December Denton Business Chronicle 2017 by Denton Media Company

DENTON

December 2017

Business

CHRONICLE

www.dentonbusinesschronicle.com

On a mission

Tips for the last-minute Christmas shopper By Randy Cummings

For the Denton Record-Chronicle

round this time of year, nearly every retailer can recall an experience — providing a story to tell — about a frantic procrastinator who has ignored their calendar and found themselves in the final days, hours and minutes of being able to wrap up their Christmas shopping. But there’s good news for these desperate gift seekers staring down Christmas Day while the clock ticks away: Last-minute shopping can be successful. Emily Wiest, who operates La Di Da, a women’s boutique on the Square, has on occasion gotten a call from the husband of one of her regular customers on Christmas Eve after her store has locked up for the holiday. “I’ll receive a phone call and someone will say, ‘Hey, can you meet me at the store real quick — I just need to pick up one more thing,’” said Wiest. “And, of course, I’ll do that. We want to take care of our customers. “It’s always the husbands on Christmas Eve,” she said. “It’s usually customers that we know their wives. They’ll say, ‘You know who she is.

ABOVE — Last-minute Christmas shoppers patronize Golden Triangle Mall on Christmas Eve in 2016. The stress of last-minute shopping can be reduced with a little preparation and common sense. Jeff Woo/DRC file photo

LEFT — Maggie MacNabb, left, and Phillip Carr shop at La Di Da on the Square on Monday. Retailers know to plan ahead when stocking up for Christmas. Jake King

CHRISTMAS | CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Three steps to avoid fake organic food By Kelsey Sheehy | NerdWallet

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe | Staff Writer The Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center opened the first week of December with its first event hosted by the Denton Chamber of Commerce. The hotel and convention center have already booked about $3 million in business as far out as 2024. The facility is located just off Interstate 35, at 3100 Town Center Trail. The goal is to have $4 million in conventions in

Denton each year, said Jeff Pritts, the hotel’s general manager. TB Winds opened on the Square in November, saving Denton-area musicians from having to drive all over Dallas-Fort Worth for instrument repair and supplies. Owners Tony Barrette and Jen Guzman offer service to walk-ins and by appointment. Up on the second floor at 112 W. Oak St., the shop is open from 10 a.m. UPDATE | CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Short of growing your own food or visiting the producer yourself, there’s no way to be 100 percent certain the food you purchase is grown in an organic, sustainable way, experts say. Yet shoppers who want organic food do have options, despite serious flaws in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s certification process, as outlined in a recent investigation by NerdWallet. Taking these steps requires more effort — sometimes much more effort — than simply looking for a green-and-white USDA organic seal. Here is some advice.

Use lists compiled by watchdogs

Americans turn to organics for two primary reasons, according to a survey by Pew Research Center. Some consumers want to help the environment by supporting sustainable agriculture. Others want to eat healthier and believe organic food is better in that regard.

NerdWallet

Choosing organic fruits and vegetables can lower your exposure to the chemical residue that can linger on your food. If your organic purchases are environmentally motivated, you can put your money toward farms with clean track records. You’ll be supporting the organics movement even if some conventionally grown food slips through to your shopping cart. You can improve your chances by consulting the Cornucopia Institute, a nonprofit advocacy group in Wis-

consin that rates U.S. farms and manufacturers of eggs, dairy, cereal and other items. A top-rated farm goes above and beyond the requirements for organic certification, whereas operations rated fair or poor have questionable compliance with USDA organic regulations. ORGANIC | CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

DECEMBER 2017

Denton Record-Chronicle

Enterprising Voices

Shop local this holiday season Magazine deal, F

or many small businesses, the busiest and most profitable time of the year is officially here. According to the National Retail Federation, 24 percent of consumers in the United States plan to increase the amount they are spending this holiday season, and 54 percent plan to spend at least the same as they did last year. Add to that an additional full shopping weekend before Christmas this year, and businesses have strong potential for a financially successful season. Although competition with online retailers can be very challenging for a brick-andmortar operation, there is an opportunity to make a great impression on your customers by providing an excellent customer service experience. These days, it’s easy for customers to move to other shopping options if they do not have an exceptional experience — sometimes even paying more for a similar product or service simply because the service is better. In fact, customer service solutions company RightNow Technologies reports that 86 percent of consumers are

