BUSINESS

Momentum trades tend to struggle in July — but this year may be particularly volatile, says one strategist. The rumblings have already started.

The Toy Story 5 soundtrack brings the franchise to a new peak on the Billboard 200 and helps Randy Newman earn a debut No. 1 on one tally.

There’s news about The Hunting Party on both Netflix and Peacock, and whether it is coming back for season 3 and finding new life.

A new federal savings account for children launches July 4. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley each committed to matching the government’s $1,000 opening deposit for their employees’ children before the program even opened.Both banks confirmed the match on July 2, Reuters reported. More than 87 companies and organizations had made similar commitments by the end of that week.What Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are giving employeesThe federal government deposits $1,000 into a Trump Account for each qualifying child. Goldman and Morgan Stanley each add another $1,000 for their employees’ children. A child whose parent works at either firm starts with $2,000 in U.S. stock index funds when the program opens.Children born in the U.S. between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, qualify for the federal deposit. They must have a valid Social Security number. Treasury and IRS guidance indicate that the accounts cannot receive contributions before July 4, 2026.”Starting early and staying invested for the long term is one of the most reliable ways American families build lasting financial security,” Goldman CEO David Solomon said in a statement.More Personal finance:Dave Ramsey says one daily habit costs you $5,000 a yearEstate plans for unmarried couples: Protect your partner, your wishesEstate planning for solo agers: How to protect yourselfMorgan Stanley’s internal memo described the contribution as reflecting the firm’s belief in long-term saving and financial education, CNBC reported. Neither bank disclosed how many employees have children who qualify for the match.Goldman already offers on-site child care and parental leave as part of its compensation package. The Trump Account match gives the firm another specific benefit to offer candidates with young families who are weighing their options.What Trump Accounts are and how they workTrump Accounts are investment accounts for children created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The official website is TrumpAccounts.gov, going live July 4. The federal government seeds each account with $1,000 for children born between 2025 and 2028. The money goes into broadly diversified U.S. stock index funds and grows without annual taxes on the gains.Employers can add to the accounts, as Goldman and Morgan Stanley have done. Family members can contribute additional funds over time. That is where the gap between income groups surfaces. Higher-income parents can keep adding money each year, building a much larger balance over 18 years. Families that can’t contribute beyond the $1,000 government deposit won’t realize these same gains.President Donald Trump called the program a way to give children “ownership of America’s future.” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) called it “a missed opportunity” that prioritizes Trump’s branding over real policy. Both statements were made the same week.

The federal government deposits $1,000 into a Trump Account for each qualifying child.Momo/Getty Images

Other employers joined the Trump Accounts matching programMore than 87 organizations had committed to contributing by the end of July 2. Americans for Tax Reform is keeping a running list. Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Vanguard, BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, CrowdStrike, Intel, and Micron Technology all made similar commitments for their employees.Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion to put $250 into 25 million accounts for children born between 2016 and 2024, the group that falls outside the federal program’s eligibility window. Ray Dalio and Barbara Dalio made separate contributions for children in Connecticut. Micron committed $250 for children in specific counties across Idaho, New York, Virginia, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and Texas.Brad Gerstner, CEO of Altimeter Capital, had been pushing the employer-matching idea for weeks before the launch. He told CNBC on July 2 that more announcements were still coming.”The momentum we have around this is totally extraordinary,” Gerstner said.What this week’s announcements signal for employees and investorsGoldman and Morgan Stanley employees with qualifying children start with $2,000 in an index fund. That money has up to 18 years to grow before the child reaches adulthood. U.S. stock markets have historically averaged returns that turn a few thousand dollars at birth into a materially larger sum by college age. Whether that pattern holds is something no one can predict, but the starting balance is real, and it costs the employee nothing.Large Wall Street banks compete hard for professionals with young families. A benefit attached to a child rather than a salary or title lands differently in that competition. Goldman has child care and parental leave. The Trump Account match adds a number with the child’s name on it, starting at birth.The speed of the July 2 announcements was the most notable part. More than 87 entities signed onto a program before it launched. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Vanguard, and BlackRock each committed publicly within days of each other. Firms of that size move slowly on new savings vehicles, unless they expect the vehicle to stay. Whether Trump Accounts eventually become part of the standard American financial toolkit depends on public adoption and political continuity past this administration. Both are open questions, although July 4 answers neither.Related: Trump accounts hide Roth IRA strategy worth a fortune

Supergirl had two cuts going into release, one that was the director’s version and one the studio’s. Here’s what the difference was.

