This week in What's On McKinney: ladies smoking cigars, how to make jewelry, a premium aged wine tasting, a real estate dealroom, what’s going on with the new airport terminal, a small business masterclass and much more. No wasting time →

🛒 New Kroger Breaks Ground in Northwest McKinney

Mayor Bill Cox broke ground on a new Kroger store in northwest McKinney this week. The project is aimed at serving the rapidly growing population in that part of the city.

According to the Mayor, the new location will bring added convenience, jobs, and investment to the area as McKinney continues expanding to meet resident demand. Source: Mayor Bill Cox on Facebook

🔥 New In Town

🌿 Hugs Café Expands with New Headquarters

Hugs Café - the beloved nonprofit that provides jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities - shared construction progress on its new headquarters just blocks from downtown.

The organization received over $1 million in past support from the MCDC and plans to open the new facility this summer, expanding training, employment, and community programs.
(McKinney Community Development Corporation)

🏦 Texans Credit Union Expanding in McKinney

Texans Credit Union is building a new 3,600-square-foot, stand-alone branch at the corner of W. University Drive and Bois D’Arc Road, with construction valued at $3M. The location is expected to open in early 2027 and will mark the credit union’s first new branch in nearly 20 years. Opening early 2027 (Source: Community Impact).

🏛️ The Square

✈️ McKinney’s New Airport Terminal Takes Shape

City leaders stepped inside the framework of McKinney National Airport’s future commercial terminal this week, getting an early look at the $79 million project now under construction. The 46,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in late 2026 with four active gates, TSA screening, concessions and nonstop-only service from Avelo Airlines.

Designed to feel more like a boutique airport than a mega-hub, officials estimate it could serve around 200k passengers in its first year and generate up to $300 million annually for the local economy. If projections are met, future expansions could become self-funded by airport revenue rather than new bonds. (Local Profile)

🌳 Airport Warehouse Delayed Over Tree Removal

A new warehouse planned near the McKinney Airport has been put on hold after a debate over cutting down trees in a designated floodplain area. City rules normally protect most mature trees in flood-prone areas to help reduce flooding and preserve natural shade. The developer wants to remove all 36 trees on that section of the property, and commissioners decided to pause the project until March 10 to see if a compromise can be reached. (McKinney City Council)

🏡 $2.5M Approved for Affordable Senior Housing

The McKinney Community Development Corporation approved $2.5 million to support a new senior living community at 5353 McKinney Ranch Parkway. The project will include 109 independent living apartments, with 72 reserved for low-income seniors earning 60% of the area median income or less. Supporters said the funding was critical to make the project financially viable. (McKinney Community Development Corporation)

What’s On McKinney

(Mon 2 - Thurs 5 March)

Monday March 2

Parent Café - Life Transitions: Strategies for Coping with the Circle of Life
An open conversation for parents focused on navigating life transitions and building healthy coping strategies together.
Finch Elementary School, 1205 S Tennessee St, 5:30-7PM (Free).

🏓 Beginner Pickleball: PM - Old Settler’s Recreation Center
Learn the fundamentals of the country’s fastest-growing sport in this 4-week session focused on basic skills. Equipment provided.
Old Settler’s Recreation Center, 6-7:30PM ($40 residents / $45 non-residents).

🕺 Hip Hop Dance - Recreation Center at Towne Lake
Beginner-friendly class covering basic hip hop fundamentals and simple grooves - no experience required.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 6:30-7:30PM ($60 residents / $65 non-residents).

Tuesday Mar 3

🧵 Crafting with Friends - Senior Recreation Center
Free drop-in group to work on and share your own craft projects - just bring your supplies and create alongside others. Membership or Day Pass required.
Senior Recreation Center, 2-5PM (Free).

🎶 Matt Jones Live – Harvest at the Masonic
Roots country singer-songwriter and frontman of Songbird Jones brings a rockin’ Americana sound - original songs, storytelling, and gritty Texas flavor.
Harvest at the Masonic, 6:30-9:30PM.

🍷 Aged to Perfection – Vertical Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting
Celebrate 22 years of Lone Star Winery with a guided vertical tasting of five Big Red Cabernet vintages (2010–2021), comparing how time and terroir shape the same wine. Limited seats for this anniversary-only experience.
Lone Star Winery (103 E Virginia St), 7-8:30PM ($56).

💼 Small Business Masterclass (Adults)
Get practical advice on starting and growing a business, plus insights on how small businesses strengthen local communities. Presented by SCORE.
John and Judy Gay Library, 7-8PM (Adults).

Wednesday Mar 4

💍 Introduction to Jewelry at RCTL
Hands-on beginner metalsmithing series where you’ll create earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace while learning essential jewelry-making techniques. All materials provided.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 6-7:30PM ($30 residents / $35 non-residents).

💄 Ladies Night at Viso Cigar Lounge
A relaxed first-ever ladies night with curated cigar suggestions, a featured cocktail and mocktail, light bites, and music - no tickets, no RSVP, just come as you are.
Viso Cigar Lounge, 7-9PM (Free entry + cost of cigars).

Thursday Mar 5

🤝 TEAM Networking - McKinney Chapter
Relationship-focused business networking group that meets weekly to help members grow through referrals, service, and real connection - no hard selling. First five meetings are free.
Chestnut Square Bevel House, 8-9AM (Free first five meetings).

🏓 Ping Pong at the SRC
Casual table tennis session to improve flexibility, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination. Equipment provided. Membership or Day Pass required.
Senior Recreation Center, 11:30AM-1:30PM (Free).

🏘️ Deal Maker DFW – Live Real Estate Meet Up
High-energy, in-person real estate networking night for investors, agents, lenders, builders, and operators looking to connect and talk real deals - no sales pitches, just strategy and relationships.
The Augustus - 350 E Louisiana St, Suite B, 6-9PM (from $23).

🎸 Zin Zen Live Music Featuring Eric Erickson
Local favorite Eric Erickson brings 25+ years of DFW experience and a 1,000+ song setlist spanning John Mayer to George Strait. Expect a broad mix of pop, country, and crowd-pleasers in an intimate wine bar setting.
Zin Zen Wine Bistro, 7-10PM (Reservations + open seating).

⌛MacTown History

Old Collin County Courthouse

Long before it hosted concerts, comedy nights, and Arts in Bloom crowds, the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) building was the Collin County Courthouse. Originally built in 1876 and rebuilt in 1927 after a fire, it served as the center of county government and the architectural anchor of downtown for decades.

In 2006, the historic building was transformed into MPAC, preserving its grand façade while giving it new life as a cultural stage. The same landmark that once heard court cases is now the backdrop for parades, festivals, and packed houses on the square - still the heart of McKinney, just with better acoustics.

☀️ This Week’s Weather in McKinney

Mon: 🌤️ Breezy early, then very warm with sun & clouds, high 79°F
Tue: 🌥️ Mostly cloudy, windy & warm, high 82°F
Wed: 🌧️ Heavy rain & thunderstorms likely, high 75°F
Thu: 🌩️ Showers & thunderstorms, some severe possible, high 75°F

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That’s it for now. See you in the Thursday edition full of weekend plans!

Cheers,

Sebastian

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