Good Morning, Allen!

Top Story
Locally owned Sweet Bear Café offers made-to-order treats in Allen

When Allen residents Shawn and Rachel Chin said “I do” on May 4, 2025—which Shawn Chin points out is “Star Wars Day”—they had 20 days of business ownership behind them. The Chins opened Sweet Bear Café April 14, 2025, in Allen.

“It was my wife’s dream to own a small business,” Shawn Chin said.

On the menu: Sweet Bears, which can be ordered in pairs, five-packs or as a combo with ice cream, are made fresh to order. Although the Chins have opted for a bear mold for the Korean dessert, in Japan the dessert style is called taiyaki and is shaped like a fish.

“The best way we can describe them is that they’re very crispy on the outside, but then they’re soft and kind of fluffy on the inside—like marshmallows—kind of airy,” Shawn Chin said.

  • 1228 E. Exchange Parkway, Ste. 106, Allen
 
Coming Soon
Blackburn Communities, Wolverine Interests to bring 352-unit multifamily project to Allen

Mississippi-based developer Blackburn Communities and Plano-based developer Wolverine Interests are developing a 352-unit multifamily project in Allen, said Brent Weltner, partner at Blackburn Communities.

A closer look: The community, which is expected to break ground this fall, will offer a variety of floor plans and on-site amenities.

Quote of note :“We just think it's a really cool area and prime for growth,” Weltner said.

  • Located east of US 75 along W. Boyd Drive, Allen
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Sounds of Summer: The After Party

Summerween!: "Practical Magic" Movie Screening

July 24, 8-10 p.m.
The Colony

July 24, 8-11 p.m.
Fort Worth

More info

More info

 

The Tequila Social Brunch

Weiner Fest dachshund festival

July 25, 11-2:30 p.m.
Dallas

July 26, 11-4 p.m.
Plano

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
Texas on track to see record-breaking power demand amid triple-digit heat

With large parts of the state under an extreme heat warning or heat advisory through July 23, the operator of Texas’ independent power grid is projecting record-breaking electric demand this week.

What's happening: As of 3 p.m. July 22, there were 90,027 megawatts of demand on the grid with 113,543 megawatts of power available, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' real-time supply and demand dashboard. One megawatt of electricity can power about 250 homes during peak times.

This would break ERCOT’s current demand record of 85.5 gigawatts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. ERCOT spokesperson Trudi Webster cautioned that this week’s demand records are preliminary.

What it means: Texans should not expect a grid emergency during this week’s extreme heat.

ERCOT previously projected that demand would surpass 92,000 megawatts this summer, due to high temperatures, moderate rainfall and the growth of data centers.

This week's triple-digit temperatures come during the sunniest parts of the day, allowing the state to rely in part on solar energy to power the grid.

 

Your local team

Shelbie Hamilton
Editor

Miranda Talley
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

Keep Reading

(512) 989-6808

TERMS OF SERVICE | PRIVACY POLICY

© 2005-2025 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved.