May Denton Business Chronicle 2016 by Denton Media Company

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May 2016

Monthly News Recap Businesses on the move

What’s opened, what’s closed, etc. Double Dave’s closed its location in the strip center on Teasley Lane, but months ago Jonuzi’s Pizza took its place in suite 103 of 1776 Teasley Lane. The La Azteca Meat Market is now open at 619 E. Sherman Drive, the longtime vacant Piggly Wiggly site. Denton now has an eyebrow threading salon: SOI Brow. Above Cici’s Pizza at 2219 S. Loop 288, the salon also offers henna. Rayzor Ranch Town Center keeps adding restaurants. Chipotle just got a building permit to open this summer, and Chili’s is now open along West University Drive. Guaranty Bank & Trust is now operating two locations: It will take over Independent Bank at 3101 Wind River Lane by the end of the summer to go with its current location on Dallas Drive. Specialty salad bar Salata is now open at the bottom of the U Centre at Fry Street development. New Jersey favorite fat sandwiches — sandwiches piled high with nontraditional toppings like french fries and mozzerella sticks — are now available in Denton at Fat Shack, next to Bet the House BBQ, at 508 S. Elm St. Loose-tea bar and cafe Tea2Go closed its only Denton location last month. Gringo-style taco joint Flatlander’s Taco Company closed in early May. No word yet on what will happen with its food truck. A retail store full of scrubs and other medical gear is now open: Medical Xpress. Pantheon Vape Lab, a longtime specialty and high-end vape shop on East McKinney Street has closed. The folks behind Barley & Board and Lone Star Attitude Burger Co. are launching their latest restaurant in Argyle, Earl’s 377 Pizza, on Monday.

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Vista Ridge Mall’s owner defaults on loan Vista Ridge Mall’s owner, Rouse Properties Inc., has default-

ed on its $64.3 million loan and has turned the property over to its lenders in lieu of foreclosure. Since August, the loan has had foreclosure status attached to it, and the recent step officially severs ownership by Rouse. The loan was due April 5, according to Rouse, and wasn’t repaid. Instead, the company said in its first-quarter earnings release last week it was “working vigorously” with the lender to turn over the property in full satisfaction of the debt. Now, Rouse no longer lists the 1.1 million-square-foot shopping center on its website. Last year, the loan transferred to special servicer LNR Partners, according to Trepp LLC’s newsletter and Commercial Mortgage Alert. Stores have closed, leaving the mall’s occupancy about 80 percent. Dillard’s, J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Sears and Cinemark continue to anchor the mall. It was spun off by General Growth in 2011 to Rouse Properties. What will happen next? The

loan probably will be sold at a discount and Vista Ridge probably will be reappraised, said Sean Barrie, a research analyst at Trepp.

Area resident with Down syndrome breaks mold Blake Pyron is leaving an everlasting mark on his town. The 20-year-old owner of Blake’s Snow Shack is the youngest business owner in Sanger, according to an official proclamation from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Pyron’s mother, Mary Ann Pyron, said he’s the only business owner in Sanger with Down syndrome. Blake opened his snow cone stand May 7 at 400 Locust St. in downtown Sanger. Mary Ann Pyron said she hopes it will show the true potential of anyone with disabilities. Mary Ann Pyron and her husband, Billy, had been working on getting this business started for Blake since he graduated from Sanger High School.

During Blake’s senior year, he worked at a local barbecue restaurant where he greeted customers and cleaned tables, but the business closed just before graduation. Mary Ann Pyron said they wanted to give Blake a long-term outlet after high school, so they looked to another business owner with Down syndrome for inspiration. Tim Harris may have become the only restaurant owner in the country with Down syndrome when he opened Tim’s Place six years ago in New Mexico. In October, Mary Ann Pyron met with him at a gala for people with disabilities. The Pyrons said they decided on a snow cone stand because it was a relatively cheap and manageable option. It also would satisfy Blake’s unwavering love for snow cones, they said.

Couple to close barber shop on Square Wayne and Terissa Johnson

have taken only three weeklong vacations in the 41 years they have owned Unique Barber Stylists, in the old Thomas’ Ethan Allen building on the Square. They have had so many returning customers, they said, there hasn’t been much time to spend away from their business. It’s their second home, where they have forged lifelong friendships. But since Ethan Allen closed and the building has been leased out, the Johnsons are closing the barbershop May 27. The Johnsons, both 68, said they are closing the business sooner than they expected. According to the building’s owner, Craig Thomas, the Johnsons could have stayed for as long as they wanted. He said he asked Wayne how much more time he needed, and they agreed on a month-to-month lease for one more year. Wayne said he decided to close before the new lease started RECAP | CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Contents |

May 2016

Calendar of Events

Denton Business Chronicle

APIs and IPAs, hosted by TechMill, meets every other Tuesday at Harvest House, 331 E. Hickory St., for a tech-centered hangout.

May 2016

Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 p.m.

Argyle Planning and Zoning Commission meets the first Tuesday of the month at 308 Denton St. Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 p.m.

Denton Black Chamber of Commerce meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Denton Housing Authority, 1225 Wilson St. Tuesday, June 14, 6 p.m.

Denton Chamber of Commerce hosts Smart Business 101 series regularly for members at the chamber office, 414 W. Parkway. The event is free to members and $15 for non members. Tuesday, May 24, 11:45 a.m.

Index May 2016 | Vol. 12, No. 3 Publisher: Bill Patterson The contents of this free publication are copyrighted by Denton Publishing Company, 2008, a subsidiary of A.H. Belo Corp. (www.ahbelo.com, NYSE symbol: AHC), with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Denton Business Chronicle is published monthly by Denton Publishing Company, 314 E. Hickory St., Denton, TX 76201. E-mail: drc@dentonrc.com

On the cover: Twice as Nice Resale is a nonprofit supporting the Woman to Woman Pregnancy Resource Center. Photo by Julian Gill

Who to contact Scott K. Parks Managing Editor 940-566-6879 | sparks@dentonrc.com Jenna Duncan Business Editor 940-566-6889 | jduncan@dentonrc.com Sandra Hammond Advertising Director 940-566-6820 | shammond@dentonrc.com Shawn Reneau Advertising 940-566-6843 | sreneau@dentonrc.com

Denton Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly business networking lunch at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3110 Colorado Blvd. Admission is free, and lunch can be purchased directly from the venue for $13. Friday, June 10, 11:45 a.m.

Denton County Young Professionals host meetings every Wednesday, except for the first of the month, at Loco Cafe, 603 N. Locust St. Wednesday, May 25, 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 7:15 a.m.

Denton County Young Professionals hosts a monthly mixer at a new business each month. June’s mixer will be at Bet The House BBQ. Thursday, June 2, 5:30 p.m.

Denton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly lead generator luncheons the second Tuesday of the month. It is held at Sidewalk Cafe, 2900 Wind River Lane, and admission is $5 for members and $10 for guests. Tuesday, June 14, 11:30 a.m.

The Denton League of United Latin American Citizens No. 4366 meets the third Saturday of every month at the Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Ave. Saturday, May 21, 9:30 a.m.

DRC file photo

Morgan Smiland signs up for the Denton County Young Professionals during a January 2015 meeting. The group’s monthly mixer in June will be at Bet The House BBQ, 508 S. Elm St. in Denton. Denton Planning and Zoning Commission meets at City Hall, 215 E. McKinney St. Wednesday, May 25, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 6:30 p.m.

Electronics Recycling takes place at The Cupboard Natural Foods and Cafe, 200 W. Congress St., the second Saturday of each month. Drop off any computerrelated electronics for recycling. Visit www.computercrusher.com for a list of acceptable items and more information. Saturday, June 11, 8 a.m.

Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce holds weekly coffee meetings at alternating businesses on Wednesdays. While some have not been announced, the May 25 meeting will be at Lake Cities United Methodist Church. Upcoming locations will be listed at www.lakecitieschamber.com/ chamber-events. Wednesday, May 25, 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 7:15 a.m.

Little D Open Coffee Club, hosted by TechMill, meets every other Tuesday at West Oak Coffee Bar, 114 W. Oak St., to discuss technology and startups. Tuesday, May 31, 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 8 a.m.

NodeSchool Denton, hosted by TechMill, meets every other Saturday at Big Mike’s Coffee Shop, 1306 Hickory St., Saturday, May 21, 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2 p.m.

Sanger Chamber of Commerce holds a networking leads luncheon the fourth Wednesday of every month. RSVP at http:// sangertexas.com. This month’s luncheon will be held at the WalMart Distribution Center, 2120 N. Interstate 35. Wednesday, May 25, noon

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Business Spotlight

May 2016

David Woo/DMN file photo

A for-sale home in Dallas is shown on July 30, 2012. A new comparison of housing costs around the country shows the Dallas-Fort Worth area almost has caught up with nationwide home costs.

