The idea for Mindful Mermaid came to owner Vonda Kay while she was meditating and trying to discern her next steps after leaving the family law field in 2020.

“Three months later, we're signing a lease, I have a whole business plan, and I'm just really excited to take a leap of faith and open my own shop,” Kay said.

The big picture: Mindful Mermaid opened in October 2020, offering crystals, candles, meditation supplies and more. Kay named her business Mindful Mermaid because of its focus on spiritual practices and her love of the beach. 

The shop sells a wide range of metaphysical goods, with the goal of supporting customers on their journeys. The items sold at Mindful Mermaid are sourced from local artisans and small online vendors.

• 600 W. McDermott Drive, Ste. 110, Allen

Several businesses opened or are opening soon in Allen. Keep reading for the latest business updates from Community Impact. This list is not comprehensive.

1. Allen Civic Ballet to relocate within Allen this fall: Allen Civic Ballet is relocating this fall, president and artistic director Stefanie Best said. Allen Civic Ballet is currently sharing a location with Allen Conservatory of Dance at 602 E. Main St., Ste. E. The Allen Conservatory of Dance is the "official school of the Allen Civic Ballet," according to its website. The Allen Civic Ballet is a nonprofit organization that showcases young performers between 12-21 years old. The relocation will bring both organizations under the same umbrella, Best said.

“We're going to be closing shop as the Allen Conservatory of Dance and moving everything from the old location to the new location,” Best said.

• 503 W. McDermott Drive, Ste.100, Allen

Southwest Airlines celebrates the 55th anniversary of its first flight on June 18.
The Dallas-based airline’s first revenue flight departed from Dallas Love Field on June 18, 1971, bound for San Antonio, according to the company’s website.

The background: The company was founded by Herb Kelleher, filing with the state of Texas to establish Air Southwest Co. on March 9, 1967. A legal battle followed until the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Kelleher and Rollin King in December of 1970 to clear the way to start operations. The company changed its name to Southwest Airlines Co. on March 29, 1971.

Initially, the company only flew routes within Texas, but now has 52 destinations listed from Dallas Love Field. According to the website, Southwest now operates out of 121 airports across 12 countries.

What else? Southwest Airlines had more than 134 million customers in 2025, according to its website.

• 2702 Love Field Dr., Dallas

Denton residents could get a new McDonald’s, a second Walmart could be in store for Celina and a road running through Grapevine and Southlake is slated for repairs.

Check out six trending stories across Community Impact’s Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

1. New McDonald's under construction on Loop 288 in Denton

2. Celina council approves incentive agreement for city’s 2nd Walmart

3. Grapevine council approves interlocal agreement for $230K road project

4. Crunch Fitness to debut McKinney location at the end of July

5. Patty Lou’s Smashburgers now open in downtown Plano

6. The Purrrfect Lounge to offer luxury cat boarding in McKinney

Gov. Greg Abbott named Robert S. Howden, one of his senior advisers and his office's legislative director, as Texas' 116th secretary of state effective July 18. Howden will succeed Secretary of State Jane Nelson, who resigned effective July 17 more than three years after she took office.

As the state's chief elections officer, Howden will be responsible for overseeing the application of Texas election laws and assisting local election officials. The secretary of state's office also manages business records, government rules and regulations, and other official duties.

Following Abbott's appointment, Howden must be confirmed for the position by at least two-thirds of the Texas Senate. The state Legislature's next regular session will begin in January.