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It's seafood, stories, and small-town roots in this episode featuring local restaurant legend Jimmy Cantu of Pier 36! We have Cody Frederick stepping in as guest host (a longtime restaurateur himself), sitting down with Jimmy to rewind from his childhood "daycare" in an old Richmond oyster bar to opening Pier 36 in Needville and eventually planting deep roots in Richmond and Fulshear. Jimmy shares how community, consistency, and caring for his staff turned Pier 36 into a neighborhood fixture that's seen kids grow up, families celebrate milestones, and regulars show up after hurricanes and even through COVID shutdowns. Key Insights & Timestamps: [05:22]: Jimmy Cantu's early days at the Oyster Bar [12:10]: The origin story of Pier 36 [21:10]: Building a loyal team at Pier 36 [24:05]: Surviving COVID: Shutdowns, to-go lines, and community support [34:45]: Possible Richmond relocation and what legacy means to Jimmy Key Takeaways: ● Jimmy's story starts as a seven-year-old "daycare kid" at his uncle's Richmond oyster bar, bussing tables and learning to shuck oysters. That early immersion led him to Pappas Restaurants, then to taking over Pier 36 in Needville and expanding to Richmond and Fulshear. Decades of repetition—cooking, serving, and greeting neighbors—shaped his belief that consistency and genuine care are the backbone of a lasting restaurant. ● From sponsoring little league teams and fundraisers to quietly helping families in need, Jimmy and Pier 36 have long treated the restaurant as a community pillar, not just a business. That goodwill showed up in force during COVID, when shutdowns and constantly shifting rules could have crippled the restaurant—but loyal regulars rallied around Pier 36 with to-go orders and support that actually grew sales during the toughest season. ● Jimmy's pride isn't just in the food; it's in people like Felix, who's been with him since opening day (and even helped on the original buildout), prep cooks who've worked side by side for 20 years, and a longtime cook who returned to lead the Fulshear kitchen. Those enduring relationships—with staff who feel like family and customers whose kids have grown up at Pier 36—are what turn a small seafood spot into a local legend with a legacy that will outlast any single location or owner. Guest Spotlight: Cody Frederick Cody Frederick is a longtime Fort Bend restaurateur with more than 20 years in the restaurant industry and a deep love for hospitality. Now calling Richmond home, he and his wife Aimee have built local businesses and community connections that give him a unique vantage point on what makes neighborhood spots like Pier 36 so special. As a guest host on Born in the Bend and a volunteer with Develop Richmond's economic development efforts, Cody is passionate about telling local stories and helping small- town businesses thrive.   Jimmy Cantu Jimmy Cantu is the owner and founder of Pier 36 Seafood & Oyster Bar, a beloved Fort Bend institution with locations in Richmond and Fulshear. Born and raised in Richmond, Jimmy got his start as a kid in his uncle's oyster bar, later honing his craft with Pappas Restaurants before taking over the original Pier 36 in Needville in the late '90s and expanding. Known for his steady hospitality, Jimmy has turned Pier 36 into a true local legend and gathering place for generations of Fort Bend families.   Resources Mentioned: Pier36 Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar Pappas Restaurants Bayou Boys Sandy McGee's Anthonie's Market Grill   For More Information: Born in the Bend is sponsored by Develop Richmond, and is produced and mixed by the team at Speakerbox Media.  Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, and visit our Born in the Bend website (drop Emily a recommendation through our Contact form) and Instagram (our DMs are open!). Keep up with all things Pier36 on their Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

