A new $1M Starbucks is opening in Hub 121, bringing coffee, breakfast, hot chocolate, sandwiches & more to one of McKinney’s busiest corridors. The Seattle-based coffee chain is opening February 23.
7530 SH 121, Opening February 23 (Source: Karen Chaney - Community Impact)

🌭 Shorty’s Opening on the Square
Hot dogs, smash burgers, sandwiches, and cocktails are coming to downtown with Shorty’s - a new concept celebrating McKinney’s history through vintage photos and square nostalgia.
109 N. Kentucky St., Opening: March 16. (Source: Colby Farr - Community Impact.)

🥙 The Kebab Shop Just Opened
Mediterranean wraps, bowls, and plates featuring rotisserie and grilled kebabs are coming to McKinney, with sides like hummus and falafel on the menu.
8701 W. University, Ste. 470, open since February 20.
(Source: Reporting by Karen Chaney, Community Impact.)

🫀 McKinney Aims to Become a “4-Minute City”
The McKinney Fire Department is building a citywide network of community AED responders to ensure lifesaving equipment is never more than four minutes away. Through its Neighborhood Heroes program, trained residents receive an AED and can be alerted to cardiac emergencies within one mile. Since expanding rapid response efforts, McKinney’s cardiac survival rate has increased from 10% to 47%.
Source: City of McKinney

📖 The Anxious Generation - Parent Book Study
Join this parent-focused discussion of The Anxious Generation, offered in English and Español, exploring youth mental health and today’s digital pressures.
ISD - McKinney Boyd High School Library, 4:30PM - 5:30PM (Free).

✍️ Shut Up & Write
A focused writing session using the Pomodoro method (25-minute sprints + short breaks) and zero critiques. Just show up, grab a drink, and get words on the page.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 6PM - 7:30PM (Free, runs weekly through May 11).

🧘 Standing Tai-Chi Gung Basic and Advanced
A 45–60 minute ancient practice focused on standing warm-ups, basic and advanced exercises to improve balance, reduce stress, and strengthen the mind-body connection.
APEX Center (Studio 2), 2PM - 3PM ($100 members / $140 non-members, ages 18+)

🎬 Monday Night Movie Night
Unwind with a cozy, low-key movie night featuring film, snacks, and a relaxed start to the week. Register with the RCTL.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 6PM - 8PM (Free).

🥪 Lunch Bunch - Entrepreneur Spotlight: Kara Martin
Meet Kara Martin, founder of Gentle Confections, as she shares her entrepreneurial journey building a custom cookie business rooted in creativity and community.
MillHouse, 11:30AM (Free entry, bring your own lunch).

🏀 Basketball - Elevate Your Game
Build core basketball skills through age-appropriate drills focused on shooting, dribbling, passing, rebounding, and footwork.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 6PM - 6:50PM ($125 residents / $130 non-residents).

🤝 Chamber Networking Lunch
Monthly lunch with a guest speaker from the McKinney EDC - good room if you're building local business relationships. Sheraton McKinney Hotel, 11:30AM - 1PM (Members $20 / Non-members $30).

🧵 AR Workshop Garland - Embroidered Child’s Sweater
Create a one-of-a-kind toddler sweater with stitched florals, letters or teddy bear details - just bring your own toddler sweater to customize.
APEX Centre, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM, ($40 members / $56 non-members, 18+).

📚 VIP Event - Meet Author C.J. Box
Meet #1 New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box as he discusses his Joe Pickett series and newest thriller, The Crossroads, followed by a reception and Q&A.
McKinney City Hall, 6PM ($50, includes signed book, appetizer & dessert).

🧠 Wednesday Night Live Trivia Nights
Grab a craft beer, bring your smartest friends, and compete for prizes and jackpots at this weekly trivia showdown.
The Brass Tap, 7PM - 9PM (Free to play).

🌳 Parks & Rec Volunteer Orientation Thinking about volunteering with McKinney Parks this spring? This is where it starts.
Gabe Nesbitt Community Center, 4800 Lake Forest Dr., 6PM (Free).

😂 Three Companies - Improv Comedy Night
Three different improv acts, one fast-paced hour of unscripted comedy. Where else can you find 6 comedians for $5? Mature audiences only.
The Comedy Arena, 7PM ($5 online + 2-item minimum per person).

🎻 North Texas Philharmonic - Beethoven & Brahms
A full evening of live orchestral music at the Heard-Craig Arts Center while MPAC is under renovation.
Heard-Craig Arts Center & Museum, 7:30PM ($25 - $65).

🎤 Open Mic Night at TUPPS Brewery
Open Mic Night is back - bring your talents or grab a drink and catch local performers in the Beer Hall, hosted by Dustin & Ruby.
TUPPS Brewery, 6:30PM - 9:30PM (Free, Happy Hour 3PM - 6PM).

The Texas Cotton Mill Company opened in 1910, built by a group of local business leaders who looked at McKinney's cotton fields and thought bigger. A lot bigger.

It worked. By 1960 - just 12 years after a devastating tornado tore through the facility - the Cotton Mill was officially the world’s largest denim manufacturer. There's a decent chance your grandfather's Wranglers were made right here on Elm Street.

The doors eventually closed, and the building sat quiet for decades. In 1996 it was purchased and restorations started, becoming one of the most beautiful historic wedding and event venues in North Texas.

Soon it's becoming an Arts & Design District - think outdoor community spaces, residences, cultural venues built around the bones of a 115-year-old factory. (Source: mckinneycottonmill.com)

Mon: ☀️ Plenty of sunshine, high 59°F
Tue: 🌬️ Mostly sunny, windy & warmer, high 72°F
Wed: ☀️➡️🌤️ Partly sunny, windy & hot, high 82°F
Thu: 😎 Sunny, breezy & cooler, high 72°F

Major shoutout to Paula S. for referring 2 friends! Next milestone is 5 to get the restaurant guide 😁

Refer 2 friends → Get shouted out in the newsletter
Refer 5 → Get our McKinney Restaurant Guide

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