Area almost on par for home costs Steve Brown | The Dallas Morning News Texas has for decades prided itself for having some of the most affordable housing prices in the nation. But a new comparison of housing costs around the country shows the Dallas-Fort Worth area almost has caught up with nationwide home costs. D-FW’s median home sales price in the first quarter was $210,100 — about 4 percent less than the national median price, according to a new report by the National Association of Realtors. A decade ago, North Texas home prices were almost 30 percent more affordable than

the nationwide median, according to the Realtors’ data. D-FW home prices have increased at substantially more than the nationwide rate during the last few years. North Texas prices were up 9.1 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, according to the Realtors. Nationwide prices increased by just 6.3 percent during that same period. The D-FW area had the largest year-over-year price gain of any of the major Texas markets included in the Realtors’ first-quarter survey of 178 U.S. metro areas.

“Current homeowners in many metro areas — especially those who purchased a home immediately after the downturn — have enjoyed a sizable boost in housing equity and household wealth in recent years,” — Lawrence Yun, Realtors’ chief economist First-quarter prices were up in almost nine of 10 markets the Washington, D.C.-based trade group measured. “Current homeowners in many metro areas — especially those who purchased a home immediately after the downturn — have enjoyed a sizable boost in housing equity and household wealth in recent years,” Realtors’ chief economist Lawrence Yun said in the report. The biggest first-quarter

price gains were in Rockford, Illinois (21.9 percent); Youngstown, Ohio (20.5 percent); and Port St. Lucie, Florida (18.2 percent). About two dozen U.S. markets saw declines in prices from a year ago. The worst drop was in Atlantic City, New Jersey — down 13.6 percent. North Texas home prices are now at an all-time high. Median prices paid for homes sold by real estate agents in the area are

about 40 percent ahead of where they were during the recession. D-FW home prices are still significantly below big-city coastal markets including San Francisco ($770,300), Los Angeles ($458,900), Boston ($378,500) and New York ($381,000). Looking at just Texas, firstquarter home sales prices rose by 7.9 percent in Austin, 5.8 percent in San Antonio and 3.8 percent in Houston. El Paso was the only Texas market surveyed by the Realtors that saw lower home prices — down 0.7 percent from firstquarter 2015.

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Enterprising Voices

Texas’ history puts perspective on global events T

he Panama Papers are an unprecedented leak of 11.5 million files from the database of the world’s fourth largest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca. Among the revelations within the leaked database is that 12 national leaders are among 143 politicians, their families and close associates from around the world known to have been using offshore creditor and tax havens. With the added intrigue of tax havens, politicians, and the rich and famous, the current Panama Papers situation reminds us that many people (wealthy or otherwise) use mostly legal shelters to protect their assets. From a historical point of view, the leak should be viewed less as evidence of recent sea change and more as the modern manifestation of a well-established practice. In fact, the novelty illustrated by the Panama Papers may be the globalization or standardization of the tools used for asset protection by the wealthy across the globe. As observed by Crawford Spencer, a professor of accounting from the Warwick Business School in the U.K. in a recent article on the Panama Papers, “That the global elite ensconce their money in offshore tax havens and byzantine corporate structures is nothing new. Howev-

Sam BURKE | er, these latest revelations … are novel in that they show how elites from different walks of life come together in order to avoid scrutiny of their affairs by state authorities and the public more broadly.” Not only is the behavior of today’s wealthy in seeking out protection of their assets nothing new, Panama’s use of asset protection as a means of recruiting investment within its borders is nothing new. In fact, Texas residents don’t need to seek out exotic locals or foreign lands to find historical evidence of the use of asset protection to attract investment and settlement. Most readers are likely aware that your “homestead,” the house and land you intend to occupy as your main home, are exempt from creditor’s claims. In Texas, up to 10 acres of an urban family home, plus improvements, and up to 200 acres in

rural areas — except for single adults, who are limited to 100 acres — are exempt from the claims of general creditors. What you may not be aware of is why Texans enjoy such generous homestead protections. Many Americans who settled Texas in the early 19th century were pursued by their creditors, and for their protection Stephen F. Austin recommended a moratorium on the collection of the colonists’ foreign debts. In response to that recommendation, the legislature of Coahuila and Texas enacted Decree No. 70 of 1829 to exempt from creditors’ claims lands received from the sovereign as well as certain movable property. Although that act was repealed in 1831, the principle remained alive in Texans’ minds and was a model for the Texas Act of 1839, which protected the home of a family from seizure by a creditor. This was the first law of this sort, and the principle of homestead exemption is therefore deemed Texas’ particular contribution to American jurisprudence. The homestead principle was embodied in the Texas Constitution of 1845 and all constitutions thereafter. In other words, Texas was a forerunner of Panama as being an innovator in

creating the legal protection of assets from creditors. Even if you didn’t know the history of the homestead protection, it is easy to see history’s influence in some of our State’s personal property exemptions. Today, personal property with a fair market value of no more than $60,000 for a family and $30,000 for a single adult is protected. This includes horses, up to 12 head of cattle, and (of course) two guns. Other personal property that creditors can’t seize from Texans include your car, farming or ranching vehicles, clothes, pets, and athletic and sporting equipment, including bicycles. In addition to horses and twelve head of cattle, two mules or donkeys, and a saddle, blanket and bridle for each are exempt. This early legacy of asset protection in Texas has not waned. Led by the famous homestead exemption, our debtorfriendly state shelters the most significant parts of an average family’s wealth from creditors. Much as it was in 1845, the Texas Constitution continues to be the foundation for protection of debtors from creditor actions. For instance, the Texas Constitution does not cap the value of the homestead exemption. The Texas exemption is done by the area of

land, so it doesn’t matter how expensive it is. If your 200 acres is worth $2 million or $200,000, it doesn’t matter. You still get your 200 acres. Although legal protection from creditor’s claims goes all the way back to Texas’s early recruitment of settlers, today Texans enjoy protection of many modern classes of assets. For example, in general, IRAs, 401(k)s, traditional pension plans, profit-sharing plans, annuities, and life insurance proceeds are protected from creditors. Also protected are college savings plans, such as 529 plans, and prepaid tuition plans. Whether or not we choose to be proud of Texas’s singular contribution of the Homestead exemption to American jurisprudence, or are disappointed by what we have learned from the Panama Paper’s leaks, knowledge of our own Texas history can help us keep today’s global events in perspective and allow us to at least acknowledge that the impulse to protect what we claim as our own is part of the human condition. SAMUEL B. BURKE is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in civil trial law and may be contacted at sburke@dentonlaw.com and www.dentonlaw.com.

customers to Frontier Communications happened April 1, but since then, there have been complaints and interruptions of service. Although there have been no widespread issues in the Denton area, some residents reported their landlines stopped working soon after the switch. Several others are having issues with video-on-demand content and registering with Frontier, said Lliam Morrison, manager of corporate communications for Frontier. Service to correct the problems are currently delayed because no one could be trained on Frontier systems until the switch, said Carla Gomez, a public relations

consultant to the company. Frontier says service disruptions have been small in Texas, with less than 1 percent of customers statewide reporting issues. The Public Utilities Commission of Texas, which regulates utilities statewide, has had more than 200 complaints about Frontier since the switchover April 1, according to Terry Hadley, director of communication for PUC. This only covers complaints in its jurisdiction though, he said. For example, customers who only have Internet service are being referred to the Federal Communications Commission since that service isn’t considered a public utility.

Monthly News Recap RECAP | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

because he did not want to deal with the construction around the business.

Traffic deaths in 2016 nearing last year’s mark Summer still is a month from starting, yet Denton is only one traffic fatality away from tying last year’s total of 13 deaths. Speed, distracted driving and cellphone use all have been reported by crash investigators as factors in the various wrecks. Police are encouraging drivers to pay more attention and avoid the distractions, but will the message

be heard before another life is lost on the highway? “Over the last 10 years, it is one of the leading causes of accidents, across the country and specifically here,” said insurance salesman Eric Grunor, a Denton resident. “And it’s a shame. Especially as parent, I am [as] guilty as anybody. We preach to our kids — as an insurance agent, I preach to my customers — all it takes is one second.” The most recent fatal crash was April 9 on Fort Worth Drive. According to police, driver Ashley Morgan’s cellphone was in use immediately before the head-on collision that caused her death and that of her 4-year-old daugh-

ter Lorelei, 41-year-old Emma Lourdes Shaffer and 12-year-old Emma “Tita” Shaffer. One easy place to lay blame on the increase in fatal crashes has been the construction on Interstate 35E. Although it has been the site of many a fender bender, there have not been any fatal crashes on I-35E directly related to construction. 2016’s crashes have been scattered across Denton, including Loop 288 at East McKinney Street, Locust Street at Pauline Street, and Interstate 35 north of Denton.

