Good morning, Justin!
Here’s to strong coffee, friendly neighbors, and making it through the week without accidentally signing up to coach something.

Let’s cheer each other on, support local, and soak up every bit of this awesome community we get to call home. Have a great week, y’all!

A group of local landowners, business owners, and residents kicked off planning for the future of Old Town Justin on July 30—with support from City Council and consultants at Place Strategies.

The goal? A 20-year action plan focused on:

Join the conversation!
Come to the public meeting on Monday, August 18 at 6 PM at The Country Abbey to share your thoughts and see what’s in the works.

Final recommendations go to City Council by the end of the year—now’s the time to help shape the future of our hometown!

H-E-B is expanding in North Texas, and several new stores are headed our way:

Denton – Coming Soon

A new H-E-B is planned at I‑35W & Robson Ranch Rd, in the Landmark development. Construction is expected to begin soon and will bring a full-service store just minutes from Justin!

Flower Mound – Land Acquired

Part of the massive Furst Ranch development near FM 1171 & Hwy 377, H-E-B closed on 22.8 acres in June. No build date yet, but it’s in the works.

Prosper – Opening Fall 2025

Located at Frontier Pkwy & Dallas North Tollway, this 132,000 sq ft store is under construction now, with all the H-E-B favorites and more.

Bringing a Taste of Sicily—and a Whole Lot of Heart—to Justin
If you’ve ever stepped into Santini’s Sweets and Gelato, you’ve likely been greeted with the smell of fresh-baked bread, the sound of laughter, and the warm welcome of a family who truly loves what they do.

Santini’s is a Christ-centered, family-owned gem right here in Justin, serving up authentic Sicilian gelato with over 60 rotating flavors—alongside fresh bakery treats like muffins, cookies, brioche buns, sourdough, and sweet Italian bread. Their homemade cannoli and fudge have quickly become local favorites, and they’re even rolling out a gelato cart for weddings and small events!

Founded by Nic and Rachel Santini—who moved their family to Justin from Montgomery, TX in 2020—the shop is now lovingly run by their daughter Juliana and her husband. Inspired by their Italian heritage and driven by a desire to build community, the Santinis transformed what was once a garage into a cozy sweet shop full of joy and flavor.

But it’s more than just a dessert stop—Santini’s is designed to be a favorite family hangout. With a focus on kindness, quality, and connection, they’ve created a welcoming space where neighbors gather, kids laugh, and memories are made over scoops of gelato and fresh-baked goodness.

"Justin feels like home because of our amazing customers," they told us, and it shows in everything they do. Whether you’re stopping in for a treat, a loaf of bread, or just to say hi, you’ll be treated like family.

Location: 410 E 5th St, Justin, TX 76247
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tue–Fri: 2 PM – 9 PM
Sat: 11 AM – 9 PM
Sun: Closed

Be sure to drop by, try something new, and support a family that’s pouring love—and a little powdered sugar—into every bite.

A Fall Favorite, Made Easy
Let fall magic come to you! The Pumpkin Drop, a local, family-run business, delivers farm fresh pumpkins and designs beautiful fall porch setups for families, storefronts and neighborhoods across Justin, Northlake and Argyle. No heavy lifting—just beautiful fall vibes, brought right to your door.

Spots fill up fast, so reserve yours today!

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As summer winds down and school gears up, our community is buzzing with ways to connect, cool off, and make a few more memories. From local hangouts to family-friendly fun, here’s what’s happening in and around Justin to kick off the month right.
Check out the online calendar for additional ongoing events and updates!

Thursday~ Aug 7

_{Upcoming:
8/11~ NISD Elementary School Meet the Teacher Night
8/12~ First Day of School for Argyle ISD
8/13~ First Day of School for NISD Students
8/26~ Pumpkin Spice Latte returns to Starbucks}
^{9/27-9/28~ Monster Truck Wars in Denton
10/24-10/25~ The Balloon Glow & Laser Show at TMS
10/25~ Cruisin’ in Justin}

In a letter written back in 1916, T.R. Allen shared the story of how some of the earliest settlers came to make their home in what we now know as southwestern Denton County. It was August of 1847 when about 20 to 25 families packed up their lives in Moniteau County, Missouri, and set out for Texas—specifically, Denton County.

“How we knew there was such a place,” Allen wrote, “the Lord only knows.”

The families were closely connected—bound together by blood, marriage, and the shared hope of building something new. Among them were Grandmother Allen and her three sons’ families, Grandmother Medlin and her three sons’ families, Uncle Reynolds and his two sons, and many others.

They traveled over 600 miles in thirty large freight wagons pulled by hardworking oxen and milk cows. It wasn’t easy going. When the group reached the Red River, Uncle Reynolds took a job at a blacksmith shop and stayed behind near Sherman with his sons.

The rest of the group pressed on and met up with Uncle Peter Harmonson and his sons on Holford Prairie. From there, they journeyed south until they came upon what Allen described as a “beautiful long, narrow prairie.” After some exploring, the families chose a spot to pitch their tents—a place they would soon call home.

Allen described the land as nothing short of a blessing:
“Here we found the country which had been most wonderfully blessed by the great Architect of Nature—a soil as rich as the craving of man could wish for, with timber, water, and grass in abundance. The woodlands were lined with wild deer and turkey, herds of antelope roamed the prairies year-round, and buffalo came through in the winter.”

We may not see buffalo or antelope wandering our fields today, but if you look closely, you’ll see that the past isn’t so far away. The love for this land, the hope of something better, and the roots planted by those early families still shape our community today.

School’s creeping up, so enjoy these last few days of summer… but don’t slack too hard!

Make It Count:
Take the crew to Veterans Park, grab some gelato at Santini’s, sneak in a coffee break at Kawa Coffee, or let the kids burn off steam at Power Pickle. You’ve earned it.

Save Some Cash:
Back-to-school shopping can get pricey. Hit thrift stores or community sales first. If clothes are tight, set up an appointment with the Community Clothes Closet—they’ve got you covered. And seriously, stick to the supply list—no impulse buys.

Get It Done:
Double-check your kid’s enrolled and proof of residency is in. Nothing worse than last-minute paperwork panic.

Prep Like a Pro:
Start bedtime routines early, pack lunches ahead, and help the kids set small goals—like not losing their lunchbox on day one. Charge the laptops, and find the Smart Tag badges you tucked in that forgotten location for “safe keeping”. Find some parent friends online, trust me.