Shannon MANTARO | COMMENTARY

willing to pay up to 25 percent more for a better customer experience. Providing great service can build and retain customer loyalty, trust and, hopefully, increased sales and referrals. It can help build awareness of your service, product and brand, and it can differentiate your business from others. If you’d like to sharpen your customer service skills, on Thursday, Jan. 11, Texas Woman’s University’s Center for Women in Business will present another Disney Institute — a one-day business course that focuses on excellence in leadership, culture, service, brand and innovation. In this training, you will: ■ Examine how you could

differentiate your service to become a provider of choice; ■ Explore quality service standards that can help you create a consistent service experience; ■ Learn about tools that can gauge the needs, wants, stereotypes and emotions of your customers at an individual level; ■ Understand the processes necessary to develop a culture that consistently delivers exceptional service; and ■ Discover how you could recover effectively from a service failure and how you could turn it into an opportunity to strengthen customer relationships. Please visit our website at twu.edu/center-women-busi ness for more information and to register for the training. As consumers, there’s no better way to support and grow our communities than to shop local. The advantages are numerous: ■ Local businesses buy from other local businesses, keeping dollars in the community; ■ Taxes stay local with the potential to support local

schools, infrastructure improvements and maintenance, and public safety; ■ The negative impact on the environment is reduced as products do not need to be transported as far; ■ When you buy food from a local farm or market, it tends to be organic, chemicalfree and fresher; ■ You’ll likely find unique and interesting products and services that aren’t available anywhere else; and ■ You’ll have a more personalized and memorable customer experience. This holiday season, I encourage you to shop at the many terrific and unique small businesses throughout Denton. Not only will you likely find that special gift to give, but you’ll be contributing to your community as well. SHANNON MANTARO is director of Texas Woman’s University’s Center for Women in Business and can be reached at smantaro@twu. edu. For more information regarding the Center for Women in Business, visit https://twu.edu/ center-women-business.

throats. The popular Asian fusion restaurant The Bowllery closed after the owners lost their lease. The property is among several along Avenue C near UNT likely to be redeveloped. Office supply store OfficeMax officially closed its loca-

tion on Loop 288, and signs on the store redirect traffic to the company’s sister location down the road, Office Depot at 2300 San Jacinto Plaza. This location was recently remodeled. The closure follows the closure of another office supply retailer, Staples, in Denton in September.

Open/Closed UPDATE | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Rock N Roll Sushi opened in mid-November after months of renovation at 321 W. Hickory St. The restaurant is part of a restaurant group across Alabama and Mississippi, and is the first location in North Texas. Rick Villarreal, former athletic director at the University of North Texas, franchised the business to bring it to Denton. Weinberger’s has returned to 311 E. Hickory St. The popular Chicago-style deli opened in 2011 but left for a time, replaced by another sandwich maker. Get that Italian beef or the sandwich of your imagination from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday this month. The crew says it’ll expand hours in January and again in February. Flower Garden, a longtime floral shop in Denton, moved and reopened at 118 W. Congress St. The larger space has more gift items, clothing and home decor as well as a floral studio with the same options for bouquets, arrangements and event planning. It is open six days a week. Local artist Leslie Kregel has a holiday pop-up shop at Flower Garden’s old location, 301 S. Locust St., open most days 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 27. Also in time for the holidays, Alpaca Moona opened inside Golden Triangle Mall. Visit the shop for Andean alpaca wool sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves as well as handmade arts and crafts and other curiosities. Crossroads Bar is now Crossroads Cocktails and Karaoke, featuring a new name and larger space, at 1125 E. University Drive — the same strip center as the recently closed Mable Peabody’s Beauty Parlor and Chainsaw Repair. The bar will continue to host drag shows on Sunday nights and regularly feature karaoke. Denton’s second location of Planet Fitness opens Dec. 29 at 2434 S. Interstate 35E.The new space, in the same shopping center as Altitude Trampoline Park and Old West Cafe, is double the size of the location on West University Drive, said Reggie Stephenson, manager of the new location. Speaking of second locations, Grand Liquor opened a second location at 124 Eagle Drive for all your tequila needs. Code 3 Emergency Room & Urgent Care opened a new 8,800-square-foot facility at 3111 Teasley Lane, at the in-

tersection with Lillian Miller Parkway. The standalone facility has six emergency patient rooms, two urgent care rooms, a CT scanner, digital X-rays and ultrasounds as well as a pharmacy. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily to treat patients for anything from fractured bones to sore

new exec mark chamber action O

ur chamber board has adopted a couple of key priorities for the Denton Chamber of Commerce’s Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kim Phillips, the CVB director, was authorized to execute an agreement with the Denton Record-Chronicle to produce Denton Live magazine. The contract calls for 60,000 copies printed semiannually, to promote major Denton-area events and attractions. Denton Live is primarily distributed through regional outlets, and also is available at the chamber office, downtown visitor center and local hotels. It is accessible electronically through the CVB’s Discover Denton website. The board also approved the creation of a new executive position, director of visitor services. Designed as a joint agreement with the Denton Main Street Association, the job applies specifically to Christine Gossett. Denton Main Street currently contracts with Christine for part-time administrative services and event coordination. We consider this arrangement a bonus for both organizations. Christine previously worked for the Denton chamber as our program and events director. We subsequently promoted her to

Chuck CARPENTER | COMMENTARY

head the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Christine already has an office at the Discover Denton Welcome Center, on the south side of the Square. In her expanded role, she will step up as manager of the visitor center, as well as help facilitate and coordinate guest traffic between the new convention center and major Denton-area hospitality centers. Our welcome center houses the DentonRadio.com studios, as well as a retail store for selling local art, music and sundries. Thanks to our hotel occupancy tax agreement with the city of Denton, our CVB is able to expand and extend the services of the chamber office as “the front door to the community.” CHUCK CARPENTER is president of the Denton Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at dcoc@ denton-chamber.org.