Frontier issues still loom The switch of all Verizon

Business Mixers

Denton Business Chronicle

Ribbon-cuttings

May 2016

The Denton Chamber of Commerce celebrated businesses and organizations with ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Chiliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar & Grill

Medical Xpress

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May 2016

Enterprising Voices

Keep Investing Simple “Easy does it. After 25 years of buying and supervising a great variety of businesses, Charlie and I have not learned to how to solve difficult business problems. What we have learned is to avoid them. To the extent that we have been successful, it is because we concentrated on identifying one-foot hurdles that we could step over rather than because we acquired any ability to clear seven-footers.” — Warren Buffett

he world of investment advice has become far too complicated. Too many financial advisers and TV talking heads shroud themselves in sophisticated-sounding mumbo jumbo. Even after the financial collapse triggered by exotic mortgages, Wall Street still grinds out overly complicated financial and insurance products. Today’s desperate savers provide a receptive market for complicated stories promising fat yields. The collapse of some well known, high-yield mutual funds last fall remind us of the dangers of chasing yields from complicated investments. While Wall Street benefits from making things complicated, successful investors prosper by keeping things simple. A good clue comes from billionaires Warren Buffett and Char-

Jonathon FITE | lie Munger. As the quote above highlights, they attribute much of their success to avoiding complicated situations. Tens of thousands of investors make the annual pilgrimage to Omaha to hear their pearls of distilled, simple wisdom. In Buffett’s memorable words above, it’s better to look for easier “onefoot hurdles” and reject complicated “seven-foot hurdles.” Why? Complicated investments often mask serious risks. Take the pharmaceutical giant Valeant, which was a Wall Street investment darling until just a few months ago. Valeant’s management grew the company through an acquisition spree that racked up $30 billion in debt. But this massive debt load was not the only problem with Valeant. The company also was jacking up prices of key drugs and eliminating research and development. The combination of massive debt and unsavory practices made Valeant a “seven-foot

hurdle” and prompted us to pass on the company as a potential investment. Even after the stock has fallen 80 percent from its highs, it is hard to figure out if it’s really a bargain. In contrast, let’s take a look at our for a coal company we own in the portfolio. There are a lot of coal companies whose fortunes are tied to China — they sell metallurgical coal used in steel making. Since China has been the biggest importer of metallurgical coal for nearly a decade, an investment in that arena is really a bet on China. Too complicated for us. Instead, we focused on the pure play company in the thermal coal space — the coal used by power plants to generate electricity. We knew high-cost, eastern U.S. “Appalachian” coal was being phased out to be replaced by cheap natural gas and renewables. But this company has the cheapest coal on the planet, still prized by utilities across the Midwest and Southern states. It’s a simple thesis. Will the U.S. still need some coal to produce electricity? Yes. Is there a low cost producer of that coal? Yes. And oh, by the way, this company also has the closest export terminal to key Asian markets that are actively building power plants that will be twice the U.S. generation capac-

ity over the next 5 years. While this upside is not built into our valuation, it’s a “free option” on good things happening down the road. On top of this, the company has the best management team in the industry, with one of the best safety records. Unfortunately, even companies with talented leadership can sometimes end up on the “too complicated” pile. Highflying momentum stocks such as Netflix and Tesla come under this category for us. While these innovative businesses may well prosper, their super-expensive stock prices can only be rationalized by extravagant growth assumptions. This seems unwarranted to us at a time when these companies are not even profitable. In contrast, let’s look at IBM. Last week during the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting and post meeting interviews, Warren Buffett and his business partner Charlie Munger commented on their IBM thesis. While both admitted that predicting the future of cloud computing and cognitive analytics is difficult, the price they paid for IBM means they get a free option on something good happening. In other words, the current price assumes nothing but bad outcomes will happen forever at IBM. Unlike the Netflix and Tesla examples above, whose prices demand nothing but wonderful things happen forever, owning a good business at a good price allows investors to ignore nuanced prognostications about

the future. If we have learned one thing, it’s that nothing stays the same forever. Good fortunes tend to pause or reverse for a while. Bad fortunes, if you are on a good horse with a good jockey, tend to end one day as well. A simple investing truth. So how might investors put these aspects into practice? Here are a couple ideas: One, know what you own. Don’t outsource your thinking. Insist on companies and investment managers taking the time to explain their businesses in a clear and simple way. Second, don’t get numbed by complicated jargon from financial sales reps. If high-yields are being promised, delve deeper to figure out the risks under a variety of scenarios. Third, be value investors. Remember that ultimately, stocks are businesses, not gyrating ticker symbols. The beauty of value investing is that it is based on a very simple but powerful idea: buying stocks of good companies at low prices leads to good long-term results. JONATHON FITE is a Managing Partners of KMF Investments, a Texas-based pure pay-for-performance hedge fund. Jonathon is also an adjunct professor with the College of Business at the University of North Texas. This column is provided for general interest only and should not be construed as a solicitation or personal investment advice. Comments may be sent to email@ KMFInvestments.com.

How the Denton Chamber of Commerce promotes itself

e like to think of the Membership Directory on the chamber website as the ultimate local business guide. Although the chamber does not function as a better business bureau, our office and website are considered “the front door to the community” for potential residents, visitors and prospective new businesses. As an extension of the information available on our

Chuck CARPENTER | website, we contract with Community Matters, Inc. to sell advertising and print an 80-

page, glossy full-color relocation guide and corresponding street map. Both are by far the most requested items through the front desk at the chamber office. Both the magazine, Destination Denton, and map are supported exclusively by chamber member advertising. In order to leverage production costs and limit confusion, the board authorized bundling a third publication, Denton Live, as an

additional option for our members. Denton Live is a publication of the chamber’s Convention & Visitors Bureau. Its focus is primarily on local events and attractions; content is provided by the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas. Our board has taken it to a whole new level, however, with their recent approval of a partnership with a local company that produces an application to

promote real time specials and promotions. Watch for more details soon. Bottom line, we’re trying to take advantage of both traditional print and virtual outlets for promoting the products and services of our chamber members. CHUCK CARPENTER is the president of the Denton Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at dcoc@denton chamber.org.

Denton Business Chronicle

May 2016

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Cover Story

May 2016

Photo by Julian Gill

Twice as Nice Resale of Denton, which sells gently used clothes, jewelry and other knickknacks, is a nonprofit that supports the Woman to Woman Pregnancy Resource Center on Locust Street. From left to right: Ramona Davis, executive director of Woman to Woman Pregnancy Resource Center; Eddie Herron, Twice as Nice store manager; and Brittney Bradshaw, marketing coordinator for Woman to Woman.

Beyond the aesthetic

Denton thrift stores find momentum in Bohemian culture, social causes By Julian Gill

here are at least five thrift stores within a 2mile stretch along West University Drive in Denton. Thrift Giant, 1701 Brinker Road, and Twice as Nice Resale of Denton, 413 E. Oak St., also are a part of the city’s resale hub. And it indeed is a hub.

Store managers have said with the city’s population increase, as well as the increased enrollment at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University, they have noticed a growing culture attracted to vintage clothing — maybe more so than years past. But the attraction to some local thrift stores goes beyond the aesthetic. “For millennials, for instance, we’re seeing that they want to have involvement — they care

about causes,” said Brittney Bradshaw, marketing and events coordinator for Woman to Woman Pregnancy Resource Center, which operates in partnership with Twice as Nice Resale. The millennial demographic includes people with birth years ranging from the 1980s to about 2000. “We actually have kind of a different market,” she said. “And I think that’s why we’re able to expand, because we’re seeing

support across the board. Whether it’s the older generation that really believes in resale or thrift in general, or they believe in our cause.” Several thrift stores in Denton are attached to a cause. Twice as Nice helps fund the Pregnancy Resource Center, 521 N. Locust St., which provides free services to woman in unintended pregnancy situations. They also fund Living Choices, a sexual risk avoidance and relationship education program.

