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CONROE NATIVE PARKER MCCOLLUM PARTNERS WITH LUCCHESE BOOTS FROM STAGE TO RANCH

Local Love F E B R UA RY 2 02 4

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

So Much To Love Conroe is an area with much to love. So, in this month when people show their loved ones they care, through gifts like chocolate, jewels, music, and travel, our February issue holds a monthlong love fest of local favorites. Entertainers and destinations, individuals and businesses, this issue has them all, plus love, lots of love. Let’s start with our cover story, which tells you how country music star Parker McCollum stays grounded and stylish on the family ranch in Conroe. What’s not to love about this hometown favorite son who has hit it big, as he prepares for a new tour and joins forces with legendary boot maker, Lucchese, in a purely Texas toe-tapping partnership? We also have the story of local singer-songwriter, Payton Riley, who at the tender age of 15 is blazing her own trail across the state, winning awards and turning heads with her music. She's got big plans for the future, so you’d better see her now as she performs locally. Then you can say you supported her way back when she first started out. Chocolates and jewelry don't just share Valentine's Day, we’ve got stories where the local proprietors of shops that bring these gifts to the community share their own personal love stories. The Martins and Quinns are two examples of couples who bring their love to work with them. And if you don’t have a vacation escape where you go to unwind and leave your daily troubles a world away, I’ll share where this local loves to travel to. Belize is one of my favorite spots and it's sure to become one of your favorites too. So read along and at least daydream with me as we explore some local love together.

February 2024 PUBLISHER

Alison Kartevold | Alison.Kartevold@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Margie Taylor | margie.taylor@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Morgan Freeman, Kimberly Sutton, Alison Kartevold, Annette Palmer, Ian Garrett, Jo Hammon C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Ian Garrett, Kimberly Sutton, Shannon Martlock, Travis Gillette, Gustav Schiege III, Lucas Passmore, Chris Kleinmeier

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LOVE,

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

ALISON KARTEVOLD, PUBLISHER @CONROECITYLIFESTYLE

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Conroe City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Conroe area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

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No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Conroe City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue FE B RUA RY 2 0 2 4 | LOV E LO CA L

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Featured

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Conroe is home to Young Texas Artist Recipient Local teen, Payton Riley, awarded her first Texas CMA Award

Partner Up!

Conroe’s Country Star Parker McCollum teams up with boot royalty Lucchese for a Texas Collaboration

Camillo’s Fine Jewelry

14 On the Cover

Departments

Conroe native Parker McCollum and Lucchese have forged a powerful, creative collaboration of art and lifestyle with his favorites on the Lucchese website wearing them from stage to ranch.

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City Scene

Business Monthly

Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

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Trend Setter SHOPPING

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAG E

Events

Two hearts connected through one store

Love Language!

Chocolate Passion provides handmade chocolate with flavors of Venezuela that’s grown from a lifelong romance

Photography: Courtesy of Lucchese by Gustave Schiege III

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One Year Anniversary Party for Conroe City Lifestyle! 1: Alison and Chocolatier, Zulay Quinn of Chocolate Passion. 2: Conroe City Lifestyle celebrates its 1st Anniversary! 3: Liz Grimm of Liz Grimm Public Relations takes the stage to share her hidden talent. 4: So much great food was provided by Margaritaville’s catering department. 5: The build-your-own pasta station was a big hit. 6: The lamb lollipops were delectable. 7: Service with a smile at Margaritaville Lake Resort. Photography by Kimberly Sutton Photography

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One Year Anniversary Party for Conroe City Lifestyle! 8: Nick Adamo entertains guests at the Rock the Boat 1st Anniversary party at Margaritaville. 9: Realtor Susan Scott Watts and husband Richard Watts on deck. 10: Shannon of Arrowhead Photography looks over the December issue. 11: Allison Moore owner of Atelier Haus Designs with her husband Ken are ready to party. 12: Conroe City Lifestyle publisher Alison Kartevold “Rocks the Boat” with some lively karaoke . 13: Ronald and Lori Enriquez of Classic Floors and More are enjoying the night. 14: Mr and Mrs Claus from our December 2023 issue, alias Carolyn and Jerry Czubinski. Photography by Kimberly Sutton Photography

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FEBRUARY 2024

the freshest fare this side of the surf At Fish Camp, we take an honest approach to making great food and to summoning the innate flavors of the world around us, from the shores to the fields and everywhere in between. Our menu showcases the freshest the Gulf Coast has to offer, complemented by classic cocktails.

