b'E c o n o m i c slife with a fantastic selection of upscale bar food andnumber one goal with any hospitality property, is to drink, plus weekly activities including live music on thework for, and with the community. The locals here have weekends, markets to support small local businesses,supported Bluffs Landing for a really long time so my and regular cornhole tournaments hosted by commu- number one priority is always going to be to try and nity friends, Flour Bluff Cornhole. In addition, cosmeticgive them a place to be proud of, while still focusing on upgrades and renovations are underway at the fishingthe results that are going to see the business bloom and lodge and over a dozen vacation homes. Most visible isthrive, said Dobson.the recent opening of The Lookout, an elevated-diningBluffs Landings greatest asset is also its biggest chal-waterfront restaurant and bar conceived by Food TVlenge, and that is its remote location that is currently celebrity Chef, Joe Brock and veteran professional mixol- made more difficult by the major road construction ogist Jacob McClain. project on Laguna Shores. Fortunately, the multi-year The transformation of Bluffs Landing is undoubtedlyreconstruction of the waterfront route is working in the upscale direction and counter-intuitive to whatoutward-in, so the first section to be completed extends we have all come to expect in Flour Bluff. The challengefrom Yorktown to Bluffs Landingand progress is brisk!that Dobson and her team are now facing is in attractingNot unlike resort destinations that Clara Dobson earned the kind of patron who can afford to endeavor in leisureso much success building in her career, the key to the activities like sportfishing and elevated dining, andsuccess of Bluffs Landing is a measure of providing an while many of those local folks reside in the Yorktownextraordinary experience in an extraordinary locationcorridor that runs west to Corpus Christis far souththat will be a function of offering wonderful accommo-side, prospective out-of-town visitors are used to stayingdations, a truly special food and beverage experience, in condominiums and vacation homes in high-endand professionally-operated saltwater access to the best developments on the islands, like Cinnamon Shore andinshore fishing on the Texas coast and even birdwatch-Palmilla Beach in Port Aransas. Despite this, Dobson ising tours and perhaps ecotourism activities in one of committed to making Bluffs Landing first-and-fore- the worlds most vibrantly unique and well-protected most, a place for the local community to come togethermarine environments.and enjoy.Observing progress thus far, Bluffs Landing looks to be Flour Bluff is a special place, full of special people. Mywell on its way.92 THE COASTAL BEND GUIDE TheCoastalBend.com'