2025: Some Signs of Growth Despite Long-Standing Business Closures

(This article was written by Lisa Campos and was featured in the December 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)

While reflecting on 2025, the biggest news of the year for Harlingen had to be the early morning fire on July 22 that destroyed Johnny’s True Value hardware store at 914 W. Tyler Ave. After an investigation, the Harlingen Fire Marshal's Office ruled the cause of the fire as “undetermined.” The building was then demolished with an empty lot now standing in its place. Losing a long-standing business such as Johnny’s, which had been in business for 40+ years, was a significant loss for Harlingen. The community came together, holding multiple events to raise funds for the store’s displaced employees.

Many other long-standing businesses struggled and closed, such as:

• La Feria News, which closed after 102 years in publication

• The Light House Lighting Center, which is liquidating items and closing all its Rio Grande Valley locations after 53 years in business

• Dick Office Supply, which closed after 45 years in business at the end of 2024

• F.Y.E. after 20+ years in business

• Los Fresnos News, after 20 years in business

• Brain Freeze, which closed after 14 years in business

Additional business closures included:

• National retailers Party City and Big Lots

• Locally owned restaurants Sabores del Golfo, Ricardo’s Restaurant, Sportsmen’s Bar and Grill, Taqueria El Zarape, Taqueria El Buen Pastor, and Classic’s Bar and Grill

• Valle Vista Mall tenants Rollitos Ice Cream, Aeropostale, and Claire’s

• Coffee shops Girl of All Trades’ (second location), Bean Extract, and Mi Raiz Café

• Vintage on Jackson thrift store benefitting Sunny Glen Children’s Home

• Leaux Leaux Paranormal Investigations, LLC, which offered historical tours and ghost hunting tours

Despite a challenging economy, some new businesses opened in Harlingen in 2025. Most were restaurants, but a few retailers opened as well.

One of the most anticipated business openings of 2025 was the Harlingen Urgent Vet that opened on August 12 at 6710 W. Expressway 83. It is the first urgent veterinary clinic in Harlingen. Services include allergic reactions, vomiting, routine and emergency surgeries, dental cleanings, vaccines, wellness visits, and more.

New retailers included Kay Jewelers at the Shops at Valle Vista shopping center, 902 Dixieland, Suite 104; SOHO Thrift Boutique at the El Mercado Shopping Center, 712 N. Sunshine Strip #36; Furniture Express at 1802 S. 77 Sunshine Strip, Suite 200; Cavender’s, a national western clothing store, at 914 Dixieland Road; Casa Kevin, a discount store, at 710 N. 77 Sunshine Strip; Dollar General (DG) Market at 1379 Bass Blvd.; and Western Outpost at 221 E. Monroe.

Activity establishments that opened in 2025 include SOHO Hot Yoga at the El Mercado Shopping Center, 712 N. Sunshine Strip #36; Foxhound Jiu-Jitsu, a martial arts studio, which opened at 211 W. Jefferson, Unit 3; and Hitting Zone, a batting cage facility, opened on March 1. They are located at 6201 FM106 Unit 4A.

Several eateries opened in 2025:

• Greater Coffee Co. opened on January 29 at 101 Stuart Place Road, Suite E.

• Agave Azul Mexican Restaurant opened on February 12. They are located at 318 W. Jackson #2.

• Buckets Barn and Grill, an outdoor venue and bar, opened on March 13. They are located at 20860 FM508.

• Isidora’s Family Kitchen also opened on March 13. They are located at 3201 S Expressway 83, Unit C.

• Yummy Pho opened on May 8 at 711 N. 77 Sunshine Strip.

• Nothing Bundt Cakes opened on May 16 at the Harlingen Corners Shopping Center, 2819 W. Expressway 83, Suite 300.

• Station 83, a bar, opened on June 5 at 1105 S. Tamm Lane.

• El Torito Snacks opened on July 19 at 1202 N. 7th Street.

• The owner of Drink Up opened The Pink Bubble, an event venue and bar, on August 7. Both bars are located at 1226 Morgan Blvd.

• Jimmy’s Pizza opened on September 19 at 1209 N. 7^th Street, Suite E.

• Starbucks at the Dilworth Shopping Center, 6102 W. Expressway 83, opened on September 22.

• Mesquite Valley Smokehouse opened on October 15 at 105 W. Tyler. They are only open for dinner but plan to expand to offer weekend lunch service soon.

• Los 3 Garcias Mexican Grill celebrated their grand opening on October 23 with free food at their location, 1621 E. Harrison.

• The Other Room Wine Bar opened on October 30 at 119 W. Van Buren, Suite 7.

• Cookies4College has indicated they will open their first storefront at 119 W. Van Buren, Suite 6, by the end of December 2025.

Looking into 2026 and beyond, Harlingenites can look forward to the following business openings:

• HOTWORX, a 24-hour sauna workout facility, will be opening in 2026 (if unable to open in winter 2025).

• Additional tenants are coming to the Dilworth Shopping Center such as a combination Jamba Juice/Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Cold Stone Creamery, and Little Caesars Pizza. The flagship tenant, Starbucks, opened on September 22.

• Mexican food restaurants Taquero Mucho and Limon Mexican Grill & Seafood will open sometime in 2026.

• Texas Brewery Patrol, a locally owned brewery with restaurant, is in the works to open in 2026.

• HTeaO, a chain of tea shops from Texas, will open its first Harlingen store next fall. It will be located at 1219 W. Tyler, with the owner’s other business, Rio Valley Meat and Butcher Shop.

• Atomic Kids Learning Center, a daycare facility from Brownsville, will open its first Harlingen location in 2026.

• The Deep End, a golf simulation bar, will be adding pickleball courts to their location at 3601 W. Business 83.

I will continue to track these new businesses and others as they are announced on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ExploreHarlingen.