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Photos by Julian Gill

This summer, Twice as Nice, shown here May 10, is expanding into its adjacent 3,000-square-foot building. Ruth’s Room, 1721 N. Carroll Blvd., is a nonprofit supporting Habitat for Humanity of Denton County. And the Friends of the Family Thrift Store, 1614 W. University Drive, supports its self-titled organization, which provides services for people affected by rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence. Twice as Nice is doing well from a funding standpoint, Bradshaw said, and it was able to expand to the adjacent property. Soon, the resale store will start selling more gently used furniture out of its new, 3,000square-foot space. Bradshaw said the business does not have a singular customer base, but she has noticed more students are starting to turn their heads for the cause rather than the clothes. “And that’s what were seeing with millennials just in general,” Bradshaw said. “They care about

causes and want to be connected to them.” Twice as Nice stemmed from the pregnancy resource center in 2004 as a way to keep the center’s services free, said Ramona Davis, the center’s executive director. Davis said “thrifting” wasn’t as popular back then. Eva Sombathy, manager of the Friends of the Family Thrift Store, agreed that most of their donor and customer base is attracted to the cause more than the low-priced vintage clothing. Still, Sombathy said there is an element of excitement when people are going from shop to shop hunting for a one-of-a-kind item. “It’s a college town; of course college students shop here,” she said. “But also I think there’s just a culture surrounding thrift shopping. We just all have our THRIFT | CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Eva Sombathy, manager at Denton County Friends of the Family Thrift Store, said she thinks students are attracted to thrift stores that support a cause.

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Cover Story THRIFT | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

little run of every store in town. You know, it’s kind of like garage sale shopping.” The aesthetic appeal to thrift shops likely started to gain some momentum after the financial

crisis of 2008, according to Laura Storm, a lecturer at the University of North Texas’ College of Merchandising and Digital Retailing. She said the growing environment of frugality played a role in that momentum shift. “The perception is different,”

Business Mixers Denton Chamber of Commerce The Denton Chamber of Commerce hosted a quarterly membership luncheon

The 31st Leadership Denton Class is recognized for its project completion.

Hutch Ice, right, and Randi Skinner, present their project for Leadership Denton.

Storm said. “Being modest and frugal actually became cool post-recession, and I think the students also see it as an opportunity to be unique, because these are more one-of-a-kind types of pieces” Storm said she has seen

students not only buying more vintage clothing, but also repurposing those clothes and selling them independently. “I’ve seen just recently with students, there’s more of a desire for a unique identity,” she said. “I don’t know if that’s specific to

Denton because of the artsy culture ... but I know Denton tends to be more unique and have more pride in that.” JULIAN GILL can be reached at 940-566-6845 and via Twitter at @juliangill music.

Business Spotlight

Sinkhole spurs search for cave by Bass Pro Shops founder Jim Salter | The Associated Press RIDGEDALE, Mo. — Instead of panicking, Johnny Morris saw an adventure worth digging into when a massive sinkhole swallowed tons of earth at his exquisite golf course deep in the Missouri Ozarks. Experts urged the 68-year-old founder of outdoors megastore Bass Pro Shops to fill the hole at Top of the Rock Golf Course near Branson with clay and boulders and move on. But Morris has long been a cave enthusiast — even discovering one with spectacular formations two decades ago — and was intrigued by the possibility that an unknown cave system lay underneath. To the self-made billionaire, unlocking a natural mystery by burrowing further underground is worth it, no matter the cost. Morris has long seen opportunity in unexpected places, and his instincts are seemingly good: Forbes lists him as the world’s 397th wealthiest person with an estimated net worth of $4.4 billion. “People say I’m crazy but I’m happy about every nickel we’ve spent down here,” said Morris, who declined to say how much exactly. Morris spent as much time fishing as studying in his college years. Eventually, he collected the best fishing tackle he could find from around the U.S. and sold it, along with homemade bait, from his dad’s Brown Derby Liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. He quickly developed a following in the Ozarks region — its lakes and rich streams a haven for anglers — created the Bass Pro Shop Catalog in 1974 and opened the first of his now 98 stores in Springfield seven years later. Over the years, he’s developed a love for caves and discovered

several himself, including one on property where the golf course now stands. On a cold day in 1993, steam hung like smoke at the entrance of his new find as the warm cave air mixed with the January chill. He ventured inside with Jack Herschend, a fellow cave enthusiast whose family owns Silver Dollar City in Branson and other theme parks. “Man, I was so excited to be potentially the first person ever in that cave,” Morris said of the cave on a property about a halfmile away from where the sinkhole emerged. Morris dubbed it “John L’s Cave” — his middle initial is L — and a National Geographic photographer went in and described it as “an underground chapel.” “It’s a beautiful, pristine cave,” Morris said. “Just magical in there.” Morris opened Top of the Rock Golf Course in 2014. A year later, after days of heavy rain, a sinkhole 40 feet deep and 70 feet wide opened along the large Tom Watson-designed putting green. No one was hurt, but golf course officials “were in a panic,” Morris recalled. Government experts suggested the best course of action was to fill the hole and go back about normal business. But soon, water from a pond drained into the hole, and a worker who happened to be near John L’s Cave reported a torrent of water pouring through the cave. “So I knew there was a connection,” Morris said. “And that’s when we started to dig.” The dig uncovered tall limestone formations that Morris believes are further clues of

Jeff Roberson/AP

Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, points April 14 to a massive sinkhole that opened up on his golf course during heavy rain last spring in Ridgedale, Mo. caverns. Every day, one backhoe at the bottom of what is now a 100-foot-deep hole painstakingly moves dirt to a ledge, where a second backhoe removes it one

scoop at a time. The same circulating groundwater that causes caves to form can also cause sinkholes, said Doug Gouzie, a Missouri State

University cave and sinkhole expert. The U.S. Geological Survey says states like Missouri, Florida and Texas that have large areas of underlying water-soluble rock are most prone to sinkholes. Missouri has nearly 16,000 sinkholes, including one encompassing 700 acres in mid-Missouri. Gouzi concurs that there is likely a cave system beneath the golf course, but what isn’t known is how spectacular — or ordinary — that cave might be. For Morris, that’s part of the intrigue. “Whether it’s just like a foxhole thing you have to crawl in or whether there’s big caverns, that’s the mystery,” he said, “and that’s the exciting part of all of this.”

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Business Mixers

Vital Statistics SALES TAX

Ribbon-cuttings

The following sales permits were issued by the state comptroller’s office for April. The list includes the owner, name of business and address within ZIP codes 75033, 75034, 75065, 75068, 76201, 76203, 76205, 76207, 76208, 76209, 76210, 76226, 76227, 76234, 76249, 76258, 76259 and 76266.

The Denton Chamber of Commerce celebrated businesses and organizations with ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

75033 Spiritwear LLC, Spiritwear LLC, 1750 FM423, Apt. 436, Little Elm

75034 Ninja Kids Club LLC, Ninja Warrior Kids, 15222 King Road, Suite 601, Little Elm

75065 Amairani Roque and Joshua Roque, Los Amigos Restaurant, 274 Main St., Lake Dallas Garren Bass, Michael McDonald Bass Services, 5300 Princess Court, Lake Dallas Madison Rose LLC, Twice The Ice, 304 S. Shady Shores Drive, Lake Dallas Skyline Collectibles LLC, Skyline Collectibles LLC, 616 Montgomery Drive, Lake Dallas

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

75068 Christy Michelle Munoz, Christy Michelle Munoz, 1417 Danielle Creek Drive, Little Elm Courtney Candate, Oh So Couth Creations, 1079 Port Boliver Drive, Little Elm Heather Monique McLeod, T&H Totally Posh'd Tutu's And Crafts, 1800 Preston On The Lake Blvd., Trailer 399, Little Elm James H. Boyd, North Start Vending, 3121 Nighthawk Lane, Little Elm Jamie Reeves and Jordan Wade, Canine Palace, 312 Hummingbird Drive, Little Elm Kathleen Leach LLC, Bruno's Italian Restaurant, 800 W. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 128, Little Elm Latesha B. Brewton, Tasseled Boutique, 913 Lone Pine Drive, Little Elm Lex Cell Denton LLC, Lex Cell Denton LLC, 2785 E. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 120, Little Elm Linda M Miericke, New Life Nurses Scrubs, 1634 Myrtle Drive, Little Elm Pest2rest Services LLC, Pest2rest Services LLC, 2632 Deer Hollow Drive, Little Elm Theresa Lewis, Theresa Lewis, 2050 FM423, Apt. 5425, Little Elm Tree Kim Inc., Kim's Asian Restaurant, 500 W. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 300, Little Elm

76201 Ava Jet of Texas LLC, Ava Jet Of Texas LLC, 512 W. Hickory St., Suite 100, Denton Caesar Island LLC, Alya Style, 1622 W. University Drive, Suite 100, Denton Casey Brianne Stelter, Casey Brianne Stelter, 2623 N.