Denton Record-Chronicle

DECEMBER 2017

Enterprising Voices

The Economist: Long-term economic forecast for Texas T

aking a long-term view of the outlook for the Texas economy, I am encouraged yet cautious. With all of the key ingredients for economic success, the state is well positioned for expansion in business activity and the prosperity that goes with it for decades to come. However, continued economic performance hinges on adapting to the underlying changes in the population and workforce. Recently, the Texas economy has seen notable job growth, adding 316,100 jobs over the past year. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has fallen to 3.9 percent, the lowest unemployment rate in four decades. Texas has been a growth leader in the nation and, indeed, the world for a number of years. The state weathered the recession and ensuing real estate crisis better than most parts of the United States, survived a major downturn in

Ray PERRYMAN | COMMENTARY

oil prices and activity, and was adding jobs at a notable pace even before the energy sector (a major export sector) began its recovery. The strength and diversity of the economy will clearly help in dealing with challenges on the horizon. During the next few years, the disruption caused by Hurricane Harvey will affect the performance of the Texas economy and, in particular, the Gulf Coast areas. A number of communities were devastated by the wind and flooding, and many are still recovering.

In the short term, some industries will see an increase in activity (such as construction), but the long-term effects are decidedly negative. The effects will occur over several years and will be partially masked by other, positive growth factors. Moreover, a full recovery for the economy (and then some) is expected. A positive contributing factor to the state’s economic performance is a remarkable recovery in energy. The rig count is currently averaging nearly 200 higher than a year ago. According to Baker Hughes, the Texas counts were averaging in the range of 440 through much of the fall of 2017. This additional activity is beneficial not only to the economies of major production regions such as the Permian Basin but to businesses across the state as well. Current forecasts of oil prices and demand support continued activity at these levels, with some upward

movement in the future as growth in the global economy accelerates. The industry has always been and always will be cyclical and we may not see $100 crude anytime soon, but energy will clearly contribute to long-term growth. In particular, the sector has managed to reduce its costs dramatically in the past few years, thus being able to sustain activity at much lower prices than was the case not too long ago. Manufacturing is also a source of strength, employing more than 7 percent of Texans, paying high wages and producing hundreds of billions of dollars in goods for export each year. Texas has been adding jobs in manufacturing, even as other states lose them by the thousands. Manufacturing businesses generate opportunities for a broad spectrum of other types of firms ranging from suppliers of needed inputs to those providing business services. We recently studied the sector

and found that a typical manufacturing job leads to 3.778 additional jobs in the state. Some sectors (such as refining, which frequently uses Texas oil as its primary input) generate even higher benefits. When you consider the multiplier effects, manufacturing accounts for about 30 percent of Texas employment and an even larger proportion of gross product. All in all, I think Texas is likely to see somewhat faster growth than the nation, with real gross product up by 3.25 percent per annum through 2040. I am projecting that employment will rise by 1.7 percent per year over the period, representing a solid rate of expansion. Looking ahead at what’s in store for the Texas economy, I see challenges with the potential to affect both short-term and long-term growth prospects. Over the short term, it will take time for the Gulf Coast to

return to normal after Harvey, but long-term economic performance is unlikely to be harmed for the state or for Greater Houston, though communities sustaining major wind damage, such as Rockport and Port Aransas, may struggle to recover. Longer-term issues include ensuring adequate investment in infrastructure, improving public education, encouraging higher education and training for young Texans, and enhancing the preparedness of the workforce for the jobs of the future. The better we deal with these challenges, the better the state economy will perform. M. RAY PERRYMAN is president and chief executive officer of The Perryman Group, online at www. perrymangroup.com. He serves as Institute Distinguished Professor of Economic Theory and Method at the International Institute for Advanced Studies.

Dallyce Potess is a representative for Norman Roscoe Print & Design on the Square.

note the smaller crowds on that day. “We’ll stay as long as there are people in the store,” Wiest said. “There’s no set closing time. Typically in the past, it dies off around 4 [p.m.]. People are getting ready for church that evening or they’re getting ready for dinner. They’re done.” In early December at this year’s Christmas tree lighting on the Square, More Fun Comics remained open more than an hour after its usually closing time. “As long as there was somebody in the store browsing, we stayed open,” Bruce said. “We weren’t in a rush to kick anybody out or anything like that.” Accommodating retailers — now that’s something lastminute shoppers can be grateful for.