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Make a reservation at G O O D E C O M P A N Y F I S H C A M P. C O M and follow us @ G O O D E C O F I S H C A M P .

Conroe Golf Cars Opens Location in Woodforest Conroe Golf Cars has been a family-owned business in Conroe for over 50 years and has recently expanded into Woodforest. Now offering services and repairs for Club Cars and E-Z-Go golf cars. Conroe Golf Cars provides rentals and on-site transportation requirements for corporate events, festivals, trade shows, or special events. Rentals include single-day rentals and long-term leases. Visit their new 2,400 sq. ft. location at 810 Pine Market Ave, Montgomery. ConroeGolfCars.com Photography by Conroe Golf Cars

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8865 SIX PINES DRIVE THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS

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Oh Toodles Indoor Play Area Now Open for Younger Kids A new indoor play space allows younger kids 0-3 their own space, an older kid play area for ages up to 11 years, and a 3-story interactive playground with a place for the adults to enjoy an on-site cafe with food, snacks, drinks and coffee as well as complimentary Wi-Fi. Get ready! Located at 3830 W. Davis. OhToodles.com Photography by Oh Toodles

New French Cuisine in Downtown Conroe Paulette Cafe is now open in downtown Conroe at the corner of Thompson and Hwy 105, 406 N. Thompson, across the street from the Courthouse, offering breakfast, crepes, pizza, and pasties. Stop by for sweet fruit crepes or a chicken carbonara savory crepe! Look over the menu at PauletteCafe.com Photography by Taylorized PR

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BODYBAR Pilates Woodforest Now Open! The staff at BODYBAR Pilates Woodforest and the owners, Jennifer Rubino and Natalie Luquette, welcome guests to try a class for FREE! Located in the Woodforest community of Pine Market, 900 New Day, hurry in for the Foundering Members special rate! @BodyBarWoodforest Photography by Kimberly Sutton

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New Director of Development at Montgomery County Food Bank Montgomery County Food Bank announces the appointment of Ashley Logan as its new Director of Development. Ashley brings almost 15 years of fundraising experience for mission-driven organizations to

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her role. She most recently served as Director of Development & Community Engagement at FamilyTime Crisis & Counseling Center, where she led a team focused on innovative development strategy to support the organization’s vision of a stronger, safer and healthier community for all. mcfoodbank.org Photography by Montgomery County Food Bank

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Angel Reach Village Completed for Youth First America Homes and The Signorelli Company completed eight duplexes in Angel Reach Village as part of their annual philanthropy campaign. Dedicated to housing and supporting youth at risk of homelessness after transitioning out of the foster care system, Angel Reach Village will shelter 64 youths when complete. AngelReach.org Photography by Angel Reach

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

CONROE IS HOME TO YOUNG texas artist recipient

Downtown Conroe at 202 Main in the Hideaway.

Hanging out at TX Vintage downtown Conroe

LOCAL TEEN, PAYTON RILEY, AWARDED HER FIRST TEXAS CMA AWARD ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN GARRETT

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

Fifteen-year-old Payton Riley was attending her sister’s softball game when her mother unexpectedly started screaming in joy. Confusion, compounded by the gawks of other parents in the bleachers, clarified a moment later when Payton heard some words that she had dreamt of: You made it! You’re one of the five finalists! Payton’s mother, Tonia, had just received word over her phone that her daughter was named a finalist in the Texas Country Music Awards ‘Young Artist of the Year’ category. Payton then won the title. “Last year, I went to the Texas CMA Awards show to just watch it,” said Payton. “During it, I was so inspired that I turned to my mom and told her that it was going to be me up there next year. So I worked my tail off all this year and then I got nominated by the people. When I won, it felt like it happened in slow motion, and it didn’t really settle in until a few days later that I’d actually gotten the award. It was an awesome experience.” Payton started singing when she was seven with little one-song shows and started using the guitar around the age of 11 or 12. By the time she was 13 or 14, she was playing guitar along with her tunes and doing three- to four-hour shows. CONTINUED >