It's about to get nostalgic here! We rewind to the good ol' days of old Fort Bend with a special episode guest-hosted by Noell Myska, where she sits down with her dad Jimmy Myska and longtime family friend Steve Holmes. Jimmy and Steve share vivid stories of growing up in Beasley and Fulshear: from sharecropping roots, tractor work, and skinny-dipping at rice wells to gas-station hangouts and tight-knit church and school communities. They trace how Fort Bend has transformed from wide-open rice fields and a handful of high schools into a rapidly growing, bustling hub with new neighborhoods, schools, and businesses at every turn. As time passed, they built careers in property tax consulting and aviation, raised families, and learned what it means to stay rooted in a place even as it changes around you. This episode is a love letter to "old Fort Bend," gratitude for the people who shaped it, and a reminder of how deeply local stories anchor a fast-growing county. Key Insights & Timestamps: [01:10]: Introducing Guest Host Noell Myska and "Two Hometown Boys" Jimmy & Steve [05:00]: Sharecropping, Cotton Chopping, and Jimmy's Early Years in Beasley [10:30]: Fulshear in the 60s: Valley Lodge, $0.55 Gas, and Weekend "Hub of Activity" [20:00]: High School Friendships, Church Life, and Wild Clover-Field Adventures [27:00]: Building Careers From Property Tax Consulting to Starting a Flying Business [35:00]: How Steve Became a Pilot and the Story of Teaching Justin to Fly Key Takeaways: Growing up in rural Fort Bend built a deep work ethic and sense of responsibility. Jimmy and Steve's stories of sharecropping, tractor work, and taking whatever jobs they could find show how early labor shaped their character, independence, and appreciation for opportunity. That foundation carried into their adult lives, from starting a tax consulting firm to building an aviation business. Tight-knit communities can shape a lifetime of relationships and belonging. From Fulshear's Exxon station "hub," MYF youth groups, and Valley Lodge hangouts to working at local arenas and feed stores, their teen years were spent in overlapping circles of friends, family, and neighbors. Those bonds didn't fade with time, they became the support system that carried through marriages, careers, and multiple generations. Fort Bend's explosive growth is both a point of pride and a source of tension. Jimmy and Steve contrast a past of rice fields, four or five regional high schools, and wide-open roads with today's reality of constant construction, new schools, and what Jimmy bluntly calls "overcrowded." But even as the landscape changes, they see Fort Bend as the ideal place to grow up, raise families, and build businesses. Guest Spotlight: Noell Myska Noell Myska is a Fort Bend County local whose roots run deep in the community. She's a brand ambassador at Terry's Landscape and is actively involved in the local nonprofit and advocacy space, including her work with Reigning Strength, where she supports mission-driven efforts serving families in the region. Previously featured on Born in the Bend for her work, she brings a blend of professional insight, family history, and local pride to this episode, asking the kinds of questions only someone raised in Fort Bend's small-town culture could ask. Jimmy Myska Born and raised in Beasley, Jimmy Myska grew up in a sharecropping family, learning hard work early through long days in the fields, driving tractors, and helping his extended farming family. Professionally, he built a successful career in property tax, starting as an appraiser, then becoming a property tax consultant and eventually co-founding his own firm, Mishka & Van De Vort, before "retiring in place" and handing the reins to the next generation. Steve Holmes A Fulshear native, Steve Holmes turned a teenage fascination with flying into a lifelong career in aviation, earning his ratings at American Flyers in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and going on to fly corporate jets, manage flight operations, and eventually own an aviation company. He also worked in car dealerships and crane service management before returning to the cockpit to mentor younger pilots. Resources Mentioned: Gulf Coast Aviation Dozier's BBQ Lamar Consolidated High School Fort Bend County Fair Fort Bend Museum For More Information: Born in the Bend is sponsored by Develop Richmond, and is produced and mixed by the team at Speakerbox Media.  Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, and visit our Born in the Bend website (drop Emily a recommendation through our Contact form) and Instagram (our DMs are open!). Keep up with all things Develop Richmond on their Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Richmond has a lot to look forward to with Lacie Chambers stepping in as the new Executive Director of Develop Richmond! In this episode, Lacie shares her clear plan for transforming Richmond into a more vibrant, economically active destination through curated retail, new food concepts, and infrastructure investments like upcoming sidewalk and streetscape improvements. She walks us through how intentional planning, business attraction, and community input are shaping a more connected "live, work, play" environment. Most importantly, Lacie puts a spotlight on supporting local businesses as a foundation for attracting new industries and talent to Richmond. The momentum is real, and Richmond is only getting started.

In this powerful episode, Jenny Fridge of The Sanctuary Foster Care Services shares her family's personal journey into foster care and adoption, and the mission that now fuels her work. She pulls back the curtain on the realities of the foster system: the trauma children carry, the high burnout rate among foster families, and why support is the missing piece. We sit down with Jenny as she explains how the organization's four pillars, which are in-home therapy, 24/7 crisis response, respite care, and community support, are redefining what foster and post-adoption care can look like.

The holidays are right around the corner, which means it's time for a Richmond Roundup of all things festive and fun happening in Fort Bend. From November harvest festivities to December Christmas gatherings, the next few weeks will be a busy time in the Fort Bend region. Bundle up, gather the kiddos and get ready to spread some holiday cheer at signature events like the Community Christmas Walk, Annual Gingerbread House Competition, and Miracle on Morton Street.

