aug. 2, 2020 readers’ choice · readers choice magazine displays strong qualities toward building...
TRANSCRIPT
THE CANYON NEWSREADERS’ CHOICE
The Best Businesses of Randall County
Aug. 2, 2020
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The votes are in and the 2020 Canyon
News Readers Choice Awards
have been chosen. Each and every
winner plays an impactful role in
enhancing the economy in Canyon
and Randall County.
When it comes to selecting these
winners, our Canyon News subscribers and online
readers have a strong say in deciding who the best
of the best are within our small-town and county.
The Canyon News would like to thank the support
of our subscribers and each winner for making
the city of Canyon one of the top small-towns in the
Texas Panhandle.
Each business that is represented in this year’s
Readers Choice magazine displays strong qualities toward building those small-
town relationships, as well as providing the best customer service that drives the
Canyon economy.
Relationships, as we all know, are what help lay the foundation to having a
successful business, whether it’s The Cake Company in downtown Canyon or
United Supermarkets on 23rd Street.
Inside the city limits of Canyon, the people of this small-town jewel can find some
of the best overall attractions – such as sporting events at J. Ferg Field at Buffalo
Stadium or the First United Bank Center – as well as two picturesque, state-of-the-
art golf courses in Palo Duro Creek Golf Club and the Canyon Country Club.
Also, within driving distance from Canyon, visitors and residents have the
luxury of camping, hiking and attending “TEXAS” inside the beautiful Palo Duro
Canyon State Park. Often regarded as one of the best natural parks in the United
States, Palo Duro Canyon offers a glamorous setting that provides peaceful walks
and drives, while also the opportunity to view colorful canyons and landscape.
Each business – whether it’s locally-owned or corporate driven – cannot
be operated without strong customer service and the support of its clients. In
Canyon, the success of our economy thrives by keeping our tax dollars inside the
city limits.
Whether you’re shopping for groceries at Walmart or dining at Joe Taco for its
best Mexican food, each and every dollar spent in these businesses plays a pivotal
role in helping keep Canyon beautiful and growing.
Many of our businesses, especially on the downtown square, are operated
by successful, hard-working residents that have made Canyon their home for
many years.
From the hospitable staff of the Canyon Chamber of Commerce to the down-
home feeling visitors get from shopping inside Stevens Flowers, Thompson’s,
Johnston’s Hardware and Weathered Elements, it’s fitting that these locally-
owned businesses are successful because of their small-town values.
Walking into a business in Canyon, customers feel at home the moment they
pass through the door. They’re greeted with a smile, a simple ‘Hello’ and a firm
handshake. It’s that comfortable feeling that makes shopping and exchanging
business in Canyon ‘special’ and ‘meaningful.’
And, to top it off, having someone remember your name, as well as your face is
what makes that personal relationship memorable.
As we strive to continue the growth of Canyon – whether it’s through our
business relationships or our daily purchases – always remember that a smile
can go a long ways in keeping those customers shopping local.
Thank you, once again, for the hard work of each business and individual that
make a difference in impacting Canyon.
It’s your dedication to excellence that makes working and living in Canyon
a thriving community that prides itself on strong relationships with a touch of
‘down-home’ hospitality.
Tim RitterCanyon News Managing Editor
Staff InformationGENERAL MANAGERRobert Granfeldt, [email protected]
MANAGING EDITORTim Ritter, [email protected]
REGIONAL ADVERTISING DIRECTORCarmen Ortega, [email protected]
ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVESCourtney Offield, [email protected] and Holly Clark, [email protected]
OFFICE MANAGERShannon Cook, [email protected]
REPORTERSTim Ritter
PHOTOGRAPHERSTim Ritter
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITORKevin Scannell, [email protected]
PUBLICATION DESIGNERDarren Hendricks
AD OPERATIONS SUPERVISORFabian Molinar
ADVERTISING OPERATIONSBrinna Evans, Craig Phillips
ACCOUNTING MANAGERShenee Clary
CIRCULATION MANAGERSharon Heckler
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORBrett Hrebicek
EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING OFFICESThe Canyon News1500 5th Ave.Canyon, TX 79015806-655-7121www.canyonnews.com
To advertise in The Canyon News’ print and digital products, contact the office at 655-7121.