Peyton Riley poses next to mural of Conroe resident and radio personality Mary MCoy. FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

“I have a passion for Christian music to tell a story and make people feel good”. “I pretty much always knew that I wanted to sing,” she said. “I would go around the house screaming at the top of my lungs, singing so loud that my mom wanted to put that energy into voice lessons. Then I wanted to feel like [country singers] Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson. Once I added playing an instrument, it felt like I was taking off and moving on.” Coming from a family deeply connected to their Christian faith, Payton’s early songs were based on both her own reflections and feelings as well as the bible lessons she’d been taught. “I’ve always written songs since I was nine years old. I have a passion for Christian music to tell a story and make people feel good.” Her breakout song that caught the attention of the Texas CMA – ‘Long Live Cowboys’ – is a tribute to cowboys and riders and how well they treat women. “I know we’re a lot to handle, and I wanted to highlight all the amazing things the right boy can do when you find him.” Payton has recently started touring with her new band. Last month, she debuted her latest

- Payton Riley

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

single – ‘Mascara Doesn’t Lie’ – at Conroe’s The Table at Madeley. Next, the band will be performing on March 3rd at the Sawyer Park Ice House. Since her Texas CMA Award win, Payton also found out that she is a semifinalist for New Female Vocalist of the Year for the Texas Regional Radio Music Awards. Payton is proud of her Conroe roots and its designation as a Texas Music Friendly City by decree of the Governor’s Office. She was also inspired to partake in the recent ‘Concert4Love’ fundraising concert at Dosey Doe - The Big Barn, benefiting nonprofit organization Love Heals Youth. “When I was younger, my family was into foster care, and we fostered three kids. It had a huge impact on my life. Last November, I told my mom I wanted to get back into publicly supporting the cause. Right after that, the leader of Love Heals Youth asked me to be a part of the organization. Payton has a presence on every single social and music platform at PaytonRileyMusic.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

ARTICLE BY ANNETTE PALMER AND JO HAMMON PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUCAS PASSMORE, TRAVIS GILLETTE

CONROE’S FAVORITE SON AND COUNTRY STAR PARKER MCCOLLUM TEAMS UP WITH BOOT ROYALTY LUCCHESE FOR A TRULY TEXAN COLLABORATION

Parker wears Lucchese boots from the stage to the ranch! Photo: Chris Kleinmeier

PARDNER UP! 18

M UST SE E | ENTERTAI NME N T

It’s a plain and simple fact, some things are just meant to work together, and the recent collaboration between country star Parker McCollum and Lucchese Boots is certainly a winner. Both quintessentially Texan, their beginnings over 100 years apart, the

had learned from his shoemaker father, he opened his first boot-making business in San Antonio in 1883. Originally making boots for the cavalry, the military and later cowboy boots. Today’s boots maintain a design classic, using an organic method the boots are hand-

“I COME FROM THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD” range of “Parker’s Picks” has evolved from his long-time admiration for Lucchese bootmakers. McCollum, who has amassed around 50 pairs of cowboy boots to date, has his own select line of favorites. You can “shop his look” on the Lucchese website for a style that is comfortable yet tough, with more artistry than you can shake a stick at, and McCollum wears them from the stage to the ranch, and everywhere in between! The Lucchese story began in 1868 when Salvatore Lucchese disembarked from a ship in Galveston on which he had sailed from Sicily. Utilizing skills he

crafted and created by accomplished artisans, who pass their skills down through the family of employees. These boots are a work of art and pass through 180 – 200 hands from start to finish. McCollum has worked with Lucchese to create custom boots of his own, “I started having fun designing boots and had a couple of crazy requests at first to see what they’d pull off. I wanted blue king crocodile and they said, ‘Let’s do it!’ They’re awesome boots and I wear them all the time.” McCollum’s custom boots all have his signature embroidered on the pull tab, one of Lucchese’s many unique finishing touches. CONTINUED >

