Mold Remediation in Mcallen, TX

An international retailer offering quality fashion at value prices is set to open its first Texas location at La Plaza Mall in McAllen.

Primark announced earlier this month that it will open its first Texas location on Dec. 12, adding that shoppers who visit opening weekend will experience fun for the whole family as there will be a local DJ providing live entertainment, giveaways for those in line and local snacks first come first served.

McAllen’s location kicks off Primark’s expansion into the southern part of the country, particularly in Texas as it also announced additional lease signings with intent to open new stores in Hurst and Houston.

“As one of the fastest growing states in the country, Texas represents an exciting growth opportunity for Primark as we continue our expansion across the country,” President of Primark US Kevin Tulip said in the release.

Primark will be located across Macy’s Home Store, where the Joe Brand store used to be since March 6, 1982 before closing its doors in 2018.

The release also noted that Primark’s Talent Acquisition team is already searching for full and part-time roles, adding that base pay for sales associates starts at $15 an hour with 50 cents per hour increases at 6 and 12 months of employment. For more information, visit https://careers-us.primark.com/

Primark noted in the release that it is working to make more sustainable fashion affordable for everyone through its Primark Cares strategy, which is a multi-year program focused on giving clothes a longer life, protecting life on the planet and supporting the livelihoods of the people who make their clothes.

Primark unveiled a series of commitments that include making all of its clothes from recycled or more sustainable sourced materials by 2030, halving carbon emissions across its value chain and pursuing a living wage for workers in its supply chain.

“We are extremely excited for our first Texas opening on December 12th and in preparation, we’re building our La Plaza team and getting ready to welcome shoppers to experience the joy that our unique combination of quality products at affordable prices brings to families, just in time for the holidays,” Tulip said.

Retailer eyes Texas as it expands further into the US with La Plaza store and new leases in the state

MCALLEN, Texas, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Primark, the international retailer offering quality fashion at value prices, announced today it will open its new store at La Plaza in McAllen, Texas on Thursday, December 12. This is Primark's first store opening in Texas and will offer many first-time shoppers and brand fans alike more than 37,000 square feet of retail selling space. Bringing Primark to 29 US stores, across 12 states, this store is also in close proximity to Mexico, serving shoppers beyond the States as well.

In addition to announcing the opening date of its La Plaza location, the retailer also announced additional lease signings in the state of Texas with the intent to open new stores at:

Totaling 70,000 square feet of retail selling space, these new stores will bring Primark's signature combination of the latest fashion trends and essentials for the whole family, as well as homewares and beauty, at the affordable prices American shoppers are seeking out. This continues Primark's expansion into the southern US, in particular Texas. In addition to these newly announced store leases and the opening at La Plaza, Primark has already announced the intent to open stores at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso and Katy Mills in Houston, for a total of five new Texas locations.

"As one of the fastest growing states in the country, Texas represents an exciting growth opportunity for Primark as we continue our expansion across the country," said Kevin Tulip, President of Primark US. "We are extremely excited for our first Texas opening on December 12^th and in preparation, we're building our La Plaza team and getting ready to welcome shoppers to experience the joy that our unique combination of quality products at affordable prices brings to families, just in time for the holidays."

With preparation for the opening underway, Primark's Talent Acquisition team is searching for retail colleagues to fill full and part-time roles. All available roles can be viewed on the Primark Careers Site and successful applicants can look forward to Primark's competitive salary, with sales associate base pay starting at $15.00 an hour and $0.50 per hour increases at 6 months and 12 months of employment.

Beginning at opening Thursday, December 12 at 11:00 a.m., La Plaza shoppers are in for a treat. Those who visit Primark opening weekend will experience fun for the whole family, including a local DJ spinning live tracks, giveaways for those in line at opening, and local snacks, first come first served.

There is something for everyone at Primark stores, including everyday essentials such as denim starting at $10 and tee shirts at $4, licensed product at affordable prices, including fan-favorite collections such as Netflix, Disney and Marvel, and sports offerings including for the NFL and NBA. To help shoppers find what they're looking for at La Plaza, Primark's website allows customers to browse its product offering and check which products are available in their local store. To check it out, please visit: www.primark.com. Shoppers can also sign up here to get email updates on Primark's latest product drops, style inspiration, store opening dates, and more.

About PrimarkPrimark is an international fashion retailer employing more than 80,000 colleagues across 17 countries in Europe and the US. Founded in Ireland in 1969 under the Penneys brand, Primark aims to provide affordable choices for everyone, from great quality everyday essentials to stand-out style across women's, men's and kids, as well as beauty, homeware and accessories. With a focus on creating great retail experiences, Primark has 450 stores globally and continues to expand.

