Katy, Texas (November 19, 2007) – Panera Bread will open its new LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch bakery- cafe Tuesday, December 4 at 6:00 a.m. The restaurant will offer a wide variety of year-round favorites including sweet and savory baked goods, hand-tossed salads, hearty soups and signature sandwiches, along with seasonal specialty items.

The public is invited to attend an 11:00 a.m. ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening. LaCenterra is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Grand Parkway in Katy, Texas. Regular store hours: Monday – Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.panerabread.com or call (281) 395-6100.

Recent declines in home sales slow in October; Prices continue to hold up

HOUSTON — (November 20, 2007) — Prospective home sellers and buyers throughout greater Houston may experience a more meaningful Thanksgiving this week, as recent declines in the real estate market slowed in October. New monthly figures continue to reflect a healthier housing environment locally compared to the rest of the country, with sales and pricing performance still outpacing that of 2005.

Total property sales for October registered 6,244, representing an 8.6 percent decrease compared to October 2006. That is half the 16.7 (revised) percent decline in September 2007 property sales. Properties sold during the month totaled $1.21 billion, a 3.3 percent decrease compared to last year’s $1.25 billion in October sales. Additionally, the average single-family home price for October rose 5.7 percent from last October to $199,397, while the median home price for a single-family home remained relatively flat at $145,390. (more…)

by Georgia

The folks in the City of Katy (aka Old Katy or Katy Proper) keep an eye on the Real Estate transactions watching for signs of a long heralded transformation. They speculate that one day Katy Proper will be a desired shopping destination (like Old Towne Spring), or better yet a profitable investment (like Bellaire). They watch with interest as one by one the old residences in the commercial zones convert into business enterprises.

In 2003, one such property was purchased by the Sierras, Katy residents with their roots in the Oil industry. Sylvia is a local artist and her goal to establish an art gallery for the community seemed a perfect match for the old house on nearly an acre. The Sierra’s spent a year and a ton of money restoring the 1910-built wood frame structure. Complying with City of Katy’s strict commercial codes and standards is no easy feat. The finished project was named The Pink Magnolia and opened its doors in December 2004. (more…)

By KIM HUGHES
Chronicle Correspondent

A shopper can purchase an upscale piece of living room furniture, try on trendy new shoes, pop into a spa for a cut and color, then swing across the street to grab soy candles, organic dog food, edible flowers and fresh fruits and vegetables.

That one-stop shopping is available Saturday mornings at the Katy Farmer’s Market at LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch.

The market debuted Oct. 27, said Ro Cazenave, director of Katy Farmer’s Market and owner of Absolutely Organic, a line of skin-care products for babies, adults and pets.

“We started out with a dozen vendors,” Cazenave said. “I’ve had five or six farmers contact me since then for booth space, but are just waiting for their crops to come in.” (more…)