McAllen, Texas
Lights Out in McAllen’s Entertainment District
The City of McAllen cut power to more than a dozen establishments in the Entertainment and Cultural Overlay District for operating without the required certificate of occupancy.
City officials say the move is about safety ensuring exits, wiring, and fire systems meet code. Power will be restored once businesses comply.
Mayor Villalobos emphasized: “We will continue to support responsible operators and keep our vibrant nightlife safe for everyone.”

Brownsville, Texas

Sprouts Farmers Market has a new location coming to 3457 Old Highway 77.
The 31,543-square-foot project includes the new grocery store along with attached space for four additional retail tenants.

Construction is scheduled to begin on May 4, 2026, with an expected completion date of August 9, 2027.

📍 3457 Old Highway 77, Brownsville, TX 78520

Edinburg, Texas

Space Monkey Barrcade, is coming soon to Edinburg, located at 1204 E. Canton Rd. across from the AMC theater.

It will be a free play arcade where guests pay one price to play all day and will feature a full bar and kitchen. The venue will be open to all ages, but will be strictly 18 and over after 9 p.m..

📍 1204 E. Canton Rd., Edinburg, TX

Pharr, Texas
The IKEA store at the Pharr Town Center!
This new location will be one of IKEA's new "small-format" stores, designed to bring the IKEA experience closer to customers in the Rio Grande Valley.

According to IKEA's official announcement, the new Pharr store is slated to open in the Fall of 2025.

📍 500 N Jackson Rd, Pharr, TX 78577

📸 Rick Grimaldo

City of McAllen Revokes Permits for Downtown Bars that Refuse to Prevent Underage Drinking

Less than 12 hours after the intense and engaging public comment at the August 29th City Commission Workshop, during which the public demanded bar operators curb underage drinking the City issued citations to over a dozen establishments that failed to take even the most basic preventative measures.

“They knew we were coming, and they made no changes,” said City Manager Isaac Tawil. “These operators have shown blatant disregard for the law and zero concern for protecting young people in our community. Based on these clear violations, the city has revoked their permits.”

To protect minors, the city is prioritizing enforcement of the two most critical safeguards against underage drinking: age-verification technology and UV ink to clearly mark patrons under 21.

On September 2, as a direct result of these establishments refusing to implement these safeguards, the City issued notices of revocation to the following establishments:
1. The Mini Bar
2. Valle Verde
3. Pasha
4. Scores Bar
5. Pecado Night Club
6. Karma/El Belicon
7. Broka
8. NY 17th Floor
9. The Lab on 17th
10. B7 Shot House
11. The White Rhino
12. Primo
13. Warehaus
14. Precopa
15. Tabu
16. Hustlerz
17. The Flying Walrus
18. Grand Central Square
19. Noxx
20. Yes Shot Bar

The age verification tools are inexpensive and effective, with age-verification systems costing as little as $250 to $500 per year, less than the profit from a single busy weekend. Other Special Use Permit requirements, including surveillance cameras, adequate lighting, and on-site security personnel, remain in place to ensure overall safety and compliance.

A recent study by Checkr ranked McAllen–Edinburg–Mission as the third worst metro area in the nation for job opportunities and earning potential in 2025.

Link: https://checkr.com/resourc...