NTX Roofing

Elm St., Denton Cesario Angel Ibarra Sr., Cesario Angel Ibarra Sr., 1002 Gregg St., Apt. A, Denton Decoraciones Alegria LLC, Decoraciones Alegria LLC, 405 Fort Worth Drive, Denton Devin Drake, Vintage Bleu Home, 221 W. Oak St., Denton Jamie Renee Jones, Jamie Renee Jones, 1028 Coit St., Denton Jonathan Matthew Hilgendorf, Jonathan Matthew Hilgendorf, 1701 W. Oak St., Apt. 110, Denton Kitty Paw LLC, Great Clips No.5808, 2735 W. University Drive, Suite 1065, Denton Michael G. Stello, Michael G. Stello, 217 Second St., Denton Michael J. Slack, Michael J. Slack, 1225 Cordell St., Denton Patricia E. Coburn, Downtown Mini Mall, 108 N. Locust St., Denton Ping Zhu, Ping Zhu, 1103 Bernard St., Apt. 1332B, Denton Rakesha Anderson, Rakesha Anderson, 1407 Bernard St., Apt. 264, Denton TGS Beverage Company LLC, Movie Tavern Denton, 916 W. University Drive, Denton Winco Foods LLC, Winco Foods, 2645 W. University Drive, Denton

76203 UNT Clay Guild, UNT Clay Guild, 1155 Union Cir., No. 305, Denton

76205 Binggo Transportation Service LLC, Binggo Transportation Service LLC, 1501 S. Loop 288, Suite 104-184, Denton Burt Dosch Breedlove, Burt D. Breedlove, 1908 Southridge Drive, Denton Hajoca Corporation, Moore Supply Company of Denton, 1220 Duncan St., Denton Markum Family Farm, Markum Family Farm, 2311 Highland Park Road, Denton Markum Family Farm, Markum Family Farm, 2311 Highland Park Road, Denton Teen Collections LLC, Plato's Closet, 1719 S. Loop 288, Suite 150, Denton Vdpa Advertising LLC, Portaboards, 312 Dallas Drive, Suite 101, Denton

SALES | CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Vital Statistics MIXED BEVERAGE TAX

The following mixed beverage tax information was issued by the state comptroller’s office for April. The list includes the name of the business, address and reported tax. 119 Loophole Private Club, 119 W. Hickory St., Denton, $3,583.16 American Legion Post No. 550, 905 N. Foundation, Pilot Point, $1,228.11 Andy's Bar And Grill, 122 N. Locust St., Denton, $5,283.48 Andy's Private Club, 122 N. Locust St., Suite B, Denton, $0 Angelina's Mexican Restaurant, 1400 N. Corinth St., Suite 111, Corinth, $1,002.25 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill, 707 S. I-35E, Denton, $3,350.80 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill, 2672 FM 423, Little Elm, $3,440.58 Aramark Educational Services, 303 Administration St., Hubbard, Denton, $79.73 Ashton Gardens, 2001 Ashton Gardens Lane, Corinth, $2,945.72 B.P.O.E. Denton No.2446, 228 E. Oak St., Denton, $624.10 Best Western Area Crown Chase, 2450 Brinker Road, Denton, $362.13 BJ's Restaurant & Brewery, 3250 S. I-35E, Denton, $5,821.69 Black-Eyed Pea, 2420 S. I-35E, Denton, $134.26 Bono's Chop House & Saloon, 2025 N. Highway 287, Decatur, $2,965.15 Boomerjack Wings No.8, 407 W. University Drive, Denton, $1,235.88 Brunswick Zone Denton, 2200 San Jacinto Blvd., Denton, $1,015.98 Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 1400 S. Loop 288, Suite 110, Denton, $3,129.50 Casa Torres Mexican Restaurant, 2708 FM51, Decatur, $1,327.80 Chili's Grill & Bar, 600 S. Highway 287, Decatur, $2,282.22 Chili's Grill & Bar No.759, 8394 S. Stemmons Freeway, Hickory Creek, $1,326.13 Chili's Grill& Bar, 2406 N. I-35, Denton, $1,926.71 Chilitos Private Club Inc., 619-623 S. Denton Drive, Lake Dallas, $345.98

Chipotle Mexican Grill, 1224 W. Hickory St., Denton, $48.17 Chuy's Denton, 3300 Wind River Lane, Denton, $6,049.09 Cool Beans, 1210 W. Hickory St., Denton, $3,710.72 Courtyard By Marriott, 2800 Colorado Blvd., Denton, $411.17 Crossroads Bar, 1803 N. Elm St., Denton, $1,081.51 Dan's Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St., Denton, $1,959.14 Denton, Country Club, 1213 Country Club Road, Argyle, $3,209.36 Drunken Donkey Bar & Grill, 3350 Unicorn Lake Blvd., Denton, $5,592.62 Dusty's Bar & Grill & Haileys, 119 S. Elm St., Denton, $5,002.75 East Side Social Club, 117 E. Oak St., Denton, $11,184.71 El Fenix-Denton, 2229 S. I-35E, Denton, $899.34 El Guapo's, 419 S. Elm St., Denton, $1,244.05 Ernesto's Mexican Restaurant, 10279 FM455E, Suite 1, Pilot Point, $1,964.97 Frilly's, 1803 S. Highway 287, Decatur, $2,310.02 Fry Street Tavern Club, 121 Ave. A, Denton, $5,326.36 Fuzzy's Taco Shop, 109 N. State St., Decatur, $1,332.36 Fuzzy's Taco Shop, 2412 S. I-35E, Denton, $1,717.47 Fuzzys Taco Shop, 421 Highway 377, Argyle, $1,006.27 Fuzzy's Taco Shop Cross Roads, 11450 US Highway 380, Suite 160, Cross Roads, $1,516.81 Genghis Grill The Mongolian, 2416 Lillian Miller Parkway, Denton, $0 Genti's Private Club Inc., 3700 FM2181, Hickory Creek, $439.58 Good Eats No.729, 5812 N. I-35, Denton, $0 Hannahs, 111 W. Mulberry St., Denton, $3,590.99 Harvest House, 331 E. Hickory St., Denton, $10,870.48 Hickory & Fry, 1206 W. Hickory St., Denton, $1,125.80 Hickory Street Lounge, 212 E. Hickory St., Denton, $1,814.29 Hilton Garden Inn, 3110 Colorado Blvd., Denton, $519.71

Holiday Inn Denton, 1434 Centre Place Drive, Denton, $519.11 Hooligans LLC, 104 N. Locust St., Denton, $4,473.32 Hooters, 985 N. I-35E, Denton, $3,978.66 Horny Toad Cafe & Bar, 5812 N. I-35, Denton, $1,180.80 Hula Hut Restaurant, 210 E. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm $II Charlies Private Club, 809 Sunset St., Denton, $4,275.33 J.R. Pockets Club, 1127 Fort Worth Drive, Denton, $2,671.02 Jackie's, 201 Main St., Lake Dallas, $2,424.79 Jackie's, 201 Main St., Lake Dallas, $1,144.29 Jack's Tavern, 508 S. Elm St., Suite 101, Denton, $2,013.88 Jag Private Club Inc., 119 S. Elm St., Denton, $0 Johnny Carino's Italian, 1516 Centre Place Drive, Denton, $886.67 Keiichi LLC, 500 N. Elm St., Denton, $507.32 Kobe Sushi & Steak LLC, 2832 E. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 208, Little Elm, $278.11 La Casa Velez, 2831 W. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 112, Little Elm, $772.97 Lake Cities Post No. 88 The A, 105 Gotcher Ave., Lake Dallas, $1,352.99 Lake Cities Post No. 88 The A, 105 Gotcher Ave., Lake Dallas, $1,449.61 Lake Dallas Point Restaurant, 303 Swisher Road, No. 100, Lake Dallas, $2,406.43 Lantana Golf Club, 800 Golf Club Drive, Argyle, $2,308.95 Las Cabos Cantina, 4451 FM2181, Corinth, $0 Las Cabos Cantina, 4451 FM2181, Corinth, $201.73 Lone Star Attitude Burger Co., 113 W. Hickory St., Denton, $5,861.42 Los Charros, 2763 E. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 105, Little Elm, $0 Los Jalapenos Restaurant, 420 E. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm, $287.22 Lowbrows Beer and Wine Garden, 200 W. Washington St., Pilot Point, $720.51 Lucky Lou's, 1207 W. Hickory St., Denton, $1,287.67 Lucky Lou’s, 1207 W. Hickory St., Denton, $8,505.91 Mable Peabody's Beauty Parlor, 1125 E. University Drive, Suite 107, Denton, $1,351.18 Mellow Mushroom, 217 E. Hickory St., Denton, $2,047.98

