After enormous growth, The Boardwalk at Towne Lake in Cypress looks to add final retail space

By Raphael Green (As Seen in The Houston Chronicle)

The Towne Lake neighborhood on Barker Cypress Road wasn’t always a popular Houston suburban area for residents to gather.

The Boardwalk at Towne Lake is a shopping center that was created by real estate services and development firm Caldwell Companies in 2007 after purchased of the farmland in 2004. 

Lindsey McConathy, Cardwell Companies vice president of digital marketing and a resident of Cypress, said that before The Boardwalk became the gathering spot and heart of Cypress, there wasn’t really a gathering spot in the area.

Caldwell Companies is also the developer of the Towne Lake neighborhood, located near the The Boardwalk, which boasts more than 3,000 homes.

McConathy, a Cypress resident who attended Cy-Fair high school, noted that when she was growing up in Cypress, there was nothing like The Boardwalk. For entertainment, she said, she and her friends went to a Sonic Drive- In.

“I think it's been so neat to see the area grow, and as the developer, our vision is that we develop extraordinary communities that enrich lives," McConathy said. "It just personally brings me so much joy to see grandparents out on our green space with grandkids, or these large homecoming groups coming to celebrate these milestone moments at the boardwalk, and it's really special to see.”

Recent additions to The Boardwalk include Kilwins Cypress, a chocolate and ice cream shop and burger restaurant Hopdoddy.

There is one finally leasing space left at the The Boardwalk, McConathy said, which they plan to fill with a retail business.

The Boardwalk is an indication that local commerce is thriving, according to McConathy, with more than 600,000 annual visitors flocking to the center. The Kendra Scott store in The Boardwalk, for example, announced that its Boardwalk location out-performed its Galleria location, McConathy said.

The Boardwalk is also known for its popular monthly events, which include festivals, parties, ceremonies and more. 

The center hosts live music events every Friday and Saturday and a farmer's market every third Saturday. The Boardwalk will also host its annual Light The Towne tree-lighting event on Nov. 29 from 6-8 p.m.

The holiday celebration features the lighting of a 40-foot tree. Visitors can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, balloon artists, airbrush face painting and more. 

McConathy added that this Christmas-themed event feels like a hallmark movie, with festive decorations and thousands of residents gathering to enjoy the yearly tradition.