Quarterly survey asks which stores or brands residents want to see in CS

Residents have a direct say in the next chapter of College Station's retail growth. This quarter, Shape College Station, the City's quarterly community survey led by Grow College Station, asks the question: What store or shopping brand would you like to see come to College Station?

The survey takes less than a minute to complete and is open through Nov. 30. Residents can share their pick at GrowCollegeStation.com.

Grow College Station, the City's economic development team, uses survey responses as current, community-sourced data in conversations with retailers, developers and site selectors. When a brand weighs a new market, evidence of local demand is part of the business case and resident input helps the City make that case with real numbers instead of assumptions.

"Every time a resident drives to Houston or Austin to shop, that’s convenience and revenue leaving College Station," Chief Development Officer Michael Ostrowski said. "Retailers are paying attention to College Station right now, and the strongest thing we can bring to the table is proof that our residents want them here. Shape College Station turns what people talk about around the dinner table into useable data.”

The City doesn’t decide which businesses open in College Station — retailers make those calls based on their own market analysis — but resident input helps shape recruitment priorities and gives Grow College Station a clearer picture of where demand exists. Strong local retail keeps shopping dollars in College Station, supports sales tax revenue that funds city services, and improves quality of life, helping the city attract and retain talent.

This quarter's question comes as College Station's retail landscape continues to grow, including Sprouts, a new Aerie and Tecovas (opening soon) at Century Square, and the recently announced Bass Pro Shops.
Grow College Station will compile responses after the survey closes at the end of November and share results in December on GrowCollegeStation.com and the City's social media channels. Shape College Station poses a new question each quarter about the restaurants, shops and attractions residents want to see.

About Grow College Station

Grow College Station is the City of College Station's official economic development and strategic growth platform, coordinating and accelerating long-term economic diversification for the community. Grow College Station connects site selectors, industry leaders and business partners to the tools, opportunities and civic leadership needed to grow — supporting a diversified, resilient economy where talent stays, businesses scale and growth is intentional.

For more on College Station's growth and development opportunities, visit GrowCollegeStation.com.

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