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Keller staff reports seven new October businesses, mixed Restaurant Week results; incentivized projects active
Summary
Staff told the Keller Economic Development Board on Nov. 17 that seven new businesses opened in October, year-to-date permits/CO counts are up, and that Keller Restaurant Week produced mixed survey results with nearly $2,000 in reported donations from participating restaurants; staff also updated the board on incentivized projects and a successful brokers bus tour.
At the Nov. 17 meeting of the Keller Economic Development Board, economic development staff (Speaker 3) presented a monthly update that included business openings, incentivized-project status, event recaps and a short debrief of Keller Restaurant Week.
Staff reported seven new businesses in October, listing Living Hope Counseling at 1858 Keller Parkway; Gold Dust Lions Academy at 102 Keller Cakes Road; Brutogi Bistro; Kung Fu Tea at 900 South Main Street; Avila Taco at 1540 Keller Parkway; Burke Insurance Services LLC (at a Farmers Insurance location, 950 North Main); and Mahujah Industries at 2000 Whitley Road, Suite 100. “So far this year, we’ve had a 111 COs, 63 of those being new businesses, and 11 of those being restaurants,” the staff member said, referencing year-to-date Certificates of Occupancy and new business counts.
On incentivized projects, staff gave an update on a downtown site referenced in the transcript as “Heller the Keller House” at 207 South Elm, saying the building appears configured more for office or residential use than for commercial operations. Staff said they are working with Encore and the applicant to evaluate options and potential solutions.
The board debriefed Keller Restaurant Week: staff said 13 restaurants reported donation data (nearly $2,000 to two charities), but only six restaurants returned the survey, making it difficult to assess overall success. Staff and board members discussed timing conflicts and marketing overlap with the larger DFW Restaurant Week; staff suggested reimagining the event and possibly not tying it to the Open Rewards program if it creates confusion.
Staff also recapped an annual brokers bus tour and luncheon held on Nov. 6 that reached capacity and generated follow-up interest from commercial brokers about development sites shown on the tour. The board was reminded that new board members will attend the December meeting and that a year-end recap will be provided then.
Votes at a glance - Motion to approve minutes of Oct. 20: moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the Nov. 17 meeting (procedural). - Motion to adjourn: moved and carried at the end of the meeting.
Next steps: staff will continue project coordination with Encore for the 207 South Elm site, follow up with restaurants and businesses that did not respond to surveys, and provide a year-end recap at the December meeting.