Building a nationwide wireless network has long been one of the most expensive challenges in telecommunications. That’s why the U.S. has effectively been dominated by three national carriers, despite repeated efforts to create more competition.That’s a space Dish had sought to fill.=When Dish launched Project Genesis in 2022, the goal was to offer a new nationwide 5G carrier that could offer wireless service to rival T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. Creating a fourth carrier was part of a broader regulatory effort tied to the T-Mobile-Sprint merger, aimed at preserving competition and giving consumers more wireless choices.At the launch, the company was optimistic that it could grow from covering 120 cities to providing nationwide service.”This is an important step forward in our work to connect Americans to our Smart 5G network, but it’s only the beginning,” John Swieringa, President and COO of DISH Wireless, said in a press release. “We continue to focus on building out more coverage and bringing innovative 5G services and solutions to our customers.”The company launched with a single phone, one hotspot, and two plans. It charged $399.99 for a 128GB, small Samsung Galaxy S22 (normally $799.99) or $349.99 for a Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro hotspot. The phone and hotspot work with a $30/month unlimited phone plan, which includes roaming on AT&T, or a $20/month hotspot plan. Those plans came with a lifetime guarantee, but that turned out to be the lifetime of the company, not its customers. Dish Wireless has ended Project Genesis as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Dish files Chapter 11 bankruptcyDish Network filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 30, according to court filings on PacerMonitor.The company will continue most of its operations during its bankruptcy. It filed for Chapter 11 after agreeing on a restructuring plan with most of its creditors.”The Plan implements the terms of the previously announced Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) signed on March 19, 2026, as amended, modified, or supplemented. Holders of more than 88% of DISH DBS’s secured and unsecured notes, who also hold more than $8.8 billion of DISH Wireless debt, have signed the RSA and have agreed to support the Plan. As a result, the Filing Entities anticipate that all classes of claims will vote to accept, or be deemed to have accepted, the Plan,” the company shared in a press release.More Bankruptcy:28-year-old important high-tech firm files Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular sporting goods store chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcyInternet provider files Chapter 7 bankruptcy, cuts off serviceThe Plan remains subject to Court approval.The filing and prosecution of the cases will not impact DISH TV, Sling TV, or their active operations and employees. EchoStar Corporation, Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, and the entities that operate the Company’s Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile brands are not included in the Cases, and these filings will have no impact on the customers, operations, employees, or financings of these entities.Project Genesis, however, will be shut down.

Dish will continue to operate its core television product.Shutterstock/TheStreet

Dish sets plan to close Project GenesisThe loss of Project Genesis means that its customers will lose their guaranteed low prices. “It was one of the best mobile internet deals  we have ever tracked — and we always said it was too good to last,” shared the Mobile Internet Resource Center, which reported the shutdown.”The legendary Dish Project Genesis $20/month unlimited hotspot plan is finally coming to an end, along with Genesis smartphone plans,” the website shared.Dish sent an email to all Project Genesis customers telling them that the “Genesis project is officially coming to an end,” with final billing this month and service permanently deactivated for everyone on August 31, 2026.What Project Genesis customers need to knowWhat Current Customers Need To KnowAccording to the customer notice now being sent by Project Genesis, existing customers should expect:Final Billing: Recurring billing stops after the July 2026 payment.Service End Date: Service remains active for one full month after the final payment and will be permanently deactivated on August 31, 2026.Keep Your Number: Customers must port any phone numbers by July 31, 2026, or the numbers will be lost.Support: The notice lists Project Genesis support at (833) 238-1780.The Dish press release on its Chapter 11 banktuptcy deal makes no mention specifically of Project Genesis. Instead, it groups all its unnamed assets together. “The filing will permit Dish Wireless and its subsidiaries to complete the transition of their business and dispose of their remaining assets in an orderly and expedited manner. The chapter 11 process will provide a forum for the determination of all claims against Dish Wireless and the distribution of proceeds from the sale of its remaining assets,” the company shared.That does leave open the possibility that someone could acquire Project Genesis, although what that would entail after a shutdown remains unclear. Dish had big hopes for Project GenesisWhile it only launched in 120 cities, Dish planned to make Project Genesis a rival to T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. The rollout, however, was bumpy as the company did not have enough cell towers to support the project and leased capacity from T-Mobile and AT&T.”We’re not quite where we want to be,” said Dish’s Tom Cullen, one of the company’s top wireless executives. Cullen made his comments during a trade show in Denver.”We’re making progress,” he said. “I think we will be bringing disruptive pricing to the market.”While Project Genesis offered low prices, Dish still competes for those same customers wigth its Boost Mobile product. That brand offers a $10 per month bill for the first three months, then $25 per month “forever,” according to the brand’s website. The service, however, does have a small catch.”Enjoy unlimited talk, text and data with nationwide coverage from Boost Mobile. Your plan includes 30GB of premium, high-speed data. After that, speeds may be lowered to 512kbps,” the company shared.Project Genesis customers had “truly unlimited” service, according to the Mobile Internet Resource Center (MIRC). “Video streams were uncapped too — allowing full 4K streaming.”Dish had stopped offering Project Genesis to new customers in 2023, but kept the service operational.”It has been clear for a while now that Dish Wireless had no chance of succeeding on its own as a viable business, particularly due to its confusing branding and other missteps that prevented it from building a customer base,” MIRC reported.Related: 55-year-old sandwich chain closes restaurants with no notice