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For 140 years, Lucchese has maintained a strong dedication and emphasis on craftsmanship and heritage within all of its products. Photo: Lucas Passmore

The recent addition of a Lucchese store to The Woodlands Mall introduces the anticipation of a potential store visit from McCollum, with Conroe being his hometown, a large piece of his heart lives here. “I can remember graduating high school, sitting in the seat in the Pavilion thinking – if I ever get big enough, I can come back and play here.” McCollum has indeed played at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion more than once now as well as shows across the USA, one of the pinnacles of his career was performing at The Houston Rodeo in 2022. With family living in Conroe, McCollum enjoys spending quality time with them, if he’s not golfing at Conroe’s Triple C Country Club with his 90-year-old Grandfather, or visiting friends, he’ll be enjoying the downhome cooking at Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish, Vernon’s Kuntry Bar-B-Q , or at his favorite Outback Steakhouse where he would previously spend time as a kid after baseball and church. Raised with strong values and respect he tells me, “ ... I come from the best people in the world - I’ll raise my kids in exactly the same way, you really can do anything you want in life.”

Every pair of boots Lucchese produces is touched by 180 to 200 hands before completion. Photo: Travis Gillette

M UST SE E | ENTERTAI NME N T

“A GOOD WORK ETHIC WILL OPEN DOORS” The McCollum/Lucchese collaboration brings together parallel core principles and practices. “Nothing’s rushed or forced, it all happens very organically, they’re extremely authentic, extremely genuine, their custom handmade boots which have been made the same way for over one hundred years, they’re really aware of their brand and that’s really important for me, that’s how I run my career,” McCollum says. Parker McCollum will be performing across the country during 2024 with his “Burn It Down” tour. Despite his huge success McCollum still feels grounded, which is something visiting Conroe helps with. “I feel so normal and that’s a really good thing – everything got bigger and crazy and hectic and a lot more pressure, but I still sleep great at night, and I still love going to the ranch.” We follow with anticipation the journey of this toe-kicking, boot-scootin’ duo of celebrated Texas artists. “A good work ethic and some good manners will open more doors for you than anything else” – Parker McCollum

Lucchese uses time-honored techniques that have been used for generations. Photo: Lucas Passmore

In virtually every step of our bootmaking process, Lucchese relies on human hands to complete centuries-old tasks to perfection. Photo: Travis Garrett

Much of Lucchese's signature fit is due to the perfected lasting process. In it, the upper is secured to the sole by hand. Photo: Travis Gillette FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

Mayan pyramid ruin 'El Castillo' with carvings at the archeological site Xunantunich near San Ignacio, Belize.

The Caribbean off the shore of Ambergris Caye.

BELIZE If you long to witness the clean white light of a fresh dawn as it breaks across the water of the open Caribbean or experience the vibrant amber glow of the sun’s final rays setting in a lagoon, there is a place I’d like to take you. Like the song says, “La Isla Bonita” is a place for lovers and families alike, and it’s within a two-and-a-half-hour, nonstop flight from Houston.

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Front street lined with golf carts is an everyday sight in San Pedro.

San Pedro's Central Park is in the city center of the only town on Ambergris.

Belize is a country of barely 400 thousand tucked beneath Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Off its coast, in the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean, is its largest atoll island, Ambergris Caye. This once-fishing village turned vacation paradise threads the needle between the modern world and something left behind. It is a lovely place to set up your base camp while exploring this Central American gem. My family has been coming here for almost 20 years. Our favorite resort is Coco Beach Belize, located three and a half miles north of town, facing the island’s reef side. It has fantastic pools and a swim-up bar with the best frozen coconut mojitos on the island, or anywhere else for that matter, and the ocean views from the front condos are picture-perfect.

MY FAMILY LOVES THIS TROPICAL ESCAPE AND YOURS WILL TOO! ARTICLE BY ALISON KARTEVOLD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON KARTEVOLD

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

You are sure to find these guys at Shark Ray Alley.

