A grocery store specializing in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, is set to open its first location in Denton this October.

Grocery Services North’s new location at 306 N. Loop 288, Denton, will operate as a counter-service store, said Alex Lopez, the company’s director of store openings.

“We understand how hard it is to go and shop in a traditional grocery store, and … we're trying to get those families all of their benefits without them having to struggle at the traditional grocery experience,” Lopez said.

The details: At the store, families can shop for fresh, WIC-approved products, baby formula and other essentials. The model at the over 2,000 square-foot store aims to help eligible families redeem their benefits more conveniently, Lopez said. 

“Our store associates go through the list with the customer in a very detailed manner, where they can explain to the customer what they have, what options they can choose,” Lopez said. “We have booklets, they have pictures, everything is there for the customer.”

From new event spaces to a lounge-style Italian restaurant to new schools, see 14 recent Denton business updates. This list is not comprehensive.

Now open
Red: Italian
Red: Italian offers comfort Italian food in a speakeasy atmosphere, with seating limited to just 50 guests. Menu items include pasta dishes such as lasagna and gnocchi along with steak, sea bass and chicken plates, like chicken piccata.

• Opened Aug. 20

• 122 N. Locust St., Ste. 100, Denton

• www.reditalian.com

Coming soon
Launch Family Entertainment
The entertainment destination will have attractions, interactive games and dining options that include pizzas, nachos and wings. An air basketball arena, dodgeball, soft play area, trampoline courts and bouldering wall will also be some of the attractions at the center.

• Opening Oct. 30

• 2201 S. I-35, Denton

• www.launchfamilyentertainment.com

As drought conditions increase the risk of wildfires, Denton and Collin County residents will see restrictions on outdoor burning.

In a nutshell: Both counties are under a mandatory burn ban as of Aug. 25, according to local officials.

What you need to know: The mandatory burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, and hot work like welding is subject to restrictions, per the release.

The conditions: Aug. 30 marks the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s 46th day with only trace amounts of rain, based on readings from the official climate site at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The streak is tied for the area’s tenth longest stretch of consecutive days without measurable precipitation on record, per the National Weather Service.

In similar news: The Denton and Collin County burn bans come as the Ross fire continues to rage through Palo Pinto county, roughly two hours west of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Check out five upcoming and ongoing transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

1. Coleman Street Widening
Project: Coleman Street in Prosper is being widened to four lanes. One project will widen the roadway from two to four lanes between Gorgeous Road and Prosper Trail, and a second project will construct the remaining two southbound lanes of Coleman Street between Prosper Trail and Prosper High School.
Update: Both projects are nearing completion of the design phase. The town has acquired necessary right of way for both sections, and utility relocation is underway.

• Timeline: winter 2026-winter 2027

• Cost: $6.65 million (Gorgeous Road to Prosper Trail), $3.77 million (Prosper Trail to Prosper High School)

• Funding source: town of Prosper

2. Carroll Boulevard utility installation
Project: This Atmos Energy project will see new gas lines installed along Carroll Boulevard in Denton from West Prairie Street to Pearl Street.
Update: Lanes will be closed along Carroll Boulevard as crews install the gas lines.

• Timeline: late July-early September

• Cost: not available

• Funding source: Atmos Energy

Democrat Gina Hinojosa, an Austin state representative, and Libertarian Pat Dixon, a professional engineer, are challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott in the Nov. 3 election. Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the governor's mansion.

The big picture: As Texas’ top elected official, the governor signs and vetoes legislation, serves as commander-in-chief of the state military and appoints members of state agencies or advisory boards. Community Impact asked the three gubernatorial candidates for their perspectives on data centers, education, the cost of living and other topics.

The background: Abbott beat 10 Republican challengers in the March primary election, while Hinojosa beat eight other Democratic candidates to advance to the November election. Dixon was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.