Cover Story CHRISTMAS | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Photos by Jake King

Samuel Bruce assists a customer at More Fun Comics & Games on Friday. ered impersonal while allowing the recipient the opportunity to get exactly what they what. The website emphasizes not overspending on any one gift, setting a shopping time limit and knowing when to stop. Clothes as gifts should be avoided, with a better option being offering to take the person on a shopping outing. Shopping online, of course, is today’s easiest option for shopping. But you need to factor in gift availability and shipping costs and time to make sure your present makes it to its destination before Christmas morning. Other options for the lastminute shopper can include whipping up a tasty food treat (cookies, cake or pie) or something created by your unique talents, such as a framed photograph, painting or pottery. As a last resort, you may want to consider the regift — taking an unopened gift previously received and giving it to someone else. Just make sure you’re not giving a present back to

the person who originally gave it to you. Retailers know to plan ahead when stocking their outlets for the holidays, and most will adjust their hours of

Denton-local goods. That’s already popular to begin with, and that’s what we do.” Many stores will be open on Christmas Eve to help out those shoppers trying to beat the clock. Believe it or not, chasing down gifts on Christmas Eve is not that bad of an idea, according to experts who

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You know what she likes. But don’t tell her I was in here.’” Over at More Fun Comics & Games, on the south side of the Square, manager Samuel Bruce usually deals with confused, overwhelmed parents in the final days leading up to Christmas who are scrambling to find the hottest video games or comics sought by their children. “We get a lot of parents who come in with a list and they have no idea what this or that is,” Bruce said. “[They say] ‘I have no idea what this means on this list. Could you help me?’ We get a lot of that the last couple of weeks of December.” A year ago, a couple of days before Christmas, a befuddled mother and father showed up in Bruce’s store with lists from their kids containing requested presents that neither parent had any clue about beyond its title. “We had a couple of parents come in and they had like five different lists with maybe 10 things for their kids,” Bruce said. “They had no idea what’s on the lists and no idea what they were looking for. We were able to get just about everything on their lists or something close to what was on the lists.” The stress of last-minute shopping can be reduced, if not avoided, for both the retailer and the consumer when a little preparation and common sense are utilized. Tips from FamilyEducation.com aimed at helping down-to-the-wire shoppers range from making a list and sticking to it to stay within a budget to simply giving out gift cards — nearly every business now offers them — because they’re no longer consid-

operation and staff work schedules to accommodate increased business during the Christmas season. Today’s businesses, such as the Norman Roscoe Print & Design store on the Square, also realize the value of advertising and promoting through social media. “We definitely have a presence on social media,” said Norman Roscoe representative Dallyce Potess. “We get our name out there by telling people that we have things here for your last-minute shopping needs. Being public on Instagram and Facebook really helps. “And we will pull out a lot of our Christmas items,” she said. “People enjoy coming here to find their friends and family members Denton-related and

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Denton Record-Chronicle

Enterprising Voices

Rethink office layouts to improve workers’ health A

mericans are gung-ho on getting in shape. Seventy percent say they want to take steps to improve their health, according to a new study from UnitedHealthcare. Those steps usually stop at the gym door. More than six in 10 workers don’t take advantage of subsidized gym memberships and other wellness benefits, even though nearly three-quarters of employers offer them. This lack of physical activity takes a toll on worker well-being — and drives up health costs. Employers may think they can’t force their workers to exercise. But indeed they can — by subtly integrating more physical activity into 9-to-5 routines. Office spaces that “nudge” employees to move around are proving that they can provide a hefty boost to workers’ health and productivity. Most Americans are sedentary. The typical person sits 13 hours a day. Only one in five exercise enough, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All this sitting makes people sick. Inactivity increases the risk of costly chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression and stroke. These diseases devastate workers and their families. They also harm businesses’ bottom lines. Lost productivity due to poor worker health costs the economy $84 billion a year. To recapture these costs, companies are changing up their office layouts to encourage workers to get up and move more, a philosophy