To submit a story idea or inquire about freelance writing and photography opportunities, contact The Canyon News Managing Editor Tim Ritter at 655-7121 or [email protected].
Readers’ Choice is a publication of the MRT Media Group. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent. Letters to the Editor are welcome but may be edited due to space limitations.
2020
6 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
CONTENTS
7 Automotive
9 Community
11 Entertainment
14 Health Care
15 House & Home
19 Media
20 Restaurants
23 Shopping
24 Services
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AUTOMOTIVE
AUTO ACCESSORIESO’Reilly’s(806) 655-51921003 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
AUTO BODY REPAIRTexas Body Shop(806) 353-9818108 N 15th St, Canyon,
AUTO DEALERGraig Lair(806) 553-570616200 Canyon Dr, Canyon
AUTO PARTSO’Reilly’s(806) 655-51921003 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
BRAKE REPAIRCrabtree Auto(806) 655-4434201 N 11th St, Canyon
CAR WASHToot N Totum(806) 452-780235 Hunsley Rd, Canyon,
GAS STATIONPak a Sak(806) 655 98112800 4th Ave Canyon
INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOPCrabtree Auto(806) 655-4434201 N 11th St, Canyon
OIL CHANGE/LUBE SHOPTake 5(806) 319-78101201 23rd St Unit A, Canyon
RV DEALERFamily Camping(806) 622-044113600 I-27, Amarillo
TIRE SHOPCanyon Tire(806) 655-7189711 23rd St, Canyon
WINDSHIELD REPAIR/REPLACEMENTCanyon Glass(806) 655-1628604 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
8 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
CRABTREE AUTOMOTIVE
Crabtree Automotive has been providing
superior automotive services since 1995
in Canyon.
Gary Crabtree, owner of Crabtree
Automotive on the corner of 11th Street and
U.S. Highway 60, got his start in the automotive
business while tinkering with cars growing up in
his hometown, Canyon.
This year, Canyon News readers chose
Crabtree Automotive as the Reader’s Choice
Best Independent Mechanic Shop and Brake
Repair Shop.
“I owe a lot of my success to my customers,”
Crabtree said in an earlier Canyon News
article. “I’m very blessed that I have some really
good customers.”
Providing top-notch customer service is what
drives Crabtree on a daily basis.
“I don’t look at the job that I’m doing as making
money. I look at the car, listen to what the customer
says and then I look at what the best approach is
to fixing their problem,” Crabtree said. “I really do
enjoy the satisfaction I get from fixing a car right.”
Crabtree noted that he got started in the auto
repair business by tearing up a bunch of stuff when he was a
kid, and had to fix it before his father found out.
“I was always tearing something up when I was a kid,”
Crabtree added. “I went to the Auto Mechanics program here in
Canyon, and that was a big deal. Mr. Hathaway taught us about
theory. If you learned the theory of a car, then you can work on
any car line. It’s all the same.”
Crabtree offers many services, including basic auto repair,
full-service oil change, pretty all the minor stuff and tire repair.
“I don’t do engines anymore. Engines, transmissions, I’ll send
those out,” Crabtree said.
“Most repairs are completed within the same day. We provide
quality repairs and maintenance service for automobiles of all
makes and models.”
Crabtree said there’s really not a peak time around
his business.
“We really stay busy all the time,” Crabtree said. “I love
working on cars.”
Throughout the years, Crabtree has seen a tremendous
change in the way cars are serviced.
“It’s gotten more computer controlled,” Crabtree said on
technology. “The emission standards have really increased the
complications. Technology has really gotten (a lot) more sound.”
Crabtree Automotive has been at his location on 201 11th
Street for 18 years.
“I really enjoy having WT right here and meeting the students
and taking care of them. Plus, the people of Canyon have been
great customers to my business,” Crabtree said. “I’ve had the
same customers since I was 18 years old.”
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COMMUNITY
CHARITABLE EVENTI Heart Canyon (806) 655-2347605 38th St, Canyon, TX 79015
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITYWT(806) 651-00002501 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79016
NON-PROFIT GROUPSnack Pak 4 Kids(806) 433-9957
10 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
Of course, university life
would be sorely lacking if
it only covered academics.