If your child is attending school in the Lamar district, you may have heard about the 2025 Bond. Do you have questions? So do we! We called in a special guest host, Lamar School Board Member Zach Lambert (of Mercy Goods) to interview Lamar Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens. Zach and Roosevelt talk about all things Lamar, including their designation as a hypergrowth district, their dedication to providing elite education, and their plans to serve the 2000+ kids moving into the district every year.

The Fort Bend community is full of generous people who love to give back, and this is double the case for our two guests, Lindsay Rolph and Kelsea Weatherford from the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL). The Fort Bend Junior Service League is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the Fort Bend County community. As current and past presidents of the Fort Bend Junior Service League, Lindsay and Kelsea teach us the ins and outs of volunteering, as well as show us how we can get involved with FBJSL and attend their upcoming Sugar Plum Market.

Everyone loves an iconic duo, and Jillian Reed has created one of her own at LIT bookbar at Jax & 7th. Uniting cozy craft cocktails and bookshelves full of local authors, LIT bookbar brings everyone in the community together to drink, shop, and most importantly: connect! As the owner of LIT, Jillian walks us through the journey Richmond's new book bar has taken from market stands and pop ups to a brick and mortar hosting events, clubs, parties, and so much more. Looking for your next read? This is the episode for you!

Terri Vela, City Manager at City of Richmond Texas, joins the pod to discuss the coordination behind the scenes of Richmond's charming city. From infrastructure to events, development to volunteering, no single day looks the same for Terri as she and her team work to build a better and more beautiful Richmond. Talking points include coordinating events like the arts festival and farmers market, strategic partnerships between government and nonprofit groups, and Terri's future hopes for growth and construction in downtown Richmond.

Sarah Beth Baca, local artist, author, community liaison and activist, talks about the seasons of her life and the impact art has had throughout. As a wife, mother, and full-time artist, Sarah has learned how to balance art with life and keep an open mind about the journey to making art a profitable and impactful career. From face-painting to expressionism, mixed media to oil and acrylic, Sarah has so many experiences, insights, and advice to share about finding passion in chaos, meeting the needs of your community, and staying curious about the creative opportunities ahead of you.

Sandy McGee, Restaurateur and Owner of Sandy McGee's Restaurant & Bar, serves up tasty tales and delicious insights on what it's like to feed Fort Bend. From in-home catering to a little house in Rosenberg to a remodeled restaurant mecca in Historic Downtown Richmond, Sandy has seen it all and still has more cooking up for us to look forward to. Talking points include the highs and lows of the restaurant business, her family and their involvement in Sandy McGee's, and the infamous broccoli cheese soup that inspires daily lunch lines of hungry patrons.

October Smith, Ranch Manager at Long Acres Ranch, comes inside from the great outdoors to talk about a beautiful private green space in the middle of the bustling suburbs and shops of Richmond. Located in the heart of Richmond, Long Acres Ranch provides a unique, natural environment for educational and recreational activities and promotes the appreciation of nature and open space. Talking points include oodles of ologies for kiddos and adults, outdoor activities for nature lovers of all ages, and how to get involved in upcoming ranch opportunities

Noell Myska and Heather Hernandez join the pod to talk about serving the Fort Bend community through equine-assisted learning and therapeutic horsemanship at Reining Strength. Founded in 2014, Reining Strength Therapeutic Horsemanship provides equine-assisted services for people ages 2 and up, children and adults, with physical, cognitive, social, or emotional needs. Talking points include different groups that benefit from therapeutic horsemanship, how to get involved as a volunteer, and what the upcoming Derby Day event (May 4) has in store.

Greg Babst, Emergency Management Coordinator at Fort Bend Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, brings emergency prep to the pod and tackles the tips for hurricane safety. Hurricane season starts this May in Fort Bend, but the impacts of these natural disasters can be felt both before and after this time of heightened awareness. Greg talks through setting up a 72-hour kit, tapping into EOC's resources, and getting prepared at the upcoming Fort Bend Ready event on April 27th.

Season 5 has officially arrived, and Em & Aim are so excited to catch up with listeners and look ahead for what's to come on Born in the Bend! Aimee discusses new additions to the Jax & 7th and Blockhouse Coffee family, including LIT Bookbar and Mugz Coffee. Emily gives listeners a sneak peek of the upcoming Fort Bend Museum gala, "A Night in the Garden" taking place on April 6th. Additional talking points include summer travels, listener recommendations, and home remodels.