Thomas Ott knew the area had potential from the beginning. Hopeful and motivated the entrepreneur first came to the city of Humble in 1970 searching for new opportunities. He had heard about the new airport the city of Houston had built just a year earlier and was certain that it would offer the right location for his new business. Ott purchased the Western Auto store in the heart of Humble that year and relocated permanently to the city. “I could see the future over here (for me); that it was going to be a great future,” he says. “Because…you know, anywhere there is an airport it makes good business (sense to setup).” Humble is a small 10 square mile city located right next door to Houston’s largest airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Established in the early 1800s, the city was more of a rural area until the airport first opened its doors in 1969, bringing with it a whole new market of consumers. Many of them were transient international travelers on their way to their next destination. They were not in the area for long, but often desired to spend layovers outside of the airport environment. Downtown Houston was only an option for those with ample time and reliable transportation as the airport sits 23 miles north of this area. One by one, new businesses began opening their doors in Humble looking to appease the needs of these new consumers. Humble Mayor Donald G. McMannes remembers those days well. “In 1968, we didn’t have any restaurants here,” he explains. “There was a time you had one little stand where you walked up and you would buy through the window…We had to go across the river to buy a hamburger.” As the airport grew, so did the city of Humble.

Thriving. IAH has been a boom for business.

“They started building apartments…for employees to live close to the airport. There weren’t any subdivisions hardly at the time so apartments sprung up pretty much everywhere, and then the franchise businesses started coming in,” McMannes adds.

Today, the city has a population of 15,000; more than a dozen hotel/motel establishments; close to 200 restaurants and eateries; several hundred shops and retail operations; and one of the largest sales tax bases in the local region.

“We collect more sales taxes in the city of Humble, which is a 10 square mile city, than any other city in Harris County,” boasts Mayor McMannes.

Considering the fact that more than 30 cities make up the area known as Harris County – the most populous county in the state of Texas and the third most populous county in the United States – this is no small accolade. Close to 3.4 million people live within Harris County.

Last year, the city of Humble pulled in close to $11 million worth of sales taxes from their business operators.

Goodwille Pierre, who oversees the small business development office of the Houston Airport System, says areas in and around the airports are just prime locations for entrepreneurs.

“Travelers don’t have time to head into Houston for a quick trip in between flights,” he explains. “So what is the next best thing? A quick drive into Humble where you can find pretty much anything you could need. Then you also have to remember about the airport employees that will most likely be driving into Humble for lunch and other personal needs.”

Over 118,000 individuals work at IAH.

Ott, who in 1995 opted to go into the food service industry, confirms Pierre’s assessment. His Humble City Café, located in the city’s historical district, has been doing exceptionally well.

“We have people from all over the world that eat with us,” he laughs. “We just received two cards from two different couples that were here from London (telling) us how much they enjoyed the visit.”

Closer to the airport complex, business owners have also found much success. Talal Agha and his cousin Mounellesham Agha opened the restaurant Alwadi Mediterranean Sandwiches earlier this year, at the entrance of the airport complex along John F. Kennedy Blvd., and say business has been very profitable since day one.

“We had people lining up (out of the door) waiting for their food,” Talal remembers. “We were not expecting all that to happen on the first day.”

Talal was a limousine driver at the airport before venturing into the restaurant business, but says he had always thought the airport was a good location for his restaurant because of its massive clientele – over 42 million strong.

The Aghas are not alone.

“Every minute of everyday, 24 hours a day, there’s opportunity; any kind, anything you want; it’s here,” Ott concludes.

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