Life moves at its own pace here. A place where your primary form of transportation is a golf cart, and dinner reservations can include a boat ride along the world’s second-longest barrier reef. The food offerings on this tiny island are diverse and delectable. The local cuisine has plenty of seafood, plus the staple of stewed chicken with creole spiced rice and beans. To experience the local favorites, Elvi’s Kitchen in the heart of San Pedro is a sure bet. If you need to satisfy multiple pallets for a casual lunch or dinner, try the Truck Stop, where you’ll find Pizza, Southeast Asian, Latin Fusion, and Ice Cream, each served out of their own shipping container/kitchen. Or, for a special evening out, we usually take a nighttime boat ride to the Matachica Resort to enjoy Mombo’s award-winning menu that seamlessly blends globe techniques with local flavors. An emerging favorite is the Purple Pelican. Built out over a lagoon you can watch for tarpans and crocodiles as you await your food in posh surroundings. In a place where corporate chains have yet to really take root, shops and restaurants

are locally owned, and the proprietors welcome you. San Pedro’s population has grown dramatically from 5,000 to 20,000 since we first started coming, but its charm remains. Walking the three bustling streets that run north to south in town, you will hear languages from around the globe. Spanish, English, Mayan, Creole, or Pidgin (a combination of all these) are all local here. However, I’ve also heard Polish, German, French, Lebanese, Chinese, and various dialects of the King’s English (Canadian, UK, and Australian). While this gives the island a cosmopolitan flair, it is not a place you come to go clubbing or dress in designer evening wear and heels. Here, it is more of an earlyto-bed, early-to-rise, casual kind of scene, with many of the best tours departing at dawn and returning at day’s end. You can join tours to the mainland to see some of Belize’s renowned Mayan temples, hike the rain forest to go cave tubing and zip lining, or go four-wheeling or horseback riding in the jungle. One of my favorite Mayan tours takes you by boat up Belize’s meandering New

Snorkeling through coral reef near Ambergris Caye.

River, where you can see exotic plant and animal life along the way to the Lamanai Archaeological Site. That translates to the Submerged Crocodile, and the temple complex is surrounded for miles by a jungle filled with howler monkeys, toucans, and jaguars and steeped in centuries of history and lore. When going to the mainland, we usually take tours with flights included, but if you are going to take a boat, do it for this one. It is an extremely long day, but arriving by water showcases the site’s remoteness, and following the traversing ribbon like an explorer upriver is half the adventure. After a mainland trip, snorkeling, diving, and fishing are just offshore, with the white line of waves breaking on the reef clearly visible from our balcony. Jet skis and parasailing are available with a call from the dock, and drinks ordered from the bar are brought to you poolside while you bask (with sunscreen) in the white-hot rays. I suggest alternating between active and lazy days if you have enough time. Remember to venture north to Secret Beach on the lagoon side of the island. Or perhaps, if you are an absolute adrenaline junkie, jump out of a plane into the Great Blue Hole, or visit a neighboring island like Caye Caulker. You need more details? Don’t worry, Secret Beach isn’t really secret, the Great Blue Hole is world famous, and Caye Caulker is the next island over. Oh, and when you snorkel, go to Shark Ray Alley! Yes, you’ll do what the name implies: swim in relatively shallow waters with nurse sharks, rays, turtles, jacks, blue tangs, and the occasional barracuda. No matter your speed, Belize has it, and the wonderful, hard-working people of Ambergris Caye have your every desire covered. Just ask them, or me, the next time you see me around town. Travelbelize.org sandypointresorts.com/coco-beach-resort/

Xunantunich sits on a ridge above the Mopan River about seventy miles west of Belize City. This site served as a Mayan civic and ceremonial center to the Belize Valley region in the Late and Terminal Classic periods and is home to El Castillo, the second-largest structure in the country.