Two of the three singles Madonna has shared from Confessions II — “Love Sensation” and “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter — climb to new chart peaks.

SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI are collectively moving toward public offerings that could rank among the most valuable stock sales ever completed.The flood of new shares entering the market creates selling pressure on stocks that investors already have in their portfolios. Academic research suggests that every dollar pulled from existing stocks to fund new offerings could erase roughly five dollars in market value. Seventy-nine U.S. initial public offerings have raised $112.5 billion so far in 2026, up 625% from a year ago, Renaissance Capital data show. JPMorgan Chase projects total equity issuance will surpass $260 billion this year, The Motley Fool noted, a threshold the market has not crossed since 2021.SpaceX’s record Nasdaq debut revealed both demand and fragilitySpaceX raised $75 billion in its Nasdaq debut on June 12, pricing shares at $135 each and valuing the company at nearly $1.77 trillion. Total proceeds later climbed to $85.7 billion after underwriters exercised their option to buy additional shares, making it the largest offering ever recorded, CNBC reported. Renaissance Capital data shows that SpaceX alone accounted for approximately two-thirds of all U.S. initial public offering proceeds raised this year. Shares surged past $225 in the trading sessions that followed the listing, but the rally quickly lost momentum through the rest of June. The stock reversed and fell to roughly $153 by late June, representing an approximately 32% decline from its post-listing peak. Anthropic confidentially filed its S-1 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, after a $65 billion funding round. That funding round valued the artificial intelligence company at $965 billion, which represents its highest private valuation to date, Fortune reported. OpenAI submitted its own confidential filing on June 8, though a listing may not arrive until 2027 at the earliest. Chief executive Sam Altman is holding firm on a $1 trillion valuation target, above OpenAI’s $852 billion private mark, The New York Times reported.”Inelastic markets hypothesis” explains the $1 trillion riskThe deeper concern is not the cash these offerings raise but how stock prices respond when capital shifts between existing and new holdings. Researchers Xavier Gabaix and Ralph Koijen examined this dynamic in their paper on the “inelastic markets hypothesis,” published through the National Bureau of Economic Research.Their central finding is that every $1 flowing into or out of equities can shift the total market value by approximately $5. Index funds, pension funds, and insurance companies hold the bulk of equities under mandates that limit their ability to absorb sudden shifts in demand.When investors sell established positions to fund allocations in newly listed companies, the resulting selling pressure far exceeds the cash transferred. Applying the five-times multiplier to a $200 billion initial public offering wave implies roughly $1 trillion in aggregate market value at risk.

The inelastic markets hypothesis suggests a $200 billion IPO wave could put roughly $1 trillion in overall market value at risk.xPACIFICA/Getty Images