Life at WT is well-balanced
with athletics, social clubs,
academic clubs, faith-based
organizations and activities and international organizations.
Want to handle a real life American Bison? Join the Herdsmen.
Want to improve your marksmanship? Join the rifle club. There
are intercollegiate and intramural sports and for those who
want to be fans, the Maroon Platoon takes fandom to a frantic
new level.
Also, on the WT campus is the First United Bank Center,
which serves as the home court for the Buffs and Lady Buffs
basketball teams from November to March.
WT also hosts the university’s convocation and
commencement ceremonies for Fall, Winter, Spring and
Summer inside the FUBC.
In 2019, the Buffs hosted the NCAA Division II South Central
Regional Tournament.
Under the direction of head coach Tom Brown, the Buffs made
school history in 2018 with a 95-87 win over the University of
Texas-Permian Basin in the regional finals. The win over UT-
Permian Basin guaranteed the Buffs a berth in the 2018 NCAA
Division II Elite Eight, as well as the 2018 NCAA Division II
Final Four.
Other events that have been hosted at the First United Bank
Center include Canyon High School graduation, high school
basketball playoff games, Kids, Inc. Tournament of Champions,
gymnastics and twirling competitions, banquets and craft and
trade shows.
That’s just the briefest glimpse of life at WTAMU.
WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
One of the benefits of living in Canyon is the diversity
the West Texas A&M University brings to the
community.
Recently, WT was voted the 2020 Canyon News
Reader’s Choice “Best College/University”.
The WT campus also was recognized as the No. 1 most
beautiful campus in America at a college that is still affordable.
For several years, WT has been on “Best in the West” and
“Best Small Colleges in the U.S.” lists. WT attracts students
from around the globe and challenges them with cutting edge
research in a variety of fields, as well as offering relationships
with faculty and other students that will last a lifetime.
With five academic colleges and a graduate school, the
offerings for students are diverse. WT’s Sybil B. Harrington
College of fine arts and humanities offers music, theatre, dance,
communications, history, English and philosophy and the office
of general majors. With outstanding bands, choirs and theatre
productions, all fields offer solid theory and practice in their
respective fields.
The college of agriculture, science and engineering also
includes mathematics, computer science, life sciences,
chemistry and physics, and life environmental sciences. The
college of education, which also includes political science,
criminal justice, psychology, sociology and social work, turns
out high-quality teachers who are greatly sought by school
districts, not only across the Panhandle, but around the state.
The college of business covers the spectrum of instruction
from pre-business through accounting, economic and finance
to computer information, management and marketing. The
college of nursing and health sciences turns out graduates
prepared for careers in nursing, communications disorders and
sports and exercise sciences.
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ENTERTAINMENT
ANNUAL EVENTJuly 4th Chamber(806) 655-78151518 5th Ave, Canyon
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENTThe Cap(806) 655-50161900 12th Ave.
GOLF COURSEPalo Duro Golf Course(806) 655-110650 Country Club Dr, Canyon, TX 79015
TOURIST ATTRACTIONPPHM(806) 651-22442401 4th Ave, Canyon
12 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
CANYON CHAMBER OF COMMERCERegarded as one of the most popular and attended
events in the Texas Panhandle, Canyon’s Fourth of July
Celebration every year signifies the hard work and
passion for community that the Canyon Chamber of
Commerce exemplifies on a daily basis.
The Canyon Chamber of Commerce, under the direction of
Executive Director Roger Remlinger, has been chosen the 2020
Canyon News Reader’s Choice recipient for Best Annual Event.
“We take pride not only in the event we put on for the Fourth
of July, but we take pride in the amount of people that come.
We also know that it can’t be done without volunteers and the
people of Canyon that come out and support it,” Remlinger said
previously. “That’s the main thing that is important to me. It’s a
great family day, and obviously with some schedule changes and
location changes that we’ve made over the years, we couldn’t be
more pleased with Canyon and the Fourth of July.”
Remlinger added that the Canyon Chamber of Commerce
“takes pride in being the No. 1 spot for the Fourth of July.”
What makes Canyon attractive on the Fourth of July?