Meritt Ranch Beverages Limited, 2946 Ganzar Road W., Denton, $426.65 Metzlers Food and Beverage Inc., 1251 S. Bonnie Brae St., Denton, $57.95 Mi Sueno Club, 2648 FM 407E, Suite 150, Bartonville, $0 Mi Taza Latin Tex-Mex Café, 5017 Teasley Lane, Suite 101, Denton, $839.44 Miguelito's, 1521 E. McCart St., Krum, $995.62 Milestone Events LLC, 1301 W. Sherman Drive, Aubrey, $0 Milestone Events LLC, 1301 W. Sherman Drive, Aubrey, $367.22 Movie Tavern Denton, 916 W. University Drive, Denton, $3,562.32 Muddy Jake's Sports Grille, 222 W. Hickory St., Suite 104, Denton, $1,382.54 Muddy Jake's Sports Grille, 222 W. Hickory St., Suite 104, Denton, $1,479.29 Mulberry Street Cantina, 110 W. Mulberry St., Denton, $0 Mulberry Street Cantina, 110 W. Mulberry St., Denton, $3,848.27 Norman Heitz Memorial Post 104, 501 Thompson, Lake Dallas, $967.07 Oak Street Drafthouse Club, 308 E. Oak St., Denton, $6,526.00 Oakmont Country Club, 1200 Clubhouse Drive, Corinth, $1,161.31 Ollimac Company, 1400 Corinth Bend, Suite 103, Corinth, $761.38 On The Border, 2829 S. I-35E, Denton, $3,413.65 Outback Steakhouse, 300 S. I-35E, Denton, $2,106.54 Pedro's Tex Mex & Grill, 420 E McKinney St., Suite 100, Denton, $347.46 Pedro's Tex Mex & Grill, 209 S. Washington St., Pilot Point, $613.92 Pei Wei Fresh Kitchen, 1931 S. Loop 288, Suite 130, Denton, $76.51 Phil Miller Post No.2205 VFW, 909 Sunset St., Denton, $1,276.01 Pilot Point Columbus Club, 221 N. Prairie St., Pilot Point, $12.59 Pizza Hut, 730 S. Highway 377, Pilot Point, $20.70 Pollo Tropical Beverages LLC, 2220 S. Loop 288, Denton, $39.79

Pourhouse Sports Grill, 3350 Unicorn Lake Blvd., Denton, $2,618.02 Prairie House Restaurant, 10001 Highway 380, Cross Roads, $1,727.59 Queenie's Steakhouse, 113 E. Hickory St., Denton, $2,182.25 Red Lobster No.6349, 2801 S. I-35E, Denton, $1,681.76 Ringers, 807 Eagle Drive, Denton, $812.77 Riprock's, 1211 W. Hickory St., Denton, $4,868.55 Riprock's, 1211 W. Hickory St., Denton, $538.81 Rock 101 Grill Little Elm, 2833 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 301, Little Elm, $5,020.64 Rockin Rodeo, 1009 Ave. C, Denton, $5,611.51 Rocky's Sports Bar, 2000 W. University Drive, Denton, $2,736.68 Rooster's Roadhouse, 113 Industrial St., Denton, $2,846.29 Rooster's Roadhouse Decatur, 106 N. Trinity St., Decatur, $1,414.90 Rosa's Cafe & Tortilla Factory, 1275 S. Loop 288, Denton, $217.75 RT's Social Club Inc., 1100 Dallas Drive, Suite 124, Denton, $7,825.06 Rubber Gloves, 409 E. Sycamore St., Denton, $593.82 Ruby-Jeans Social Club Inc., 309 N. FM156, Ponder, $560.18 Rusty Taco Denton, 210 E. Hickory St., Denton, $798.37 Savory Bistro & Gourmet To Go, 2650 FM407E, Suite 165, Bartonville, $1,000.77 Sean's Mesquite Pit BBQ, 401 N. Highway 287, Decatur, $18.49 Service Industry, 222 W. Hickory St., Suite 103, Denton, $1,713.39 Side Bar, 109 Ave. A, Denton, $1,141.34 Sushi Café, 1115 W. Hickory St., Suite 100, Denton, $111.82 Sweetie Pie's Ribeyes, 201 W. Main St., Decatur, $392.95 Sweetie Pie's Ribeyes, 201 W. Main St., Decatur, $425.24 Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 115 S. Elm St., Denton, $2,033.04 Texas Roadhouse, 2817 S. I-35E, Denton, $3,108.13 The Abbey Inn Restaurant & Pub, 101 W. Hickory St., Denton, $2,956.30 The Aztec Club, 720 W. University Drive, Denton, $1,696.97

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Vital Statistics BUILDING PERMITS

The following building permits were issued by the Denton Planning and Development department in April. Commericial alterations and commercial permits reflect the owner or tenant and the address of the business.

CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPATION Brecon Inc., 4005 N. I-35 Caliber Body Works, 110 Pauline St. Chris Allen, 2119 Sadau Court Dave Gerdes, 3326 E. University Drive DBC Investments Ltd., 2556 Lillian Miller Parkway Denton Covenant Group, 1300 S. Loop 288, No. 100-110 Denton Market Street Properties, 3841 Market St., No. 113 Denton Market Street, 3839 Market St., No. 107 Giovanni Giomi 3201 Teasley Lane, Building 100 3201 Teasley Lane, Building 200 3201 Teasley Lane, Building 300 3201 Teasley Lane, Building 400 3201 Teasley Lane, Building 500 3201 Teasley Lane, Building 600 3201 Teasley Lane, Building 800 J. Mark Cohagen, 318 E. Oak St., No. 130 John L. Gray, 4005 N. I-35 Market Street Properties, 3831 Market St. Matt Nelson, 206 W. University Drive, No. 100 Steve Hopwood, 909 N. Loop 288, No. 405-425 Steve Inmon, 621 S. Mayhill Road, No. 107 Stingware Ltd., 302 Dallas Drive, No. 102

Texas Department of Transportation, 4001 N. I-35

7209 Bishop Pine Road

COMMERCIAL ALTERATION AT&T, 3000 Corbin Road Atmos Pipeline Texas, 5642 E. McKinney St. Carter’s Babies and Kids, 1800 S. Loop 288, No. 218 Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2735 W. University Drive, No. 1051 City of Denton Solid Waste, 1527 S. Mayhill Road, No. 103 Imperial Group, 4545 Airport Road Ridgecrest Apartments, 1300 Dallas Drive, Building 13 Robert Burds, 512 N. Locust St. Timber Links Apartments, 5201 Par Drive Vertskebap Inc., 1715 S. Loop 288, No. 100

Beazer Homes Texas LP. 3304 Hawks View Lane

COMMERCIAL City of Denton 2000 E. McKinney St. 2001 Windsor Drive Columbia Medical, 3535 S. I-35 E Denton Market Street, 3825 Market St. O’Reilly Hotel Partners, 3100 Town Center Trail

Hill Alley St. Properties 1118 E. McKinney St.

RESIDENTIAL Beazer Homes

Bloomfield Homes LP. 9109 Athens Drive Cory Cuellar 6520 Longleaf Lane Country Lakes West LLC 6200 Roaring Creek Forestar Real Estate Group 3602 Desert Willow Drive 7809 Apple Valley Lane

HMH Lifestyles LP. 5213 Sea Cove Lane History Maker Homes 5316 Sea Cove Lane 5412 Sea Cove Lane

SALES TAX

SALES | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 76207 Baglady Enterprises LLC, Baglady Enterprises LLC, 2119 Brooklake St., Denton Debra Lee Niemi, Facials By Debbie At Robson Ranch, 9604 Pepperwood Trail, Denton Kool Kat Shaved Ice LLC, Kool Kat Shaved Ice LLC, 3333 W. University Drive, Denton Readerlink Capital Ventures LLC, Readerlink Capital Ventures LLC, 2900 Airport Road, Denton Techjoy Inc., Techjoy Inc., 2301 Eton Place, Denton

76208 Bales Enterprises TX, Charming Farm, 3604 Dalton Drive, Corinth Chris R. Dedmon, Hydraright, 8004 Bishop Pine Road, Denton Elina Diaz Gierbolini, Elina Diaz Interiors, 6016 Marsh

Rail Drive, Denton Lifestyle Hearing Corporation Inc., Premier Hearing Center, 3205 Medpark Drive, Suite 101, Denton TDH Denton LLC, TDH Denton/Surscan, 3741 Mingo Road, Suite 201, Denton

76209 Buzz Off LLC, Buzz Off LLC, 111 E. University Drive, Suite 105-107, Denton Carol Joann Long, Solasta Stained Glass, 2214 Fowler Drive, Denton Katrina Valkyrie Reed, Awash In Fantasy, 1319 Bayfield Drive, Denton Little Wedding Extras LLC, Little Wedding Extras, 1716 Boyd St., Denton