JPMorgan sees corporate buybacks absorbing the supply waveJ.P. Morgan Private Bank strategists argue that corporate demand creates a significant buffer that most investors are underestimating in their outlook, according to a June note authored by U.S. Equity Strategist Abigail Yoder.Corporate share buybacks are on pace to reach approximately $1.5 trillion this year, well above the $260 billion in projected new equity issuance. The S&P 500’s total market capitalization has grown to over $65 trillion, about 55% larger than in 2021, the last comparable issuance cycle.More Wall Street:HSBC doubles down on stock market message for 2026Citi quietly resets S&P 500 price target for the rest of 2026Jim Cramer has a stark message on the stock market for 2026″Even in a scenario where IPO volumes rise more than expected, and lockup expiries add incremental pressure, corporate demand alone may have the capacity to absorb a large share of equity supply coming to market,” J.P. Morgan’s strategists wrote.U.S. merger and acquisition deal value reached $1.2 trillion in the first five months of 2026, nearly double the $603 billion recorded in the same period a year ago, according to PwC, with cash-financed transactions adding to corporate equity demand alongside buybacks.Index concentration raises the stakes for technology stockholdersThe structural composition of major stock indices is shifting in ways that increase risk for investors holding broad passive index funds.  Full index inclusion of SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI would push the S&P 500’s effective technology weighting to 54% from its current 51%. Former Nasdaq chief Robert Greifeld told CNBC he expects both OpenAI and Anthropic to go public before the end of 2026, following SpaceX.In many ways, you can say that this was the most difficult sell for the market, because Anthropic and OpenAI have a clearer and more present business model.Shannon Saccocia, chief investment officer for wealth at Neuberger Berman, and Joe Amato, the firm’s president and chief investment officer for equities, warned in a June CIO Weekly note that the shift meaningfully increases portfolio concentration risk.That figure counts Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon alongside traditional technology names, even though the index does not officially group them in the sector.  The technology sector’s weight peaked at approximately 35% in early 2000, just before the dot-com crash pummeled the broader market, according to Bespoke Investment Group. Goldman Sachs expects S&P 500 earnings per share to reach $340 in 2026, a 24% year-over-year increase, the firm projected. Artificial intelligence infrastructure beneficiaries are contributing roughly half of that earnings growth, which highlights how concentrated the market’s gains have become.History suggests mega-offerings do not reliably signal market peaksTwo-thirds of the 25 largest initial public offerings in history were followed by positive S&P 500 returns over the following 12 months. Gains during those forward-looking periods ranged from 5% to 20%, suggesting that large listings often accompany market uptrends rather than endings, J.P. Morgan found.The 2026 wave of initial public offerings will test whether record corporate buybacks and the market’s unprecedented scale can offset the pressure of new supply.Related: Wall Street veteran warns of epic stock market crash

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Trying to stay cool during the summer can take a lot of time, effort, and money, especially during a heat wave. Installing an air conditioner is often the first step when you want to effectively cool down your space, but there are little things that can help reduce heat and amp up the aesthetics. Window films are a genius way to upgrade your home, and they can be a real lifesaver against the summer heat. Window films are thin layers that are applied to your windows, creating a barrier that can be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. And many options are budget-friendly, too. Amazon has two popular options on sale right now, and they’re only $6 each.Dwersty Window Privacy Film

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Check price at AmazonRabbitgoo Stained Glass Decorative Window Privacy Film

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Check price at AmazonCheck price at WalmartBenefits of window filmWindow film is a type of window treatment that can add a lot of value to your home, from added privacy to reduced heat, which can potentially save you money with lowered cooling use and cost.Daytime privacy: Window films are a fantastic way to add privacy to your home. They reduce visibility into your home, commonly through reflective, one-way films that reflect light and act as a mirror to onlookers during the day or through decorative and frosted window films that diffuse light and obstruct views both ways during the day and night.UV protection: Window films can also add an extra layer of protection, not just with privacy but also with heat and UV rays. They can block out UV rays, protecting your skin from direct sunlight. This feature also helps keep furniture in good condition, as direct sunlight can fade and impact furniture with long-term exposure.Heat reduction: In addition to blocking UV rays, window films can also reduce heat in your home. Depending on the type of window film, it can reflect or diffuse sunlight, which can help with heat control. With less heat entering your home, you can rely less on air conditioning to cool your space and ultimately reduce cooling costs and energy usage.Aesthetic boost: Window film isn’t just a practical upgrade; it can also be a decorative element. Window films can have a window-like appearance that looks clean and minimal. There are also a lot of decorative window films that have patterns, from stained glass to 3D designs that reflect colorful light when paired with sunlight.Disadvantages of window filmWindow film can be a great addition to your home, but there are some things you want to consider before taking the plunge to update your windows. For starters, you want to make sure your window is compatible with the film, making sure the glass type and window type are suitable. One concern is thermal stress, specifically with multi-pane windows, as the window film can absorb heat and potentially fracture the window. Additionally, some window warranties may be voided if film is applied, so double-check to make sure what your warranty entails.Other potential setbacks to window film are nighttime privacy and visibility. While they’re great for privacy during the day, one-way films have the opposite effect at night. When it’s dark outside and light inside, the inside of your home can be more visible. You can use frosted film to enhance privacy day and night, but since it works in both directions, your visibility out the window into your yard or the street is also limited.Is window film worth it?Window film is an affordable home upgrade that can add privacy, block UV rays, reduce heat, and add a decorative touch to your space. However, you’re going to want to make sure your windows are compatible with the film, as you don’t want to void warranties or cause any damage.More window film picksKespen Window Privacy Film