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

C a m i l l o’s FINE JEWELRY TWO HEARTS CONNECTED THROUGH ONE STORE

Karoline Aguilar and husband Martin Martinez

Savoia Italy white gold sapphires earrings with matching 18K white gold sapphire pendant

Savoia Italy white gold and diamond bangle with hoop earrings

ARTICLE BY MORGAN FREEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNON MATLOCK

T R E N D SE T T E R | SHO P P IN G

Family photo: Karoline, Martin, with son, Porfirio Martinez Aguilar. Savoia Italy white gold and diamond hoop earrings

Left to right: SK Diamonds bracelet, Bassali clover bangle, Lab Grown engagement ring, Bassali love ring, 18K white gold diamond and ruby ring, and Rolex watch

Dazzling luxury jewelry she will love forever. White gold and diamonds

riends and family tell Karoline and Martin Aguilar, the new owners of Camillo’s Fine Jewelry, that “they were born for this.” They might be new to the Conroe area, but the couple brings their own history of love to a business Conroe has loved for almost forty years. Originally from Mexico, both have an extensive background in luxury retail. Karoline’s father owned a large luxury rug store, and Martin worked as a retail consultant with twenty years of experience in the space. When they saw Camillo’s was for

sale, they say it was a natural choice. Fine jewelry is new, but many aspects of the business are familiar. While this is their first time working a business together, the combination of shared goals and passion for the business is the secret to their success. Both were worried they might spend all day fighting when they started to work together, but the opposite has proven to be true. Martin says, “We are a team, and we talk about it like that.” The two, who have been married for 12 years, know each other’s strengths and divide duties accordingly. One trait they both share is good taste in luxury jewelry pieces. Their inspiration for inventory curation comes from

vendor relationships, magazines, and, most importantly, personal intuition and taste. Both love fine jewelry and bring their own interest into the selection process. The Aguilar’s love extends to special moments like when men come to pick up engagement rings. Martin remembers fondly a customer getting engaged for the first time at 55 years old and assisting him with a ring. The Aguilars’ passion for their business is obvious when you stop by their store with enthusiasm extending to life in Conroe. Karoline loves the downtown area, and Martin’s favorite restaurant is Monty’s Lighthouse. camillosjewelry.com

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

It all started with a kiss. The romance of the Quinns.

Love Language!

CHOCOLATE PASSION PROVIDES HANDMADE CHOCOLATE WITH FLAVORS OF VENEZUELA THAT’S GROWN FROM A LIFELONG ROMANCE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBERLY SUTTON Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and Chocolate Passion in Conroe is the place to buy your love fancy chocolate-covered strawberries and rich, creamy, delectable bonbons and truffles made on-site. Terry and Zulay Quinn have provided the community with handmade and handcrafted sweets, unique chocolate presentations, and customized orders of their creamy and smooth imported Venezuelan chocolate for 17 years.

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

“After all these years, we still love to see the smile on people’s faces when they taste our chocolates,” Zulay, who is very much a people person, said. “I just love meeting and serving our customers. And sometimes they tell me about their problems, and when I give them chocolate, their problems go away.” The chocolate that Zulay and Terry serve in their chocolate shop on Frazier Street is of the Criollo variety, the rarest of cacao beans, nicknamed the King of Cacao. According to Terry, the Venezuelan Criollo chocolate is highly appreciated by chocolate connoisseurs because it is unparalleled to any other chocolate with the absence of tannins, which normally give it bitterness and astringency, giving Criollo a unique creaminess. A native of Venezuela, Zulay met her husband Terry in her home country as he was working for Baker Hughes in oil and gas. A romantic himself, Terry proposed to Zulay under a beautiful waterfall with a bottle of champagne in the early 1990s and told Zulay he always wanted to be a chocolatier and own a chocolate shop. In 2002, the couple moved to The Woodlands, raised their two sons, Christopher and Alex, and brought their passion for chocolate to Montgomery County after visiting and experiencing the cacao plantations in the forests of Venezuela. “We used to stop at a cacao plantation in the dense tropical forest near the coast,” Terry said. “This primitive farm was more than 400 years old. The farmer showed us the old spikes and irrigation systems of the original plantation, and we came to love the wonderfully rich flavors of the Criollo chocolate.” “The health benefits of chocolate are abundant, specifically dark chocolate,” Terry said. “Medical studies have shown that dark chocolate improves blood circulation and cardiovascular health and is a mood enhancer. Our sumptuous dark chocolate truffles, dusted in cocoa, send waves of health to boost your well-being”. Chocolate Passion offers more than 25 flavors of chocolate ganache and is made with only natural ingredients using fresh ginger, lemon, mint, berry

Precision with the finest ingredients.