Dick RESCH | COMMENTARY

known as “active design.” For instance, firms create multiple work areas so employees have to travel to different rooms depending on whether they’re making calls, conducting meetings or compiling reports. Consider the offices of architecture firm Gensler in Newport Beach, California, with workspaces spread around, often on different floors. Employees are encouraged to change locations regularly by walking around the office or climbing stairs, even riding on company scooters and bicycles. These nudges toward movement may sound trivial, but they have a huge impact on health and productivity. Workers who take a fiveminute stroll every hour exhibit increased energy levels, an elevated mood, less fatigue and fewer food cravings. Other companies encourage workers to shun the elevator and use the stairs by designing visually compelling and inviting staircases. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee headquarters in Chattanooga includes a monumental staircase with multistory outdoor views in each of its buildings. The insurance giant rea-

soned that workers would eagerly take stairs that offer picturesque views of the Tennessee River. Views of a musty stairwell with no natural light? Not so much. Many employers provide workers with sit/stand desks. Allowing workers to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day is among the simplest ways to improve worker health. Employees love this flexibility. Seventy percent of full-timers admit that they dislike sitting all day. Reducing the amount of time spent sitting at work lowers the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. Cutting sitting time by just three hours a day can increase life expectancy by two years. Other firms are experimenting with active design by adding outdoor workspaces, healthy on-site food options and light, airy rooms. Natural lighting has been linked to improved moods and better sleep quality — nearly one more hour per night. That makes for a more engaged and productive workforce. These investments in smart design pay off. When companies improve the health of their sickest workers, those employees become 11 percent more productive, according to a new study. Americans say they want to make their health a priority — but often fail to follow through. Their employers can help, often unbeknownst to them, by adopting the principles of active design. DICK RESCH is CEO of KI Furniture, online at www.ki.com.

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Denton Record-Chronicle

Vital Statistics SALES TAX PERMITS

The following sales permits were issued by the state comptroller’s office for November. The list includes the owner, name of business and address within ZIP codes 75068, 76201, 76205, 76207, 76208, 76209, 76210, 76226, 76227, 76249, 76258, 76259 and 76266. 75068 Leslie J Dukes, Sovereign Touch Designs, 2616 Lake Ridge Drive, Little Elm Ron Brackin, Inspiring Prints Plus, 1041 Lake Trail Drive, Little Elm Damian Irabor, A1 Auto Sales, 1444 Willoughby Way, Little Elm CarClub, LLC, CarClub, LLC, 800 East Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm AM Dynamic Enterprises, LLC, AM Dynamic Enterprises, 14016 Notting Hill Drive, Little Elm R-Tech Pool & Spa, LLC, R-Tech Pool & Spa, LLC, 313 Vatican Hill Drive, Little Elm Home Fire Shield, LLC, Home Fire Shield, LLC, 2511 Sunflower Drive, Little Elm Sonic Boom Customs, LLC, Sonic Boom Custom, 2621 Pine Trail Drive, Little Elm Chris D Chapman, Chrissie’s Selfie Solutions, 2804 Dawn Spring Drive, Little Elm Maria Haga, Proservices of Texas, 2623 Powderhorn Drive, Little Elm Tetra Choice, LLC, Tetra Choice, LLC, 14221 Winter Hill Drive, Little Elm 76201 Rick Harris Enterprises, LLC, Rick Harris Enterprises, LLC, 5801 N. Interstate 35, Denton Brandon Benham, TX Casual Tees, 112 S. Oakland St., Apt. 231, Denton Tracy James Jackson, Cross Roads Mattress, 1629 W. University Drive, Denton Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, INC., 227 W. University Drive, Denton Texadelphia Operating, LLC, Texadelphia Denton, 1120 W. Hickory St., Denton Bezad Sarhady, The Denton Grille, 209 W. Hickory St., Suite 101, Denton 76205 Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., 1600 Teasley Lane, Denton JJMackey Electronic, Inc., JJMackey Electronic, Inc., 1251 Teasley Lane, Denton Holy Family, LLC, Holy Family LLC DBA Divine Mercy Catholic Books An, 262 S. Interstate 35E, Denton Sofia Nava Macias, New Beauty Salon, 1214 Fort Worth Drive, Suite 104, Denton

76207 The Lane Construction Corporation, The Lane Construction Corporation, 6831 N. Interstate 35, Denton Rick Harris Enterprises, LLC, Rick Harris Enterprises, LLC, 5801 N. Interstate 35, Denton Caroline White, Caroline White Antiquaire, 5800 N. Interstate 35, Suite 400, Denton Blast It All MAnufacturing, Inc., Blast It All Manufacturing, Inc., 2401 Worthington Drive, Suite 115, Denton Beer Dudes Canning Co., LLC, Beer Dudes Mobile Canning, 2401 Worthington Drive, Suite 121, Denton Patricia Stockhausen, As The Crow Flies, 9104 Perimeter St., Denton 76208 Jonathan Taw, Zoozie La, 7604 Sweetgate Lane, Denton Intech Together, Inc., Intech Together, Inc., 2011 Glen Manor Drive, Denton Christy D Galich, Creative Designs and Apparel, 8105 Bishop Pine Drive, Denton 76209 Life Is Butter Dream, LLC, The Messy Chef Bake Shop, 3839 Market St., Suite 107, Denton 76210 Mary B Cottingham, Copper Leaf Communications, 7301 Livingston Drive, Denton Caroline White, Caroline White Antiquaire, 7001 Riverchase Trail, Denton Brandi Farrington, 360 Cleaning, 3939 Teasley Lane, Lot 400, Denton Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., 5017 Teasley Lane, Denton Heidi M Whitman, Fashion Scarves, 2109 Acorn Bend, Denton Jonathan Mosesman, Lightnote Photography, 7609 Sunburst Trail, Denton LP Ragland Inc., LP Industrial Supply, 1430 Robinson Road, Suite 300, Corinth Minh Thu Tran Bohannon, Eleven Embers, 7205 Mira Vista Drive, Denton 76226 Teresa A Miller, Grammy’s Gardens, 1904 6th St., Northlake Julie C Photography, LLC, Julie C Photography, 816 5 T Ranch Ridge, Argyle