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Check price at AmazonBungalow Rose 3D Stained Glass Window Film

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Check price at WayfairGorilla Guard Window Privacy Film

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Check price at WalmartDktie Agate Stone Lattice Stained Glass Privacy Window Film

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Check price at WalmartVelimax Reeded Glass Window Film

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Check price at AmazonTheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use. Read more about our Editorial Standards and How We Choose Our Shopping Deals.

While corporate giants are winning over the typical morning coffee consumer, many popular independent food spots are secretly struggling. The numbers suggest that the pastry business is doing well, with Dunkin’ currently dominating in the United States with more than 10,000 locations and a strong position in the coffee space. Placer.ai found that Dunkin’s customer traffic, though slightly declining, remained largely stable in 2024, with nearly 40% of visits occurring during the early morning hours, underscoring the chain’s strength in the breakfast market.At the same time, the chain’s master franchisee in India, Jubilant FoodWorks, confirmed it will not renew the franchise agreements due to weak sales, declining store counts, and ongoing financial losses.Industry-wide, smaller chains are facing similar pressure across the United States, where Dunkin’ remains profitable. The data suggest larger chains have generally weathered recent cost pressures better than many regional operators.Large quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains can easily absorb massive supply chaininflation, but “a small restaurant will be far less able to absorb those costs without raising menu prices,” hospitality expert Izzy Kharasch explained to the Food Institute in January 2026.Now, a cult-favorite brand famous for its viral, boundary-pushing sweet treats offered across 10 states, has begun quietly shutting down locations without warning.Voodoo Doughnut quietly closes more locations The Voodoo Doughnut chain has closed two of its Houston-area stores, one located at 1214 Westheimer Rd. in Montrose and the other at 1301 N. Fry Rd. in Katy. Though the company’s official website still lists these locations as open, visits to the stores confirmed they have closed, reported Que Onda Magazine and Chron. Google Maps now lists the locations as permanently closed. The latest closure comes about two years after the brand abruptly shuttered its Cypress location, catching residents by surprise, Chron reported at the time. Following these most recent closures, the Portland-based company has only one remaining location in the Houston area, located at 3175 Washington Ave., which was the first location to open in the city. 

Voodoo Doughnut quietly closes more locations.Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Voodoo Doughnut remaining locations: Arizona
Tempe: 1324 S Rural Rd., Tempe, AZ 85281
California
Universal CityWalk: 100 Universal City Plaza, Hollywood, CA 91608

Venice Beach: 66 Windward Ave., Venice, CA 90291

West Hollywood: 7101 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Colorado
Boulder: 3210 Arapahoe Dr., Boulder, CO 80303

Broadway (Denver): 98 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

Colfax (Denver): 1520 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80218

Denver International Airport: B Concourse, Upstairs, Denver, CO
Florida
Universal Orlando Resort: 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819

Wynwood: 2401 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33127
Illinois
Fulton Market (Chicago): 945 SW Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607
New York
Union Square (New York City): 41 Union Square W., New York, NY 10003 (listed as coming soon)
Oregon
Davis (Portland): 1501 NE Davis St., Portland, OR 97232

Eugene: 20 East Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401

Oak Grove (Milwaukie): 14620 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie, OR 97267

Old Town (Portland): 22 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204 (The Original Shop)
Tennessee
Nashville International Airport: International Terminal, Nashville, TN
Texas
6th Street (Austin): 212 E 6th St., Austin, TX 78701

Burnet Road (Austin): 5408 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78756

Lower Greenville (Dallas): 1806 Greenville Ave., Ste. 120, Dallas, TX

San Antonio: 400 E. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78205

Washington & Waugh (Houston): 3715 Washington Ave., Houston, Texas 77007 (sole remaining Houston location)
Washington
Bellevue: 10713 Main St., Bellevue, WA 98004

