Havertys Furniture celebrates 5th anniversary in Southlake
Havertys Furniture, a furniture and decor retailer, celebrated its 5th anniversary last month. Located in the Southlake Corners shopping center, the business sells furniture for dining rooms, living areas, bedrooms, home offices and media centers.
A closer look: According to previous Community Impact reporting, the retailer took over a 33,800-square-foot store that formerly was Toys R Us on Aug. 21, 2020.
The background: The company was founded by J.J. Haverty in Atlanta in 1885. There are more than 125 stores in 17 states, including 24 in Texas, according to the company website.
Grapevine's Rowdy Cowboy expanding to The Colony this fall
A sports bar in The Colony will transition from one Cowboy to another.
Playmakers88 Bar & Grill, owned by former Dallas Cowboys standout Michael Irvin, has closed in The Colony. According to a social media post, the restaurant held its grand opening on July 12, 2024. Grapevine-based Rowdy Cowboy has posted a coming soon sign on the location.
The background: Rowdy Cowboy opened in Grapevine July 26, 2024, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The rustic-sport theme bar is currently undergoing renovations, according to the Grapevine location's General Manager Julia Smith. It will have a handmade wooden bar, like the Grapevine restaurant, and will have televisions throughout the eatery.
Denton County officials adopt $452.2M budget, lower tax rate
Denton County commissioners unanimously approved adopting a more than $450 million budget and lower tax rate at its meeting Sept. 9.
The overview: The $452.2 million 2025-26 fiscal year budget includes funding for new employees, including around eight additional positions for the county auditor’s office, according to county documents. Denton County Budget Officer Alejandro Moreno said the adopted budget is a $35.7 million increase, or 8.58%, over the fiscal year 2024-25 budget.
“We did a good job balancing the tax rate and also taking care of the necessities that we’re having to deal with at our local level,” County Judge Andy Eads said. “As the federal government contracts grants, we’ve had to be nimble and adjust things.”
More notice required for public meetings under new Texas law
Cities, counties and school district boards across Texas are required to provide more notice for public meetings under a new state law aimed at increasing public participation in government affairs.
The details: Local government agencies must post meeting notices at least three business days in advance of the meeting, meaning weekends and holidays do not count toward the minimum posting period.
House Bill 1522, which became law Sept. 1, increases the notice requirement from 72 hours.
The law change is part of “an effort to promote government transparency and citizen participation,” Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said during a May 13 legislative hearing.
The local impact: Some city and county governments across Community Impact’s coverage areas are changing their meeting schedules to comply with the new law, including:
Bastrop City Council
Conroe City Council
Fort Bend County Commissioners Court
Montgomery County Commissioners Court
The Woodlands Township
The new law does not dictate when local governments hold meetings, as long as they meet the three-day posting requirement.
