Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has selected the search firm Walsh Gallegos to help the district find a new superintendent at a special meeting Feb. 3.

How we got here: An interim superintendent, Rick DeMasters, was appointed last December after former GCISD Superintendent Brad Schnautz resigned and took a position as executive director of the Region 11 Education Service Center.

What you need to know: The district narrowed the search down to two finalists before making its decision. Trustees selected Walsh Gallegos, a firm that works with 50% of all school districts in Texas, to help them choose their next superintendent. GCISD is currently legally represented by the firm as well, said Paige Kyle, a stakeholder at Walsh Gallegos.

“Our lawyers work so closely with school boards and we know about that relationship and what’s important in your relationships with a superintendent,” Kyle said.

Looking ahead: In addition to online surveys, in-person public input sessions for the community will take place Feb. 16-17.

Willhoite’s Restaurant celebrated its 45th anniversary on Jan. 14.

The restaurant gave away door prizes and had live music as it celebrated its anniversary of opening in 1981.

The background: The building was purchased by Phil Parker in 1980 and renovated and turned into a restaurant, according to its Facebook page. The history of the building dates back to 1914 as a dry goods store. Then, it was a theater, and in 1919 Willhoite’s Garage became the first auto repair store in Grapevine, according to its website.

A closer look: The restaurant has a 1928 Model T Ford above its soup and salad buffet to symbolize the previous history of the building.

Willhoite’s menu includes items such as fried catfish, chicken fried steak, homemade chili, buffalo wings, potato skins and cheese fries.
The eatery features Sunday brunch, lunch buffet, happy hour special, live music and karaoke.

• 432 S. Main St., Grapevine

Colleyville City Council approved a reimbursement grant of $100,000 to help Texas-based resale shop Thrift Giant update the exterior of the old 99 Cents Only Store at the Feb. 3 council meeting.

The grant is funded through the Colleyville Business Enhancements to Support Transformation Program.

What’s happening?: Thrift Giant purchased the building off Cheek-Sparger Road and SH 26 and is investing $1.5 million into the site for renovations, said Assistant City Manager Mark Wood at the Feb. 3 meeting.

What they're saying: “[Thrift Giant will] throw a million dollars into a building that really needed some help. They’re going to redo the landscaping, all the parking, restone the building, paint it and redo the sign ... and make it really pretty on that corner,” Mayor Bobby Lindamood said.

Looking ahead: The renovations are anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, Assistant City Manager Adrienne Lothery said.

Last week, McKinney City Council approved another step toward building an affordable apartment community. Meanwhile, Richardson ISD is moving forward with an $86 million Career and Technical Education facility.

Catch up on these six stories from Community Impact's Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

McKinney council approves annexation, zoning for affordable housing development

‘Richardson is at a crossroads’: City likely to see shortfall in coming years due to statewide property tax cap

Grapevine council approves $592K to clear former shooting range

Lupe Tortilla is bringing Tex-Mex classics to Southlake

Katy Trail Ice House to open Allen location

Richardson ISD to grow CTE offerings with new $86M facility