Primark is working to make more sustainable fashion affordable for everyone through its Primark Cares strategy, a multi-year program that focuses on giving clothing a longer life, protecting life on the planet and supporting the livelihoods of the people who make Primark clothes. As part of this, Primark unveiled a series of commitments it is working to achieve by 2030. These commitments include making all of its clothes from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials by 2030, halving carbon emissions across its value chain and pursuing a living wage for workers in its supply chain. More information can be found here.

SOURCE Primark

McAllen has once again been ranked number one, this time, in a recent ranking by real estate website Realtor.com, which made a list of the top 10 U.S. cities with the lowest cost of living. The information came from the latest regional price parities from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.

“This ranking affirms what we know about McAllen: that our city offers an exceptional quality of life at an affordable cost,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “With a low cost of living and continuous investments in growth and infrastructure, McAllen remains a welcoming place for families, businesses, and anyone looking to make a smart financial choice for their future. We’re proud to be recognized nationally, as it reflects our commitment to making McAllen a thriving, accessible city for all.”

The regional price parities (RPP) measure the differences in price levels of goods and services across states and metropolitan areas and are shown as a percentage of the overall national price level, the BEA states.

According to Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com, markets in the South and the Midwest can expand as demand picks up, which helps keep housing costs low. The price of housing is relatively affordable because of their ability to adapt to demand.

McAllen, Texas ranked as the city with the lowest cost of living. The website ranked McAllen with a 86.92% RPP, and a cost of living 13% lower than the national average. For example, McAllen residents pay $86.82 for $100 worth of necessities and the median home price is $275,000. This is the driving force behind McAllen’s No. 1 ranking: its low housing costs in the city, according to Realtor.com. In McAllen, the home price-to-income ratio in McAllen is 4.8, meaning home prices are 4.8 times the median household income.

“McAllen has a lot of space to spread and it has been. There’s been a good amount of investment in the area and that keeps home prices relatively low,” Jones said. The supply of homes was up 41% year over year in September, she added.

“That says to me that there is ample supply given the demand in McAllen, which keeps the cost of living relatively affordable, especially when it comes to housing.”

“McAllen’s location close to the Mexico border has fueled a trade-based economy and manufacturing jobs,” says Cara Ameer, a Coldwall Banker real estate agent based in Florida. “There is no income tax in Texas, and property taxes are lower in McAllen. There is plenty of land on which to develop, which helps keep prices more affordable. In addition, McAllen has a lower cost of living, so that coupled with job opportunities helps create a more affordable environment.”

McAllen was also recently ranked number four as best U.S. cities for the middle class.

Texas Border Business

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By Roberto Hugo González

The McAllen Citizens League (MCL), under the leadership of Elva Cerda and other dedicated community leaders, has long promoted active engagement and dialogue within McAllen, Texas. Recently, the MCL hosted newly appointed City Manager Isaac “Ike” Tawil, who outlined his forward-thinking vision for McAllen at an event titled McAllen City Manager Isaac “Ike” Tawil’s Vision for the Future of McAllen. This presentation gave residents insight into Tawil’s ambitious goals to transform McAllen through “sustainable growth, modernized infrastructure, and stronger cross-border partnerships.”

Isaac Tawil’s approach focuses on economic planning and collaborative governance, aiming to lead McAllen into a new era of growth and regional influence. Tawil sees McAllen as a “dynamic intersection of trade, tourism, and culture,” positioning it as a future metropolitan center. His strategic approach emphasizes “community-oriented governance and targeted investments,” reflecting McAllen’s unique position as a growing border city with metropolitan ambitions.

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Stepping into his role after Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, Tawil now manages McAllen’s $650 million budget, overseeing crucial projects, including the McAllen International Airport, two international ports of entry, and multiple cultural venues. At the MCL event, he outlined his main priorities: “economic development, infrastructure, cultural advancement, and governance.”

Tawil pointed to significant developments, noting that the McAllen Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is “actively working to bring major industries to the city” — a move that could drive substantial economic growth. He also mentioned plans to revive the EB-5 investor visa program, an initiative he believes will “bring international investments and new opportunities for McAllen.”

Key to his administration’s strategy is collaboration with local institutions like the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. “The partnership with the university exemplifies what my commission emphasizes daily: we must collaborate to meet the needs and aspirations of our community,” Tawil stated. Recognizing that McAllen is at a pivotal moment, he noted, “We’re on the verge of becoming a true metroplex if we’re not already there.”