76210 Brenda L. Gonzalez, Bella Vie Concierge, 3939 Teasley Lane, Lot 245, Denton Cre8tive Agency LLC, Cre8tive Agency, 5705 Thoroughbred Trail, Denton

ASSUMED NAMES

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

NAME — DBA/ADDRESS Abbas Aoun, Alya Style, 1622 W. University Drive, No. 100, Denton Ben Weaver, Leave It To Weaver, 1925 Parkside Drive, Denton Clinton Littlejohn, Littlejoh Electrical Solutions, 1004 Barbara St., Denton David Bayon and Eric Chacon, Denton Slacker, 501 Londonderry Lane, No. 70, Denton David C. and Zachary Duncan, Sewinguy, 2100 Spencer Road, No. 4511, Denton Devin Earl Milner, Fat Shack, 508 S. Elm St., Suite 109, Denton In Your Atmosphere Holdings LLC, Highland Pharmacy Santa Fe, 3616 Bentley Court, Denton Jaymee Haefner and Matt Milewski, Crimson, 2216 Acorn Bend, Denton Jessica E. Russell and Lri B. Ireland, Jess&Lori, 4937 Stuart Road, No. 254, Denton Julia Fellers, Rosella Market, 1912 N. Lariat Road, Denton Kathryn McDuffy, Hogg Done Right Cleaning, 1110 Morse St., Denton Kendall Cromwell, Kendall Nicole Studios, 211 Buckingham Drive, Denton Kenisha Hodge, North Texas Clean LLC, 1224 E. Hickory St., No. 110, Denton Lee Jungin, Donut Inn, 830 W. University Drive, Denton Leonardo Villarreal, Macizo Electric and Construction LLC, 2713 Clubhouse Drive, Denton

Maria Tolentino, Los Serranos Authentic Mexican Food, 3612 Clydsdale Drive, Denton Maurice Gordon, Ultimate Comfort of Texas, 3302 Huisache St., Denton Melissa Garvin and Lou Gene Catlin, Texas Clean Inc., 2116 Bernard St., Denton Michael Bradshaw, Hometown Real Estate, 2434 Lillian Miller Parkway, Denton Mike Pritchard, New York Subway, 305 W. University Drive, Denton Patrick R. Combs and Yvonne A. Giroux, Gaia Bedes, 3520 Camino Real Trail, Denton Shirley Smith, S. Ann Smith Second Chance Life Coach Services, 3322 Gardenview Circle, Denton Steve Tryling, True Connections, 920 N. Locust St., Denton Tamara C. Warren, Super Dents, 802 S. Locust St., Denton Tejas Patel, Strandes Garage LLC, 706 E. McKinney St., Denton Thao M. Huynh, Big Tex Vapor Shop, 324 E. McKinney St., Suite 100, Denton Thomas and Anota Redenbaugh, Hands On Healthcare, 801 Chapel Drive, Denton Tre’vell Holgate, Maktivity, 1155 Union Circle, No. 306497, Denton Venetta Petties, Pop and Go Weddings, 2701 Pioneer Drive, Denton Virginia Norton, Indigo Gold Resources, 219 Ridgecrest, Denton Vu Dao, 3D Mini Maker, 102 N. Locust St., Suite 202, Denton

Elizabeth Anderson, K-Bakes, 2803 Custer Drive, Corinth Euro Softworks Corp., Euro Softworks Corp., 2016 Bowie Lane, Corinth Jennifer Lee Hitchcock, Gold Standard Pest Control, 3808 Drexel Drive, Denton Jessie G. Martinez, Avenueva, 7604 Mosspoint Court, Denton Kalah Marie Nelms, Texas Sweet Photography, 3500 Fairview Drive, Corinth KRR Aviation LLC, KRR Aviation, 2925 Country Club Road, Suite 106, Denton, Patricia Strickland, Serenity Bath Products, 3304 Sparta Drive, Corinth TJJT Enterprises LLC, The Av, 2201 High Pointe Drive, Corinth Worthy Warez LLC, Blueberry Leather, 3302 Cliffview Drive, Corinth

SALES | CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

5416 Sea Cove Lane 5417 Wharfside Place 5405 Wharfside Place 5408 Wharfside Place 3424 San Lucus Lane 5404 Wharfside Place 5404 Sea Cove Lane 5416 Wharfside Place 5409 Sea Cove Lane 5409 Wharfside Place Jeffrey Reecer 3604 Falcon Court Lennar Homes 4220 Hialeah Drive

4216 Hialeah Drive 4216 Fanita Place LGI Homes 2505 Summer Trail Drive 2509 Summer Trail Drive 2508 Summer Trail Drive 2521 Summer Trail Drive 2525 Summer Trail Drive 2516 Summer Trail Drive 2524 Summer Trail Drive 2528 Summer Trail Drive 1017 Summer Oaks Drive Robson Denton Dev. LP 8708 Crestview Drive 9524 Rivercrest Drive

Vital Statistics LIENS

AUTO SALES

The following liens were posted in April at the Denton County Clerk’s office.

DOMESTIC CARS TYPE Limited sales excise and use tax Limited sales excise and use tax Limited sales excise and use tax Limited sales excise and use tax

AMOUNT $1,803.99 $3,093.83 $5,240.42 $2,057.78

REC. DATE 04/01/2016 04/12/2016 04/14/2016 04/14/2016

TYPE Limited Sales, Excise and Use Tax

AMOUNT $1,721.27

REC. DATE 04/28/2016

TYPE 941 1040 1040 941 1040 940, 941 941 940, 941

AMOUNT $29,573.27 $11,904.92 $54,444.96 $947.56 $30,859.04 $61,357.36 $97,663.93 $31,38.54

REC. DATE 04/18/2016 04/18/2016 04/18/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016

TYPE 941 940 1040 1040 CIVP 1040 1040 1040 1040 944 941 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040

AMOUNT $3,402.96 $71.51 $1,096.24 $31,070.37 $47,809.30 $77,024.13 $29,288.33 $33,961.25 $62,374.55 $26,342.77 $13,531.37 $1,538.22 $17,014.03 $126,794.31 $5,840.67 $68,680.87

REC. DATE 04/08/2016 04/08/2016 04/08/2016 04/08/2016 04/08/2016 04/08/2016 04/08/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016 04/20/2016 04/28/2016 04/28/2016 04/28/2016

RELEASE OF STATE TAX LIENS NAME/ADDRESS Jennifer Lee Hitchcock, 3808 Drexel Drive, Denton

FEDERAL TAX LIENS NAME/ADDRESS DDI Properties LLC, 209 N. Bonnie Brae St., Suite 205, Denton Hector Romero and C. Marquez-Romero, 2409 Wildwood Lane, Denton John Thomas Watts III, 2411 S. I-35E, Apt. 425, Denton Decarlo Noble M.D., 2435 W. Oak St., Suite 101, Denton Marshall F. Rogers, 2609 Oak Park Drive, Denton Twin Vapor Enterprises, 118 E. McKinney St., Denton Karen Wilson, 111 W. Hickory St., Denton Karen Wilson, 111 W. Hickory St., Denton

RELEASE OF FEDERAL TAX LIENS NAME/ADDRESS Edred A. Gibson, 1021 Bolivar St., Denton Edred A. Gibson, 1021 Bolivar St., Denton Robert E. Hal, 1205 Brasher Drive, Denton Kevin J and Grace E. Harrington, 1602 Shadow Crest Drive, Corinth Richard J. Lawrence, 1135 Rockgate Road, Argyle Gerald H. Standridge, 916 Thornridge Circle, Argyle Susan M. White, 4251 FM 2181, Suite 230 Myoung S. and Hee A. Choi, 1718 Post Oak Drive, Corinth Myoung S. and Hee A. Choi, 1718 Post Oak Drive, Corinth Vapormax, 1776 Teasley Lane, Suite 112, Denton R. T. Wilson, 2648 Lillian Miller Parkway, Suite 110, Denton Kenneth W. Wigginton, 1607 Wisteria St., Denton Landon P. Young, 4517 Joe Van Way, Argyle Undra T. and Kenya L. Shegog, 4404 Alsace Drive, Argyle Sandy J. Collins, 609 Greenwood Drive, Denton Aaron L. Compton, 1269 E. Hickory Hill Road, Argyle

MECHANICS LIENS NAME/ADDRESS Jeffrey and Dena Reecer, 3604 Falcon Court, Denton Mitch and Stephanie Mayfield, 2005 Redwood Place, Denton Mitch and Stephanie Mayfield, 2005 Redwood Place, Denton

CONTRACTOR Tremont Construction Services LTD. Ulrich Barn Builders Master’s Craftman

