"Thanks to people of vision and those with jackhammers, cement trucks and electric saws, Navasota’s historic Railroad Street is being reborn. One new occupant who was able to see past the construction rubble to bring another element of charm to Navasota’s quaint downtown is Tanya Ingram. Ingram’s Southern Charm Boutique and Salon at 119 S. Railroad opened in early 2021 and her vision is paying off.

Vision
It was in 2019 when Ingram closed her Montgomery salon to relocate to Navasota. The move would allow the Navasota resident more time with her children who are very involved in Navasota school activities, but finding a location was more difficult than anticipated.

Ingram said, “We actually started the process here in December 2019. It seemed like every door would shut. We couldn’t find buildings available that were what we wanted. Then Covid hit. It was kind of a blessing in disguise that we didn’t open the shop back then.”

While Ingram’s husband wasn’t opposed to the idea, he had some reservations which weren’t helped by the image of busted concrete, dirt streets and businesses cordoned off behind barricades and chain link fencing.

Ingram said, “Believe it or not, my husband didn’t see my vision. When he saw the road and the building, he was a little standoffish. I saw it in my heart, my soul, my mind and I knew.”

As Ingram stood there pondering the building’s potential, as if by divine intervention, a stranger started a conversation. Ingram said, “Ana from the Examiner walked by while I was looking at it. She told me all about the Railroad District and what was coming. That was the very moment I knew this was what we were doing and where we were going to be.”
​Read the full article on the Navasota Examiner.

"​Greg Mallett started cooking blueberry muffins when he was just 4 years old. Now he’s the owner of three barbecue restaurants in the Brazos Valley under the same name — Mallett Brothers Barbeque.

Greg and his brother Chad opened their first location in Navasota in June 2009. A second location was opened in Iola, their hometown, in 2011, and a third restaurant opened in Madisonville in 2017.

Consistency and customer service are of utmost priority at Mallett Brothers, Greg Mallett said.

“Every time a customer comes in, it should be the same every time,” Mallett said. “That’s kind of the hard thing in the barbecue industry. Brisket is the staple, so it’s one of the things that we have to make sure is perfect each time.”

Freshness is another key factor, Mallet noted. Pits are fired up each morning to make ribs and other meats. Chicken-fried steaks and onion rings are hand-battered.

“Everything that we do is hands-on, not out of the freezer,” Mallett said. “Everything’s fresh.”

The Texas barbecue classics including brisket, pork ribs and sausage are offered, along with chicken-fried steak sandwiches and jalapeno ranch burgers.

In December 2020, the City of Navasota and Navasota Economic Development Corporation kicked off a Christmas shopping promotion for small businesses. Between November 27, 2020 and December 14, 2020, both Navasota residents and visitors were able to turn in receipts via email, text message, or by coming to City Hall.

Every $25 spent at any small business in Navasota earned one entry into the drawing for a chance to win a Navasota gift basket. Receipts from multiple stores could also be submitted and added together to meet the $25 entry level.

Throughout this period, receipts were submitted from shoppers supporting 28 local businesses. 

"NAVASOTA, Texas — The 2020 Travelers’ Choice has awarded a local Navasota gem as a winner for best coffee/eating places.

The Classic Rock Coffee Co. & Kitchen in Navasota calls themselves "a cross between a record store, a music store, a coffee shop, and a rock museum". They offer coffees from around the globe, along with teas, smoothies, protein shakes, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, soups, and sweets. 

“We are so pleased to have been given this honor. It makes us proud that we are providing what our visitors are looking for when choosing us and taking the extra step to provide a review. This input allows us to improve even more and provide a greater experience on their visit.” said owner Bert Miller in a release.

Travelers’ Choice awards are based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews. Award winners consistently receive great traveler & diner feedback, placing them in the top 10 percent of hospitality businesses around the globe.

“Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners' achievements...Not only are these winners well deserving, they are also a great source of inspiration for diners & travelers as the world begins to venture out again,” said chief commercial officer at Tripadvisor Kanika Soni in the release.
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If you want to experience the Classic Rock Coffee Co. for yourself, head on down to their website and see what they have to offer."

On the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Navasota Economic Development Corporation was quick to respond and approve a Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant. The grant was designed to assist small Navasota businesses and provide short-term, immediate financial aid. The first round of grant funding opened Wednesday, April 29, 2020 and closed Wednesday, May 6, 2020. In the first round, the Navasota Economic Development Corporation was able to award all 36 applicants grant funds. The second round of grant funding opened Monday, May 18, 2020 and closed Friday, May 22, 2020, with all 23 applicants receiving funding.
 
The NEDC was able to assist a total of 59 small businesses and independent contractors, which was 100% of the applicants, totaling $52,750 in grant funds distributed. The types of industries that received funding varied greatly. Examples of industries supported with the grant funds include, but are not limited to:

Accounting Firms, Barber Shops, Beauty Salons, Bed and Breakfast Inns, Boutiques, Car Washes, Commercial and Industrial Machinery Repair, Computer Repair Shops, Cosmetologists, Daycare Facilities, Event Rental Companies, Family Clothing Stores, Floor Covering Stores, Floral Shops, General Contractors, Hotel/Motels, Insurance Agencies,  Laundromats, Landscaping Services, Manufacturing Firms, Mobile Food Services, Nail Salons, Offices of Dentists, Offices of Lawyers, Real Estate Agencies, Restaurants, Retailers, Sports Bars, Tax Preparation Services, Tire Shops, Travel Agencies, and Used Merchandise Stores.

For additional press, visit The Examiner, KAGS, and KWHI

Classic Rock Coffee Co. has opened its first Texas franchise, and more are being considered for the Houston area. 
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The Missouri-based company opened the new location in Navasota, northwest of Houston. Investors are eyeing additional locations in Spring and Pearland, according to a news release. 

The company's shops play classic rock music and offer themed menus and merchandise. It has locations throughout the U.S. and the Middle East, as well as one in Nigeria.

For more information, visit Classic Rock Navasota