Two Hotel Projects for East El Paso

Two new hotels are going up in East El Paso, on the same property at the corner of Zaragoza Road and Gateway West Boulevard.

A 101-room Hampton Inn is already under construction, and a 100-room Courtyard by Marriott is planned for 2015.

These two projects add to a handful of other hotel developments around town, including one in Downtown El Paso that is renovating a vacant building.

Read the story at the El Paso Times website.

Pro's Ranch Market Stores Acquired, Not Expected to Close

Two Pro's Ranch Market stores in El Paso will stay open for the foreseeable future. That's the word from one of the companies which has purchased the grocery store chain in a bankruptcy sale. Mike Hendry, vice president of marketing for Cardenas Northgate Group Ranch of California, states that most employees will be allowed to continue working.

Shuttered Fuddrucker's Locations Already Sold

The three El Paso Fuddrucker's locations that closed in recent months have been sold to three different companies, including one that may reopen as a corporate-owned Fuddrucker's.

The West El Paso location at 5030 N. Desert Blvd. was sold to Luby's Inc., the owner of the Fuddrucker's brand nationwide. The company has stated the location may reopen again as a Fuddrucker's.

50,000 Homes in 20 Years for East El Paso

The County of El Paso is considering updates to its subdivision code due to expected growth outside of the city limits. As many as 50,000 homes could be built within the next 20 years around the current El Paso city boundaries. Commissioners will consider allowing developers to shrink the size of individual lots in exchange for including more green space in subdivisions.

El Paso-Las Cruces International Airport?

Adding Las Cruces’ name to the El Paso International Airport, though a possibility, is still in the very preliminary discussions phase. That’s according to officials who have been involved in talking about the possibility.

Sierra/Providence to Invest $120 Million

Three local hospitals that are part of the Tenet Healthcare network will benefit from a $120 million investment  by the medical center giant. Providence Memorial Hospital, with it’s adjacent Children’s Hospital, and Sierra Medical Center will see several improvements that should be completed by 2017. 

Designer Studio Opens at 'Fountains'

One of the Fountains at Farah's newest tenants celebrated a grand opening last weekend. Designer Studio opened its 3,000 square foot location in the promenade section of the Fountains.

According to a press release, the store's "custom interior design is an open concept that features eye-catching details like LED screens, stunning shelving displays, and will also include a large artistic mural."

This is the third store for the company which sells designer clothing for men and women. 

Read the press release at the Designer Studio website.

City to Hold Meeting on Sun Metro Public Art Finalists

The designs of three semi-finalists were recently chosen for an art piece planned for the new Sun Metro Operations Center, and now the City of El Paso wants the public’s input on the concepts.

‘Fountains’ Retailers Stellar Performers

Stores at the Fountains at Farah shopping center are performing at top levels when compared to other stores around the country. 

Newest El Paso Cinemark Theater Now Open

Cinemark has opened its newest theater in El Paso on the far East Side of the city. It's the latest move for the company that has dominated the El Paso theater landscape for years. 

Nordstrom Rack Open at 'Fountains'

The first retailer to officially announce a location at the Fountains at Farah on El Paso's East Side finally opened last week. Nordstrom Rack welcomed hundreds of customers into the store as it opened its doors last Thursday.

City Bike Plan in the Works

City officials are using $100,000 in federal funds to develop a Bike Plan for El Paso. The City focused on five surface streets over the summer, using cameras to gather bike usage statistics on Hondo Pass Avenue and Rushing Road in Northeast El Paso, Belvidere Street and Redd Road in West El Paso, and Edgemere Boulevard in East El Paso.

Best Buy to Open at 'Fountains' This Week

Best Buy will join two other stores and open this week at the Fountains at Farah shopping center. That's according to a story at the El Paso Times Business page. Dick's Sporting Goods and Stein Mart will both open this week.

Developers Struggle to Bring 'Upscale' Retailers to El Paso

National brand name retailers and restaurants often overlook El Paso as a viable market due to multiple factors, according to local and national economists. Dynamics such as average household income that is lower than the national average and the absence of other 'upscale' brands in the Sun City play a part in why retailers do not commit. And it sometimes comes down to the border; retailers may not consider Juarez's 1.5 million residents as part of the consumer base.