AMOUNT $1,226,557.00 $10,280.45 $44,950.00

REC. DATE 04/26/2016 04/26/2016 04/26/2016

SALES TAX

SALES | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 76226 Christina Ann Bartram, Christina Ann Bartram, 5355 Country Club Road, Argyle Healing Thyme Botanicals LLC, Healing Thyme Botanicals, 3616 Riesling Drive, Denton Infinite BBQ Solutions LLC, Infinite BBQ Solutions, 1504 4th St., Argyle Lee & Yang, Inc Yang's Donuts, 100 Country Club Road, Suite 109, Argyle Lighthouse Communications LLC, Lighthouse Communications, 110 Pheasant Run Road, Argyle Lone Star Pharmaceuticals Inc., Lone Star Pharmaceuticals Inc., 11951 Hilltop Road, Suite 18, Argyle Michelle Skeen, JM Skeen Interiors, 610 Sunset Court, Argyle On Your Turf Sports LLC, On Your Turf Sports LLC, 677 Granite Court, Argyle Pels Group LLC, Factone Capital, 312 Sandy Cove, Argyle Robert E. Brock, Chaparral Salvage Company, 7433 Fort Worth Drive, Denton Signature E-Commerce Solutions Inc., Signature E-Commerce Solutions Inc., 1624 FM407E, Argyle Suzanne Elizabeth Barlow, Adornthedoorandmore, 4365 S. Bonnie Brae St., Argyle

76227 Beatriz D. Pacheco, Blue Plum Scrubs, 8217 Bonanza

St., Aubrey Cellular City Ltd., CCI 031 AT&T Authorized Retailer, 11750 US Highway 380, Suite 260, Cross Roads Devan C. McDonald, DK Gourmet Foods, 213 S. Magnolia St., Apt. 203, Aubrey Michael Stinnett, Michael Stinnett, 6651 Blackjack Oaks Road, Aubrey Sha & Zia Group LLC, 7-Eleven Convenience Store No.372774, 26749 University Drive, Little Elm Shakira Ford, Ellis Good's, 1315 Canvasback, Aubrey

76234 Alexis Connor, Oh, Deer!, 709 County Road 3250, Decatur Chili's Decatur Club Inc., Chili's Grill & Bar, 600 S. Highway 287, Decatur Frilly's BBQ Smoke House LLP, Frilly's BBQ Smoke House, 401 N. Highway 287, Decatur Jaren Jay Wilkerson, Jay W. Services, 661 County Road 2535, Decatur Kriston Wilson, Ragged Rose, 17071 Waide Road, Decatur Mackenzie Brooke Millican, Mackenzie Brooke Millican, 205 County Road 2228, Decatur R & S. Supply Inc., R & S. Supply Inc., 2023 N. Highway 287, Decatur Tammy Shafer, Remarkable You, 156 Canyon Drive, Decatur

76249 Randy Shreves, Randy Shreves, 504 Park Lane, Krum

May 2016

The following sales information for Denton County was first issued in the Freeman Autoplex Recap by Freeman Publishers.

STATE TAX LIENS NAME/ADDRESS GMG Teas LLC, 321 W. Hickory St., Suite 100, Denton J and E Transport LLC, 3313 Valley View Road, Denton TJJT enterprises LLC, 1300 Fulton St., Suite 301, Denton Anwar Ahmad Alsuheem, 706 Fort Worth Drive, Denton

Denton Business Chronicle

76258 Billy Thomas Pierson, Pierson Enterprises, 1789 E. Blackjack Road, Pilot Point

76259 James Cornelius McCann Jr., J Mac Auction, 505 Ramsey Drive, Ponder Jennifer L. Curran, Simply McBain, 11529 Old Stoney Road, Ponder Servestrong Solutions LLC, Servestrong Solutions LLC, 6300 FM2449, Suite B, Ponder Terri Elizabeth Cage, Terri Cage Photography, 12392 FM2449, Ponder WBW Surgical Supply Inc., WBW Surgical Supply Inc., 6300 FM2449, Ponder

76266 Amy Dione Kinney, Goff Green Clean, 9248 Brittany Hill Road, Sanger Ashley Brooke Brannon, Denton Kid, 603 N. 5th St., Sanger Donna Kay Lamar, That Certain Something Gift Shop, 108 Preston Drive, Sanger FP Concepts LLC, FP Concepts LLC, 306 Acker St., Suite B, Sanger Ibrahim Calderon Calderon, Maintenance and Cleaning, 11878 Marion Road, Sanger Jim-A-Dee LLC, Jim A Dee Ranch, 9350 Waide Road, Sanger Mickeal Leek, Mickeal Leek, 3884 Lois Road E., Sanger

Make Acura BMW Buick Cadillac Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Fiat Ford GMC Hino Honda Hyundai Infiniti Isuzu Jeep Kia Lexus Lincoln Mack Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Nissan Ram Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Others Total

March sales 1 0 4 30 161 7 65 0 208 37 0 145 21 0 0 110 54 0 2 0 14 1 8 155 0 26 7 182 44 0 1,282

IMPORTED CARS Year to date 1 1 25 71 468 37 191 0 760 95 0 585 62 0 0 292 120 2 3 0 31 3 36 596 2 71 17 634 146 2 4,251

DOMESTIC TRUCKS Make BMW Buick Cadillac Chevrolet Dodge Ford Freightliner GMC Hino Honda International Isuzu Jeep Kenworth Lincoln Mack Mercedes-Benz Nissan Peterbilt Ram Subaru Toyota Volvo Western Star Others Total

March sales 0 0 0 115 0 246 0 62 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 22 11 61 0 75 0 0 1 597

Year to date 0 0 0 391 1 739 1 182 1 1 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 63 21 230 0 175 0 0 5 1,819

Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi BMW Bentley Buick Chevrolet Ferrari Fiat Ford Honda Hyundai Infiniti Isuzu Jaguar Jeep Kia Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Cooper Mitsubishi Nissan Porsche Ram Rolls Royce Smart Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Volvo Others Total Total cars

March sales 0 0 0 3 2 0 9 10 0 0 0 4 13 0 0 1 10 103 0 0 2 2 53 0 3 0 46 40 0 0 0 0 52 60 15 0 0 428 1,710

Year to date 0 0 0 11 5 0 22 28 0 1 10 9 56 0 0 2 33 257 0 0 4 4 139 0 6 0 110 162 2 2 0 0 158 191 50 3 0 1,265 5,516

IMPORTED TRUCKS Make Chevrolet Ford Freightliner Hino Isuzu Kia Land Rover Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Ram Toyota Total Total trucks Total vehicle sales

March sales 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 602

Year to date 0 8 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 6 0 20 1,839

2,312

7,355

MIXED BEVERAGE TAX

The following mixed beverage tax information was issued by the state comptroller’s office for April. The list includes the name of the business, address and reported tax.

MIXED | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 The Bears Den, 11670 Massey Road, Pilot Point, $176.88 The Fry Street Tavern, 121 Ave. A Denton, $0 The Garage, 113 Ave. A, Denton, $3,211.37 The Garage, 113 Ave. A, Denton, $775.86 The Green House, 600 N. Locust St., Denton, $2,428.01 The Labb Club, 218 W. Oak St., Denton, $2,394.37 The Olive Garden Italian, 2809 S. I-35E, Denton, $1,944.20 Three Fins Seafood Grill, 303 S. I-35E, Denton, $1,531.15 Toms Daiquiri Place, 1212 W. Mulberry St., Denton, $0 Tower Tap House, 290 E. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm, $2,999.05 University Lanes, 1212 E. University Drive, Denton, $895.38 Varsity Roadhouse, 26781 US Highway 380E, Little Elm, $1,658.38 Verona Pizza Italian Restaurant, 201 Loop 81/287 N.,

Decatur, $31.49 Villa Grande Mexican Restaurant, 12000 US Highway 380, Suite 100, Cross Roads, $2,140.65 Villa Grande Mexican Restaurant, 2530 W. University Drive, Suite 114, Denton, $1,847.25 Vitty's Sports Bar, 1776 Teasley Lane, Suite 102, Denton, $2,135.49 Vizcarra, 114 W. Congress St., Denton, $33.70 Wild Horse Grill, 9400 Ed Robson Circle, Denton, $2,252.94 Wild Horse Grill, 9400 Ed Robson Circle, Denton, $2,738.75 Wing Town, 4271 FM2181, No. C316, Corinth, $0 Xchan Thai Bistro and Sushi, 113 N. State St., Decatur, $112.29 Xchan Thai Bistro and Sushi, 113 N. State St., Decatur, $82.07

20 Denton Business Chronicle

May 2016