James McCandless

The Rio Grande Valley area is a complex retail trade area with its own sub-climate within South Texas. It’s impossible to show the true demographics of the area due to the transient nature of shoppers and workers crossing back and forth from the border. National retailers have always been hesitant to expand in the area because the demographics just don’t pencil. But eventually one by one, they came. Not only did they see success, many brands reported the border store locations as the best performing in their portfolio. The dynamics are changing now with long wait times to cross the bridge and come to the U.S. for the day. Shoppers are fewer but workers are the real issue. Restaurants, which the area seems to have twice as many as in other markets, are feeling the heat. James did a good job on this article and it’s worth reading if you are active in the border towns. I like the RGV market for a lot of reasons. My personal opinion is that this is temporary and presents an opportunity for investors to secure traditionally strong performing assets during this disruption. bizjournals.com/sanantonio/new…

ICYMI

@meganmmenchaca Last year an agency sent my request to the AG but didn’t cite any exemptions. They asked the AG to tell them which ones applied to my request. I call the agency, they say they’re going to resubmit. An hour later they call back, say never mind, and send me the docs the next day

- Sent a public records request to an agency for some documents - Request gets forwarded to Texas Attorney General - One week later, agency says nevermind and withdraws the AG ruling request. - Agency then provides me with all documents I didn't know this could happen.

Read the investigation I spent nearly a year working on!

Another hotel is planned for Lower Broadway

This is the most important story I wrote this year

The Alamodome's packed schedule, including the XFL, made it difficult to book the Eras Tour. bizjournals.com/sanantonio/new…

@depitts_ If you can stand the British, then @beansaladpod

Toucan Lamp by Enea Ferrari for Linea Zero, 1970s

Y'all! In response to the @TexasObserver staff's fundraiser, layoffs *have been averted*. Y'all did this. I'm gonna fricking cry. texasobserver.org/texas-observer…

Wow. What a loss

@RateYourCharge bit of a non-starter at the pearl’s Koehler parking garage’s @ChargePointnet stations. Definitely remember these being online at some point

My first @RateYourCharge! Tried this 6.6 kW @ChargePointnet at the Olmos Park HEB on the weekly grocery run. After connecting, it said waiting for EV before saying not charging and ultimately errored out. Happened 3 times

Something good is in the works @Rivian

It’s going to be exciting watching this group expand in the next five years bizjournals.com/sanantonio/new…

@dynamicbanter Rule #88 - please welcome

PLEASE I need some help making a list of the rules of love Here's what I got so far. Rule #40- Go on and GIT Rule #58- Give it a sec Rule #77- Buy a barn Rule #99- Check for browns Rule #103- Push it up Rule #124- Bows on Monday Rule #230- Teeth first Rule #504- Stir twice

TONIGHT AT 7: #OnTheRecordKLRN host Randy Beamer dives into newly-released data from SA2020 about how the San Antonio community is progressing. This story and more, On The Record. On-air and online.

First @Rivian R1S spotting. Bonus unlocked doors?

Thanks to everyone who lent a hand as I stumbled around in the wilderness, namely @KBanchy @ekimap @JakeLingeman @writeEILEEN @tati_perry14 @SABJArnold @SBrinley and so many others who aren’t on Twitter. Happy New Year!

When I left Newsweek, I was a little directionless. I’m lucky enough to have people around me who helped me find my way. I think 2023 is going to be a great year. I can’t wait to get started

2022 was a wild year. Nothing like a little turmoil to figure out where my priorities should be. But looking back on it, there’s a lot for me to be proud of. Here are some of the highlights: