Convenience Big Store: Exciting new restaurants, businesses coming to The Woodlands this year

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How The Woodlands became one of Texas' top suburbs

It's officially The Woodlands' 50th anniversary year.

Many of us know the story—founded by Galveston billionaire George Mitchell in 1974, The Woodlands is a master-planned community made for residents to "live, work, pray and play" within a meticulously planned, nature-focused environment far from the hustle and bustle of Houston.

Marissa Luck has compiled a really cool interactive timeline chronicling The Woodlands, from opening its first village to becoming one of the state's most talked-about suburbs. Take a trip down memory lane here.

When this newsletter began in February, I remember saying I wanted to cover The Woodlands' current balance of tradition and change. Now, I want to ask you: what do you want to know about The Woodlands in its 50th year? What do you think has gone differently than Mitchell's original plan, and what's stayed the same? Why is it constantly ranked as one of the best places to live? What do you want to see more or less coverage of?

Thanks for an awesome year! Can't wait for another one covering this great community. Feel free to email your thoughts to claire.partain@houstonchronicle.com.

Claire Partain, Suburban reporter producer

Claire.Partain@houstonchronicle.com

Need to Know

Shoppers inside The Woodlands Mall for Black Friday deals on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in The Woodlands.

Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio/Staff Photographer

9 new businesses coming to The Woodlands area in 2024

Several new restaurants, services and eateries are scheduled to open in The Woodlands this year.

The Woodlands Towers at The Waterway are seen near The Woodlands Mall, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Woodlands Pavilion, hospital, nonprofit name new top executives.

The Woodlands welcomed three new leaders at some of its largest institutions in January, including the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and Houston Methodist The Woodlands.