Good morning, Justin and neighbors!

Well, summer isn’t giving up without a fight! Triple-digit temperatures are sticking around this week, just as we’re trading pool days for backpacks and school drop-offs.

With the kids heading back to school, give yourself—and everyone else on the road—a little extra patience as we all get back into the school-year routine. There may be a few more cars, a few more stops, and definitely a few people wondering where summer went!

Stay cool, slow down, and remember: we’re all just trying to make it through the first week without forgetting somebody’s lunch.

The wait is over! Shark Club Northlake is officially open at 13850 Chadwick Parkway, inside the new Children’s Health StarCenter Multisport complex. The restaurant celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, August 7, bringing the Canadian-born sports bar and restaurant’s second U.S. location to Northlake.

Owned by Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi, Shark Club features 37 TVs, additional screens on the outdoor patio, and plenty of space for families, athletes, teams and sports fans to grab a bite and hang out before or after a game.

The menu includes shareable appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, entrées, bowls and salads, along with cocktails, mocktails and weekday happy hour specials. We stopped by to check it out, and the food was great, the drinks were impressive, and the mocktails definitely deserve a mention!

And there’s plenty of sports happening right outside the doors, too. The StarCenter Multisport complex is home to hockey, basketball, volleyball and pickleball, making Shark Club a fun spot to grab a bite before or after catching a game.

Located just minutes from Texas Motor Speedway and Tanger Outlets, Shark Club is definitely a new spot to put on your Northlake list.

Check out our social pages for more photos from the ribbon cutting and our visit!

Justin’s Truth in Taxation workshop gave residents a closer look at how property taxes, appraisals, exemptions, and the city’s tax-rate process all fit together.

No tax rate has been set yet. City officials are still waiting on certified property values from Denton Central Appraisal District, with the proposed rate expected to be discussed at the August 13 City Council meeting.

The meeting also covered the difference between the No-New-Revenue, Voter-Approval and De Minimis rates, how your property value affects your tax bill, the importance of protesting an inaccurate appraisal, and how exemptions and over-65 tax freezes work.

So, what does all of this mean for Justin homeowners? We break it down in the full story—including what happens next. [READ THE FULL STORY →]

Back-to-school season often brings a mix of excitement and questions for parents. Is my child ready for the year ahead? Could they use extra support in math, reading, or other skills?

Best Brains Learning Center of Justin is helping local families answer those questions by offering personalized academic enrichment for students ages 3–14.

Located at 1114 FM 156, Suite 2 in Justin, Best Brains provides programs in Math, English, Coding, and Abacus, along with additional support including Homework Help, STAAR Test Prep, CogAT Prep, Creative Writing, and Public Speaking.

The center was opened by owners who share a passion for helping children grow academically and personally. After careers focused on helping others, they wanted to create a place where they could continue making a difference by helping students build confidence and reach their potential.

What makes Best Brains different is that students are not simply placed by grade level. Each student begins with a free placement test to identify strengths and areas for growth. From there, instructors create a plan based on the child’s individual needs — whether they need extra support or want to be challenged beyond their current level.

Classes are kept small, typically 4–5 students per teacher, allowing for more personalized attention. Students work with trained instructors, practice concepts at home, and families receive feedback on their child’s progress.

Best Brains also offers 24/7 Best Brains Support, giving enrolled families access to certified teachers for help with curriculum questions outside of class.

As part of their back-to-school kickoff, Best Brains is offering 50% off your first month’s tuition for new students who enroll between August 15 and September 15.

The center is also planning a community open house later this fall and looks forward to connecting with more Justin-area families.

Best Brains Learning Center – Justin
📍 1114 FM 156, Suite 2
📞 (940) 209-0000

As Justin continues to grow, city leaders say protecting the character and vision of Old Town remains a priority. The city recently shared updates on several Old Town projects and future planning discussions, emphasizing that the goal is to welcome growth while maintaining the unique charm and identity that make the area special.

The Old Town Plan continues to guide development decisions, establishing architectural and design standards intended to create a district that reflects Justin’s history while supporting future opportunities.

Several proposed projects have been reviewed and either denied or sent back for revisions when they did not meet those established guidelines. City officials emphasized that the intent is not to prevent development, but to work with property owners to help projects better align with the long-term vision for Old Town.

One project still under discussion is a proposed shell retail building in Old Town. City officials said conversations continue with the property owner to ensure the design meets Old Town standards before moving forward. The goal is to attract businesses that complement the area and support the district’s future.

As Justin continues to evolve, city leaders say the focus remains on finding the balance between honoring the community’s past while creating a future that works for a growing city.

The City of Justin recently completed the purchase of the property that has served as the home of the Justin Farmers Market, a gathering place that has quickly become a local favorite for residents, vendors, and families.

The good news for market supporters — the Farmers Market will continue operating at its current location for now. The next market will take place as planned on September 12, giving the community another opportunity to shop local, visit with neighbors, and enjoy one of Justin’s growing traditions.

Future plans for the newly purchased property have not yet been determined. City officials said discussions with City Council, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and the Community Development Corporation (CDC) will help determine the best future use for the site.

The city also hopes to keep the previous property owners involved as plans develop.

As Justin continues to grow, residents can look forward to learning more about the future of the property while continuing to support the Farmers Market and the local vendors who make it a special part of the community.

As Old Town continues to grow, parking continues to be part of long-term planning discussions. City officials said there are currently no plans for a parking garage.

Instead, future strategies may include:

Officials said parking needs will continue to evolve as more businesses open and activity increases.

As Justin continues changing, we’ll keep sharing updates on the projects shaping our community’s future.

This week comes with plenty of reasons to have a little fun! Grab some chocolate and marshmallows for National S’mores Day 8/10, celebrate the young people in our community on International Youth Day 8/12, give yourself permission to relax on National Relaxation Day 8/15, and wrap up the week with a few good laughs on National Tell a Joke Day 8/16.

Monday~ August 10

Tuesday~ August 11

Wednesday~ August 12

Thursday~ August 13

Friday~ August 14

Saturday~ August 15

Sunday~ August 16

As we wrap up our series of stories from our conversation with Dr. Phillip Henderson, I keep coming back to just how much history can be found in the stories of the people who helped build our communities.

A Justin native and Northwest High School graduate, Phillip went on to serve four years in the Navy before earning his veterinary degrees from Texas A&M. In 1975, he founded Ponder Veterinary Hospital, beginning a career that would span nearly five decades. In those early years, the practice cared for both large and small animals, reflecting the rural character of Ponder and the surrounding area.

Over the years, the community grew, the practice evolved, and Phillip became a familiar face to generations of families and their animals. He eventually passed the practice along to his longtime mentee, Dr. Chris Norwood, in 2012. Phillip retired in 2024 and now enjoys spending time with his family and managing his acreage.

But what made our conversation special wasn't simply hearing about his career. It was hearing the stories of growing up in Justin, watching the area change, and being part of the communities around him for so many years.

While we're wrapping up this part of Phillip's story, we're turning our attention to researching the Hardeman family. If you have an old photo, family memory, story, or information about the Hardeman family or their connection to Justin and the surrounding communities, we'd love to hear from you.

And as always, if you have memories, photos, or stories about Justin's past, send them our way. You never know when a small piece of family history might help us tell a bigger story.