BUILDING PERMITS

The following building permits were issued by the Denton Planning and Development department in November. Commercial alterations and commercial permits reflect the owner or tenant and the address of the business. Residential permits include the address of the home. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPATION Quik Way, 1117 Dallas Drive Crossroads Cocktails & Karaoke, LLC, 1125 E. University Drive, Suite 101 Hickory St Self Storage, 801 E. Hickory St. COMMERCIAL ALTERATION Stone Gravity Retaining Wall-Ranch View ER & Urgent Care, 7214 Crawford Road Unnamed, 1450 E. McKinney St. Pediatric Eye Specialists, 2211 Emery St. Astra Carmel LLC, Paige Road DEC Guard House, 8161 Jim Christal Road Burger King, 6420 N. Interstate 35 Latham Jones, 728 N. Elm St. City of Denton, 1527 S. Mayhill Road Rush Truck Center, 3500 Airport Road Mac Legacy Investments, Inc., 2800 Shoreline Drive Bonnie J and Doug Robinson, 120 N. Austin St. Haley Peck, 1402 Dallas Drive Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1424 Stuart Road City of Denton, 1001 Parvin St. Rush Truck Center, 3500 Airport Road Jones and Westrom Law Office, 400 W. Oak St., Suite 300 Kubos, 608 E. Hickory St. Unnamed, 9101 John Paine Road Jostens, 3500 S. Interstate 35E Hanabi Ramen, 501 W. Hickory St. Wheeler Ridge Park, 3100 Lipizzan Drive Unnamed, 1720 W. University Drive Unnamed, 2727 Geesling Road Bernard Street Triplex, 1121 Bernard St. Ideal Dental, 220 W. University Drive, Suite 120 Brisket Burger, 4005 N. Interstate 35 Discovery Park Apartments, 3925 N. Elm St. Unnamed, 2700 Colorado Blvd. Medical City Denton, 3535 S. Interstate 35E Haley Peck, 1400 Dallas Drive The Vibe Apartments, 1610 E. McKinney St. Cross Timbers Church, 312 W. McKinney St. Pi Squared, 3200 S. Interstate 35E, Suite 1150 Dermatology Center of Denton, 209 N. Bonnie Brae St. Unnamed, 112 Bernard St. Unnamed, 3300 Colorado Blvd. First State Bank, 400 W. Oak St. Unnamed, 1328 Underwood St. Jersey Mike’s, 2200 W. University Drive, Suite 130 Unnamed, 118 W. Oak St. Unnamed, 6102 Meandering Creek Drive Unnamed, 2902 Dominion St. RRTC Theater Parking Lot, 3220 Town Center Trail Unnamed, 995 S. Interstate 35E Unnamed, 3831 Market St.

8009 American Way 10008 Cypress St. 12104 Gadwall Drive Aurora M Magana 806 Morse St. 810 Morse St. Bloomfield Homes 4713 Stillhouse Hollow Lane 9500 Athens Drive 4508 Stillhouse Hollow Lane Forestar Real Estate Group Inc., 7713 Falcon Ridge Road HMH Lifestyles LP, 4725 Redbud Drive Forestar Real Estate Group Inc., 3110 Dawn Oaks Drive Wyndham Custom Homes, 3604 Ann Arbor Lane DR Horton 3617 Helm Lane 2805 Dominion St. 3025 Armstrong St. 3100 Megan St. 3108 Megan St. 3013 Dominion St. 3001 Megan St. 2904 Megan St. 3009 Dominion St. 4021 Ranchman Blvd. 308 Doe Creek Trail 325 Sky Meadow Lane 4001 Ranchman Blvd. 4113 Ranchman Blvd. 3204 Dominion St. 2305 Armstrong St.

