Mike Copeland: Robinson retail mecca planned; Reptile store closing; Gas prices waver
Local real estate agent and land developer Jimmy Banks tells me he believes more restaurants and retailers will occupy The Heights, a venue in Robinson he and business partner Lisa Monroe have been eyeing with enthusiasm.
Located on Loop 340/State Highway 6, one mile east of Interstate 35, The Heights includes a "beautiful tree covered area ... that lends itself to this vision," said Banks, specifically referring to the restaurant and beer garden he and Bare Arms Brewing have announced they will place there.
But there's more to the story, said Banks in an email message. He said the venue will boast multiple tenants, including multiple restaurants. Banks added his Triliji Group also wants to place retail near Highway 77 at Loop 340. He suggested that beyond what he and Monroe bring to the table, others may have plans for office space and eateries.
"We have developed numerous properties in Robinson and find the city manager, Craig Lemin, mayor Bert Echterling and city council members development friendly and very reasonable to work with," said Banks.
He said The Heights "is easily accessible from all of the major highways that traverse McLennan County." The Heights already accommodates Encompass Healthcare, with its physical rehabilitation hospital, and a developer has a site under contract for a new hotel with conference facilities and a restaurant. He said home construction may begin nearby within 30 days.
One may recall that Banks led the charge to develop Legends Crossing, which he predicted would welcome six to eight dining places before the counting was done.
Some expressed skepticism, but today the destination is home to Chuy's, Saltgrass Steak House, P.F. Chang's, Fish City Grill, Walk On's Sports Bistreaux and Cuco's Mexican Cafe. Also there were Heitmiller's Steakhouse, which opened its second area location before selling its space to Cuco's, and Quaker Steak & Lube, with its scalding hot sauce and vintage cars.
Big projects permitted
Eye-popping building permits littered the landscape in recent days, including one valued at $1.3 million to enlarge the Chick-fil-A at 4310 Franklin Ave. Westdale Real Estate Investment & Management secured permits valued at $15 million and $7.9 million, respectively, the former to build Westdale Chapel Apartments at 9720 Chapel Road, with 116 dwelling units spread over five buildings and including a courtyard and swimming pool, the latter to build Woodgate Apartments at 9200 Van American Drive, with 140 dwelling units over seven building, also with courtyard and swimming pool.
A $5 million permit was issued to renovate the Bledsoe-Miller Cultural Center at 300 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., according to information provided by the local office of Associated General Contractors of America.
Job Fair
Equipped with resumes and a positive attitude, job seekers may want to visit McLennan Hall at the Waco Convention Center between 3 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, when Workforce Solutions will host its annual Fall Hiring Fair.
"With over 70 employers and more than 300 job seekers attending each year, this event offers: more than 1,000 available job openings; free entry for job seekers and employers; and dedicated interview spaces," said a release.
Among employers scheduled to attend are Magnolia, AbbVie, JAG Aviation Inc., and the city of Waco, said the tip from Workforce Solutions' Jose Palacios, who manages business and industry initiatives.
"This hiring fair is truly a win-win for both employers and job seekers," said Palacios in the release. "For job seekers, it's an all-in-one opportunity to explore careers, connect with potential employers, and even land interviews on the spot. Employers benefit from direct access to local talent, making it easier to fill open positions and strengthen their teams."
Visit www.hotworkforce.com for more information.
Reptile house closing
The immortal Ray Wylie Hubbard released a hit song titled "Snake Farm," in which he hisses and grunts and makes many unflattering remarks about such a place, concluding it "just sounds nasty."
But don't share such sentiments with fans and friends of Shaun Jones, who has owned and operated a popular reptile house, YoX2, since February 2021 at 2009 Franklin Ave. Alas, Jones and girlfriend Joey Solimine are leaving Waco for a wildlife conservancy in Ecuador, which Jones said in a phone interview should prove exciting and educational. He jokingly said he has my phone number, and will regale me regularly with tales from the jungle.
Slowly, carefully, as if parting with sweet but cold-blooded family and friends, Jones has found new homes for his collection of snakes, frogs, turtles, iguanas, tarantulas, lizards, hundreds in all. Last to leave was a 4-foot-long iguana, bound for Philadelphia and the waiting arms of a boarder.
Originally from Maryland, Jones said he enjoyed his time in Waco. He said hundreds attended the party he threw to send off his shop in style. But he and Solimine are not leaving just yet. They will officially close the business early next week before departing for Ecuador later in October. They may have no reptiles to sell or show, but they have goodbyes to impart.
Gas price roller-coaster
After plunging for weeks, gas prices in Waco have risen 13.5 cents per gallon the past week, according to GasBuddy's survey of 124 stations locally. But they likely will fall again, says GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan.
"With oil prices jumping after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a larger-than-expected half percent, we've seen some states where gas prices have inched back up, while others have continued to decline," said De Haan.
"Most of these increases should be temporary with declines returning in the days and weeks ahead," said De Haan, who reported Monday that the national average price of gallon has increased 1.2 cents the past week.
"While the future looks good for gas prices to continue trending lower for most in the weeks ahead, oil's jump may mute the downside potential just a bit for now," said De Haan in the GasBuddy news release.
