronicle.com.

Claire Partain, Suburban reporter producer

Claire.Partain@houstonchronicle.com

Growing Woodlands

Downtown Magnolia is seen looking southeast along Commerce Street, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, in Magnolia. Magnolia city officials are working on a master thoroughfare plan to enhance the transportation network in the city, including roadways, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and trails. Magnolia has seen an influx of people in recent years, and is expected to reach 53,000 residents in 2039, according to city officials.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Montgomery County, TxDOT plan $70M Magnolia bypass project

Montgomery County took a step forward on a $70 million project to build a 5-mile bypass around Magnolia by approving an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation.

Need to Know

Dr. Talat Jehan Khan, 52, was murdered in Conroe on Saturday.?

Photo by: Courtesy Of ABC13

Family: Conroe doctor's stabbing death should be investigated as hate crime

A Muslim civil rights group and the family of a Conroe pediatrician stabbed to death in October have called for a federal investigation into the death as a possible hate crime.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough had a billboard message put up along Interstate 45 near the Harris County line that says

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

County departments can't keep $425K in 'left over' 2023 funds

Montgomery County commissioners gave little support to a proposal that would have allowed several departments to carry over funds from last year's budget.

Openings and Closings

Adriatic Cafe is set to open its new Shenandoah location at 17825 I-45 by the second week of January, a spokesperson said over email.

Shout out

Originally from Turkey, Yetkin Degirmenci is spreading joy through his story and through his handmade chocolates, which are on sale at the Holiday Pop Up shop in downtown Conroe.

One last thing …

This is the last time I'll bug you guys about this: the state will no longer pursue eminent domain over Fairfield Lake State Park after a commission found the property to be worth more than $418 million. The park will be home to a lakefront residential community and golf course from developer Todd Interests.