Welcome to the first Taking Care of Business, my look at what’s happening on the business front across Wise County.

Kristen Tribe

This column pairs well with a good cup of coffee and an interest in growth and development. It will be a regular feature in the Messenger covering store openings and closings, investigating business rumors and sharing business celebrations – anniversaries, retirements, and awards.

I’ll be out and about visiting local establishments and your local officials, but I’m counting on you, the readers, to help out, too. Have you heard a business is coming to town? Email me, and I’ll find out if it’s true. Is your longtime co-worker retiring? Give me a shout, and I’ll recognize them here.

This will be a place for cheers, and jeers when warranted, and a closer look at the business world in Wise.

QT QUESTIONS

Construction of the QuikTrip at the corner of U.S. 81/287 and Hale Street in Decatur is on hold, pending written approval of related roadwork by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), according to Thom Lambert, director of the Decatur Economic Development Corp.

Cornerstone Baptist Church, formerly located on this property, has moved to its new location at 2496 Deer Park Road. Its old building still stands at the Hale Street address, and although a permit has been pulled for its demolition. Lambert said his understanding is no work will begin until the written approval for the roadwork is received.

Supposedly TxDOT has OK’d the roadwork; the only thing missing is the written approval.

I contacted TxDOT Friday for more details and didn’t hear back by press time, but I’ll keep you posted.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED … ALMOST

The new industrial park, which city officials prefer we call a business park, now has a name – Eagle’s Landing. It’s located on Farm Road 2264.

Lambert said they have secured an anchor business, but he declined Thursday to release the name. (Soon, very soon.) He did say the business will be built on a 21-acre site.

TxDOT is widening 2264, building a turn lane, which will hopefully ease potential traffic woes with trucks coming in and out of the business park.

Again, as soon as I hear back from TxDOT, I’ll share the full scope of the project.

WELCOME TO THE SQUARE – Hey Sugar’s bright interior creates a fun atmosphere and is exactly what you expect a candy store to be. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

SQUARE TALK

If you haven’t visited Decatur’s downtown square recently, you’re missing out.

The two newest additions – Trinity Street Coffee Bar and Hey Sugar – are drawing huge crowds and create a great vibe.

For me, it was love at first sight when I walked into Trinity Street. I’ve been waiting all my Messenger-working, adult life for this. Before I had even a sip of coffee or adult beverage, I was smitten with their menus. They were inside old books. (Be still my literary heart.) They just recently partnered with Rooster’s to offer food starting at 11 a.m. every day. These aren’t items on the Rooster’s menu, they’re unique to Trinity Street but prepared by Rooster’s.

Related trivia: Trinity Street Coffee Bar used to be the donut shop.

Hey Sugar is a bright, fun storefront with every candy imaginable – chocolate or fruity, sweet or sour, chewy or hard – take your pick. Their goodies, in combination with some treats from Cakes by Leisha, just a few doors down from the Messenger, made for some great gifts and stocking stuffers this holiday season.

I’m intrigued by the crazy-flavored sodas at Hey Sugar. In addition to regular flavors, they have dirt, coffee, sweet corn, bacon, buffalo wing, sweet tea, Ranch dressing … the list goes on. (I see a Bean Boozled-type, taste test game in the Messenger newsroom’s future.)

Related trivia: Hey Sugar used to be Memory Lane Mercantile, which was also a favorite of mine.

“EAT MOR CHIKN”

Let it be known that no matter how many cool coffee shops, hotels, mega gas stations and boutiques open, no one in Wise County will be happy until there is a Chick-Fil-A within our borders.

A close analysis of Messenger Facebook comments indicates if a Chick-Fil-A opened here, the quality of life would instantly improve.

So in the spirit of longing for waffle fries, I bring to you:

Days Without Chick-Fil-A (starting in 2018) – 5.

Kristen Tribe is the Messenger’s assistant publisher. If you have a submission for Taking Care of Business, email ktribe@wcmessenger.com