BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – A new report from the Texas A&M Private Enterprise Center (PERC) shows positive movement in the local economy.
The findings show the Local Business Cycle Index rising 0.1% from November to December. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in December, and local nonfarm employment increased 0.3% from November to December.
Downtown boutique reflects local economic momentum
One Downtown Bryan business said it has felt that positive trend firsthand. Cowgirl Country Club Boutique, which opened a new location last Wednesday after a year in a nearby storefront, said business has continued as usual despite the move.
A boutique owner said the shop is trying to provide affordable options for customers. “Something that’s super important to us is being able to be affordable and cute — that is something we really value, even in our shopping,” Co-owner, Cadence Mouton, said. “We just dropped a collection on Friday and everything in it — all our shirts and stuff like that — were under 30 dollars.”
She said local support carries significant meaning for the business. “There’s a lot of fast fashion and Amazon and all these big companies, and when people choose to support local and our small business, it just means the absolute world to us,” she said.
Rodeo season driving traffic to new location
Rodeo season has also brought customers to the store. In addition to clothing, the boutique offers a custom hat bar.
“Not only do we have clothes, but we also have the custom hat bar,” Mouton added. “A lot of people are coming in to get their outfits for the concerts but as well as picking up a hat or bringing in their own to get them fully customized to match their outfit.”
If you’re looking to support local businesses, owners say that you can stop by their new location. “We would absolutely love any support, especially in this new location, in this new spot, so we would love to see everyone here.”
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