Bryan-College Station is experiencing a surge in commercial activity, with several new retail and hospitality venues opening recently. According to researchers at Texas A&M’s Real Estate Research Center, retail has been the top-performing commercial real estate sector in Texas for three straight years, a trend visible in the local market where many new ventures are owned and operated by Aggies.
Lucky Goat Coffee Co., a Florida-based roaster, is preparing for its Bryan grand opening on August 20. Owners Jimmy and Jana Rourk signed their lease in October 2025 and have been fitting out the space at 3349 University Drive since May. The couple, who have over 20 years of hospitality experience, intentionally designed the location without a drive-through to encourage customer interaction.
The shop features pastries from local vendors such as Small House Sourdough and Nonnie’s Bake Shop, with lunch options currently in development. The grand opening event will include a drawing for a year of free coffee and swag bags for the first 100 visitors.
Unreined Whiskey, designated as the official whiskey of Texas A&M, opened its 30,000-square-foot visitor center and rickhouse at WildHorse Ranch on August 8. Co-founder Nelson Ingram, a 2013 Texas A&M graduate, selected the site after analyzing 20 years of climate data. He noted that College Station’s humidity closely matches that of Northern Kentucky, a key factor in bourbon aging.
Additionally, the region’s mild winters allow barrels to remain active year-round, unlike in colder climates where they become dormant below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The four-story facility holds 6,668 barrels and is located on a 600-acre ranch. The debut product is a seven-year wheated bourbon blend, and on-site dining features bison burgers and tallow fries sourced from the ranch.