Sumorepair LLC, Argyle Auto Care, 125 W. Frenchtown Road, Argyle

ORGANIC | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

76227 SLS Landscape Services, LLC, SLS Landscape Services, LLC, 6300 Oak Hill Lane, Aubrey Freeman and Biddy, LLC, Freedom Vapes, 928 S. U.S. Highway 377, Suite 200, Aubrey LED Systems, LLC, LED Systems, LLC, 1716 Spanish Moss Way, Aubrey World Famous Moms Limited Liability Company, World Famous Moms Liability Company, 204 S. Main St., Aubrey Susan H Romanowski, Sew Write Embroidery, 1417 Bull St., Aubrey Lewis E Franke, LED Systems, 1716 Spanish Moss Way, Aubrey

The USDA has an Organic Integrity Database that lets you look up a company’s organic certification. Under the “Status” tab, you can search for companies whose organic status has been revoked or suspended. While NerdWallet found that the USDA certification process is unreliable and the list incomplete, consumers can at least rule out food from companies that the agency has taken enforcement actions against. If your primary motivation is eating healthier food, first evaluate your assumptions. “Some people assume that organic food is more nutritious, and that’s definitely not necessarily the case,” says Carrie Dennett, a registered dietitian nutritionist. Many things impact the nutritional value of food, she notes, including transit time from farm to store. Choosing organic fruits

76249 KSW Milestone, LLC, The Mile Stove, 9850 Jim Christal Road, Krum Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., 900 E. McCart St., Krum Tamra K Cardenas, Small Town Charm Boutique, 1502 Sequoia Drive, Krum Pamela Santana Marte, SHINYGIRLS, 1617 Santa Fe Trail, Krum Jeremy Dwayne Gober, JB’s Smoked Stack BBQ, 301 Cheyenne Trail, Krum 76258 Sheryl R Carr, Texas Residential Fire and Safety, 642 W. Aubrey St., Pilot Point Molly J Guard, Rescued Rhinestones, 628 E. Walcott St., Pilot Point The Merchant Family Holdings Inc., Hooch and Handlebars, 813 E. Production Drive Your Health & Wellness By Design, LLC, Health & Wellness By Design, 8491 U.S. Highway 377, Pilot Point Brandi Senkel, Fyresyde Publishing, 620 Bluebonnet Lane, Pilot Point 76259 Cori Sadiyeh, Cadence & Claire, 2420 Amyx Ranch Drive, Ponder Stephen J Lawson, Just Imagine DPF, 4713 Schluter Road, Ponder 76266 Krista T Ackerman, Krista’s Embroidery, 5829 Milam Ridge, Sanger Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., Ampex Brands PH of Dallas, Inc., 1004 Maple St., Sanger Christian Paine, Sanger Guns & Ammo, 620 S. Stemmons St., Sanger Bradley Jay Bell, T&T Flowers and Gifts, 807 N. 5th St., Sanger

Buy local

The best solution for many shoppers is to purchase food grown close to home, preferably via a farmers market or community-supported agriculture program. Buying from a market or CSA lets you build a relationship — and build trust — with the sellers. You can talk to farmers and their employees and learn about their operation. Ask them to explain how they keep pests and weeds out of their crops, or about the feed they provide to animals. Buying hyperlocal isn’t always feasible (or budgetfriendly), though, so another strategy is to give preference to items grown in the United States, Dennett says. Major

supermarkets, including Walmart, also source locally grown food, though their definitions of local can vary.

Look at country of origin

Avoiding imported foods altogether isn’t realistic, especially if you fancy organic bananas, coffee, avocados or olive oil, which are among the top organic imports in the United States. Do a little research and use your own judgment about the trustworthiness of the country of origin. Peter Laufer, author of Organic: A Journalist’s Quest to Discover the Truth Behind Food Labeling, keeps the bag from a package of organic frozen berries stapled to the wall of his office at the University of Oregon. “It’s got the USDA organic stamp on it, and in the fine print it says ‘Product of Serbia and Argentina.’” Laufer says. “You are in such a never-never land with that.”

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ASSUMED NAMES

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The following names (followed by address) were posted in November at the Denton County Clerk’s office.

NAME — address

Black Tie Liquors, 2824 N. Locust St., Denton Avelino’s Fences, 914 N. Wood St., Denton STEAMgrown Gardens, 620 Pierce St., Denton Escaping The Square, 318 E. Oak St., Suite 160, Denton Temporary Kitchen Solutions, 222 S. Mayhill Road, Suite 102, Denton Metamorphosis Financial, 1800 S. Loop 288, Suite 396-215, Denton Taqueria Lonbardia, 3912 Teasley Lane, Denton Attive Denton, 2801 Spencer Road, Denton Carrera Gold & Silver, 2613 Clubhouse Drive, Denton Doc’s Bail Bonds, 909 E. McKinney St., Denton Melamar Prime USA, 2912 Longfellow Lane, Denton Expert Life Group, 1204 W. University Drive, Suite 203, Denton Dallas Mobile Welder, 1819 Westminster St., Denton Frazier Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc., 633 Londonderry Lane, Denton Finally SPIL, 213 Ave. G, Apt. 14, Denton Jersey Mike’s Subs, 2200 University Drive, Denton Collegiate Volleyball Recruiting, 121 W. Hickory St., Suite 135, Denton Karen L Ibarguen, 524 N. Locust St., Suite B, Denton OJJ Trim, 1304 Wintercreek Drive, Denton K&B Comforting Arms, 2501 Stockbridge Road, Apt. 15303, Denton TDE Constance Care, 9100 Teasley Lane, Suite E29, Denton Knutson Property Group, 2434 Lillian Miller Parkway, Denton

