EDC says retail coach will meet brokers, restaurants at ICSC to recruit businesses to Whitehouse

Whitehouse Economic Development Corporation staff reported Jan. 29 that the retail coach will represent the city at the ICSC Red River event in February and will meet with about 11 different retailers, restaurants and developers on the city’s behalf.

Staff said the coach has scheduled meetings with quick-service restaurant prospects (including a drive-through concept) and with a small clothing retailer that has expressed interest in expanding in Texas. Staff said one restaurant prospect has asked to review specific sites, including property adjacent to the Beach Club Car Wash where some spare land may be available. The coach will also meet with brokers and developers to review Whitehouse marketing materials and promote potential strip-center development.

Staff noted Forestdale’s residential phase is nearing completion and a developer is seeking a small grocery or convenience store for the commercial phase; staff asked the coach to follow up with that developer. The staff report in the packet contains a schedule summary and outreach notes; staff said it will send updated site lists to interested prospects as properties become available.

Board members asked whether the target prospects preferred Interstate 10 frontage; staff said many prospects currently favor I-10 but that Forestdale and other sites will be actively marketed. Staff did not report any signed leases or binding commitments at the meeting.