Views of the Neighborhood

~ John W. Howell

This week’s View of the Neighborhood is a report on the modernization of Port Aransas. By modernization, I am referring to the new construction going on about town. Yes as sad as it is, our little town is getting new buildings.

The first photo is a brand new Dollar General Store that opened this week

New Construction

I tried to get an art shot but as you can see it is still a Dollar General store.

Turning to something really positive. Our Art Center is getting a new building. Here is an artist rendition of the finished building.

This photo shows the progress to date.

So you know the improvement here is a shot of the current Art Center building

Now on to new tourist facilities.  This is a photo of new short-term rental units going up.

This shot lets you see that the units are a courtyard with a pool in the middle.

Here is a new retail center going up. There will also be short-term rentals on the second floor.

A report on progress would be incomplete without a couple of chains. Here is the famous Texas fast food chain Whataburger.

And (Ta Da) a brand new Domino’s.

70 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood”

  3. It does show confidence in the economy and I hope that they fill those units they look quite attractive as does the art centre. As to the Dollar General.. they obviously did not waste many dollars in its design but perhaps that is a good thing to reflect their prices inside.. Great photos John. x

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  6. Aransas is busting out all over, isn’t it?!! Are you happy about this? I know I was sad to see my quaint town turn into a city. I used to know most everyone, but now – it’s difficult to find a familiar face.
    You might want to tell Charles that Dollar General carries very little merchandise for just $1. That’s probably the reason for a larger store. Dollar Tree is the one that still has every thing for $1.

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    1. Thank you GP for the explanation. I’m not so happy about a store like Dollar General. We usually travel off the island if we need that kind of merchandise. I suppose I will check it out sometime but seems strange. The locals are not so happy but the fast food and other places are for the tourists. While taking the picture an out of town car came buy and one of the passengers yelled, “Oh good a Dollar General.” I think that tells the story.

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  7. Thanks for the tour, John. Sorry about the general slip into blah. The big boxes and little boxes really seem to understand they they are boxes. Still, when the tide carries away you ice chest, you gotta go somewhere.

    Are you able to give a quick comparison of Whataburger and any other burger joint chains (five guys, Jakes, In ‘n Out)? Just in case I ever have to choose.

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    2. Whataburger specializes in your burger anyway you want it. They have condiments like peppers,(hot, banana, etc) raw or fried onions, special sauces. They also make a killer patty melt. Their fries are super and they have three kinds of catsup. I would say, better than Five Guys but hard to beat In ‘n Out. Never had a Jakes. 😀

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  8. I hope the quaintness isn’t lost with the development. At least the bungalows are sweet – and seem to fit the surroundings. 🙂

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  9. Horsefeathers! It really must be the eye of the beholder, because there’s no way Dollar General accidentally made a building that ugly… At least the shopping carts are yellow. The Art Center, however, is lovely. I know everyone is happy to see the improvement there. The little rentals seem like they’re going to be cute. Hopefully they attract a high caliber tourist.
    (No news from the vet on Crystal’s blood test…)
    Thanks for the Sunday tour, John. Mega hugs.

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  10. Good morning, John! As a frequent guest to Port A I wish – like you – it wouldn’t change its character. I could really do with most of the new development. But unfortunately this is happening everywhere nowadays. We have the same problem here in Fredericksburg.
    Have a great Sunday,
    Pit

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  13. Good morning, John! I agree with you: as a frequent guest to Port A I don’t want to see this once-charming seaside town change its character. I for one could do without most of those recent developments. But unfortunately that’s happening in so many lovely places just now. Fredericksburg is, sad to say, no exception. The influx and of “wine tourists” is not a good thing – not a good thing at all.
    Have a wonderful Sunday,
    Pit

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  14. The new art center is going to be very nice and seems to keep in line with the island’s character, but the others? I’m not so sure that the Dollar General adds anything to your island paradise.

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  15. Hmmm… I’m in 2 minds about takeaway and pub chains. Living in a tourist hotspot it’s sometimes hard for ‘incomers’ to find their fave fast food because most of the inland towns and villages and even the smaller coastal resorts don’t have them, so it’s hard to know where to go for your favourite holiday food?
    But – we do have yummy local delicacies like pasties, and the fish and seafood cafes down here are wonderful so there’s room for all sorts I suppose – I hope Mustang Island has those too still! 😀

    As for dollar stores – a necessary evil in these times. And it’s handy to have a good central source of cheap beach toys for the little kiddies to use and abuse! 😎

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  19. We have Dollarama stores up here – wonder if they are the Canadian incarnation of Dollar General?
    Great post, John!

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  20. How I miss Whataburger!! We don’t have them here, but we’ve got plenty of Dollar Generals and Dominos! Nice to see the progress being made, though I expect some folks are saddened when it overtakes the scenery, right?!

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  21. I suppose you have to take the good with the bad when it comes to development. I’m not a fan of Dollar General as their name is deceiving if you’re used to shopping at The Dollar Tree, where everything is a dollar. Now I’m hungry for a burger! Thanks for sharing your photos, John. I always enjoy touring your town. Happy Sunday!

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  23. Every town in South Texas seems to have a Dollar General store so I guess it had to come to Port A. I remember when it was a really quaint place but then that was long ago. There are many positive things about Port A so people will have to adapt, I suppose.

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  24. The Art Center and cottages look great – have no comment about Dollar General – and don’t have Whataburger in these parts, but if they’re better than Five Guys, I’d definitely be interested.

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  25. What huge stores, although the Dollar one looks like a huge warehouse, John. I’m amazed by just how clean Port Aransas is. No sign of any litter anywhere in those photos, not even by the fast food places. Good for Port Aransas. Some of our towns could sure take a lesson or two from that.

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