Economic development forms the foundation of Tawil’s strategy. Given its “strategic geographic position,” he envisions McAllen as a prime location for business ventures. Tawil is committed to modernizing McAllen’s infrastructure, particularly its water and sewer systems, to prepare for industrial projects and population growth. Recently, the city secured a $25 million federal grant for cargo expansion, which he describes as “a critical step in establishing McAllen as a key trade hub and attracting international business.”

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Infrastructure modernization also plays a central role in Tawil’s vision. The expansion of McAllen International Airport to double gate capacity and improve parking facilities reflects his focus on “addressing rising passenger demands.” Tawil highlights the importance of McAllen’s international ports and is “actively pursuing funding for these expansions.” With nearly half McAllen’s budget allocated to capital projects, Tawil emphasizes “balanced, forward-looking investments,” including expanding U.S. Highway 83 to accommodate the city’s growing transportation needs.

Tawil is also dedicated to cultural and recreational development to enhance McAllen’s quality of life. New projects, like a campsite featuring walking trails, archery, and canoeing, will make green spaces more accessible to residents. He envisions McAllen as a cultural hub, with plans to expand programming at the convention center and performing arts venues, which already draw “over 600,000 visitors annually.” He explains that events like the South Texas Book Festival “showcase McAllen’s appeal as a cultural destination.” Free symphony concerts and similar initiatives underline his commitment to accessible arts as “essential to life in McAllen.”

As McAllen adapts to its growing metropolitan status, urban development and housing improvements are also priorities. Tawil and the City Commission are leading an update to the city’s Unified Development Code to modernize zoning, promote mixed-use developments, and create “a walkable, transit-friendly urban core.” Collaborative projects with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will “enhance housing and create professional growth opportunities, benefiting community facilities and residents alike.”

Tourism and international relations are essential to Tawil’s approach to expanding McAllen’s reach. He aims to make McAllen a “destination city,” particularly for Mexican nationals looking for business and leisure. Tawil envisions a rise in hotel occupancy and support for local businesses, adding, “Our city’s identity as a destination is only growing.”

At the heart of Tawil’s leadership is governance and community engagement. His focus on effective budget management ensures resources are used strategically for the city’s growth while keeping debt minimal. Emphasizing transparency, he plans to host regular town halls, inviting residents to participate in discussions about McAllen’s future. “Engaging our community is essential to shaping McAllen’s future,” he affirmed.

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Texas Border Business

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McALLEN, Texas – The holiday season is fast approaching, and McAllen is once again ready to dazzle with the return of the highly anticipated South Pole Illuminated Festival 2024, presented by H-E-B. At a grand announcement held at the McAllen Convention Center, city officials, sponsors, and community partners came together to reveal the holiday magic that will soon light up the McAllen Convention Center grounds.

The festival will run from November 29 to December 29, welcoming visitors from Wednesday to Sunday each week.

The festival will kick off with the Official Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 29, a cherished annual event symbolizing the start of the holiday festivities in McAllen.

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“This is my favorite time of year; and not just because I can feel the holiday spirit. It’s because of the South Pole of Texas. Every year, the South Pole team, along with the McAllen Convention Center, truly push the boundaries of creativity and magic. The lights keep getting bigger, brighter, and more imaginative.”

H-E-B to Host Special Community Day and Continue Its Legacy of Giving

H-E-B is proud to introduce Community Day on Tuesday, December 17, offering free admission before 7:00 p.m. In addition to this, during their H-E-B Day of Giving, the company will provide grants to three non-profit organizations in the Rio Grande Valley, furthering their ongoing efforts to give back to the community.

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This initiative is part of H-E-B’s longstanding H-E-B Helping Here program, which continues to expand and strengthen its commitment to the region through its partnership with the City of McAllen and the South Pole Illuminated Festival.

Linda Tovar, Director of Public Relations for H-E-B, emphasized the company’s dedication to the community, sharing, “On behalf of H-E-B, I want to welcome every family to the South Pole Illuminated Festival. H-E-B believes in connecting families during the holiday season and bringing joy to your table. We are proud to once again illuminate Texas for the holidays.”

Lone Star National Bank, Kids free during the week

This year, Lone Star National Bank is providing free admission for children under 12 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from November 29 through December 19 at the South Pole Illuminated Festival. Families can enjoy the holiday magic together.

Tickets on Sale soon

More information is available on the festival’s official website, www.southpoleoftexas.com.

The South Pole Illuminated Festival is presented by H-E-B and proudly sponsored by Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Lone Star National Bank, Sames Lincoln, McAllen International Airport, Metro McAllen, and Reliant.

###For more information contact Jose Garcia (956) 681-3818 JEGarcia@mcallen.net