Aggie football boosts economies of surrounding cities, including Navasota

NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) - Texas A&M football is not only a significant economic driver for Bryan-College Station, but its impact also extends to surrounding cities like Navasota, where local businesses see a surge in customers on game day weekends.

Navasota's downtown streets are bustling with Texas A&M fans on football weekends, with visitors eager to shop and explore the small town before heading to the game.

"It's definitely more packed than usual. There were a lot more people downtown than there normally are," College Station resident Morgan Lambert said.

Lambert says she decided to take a trip to Grimes County to shop around before Saturday's game.

"We came for Aggie game day. It's later this evening, so we're just spending some time before we go," Lambert said.

Lambert is one of many fans who make the trip to Downtown Navasota, bringing vital foot traffic to small businesses. For Loretta Williams, owner of Klassy Korner, Aggie football weekends not only bring the community together but also help increase sales at her store since she opened in 1988.

"We always try and provide something that they're going to be interested in because we know they're coming," Williams said. "They're helping our economy, they're buying and making the day go."

Williams, like other business owners in Navasota, says they greatly appreciate the influx of customers brought in by football season.

"You know they are so close, and we feel they're a part of us, and we are a part of them," Williams said.

The charm of small towns like Navasota offers a refreshing change of pace for many Texas A&M fans, who appreciate the opportunity to step away from the busy Bryan-College Station area during gameday weekend.

"They could go to college station and shop, but they don't like malls, and they don't like big towns. So when they get the opportunity to be in a small town like Navasota with benefits, they take advantage," Williams said.

Fans like Lambert say they enjoy the chance to support local businesses and take part in a community that benefits directly from Aggie football.

"It's smaller than College Station. There's a lot of local businesses that benefit from Aggie football and I just wanted to spend some time shopping in the community," Lambert said.

As Texas A&M football continues to grow in popularity, so do the economic benefits for surrounding areas, with towns like Navasota thriving on the influx of visitors each game day weekend. From increased foot traffic to boosted sales, Aggie fans play a key role in supporting local economies beyond Bryan–College Station.