blue lagoon

Shimmering new 'crystal lagoon' brings beach vibes to Houston area

This new Crystal Lagoon boasts a mile of shoreline.

Photo courtesy of Crystal Lagoons

Locals looking to make a splash — but with a healthy distance from others — will have a chance to dive into a massive island-style getaway this month. A 12-acre lagoon will open to the public during the limited-capacity Summer Lagoonfest at Lago Mar in Texas City, from July 15 through September 13.

The new “Crystal Clear Lagoon” retreat comes courtesy of Crystal Lagoons and is the largest amenity the group offers in Texas, according to a press release. Besides the white-sand beaches, entertainment include an inflatable obstacle course, and ride kayaks, and sailboats.

Visitors should expect to see COVID-19 precautions, including operating at under 50 percent capacity to allow for proper social distancing and wearing face masks to enter and in designated, high traffic areas. Staff will be required to wear face masks and undergo temperature checks and health screenings; beach and lawn furniture, restrooms and other high traffic areas will be sanitized frequently. Tickets start at $10 for admission.

The beachy lagoon boasts a mile of shoreline — more than any other Crystal Lagoons amenity in the nation. The numbers are impressive: According to Crystal Lagoons data, the lagoon holds 24 million gallons of water. Its liner system is large enough to cover the entire Houston Galleria mall — or 14 NFL football fields. The surface is equivalent to approximately 1,350 home swimming pools.

The water feature is the centerpiece of a 100-acre mixed-use entertainment district being built at the entrance to Lago Mar. Plans for the development include hotels, condo buildings, retail, dining, and entertainment.

A separate, pay-for-access beach club with multiple public beaches will offer a cabana pool, a two-story swim-up bar on an island, a kid’s beach with water features, a floating obstacle course and a world-class watersports facility including kayaks, paddleboards and small sailboats.

Also planned is an event center with a beachfront event lawn for corporate events, weddings, and concerts.

Tickets for Summer Lagoonfest start at $10 for children under age 13 and $15 for those ages 13 and older. Children age 2 and under get in for free. COVID-19 guidelines will be enforced. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.summerlagoonfest.com. (Tickets purchased at the box office on-site day of entry will be sold at the highest price levels.)

For more information on Lago Mar, visit the official site.

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hey, joe

Trader Joe's sets Cypress opening date, confirms Bellaire plans

Photo courtesy of Towne Lake by Caldwell Communities Facebook page

Trader Joe's is expanding, and shoppers couldn't be happier.

Two new Houston-area communities announced that they would be opening Trader Joe's locations, bringing the total number of stores in the city to nine.

On Thursday, December 18, the Towne Lake by Caldwell Communities Facebook page posted that the new Trader Joe's at 9715 Towne Lake Parkway would open at 8 am on Friday, December 19. Unsold but still-good products left over at the ribbon cutting ceremony will be donated to local nonprofits.

"Not only does Trader Joe's have great prices on food, drinks, and treats, but as a hobby florist I always find the best selections for my floral arrangements," Copperfield resident Kelsey Zuchlewski tells CultureMap. "Now, with the convenience of having a location right here in our neighborhood, I'm in heaven."

Confirmation of the Cypress opening followed an announcement on the City of Bellaire's Facebook page that a Trader Joe's would take over the former Randall's at 5130 Bellaire Blvd. The post did not specify when construction will begin or when the location will open.

"This highly anticipated addition to our community will bring a unique grocery shopping experience and further enhance the vibrant retail landscape of Bellaire," the post said. "We look forward to welcoming Trader Joe’s and will share updates as the project progresses."

The California-based chain of stores entered Houston in 2012, first in the Woodlands and then, more famously, at the old Alabama Theater space on Shepherd, where it has become a beloved local institution. Since then, the chain has expanded throughout Houston, including a Kingwood location that opened earlier this month.

Over the year, Trader Joe's has built a loyal following that rivals even H-E-B. Staff at the stores (wearing Hawaiian shirts) are trained to be extremely friendly and helpful, as well as being encouraged to purchase ownership in the company. The selection is smaller and more curated than other larger grocery stores, leading to a boutique experience that many consider to be surprisingly affordable. At least one viral TikToker claims that Trader Joe's beats H-E-B's price, although the latter undoubtedly has a larger selection of goods.

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