Denton Mobile Notary, 416 Benjamin St., Denton Newmarket Real Estate, 1119 Bellemead Drive, Denton Juelz Transport, 812 Oak Valley Drive, Denton Heaven Sent Restoration, 1508 Kenwood St., Denton Penny Lane and Company, 2516 Rugby Lane, Denton Findsfromyesteryear, 1116 Southmont Drive, Denton N.T.I. North Texas Investments, 5301 Soledad, Denton Rooster Stone, 9100 Teasley Lane, Trailer 18I, Denton Magpie Investors, 5190 Shaw Lane, Denton Denton Pain Center, S. Interstate 35E, Suite 142, Denton BriggsForTexas Campaign, 3108 Broken Bow St., Denton Tiffany Photography, 5201 Par Drive, Apt. 626, Denton Wink’D, 2640 W. University Drive, Suite 5, Denton University Lanes, 1212 E. University Drive, Denton In & Out Tax Service, 1607 E. McKinney St., Suite 900, Denton Denton County Christmas Lights, 45 Oak Forrest Circle, Denton Jason Early’s Speedy Transport, 3059 Collins Road, Denton Edgar Derby, 500 Audra Lane, Apt. H, Denton Motivating Millions, 6503 W. Shady Shores Road, Suite 128, Denton GS Professional Kleaning Services, 913 Cross Timber St., Denton

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and vegetables can lower your exposure to the chemical residue that can linger on your food, though. Both organic and conventional farms use pesticides, but the type and amount used can vary by crop.

Red Gable Homes LLC, 2300 Chebi Lane

Speight Construction Ltd., 9028 Witchita Lane

5601 S Interstate 35 E Corinth, TX 76210

Business Spotlight

Winston 4 Development LLC, 4109 Winston Drive

Denton Affordable Housing Corp. 416 Strata Drive 3924 Stuart Road

RESIDENTIAL Robson Denton Development LP 1901 Willet Way 9717 Arkose Drive 12500 Marl Way 12512 Marl Way 12008 Willet Way 10317 Lindenwood Trail 8301 American Way 9505 Arkose Drive 12516 Marl Way 12012 Willet Way 12504 Marl Way 10700 Countryside Drive 8108 Sanderling Drive 9721 Arkose Drive 12229 Grosbeak Drive

DECEMBER 2017

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DECEMBER 2017

Denton Record-Chronicle

CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT #DentonMeansBusiness RIBBON CUTTINGS

UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, January 12, 2018 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

Health Services of North Texas November 1, 2017

Good Samaritan Lake Forest Village November 2, 2017

Sam’s Club Re-Grand Opening December 1, 2017

SpringHill Suites by Marriott 1434 Centre Place Drive BUSINESS NETWORKING LUNCHEON

THRIVE 2017 Special Thanks to all of our THRIVE 2017 guest speakers and volunteers.

November 10, 2017

Emcee: Tim Smith, LEAD Delegate (Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial)

North Central Texas Council of Governments “NCTCOG”

Business Admin Tools to Increase Workﬂow: Heather Steele (Blue Steele Solutions)

DENTONRADIO.COM.S’MORES COMPETITION Workforce Wellness & Other Health Initiatives: Ron Menguita (City of Denton), Laurie Long (Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton)

Getting to Know You – Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Millenials: Ethan Cox (City of Denton)

November 14, 2017

“Brain Retain” – Thinking About Tomorrow: Octaviano Garza (Denton ISD Adult Education & Literacy), Emily Klement (North Central Texas College), THRIVE Committee Co-Chair Brad Kearny (CBK3 Consulting), Barbara Lerner (Texas Woman’s University), Chris Penney (University of North Texas College of Business)

The Evolving State of Tech in Denton: Kyle Taylor (TechMill), THRIVE Committee Co-Chair Amanda O’Connell (Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, LLC), Dave Sims (Kubos), Imran Charania (Nectar), Erik Bodor (GSATi)

MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON December 8, 2017

Taking Care of Business, Taking Care of You: Ryan Soulier (Soulier Advisory), Michelle McLaren (Just the Facts Insurance), Jeff King (Ramey King Insurance)