Good morning, Justin!

Can you believe there are only a couple weeks left of summer break for the kiddos? Time flies when you’re having fun—or maybe it’s just because we’re all trying to keep up with the ice cream melting a little too fast! Whether you’re soaking up the sun, sneaking in one last road trip, or enjoying backyard laughs, summer in Justin is all about good vibes and great company.

Thanks for being such a supportive community and for sticking with us this past year—we couldn’t do it without you!

Stick around—there’s still plenty of fun to squeeze out of these sunny days. Let’s make the most of it together!

The City of Justin is excited to announce the very first Old Town Planning Committee meeting happening Wednesday, July 30 at 12 p.m. at the Country Abbey. This kickoff meeting is an opportunity for residents to meet the committee and planning team as discussions begin for the future of Justin’s Old Town district.

This is just the beginning—more public meetings are planned! If you are unable to attend this one, make sure to mark your calendar for the Public Presentation meeting on Monday, August 18 at 6 p.m., also at the Country Abbey. The City welcomes your input and ideas as part of this community-driven planning effort.

🚧 Trail Closure Notice

The walking trail north of Timberbrook Parkway at FM156 is temporarily closed due to nearby construction. The City anticipates reopening the trail by the end of next week. Thank you for your patience and understanding as improvements are made in the area.

Meet Our Guest Author: Alex!

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Alex, a recent UNT graduate and proud Justin resident. When she’s not chasing down her next favorite book, you can find her soaking up the cozy vibes of local coffee shops, libraries, and bookstores.

Alex has a deep love for stories, community, and the little moments that make small-town life special. Catch her piece in the Business section of this week’s Justin Journal—you won’t want to miss it!

Want to become a guest author?
Shoot us an email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.

If there is one thing the City of Justin is known for, it is the community’s engagement and support for local businesses and organizations.

As our beloved town expands and welcomes diverse and curious residents and passersby, it is our job to spread the word about happenings and hangout spots to visit around town. As a recent college graduate living in Justin, I quickly discovered the coffee shops around here, and consider myself a semi-regular at each of them.

Each of the three shops offers a wide selection of drinks, snacks, and small meals and are committed to customer service excellence in their own unique ways.

Justin Coffee is a family-owned coffee shop and retailer that opened its doors to the Justin community in the summer of 2024.

This Texas native mother-daughter duo embarked on this venture with the hope of providing a welcoming, safe, and fun environment for the community, and they are doing an outstanding job.

Aside from serving exceptionally-curated food and drinks and creating a warm, friendly atmosphere for their customers, they organize and host a variety of community events.

The shop also features outdoor seating and a child-friendly play area, and parents are encouraged to bring their littles along for the experience.

As the first locally-owned coffee shop in the heart of Justin, Higher Grounds is a prime destination for the coffee enthusiasts in town.

Its convenient location off of FM 156 makes it an ideal go-to spot for early risers to stop by on their way to work or running errands, while the cozy atmosphere invites customers to cozy up with their favorite drink and a good book.

This shop is known for their specialty drinks and delicious pastries, and is often chosen by community groups for meetups and coffee chats.

In their efforts to foster community and support in Justin, they frequently partner with Apollo Support & Rescue to host pet adoption events.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get your coffee fix on-the-go, look no further than Kahwa, a multi-state retailer that recently brought business to the Justin area.

This company offers traditional and specialty coffee, a variety of snacks and pastries, and is best known in the community for its convenient drive-through experience.

If you find yourself craving a cool drink to beat the Texas heat between errands and poolside time, download Kahwa’s free rewards app and take advantage of their Summer Happy Hour, which offers rewards members BOGO for all drinks every day from 2 p.m. to close.

Visiting our coffee shops is a great way to get to know our town and connect with others in the community, whether it be through coffee chats, shop events, or partnership activities with other local businesses and organizations.

Whether you’re looking for a quick, caffeinated pick-me-up or a space to meet with friends and family, our small town has your coffee needs covered.

Don’t miss out on all the fun happening around town! From community gatherings to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone as summer winds down.

Be sure to check out the online calendar for the latest events and ongoing happenings to keep your calendar full all season long!

Tuesday~ July 29

Thursday~ July 31

_{Upcoming:
8/7~ Pike Middle School Panther Night
8/9~ Justin Farmers Market
8/11~ NISD Elementary School Meet the Teacher Night
8/13~ First Day of School for NISD Students}
^{9/27-9/28~ Monster Truck Wars in Denton}

Last week, we took a look at Thomas Helm and how his first marriage came to an end. If you missed that part of the story, be sure to check our earlier editions to catch up!

After that chapter of his life closed, Thomas eventually found love again. Sometime between 1873 and 1880, he married Minerva Wilkinson in California. Around that same time, Thomas' father moved the Helm family to Denton County, Texas—and Thomas and Minerva joined them.

The couple quickly fell in love with their new home. They settled in the very spot Thomas had surveyed for the official 1887 plat of a brand-new town: Justin. Though they never had children of their own, Thomas and Minerva built a life that deeply impacted the community.

Locals fondly referred to Minerva as “Aunt Bird” and Thomas as “Uncle Tom.” That’s because the couple opened their home to orphans—some reports say as many as 40 children over the years found love and shelter with the Helms. Their kindness and generosity made them beloved figures in town.

In addition to their care giving, Thomas and Minerva also ran the Justin Water Services up until the early 1900s. They played a major role in building up the town—both literally and through the lives they touched.

Despite all they did, their names are missing from local history books like The Justin Story and The Biggest Little Bank in Texas. It’s an unfortunate oversight, because Thomas and Minerva Helm were key to shaping the foundation of the city we know today.

Let’s not forget their legacy—Justin wouldn’t be what it is without Aunt Bird and Uncle Tom.

As summer winds down, it's the perfect time to enjoy some unplugged outdoor fun close to home. Here are some shaded spots nearby where you can relax, cool off, and make the most of the season:

Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle du Bois
100 P W 4137, Pilot Point, TX 76258
Offers shaded picnic areas, swimming spots, and kayak rentals on the lake. A great place to enjoy nature and stay cool.

Twin Points Park at Eagle Mountain Lake
10200 Ten Mile Bridge Rd Fort Worth, TX 76135
Swimming area with beach, pavillions, outdoor games, boat ramp, and paddle board rental.

Twin Coves Park
5001 Wichita Trail, Flower Mound, TX 75022
Lakeside swimming with shaded picnic areas and pavilion spaces for relaxing.

Make the most of these last sunny days with some unplugged outdoor fun!