Capitol Hill (Seattle): 1201 Pine St., Seattle, WA 98101

Vancouver: 8203 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Vancouver, WA 98662

Source: Voodoo Doughnut 

Why Voodoo Doughnut suddenly closed 2 Houston locationsThe company neither announced the closures nor provided any official statements following them. Both Que Onda Magazine and Chron reached out to the company for comment, but Voodoo Doughnut hasn’t responded. However, in a detailed review, Houstonia Magazine explicitly highlights Voodoo’s sudden downsizing as an example of a broader economic trend suffocating smaller, local chains. “With rising labor and food costs and a dicey economy, the dining scene across the country is undoubtedly undergoing shifts, and Houston is no exception. This month has brought some crushing restaurant closures, with one noticeable pattern: small and local restaurant chains seem to be shrinking,” wrote Houstonia’s Brittany Britto Garley.  According to Huy Do, a market researcher and trendologist at Datassential, smaller restaurant chains, such as those with 50 or fewer storefronts, are downsizing, while the biggest national brands are doing “the heaviest of the lifting” on new openings, reported Restaurant Dive. Moreover, preliminary data from Technomic show that chains grew by 3%, while small restaurants declined by more than 2% last year. Oversaturated market, fierce competition and Texas’ culture Smaller brands are failing to rise to the challenges of constant traffic declines, growing expenses, and an oversaturated market, according to experts. The competitive landscape also includes Texas-based Shipley Do-Nuts, one of the state’s dominant doughnut chains.As documented by Mashed, local institutions like Shipley built their empires by offering a “local savory treat: kolaches… a sausage-filled pastry of Czech origin” right alongside fresh glazed rings, helping establish breakfast traditions that many industry observers say can be difficult for outside chains to compete with.While Voodoo Doughnut hasn’t explained the Houston closures, local discussions offer some insight into the competitive landscape. In one Reddit thread, Houston residents debated why national doughnut chains such as Dunkin’ and Tim Hortons have never achieved the same ubiquity in the area as they have in parts of the Northeast. Many commenters pointed to several key reasons:Shipley’s dominance: Houstonians possess immense loyalty to Shipley Do-Nuts, a deeply rooted local institution that heavily shapes the region’s pastry market.Mom-and-pop saturation: The city is packed with independent, family-owned bakeries making fresh, low-cost pastries daily.The savory ritual: Industry observers say many Texas consumers prioritize hot, savory staples like breakfast tacos and local kolaches over mass-produced chain doughnuts.Voodoo Doughnut once sold medicinal doughnuts that were banned by the FDA Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2003, the unconventional and stylish doughnut chain Voodoo Doughnut became popular for more than 50 types of doughnuts, both yeast and cake versions. What also made it stand out — besides its vibrant pink interiors featuring murals of its Voodoo loa mascot, Baron Samedi — were the original creations that pushed major boundaries. Related: Another iconic mall retailer quietly closes 13 storesWhile you may be familiar with its chocolate-covered, raspberry jelly-filled voodoo doll doughnut (complete with a pretzel stake through the heart), the brand also once served medicinal flavors, writes Mashed. These medicinal pastries, targeted at the late-night drinking crowd, allegedly included a doughnut dipped in Pepto-Bismol and sprayed with Tums, alongside another laced with NyQuil, before the FDA quickly put a stop to their production.  What customers should know about the Voodoo Doughnut closures Those who crave Voodoo Doughnut treats in the Houston area still have one remaining option on Washington Ave. The chain’s presence in the city might be smaller, but it is not completely gone. While Voodoo Doughnut’s expansion in Texas coincides with a market shaped by deeply rooted local breakfast traditions and intense competition, the company hasn’t explained what prompted the Houston closures. This pullback doesn’t necessarily signal broader problems for the company and could reflect an effort to concentrate on stronger-performing locations, a common tactic among larger food chains.Trimming underperforming assets helps ensure corporate capital is deployed efficiently, allowing a chain to “build on an already strong system,” Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner explained when navigating a similar structural cleanup in the QSR space, Restaurant Business reported.For cult favorites like Voodoo Doughnut, scaling back from oversaturated markets might be just the move it needs to continue building its unique brand. Related: Las Vegas Strip loses 26 stores after retail scandal