Retail construction in the Houston region is set to rebound in 2022 as retailers such as H-E-B, Target and Burlington plan expansions, according to commercial real estate firm Weitzman. Retail projects completed in 2021 dropped by 11 percent over the year to 615,000 square feet, according to the company, which tracks projects with at least 25,000 square feet.

Target plans a 135,000-square-foot store at Valley Ranch Town Center at 11985 Grand Parkway N. in New Caney and a 145,000-square-foot store at 22165 FM 529 near the Elyson community the north Katy area. Fort Bend Town Center II in Missouri City will bring a Cinemark theater and Burlington, among other tenants. H-E-B plans stores in Magnolia, Manvel Town Center and the Market at Willis. Life Time Fitness is building a 140,000-square-foot location at 9000 Six Pines Drive in Shenandoah.

Houston retail occupancy returned to its pre-pandemic level of 95 percent at the end of 2021 as fewer stores closed and restaurants and other retailers filled in vacant spaces, according to Weitzman. The occupancy rate was up from 93 percent in 2020. Among the restaurants expanding are Halal Guys at The Crossing at 288 in Pearland, Southern Yankee Crafthouse in the former Good Dog Houston space at 1312 W. Alabama in Montrose, and Willie’s Grill & Icehouse in Pearland. Click to read more at www.houstonchronicle.com.