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Handmade chocolates by the chocolatier.

purees, and nuts. Molds are used to shape some specialty chocolates into unique shapes like guitars, cigars, or roses. “The best-selling flavors are our champagne and orange truffles, pecan and chocolate caramel turtles that look like turtles, brandied cherries, and all of our chocolate nut and caramel chocolates,” Zulay said. Top-selling chocolates for Valentine’s Day are chocolate-covered strawberries (order a day in advance), champagne truffles, orange truffles, turtles, brandies, cherry bonbons, hot chocolate cocoa bombs, and chocolate-covered Baklava. Chocolate Passion is a quiet place to get work done on a laptop or have a Zoom meeting. They have free Wi-Fi Hotspot service for all their customers’ business needs. “Our coffee of the day is selected brewed coffees of various single estate and blended coffees. We also serve espressos, cappuccinos, frappes, smoothies, Italian sodas, and organic teas. The hot chocolate is made straight from shaved Venezuelan chocolate,” Zulay said. They serve several types of sandwiches, salads, cakes, pies, and pastries. We cater to businesses with unique chocolate business cards or custom gift baskets. Chocolate Passion is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Lunch is served Wednesday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Located at 1520 N. Frazier. Be sure to order 3-4 days in advance of any occasion. Valentine’s Day could be every day. Indulge in the best. ChocolatePassion.net

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Specialty chocolate made into molds.

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FEBRUARY 2024

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S WE EKE N D S , F E BRUA RY 2 ND- 11TH

Wait Until Dark The Owen Theatre, 225 Metcalf Street, Conroe Murder, secret identities, and a switchblade set the stage for this white-knuckle thriller. In 1944 Greenwich Village, Susan Hendrix, a blind woman, is imperiled by a trio of men in her own apartment. As the climax builds, Susan discovers that her blindness just might help her escape, but she must wait until dark to play out the thrilling conclusion. OwenTheatre.com F EB RUA RY 3 RD

Scholarship Chili Cook-Off The Montgomery County Fairgrounds Pavilion-9201 Airport Road, Conroe | 8:00 AM The Scholarship Chili Cook-Off hosted by the MCFA benefits our local Montgomery County High School seniors with scholarships as they pursue further education. mcfa.org/events/chili-cookoff • Chili Cook-Off Team Entry with 3 individuals on a team • Chili • Bloody Mary • Best Dressed Bloody Mary • A corn hole tournament will be open to the public with a $20 buy-in.

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Family Promise Gala Margaritaville Lake Resort "A Night of Promise" Gala to benefit Family Promise of Montgomery County's 90day program to assist homeless families with children into self-sufficiency. WEEKENDS, FEBR UARY 9 TH -25T H

West Side Story The Crighton Theatre-234 N. Main, Conroe Inspired by the timeless story of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story takes Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, and places them in the battleground of New York City’s West Side in the 1950s. In the midst of a rivalry between the Puerto Rican gang-The Sharks, and the White gang-The Jets, Maria and Tony discover that grudges are no match for true love. CrightonTheatre.org FEBR UARY 17TH

Go Texan Parade Downtown Conroe | 1:00 PM Celebrate the start of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ at the 59th Annual Go Texan Parade as decorative floats intermingle with hundreds on horseback to fill the streets with hoof beats, marching bands, elected officials, businesses and organizations. Presented by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Houston Metro Go Texan Committee and the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce. MAR CH 2ND-3 R D

6th Annual Montgomery County Home and Outdoor Living Show Lone Star Convention Center | 9:00 AM The 6th Annual Montgomery County Home and Outdoor Living Show is March 2-3 at the Lone Star Convention Center with special guest appearances and over 100 exhibitors with products and services for your home. Meet Houston’s Trusted Home Expert Tom Tynan, HomeShow Radio, Skip Richter, host of AM 740 KTRH GardenLine, and Chainsaw Carving Art by Nick Smith. TexwoodShows.com

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