“I think it’s the small-town, hometown feel,” Remlinger
said. “Our parade is great with lots of local floats from local
organizations. Then, obviously, with our vendors here at the
Fair on the Square and the great food that we serve. It’s just a
great day for Canyon and everybody that travels to Canyon. It’s a
great day for our merchants here around the square, where they
get a chance to showcase their items and also the restaurants.
“As a Chamber, our main thing is to bring people to
Canyon, promote tourism and then, also to support our
local businesses.”
In 2017, the “Kickin’ It in Canyon” outdoor concert event
moved from Happy State Bank Field at Kimbrough Memorial
Stadium to the First United Bank Center.
Award-winning Texas Country Music artist Pat Green
delivered an unbelievable performance that drew more than
4,500 visitors to the July 3rd concert.
Changing the day of the concert from July 4 to July 3,
according to Remlinger, allowed more people from Amarillo or
Plainview (where we advertised the event) to come down and
enjoy a great time with their families and friends.
Also, moving the Fireworks Show to Conner Park was a
“home run,” said Remlinger.
“We couldn’t be happier to be back in the (Conner) Park, and it
was spread out with kids throwing footballs, playing volleyball
and listening to some great live entertainment,” Remlinger
added. “The fireworks were amazing. It’s a great day all-around,
and it’s a great day for us (the Chamber) to give back to the
community that means so much to us.”
Throughout the year, the Canyon Chamber of Commerce
participates in bringing great events to Canyon.
“In October, the Canyon Chamber Chow-Down is becoming
one of the premiere BBQ cook-offs in the Tri-State area. Also,
Christmas in Canyon is the perfect event to spend with your
family and friends to celebrate the holiday season,” Remlinger
said. “These are just some of the events that the Chamber is
proud to be a part of in Canyon.”
Remlinger added that the main goal of the Canyon Chamber of
Commerce is to continue finding ways to support new business
development and support the thriving businesses that are
in Canyon.
“I personally think there is not a better place to live and
work in the country (than Canyon),” Remlinger said. “We (the
Chamber) will continue to support local events, local programs,
local schools and most importantly, the local people of this
outstanding community.”
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PALO DURO CREEK GOLF COURSEBY TIM RITTER
Palo Duro Creek Golf Course offers one of the best
picturesque settings and layouts offered in the
Texas Panhandle.
This year, Canyon News readers named Palo Duro
Creek Golf Course the 2020 Reader’s Choice Best Golf Course
in Canyon.
“This is a great honor,” said Palo Duro Creek Golf Course Golf
Professional Casey Renner. “We appreciate all the people that
vote and hope that everyone comes out to see us more often.”
Renner added that Palo Duro Creek Golf Course plays an
integral role toward helping boost the economy in Canyon.
“We believe the impact of Palo Duro Creek Golf Course to
Canyon is a significant one. We bring a lot of traffic to Canyon
(especially from southwest Amarillo),” Renner said. “PDC averages
around 27,000 rounds a year. This is not all from people in Canyon.
These are from other people who shop and dine in Canyon quite
a bit, or just simply fill their tanks up at the local convenient stores.
“When people – not from Amarillo or Canyon – play and are
spending the night in one of Canyon’s hotels, they will ask us
what they should do. We always steer them in the direction of
our local restaurants, our museum and during the summer, we
make sure they know about the musical “TEXAS.”
“Thanks to our Economic Development Corporation and
Chamber of Commerce, people know about our golf course and
we want to spread that out to our other businesses, as well.”
Renner holds many responsibilities as the golf professional
at Palo Duro Creek Golf Course, and oversees a staff of
approximately 30 employees.
“I am responsible for the day-to-day operations, conducting
tournaments, creating junior golf programs, giving lessons to
golfers of all ages and abilities and merchandising for the golf
shop,” Renner said. “Luckily, I have a great staff that works as
hard as I do to make Palo Duro Creek Golf Course a great place.”
From April through the end of October, Palo Duro Creek Golf
Course sees its busiest season.
“We conduct 42 tournaments (these are mainly charitable
4-person scrambles), 21 Thursday Night Scrambles and 12
junior tournaments (high school, junior high and NTPGA Jr.)
events throughout the year,” Renner said.
Renner got his start in the golfing business in 1998 at
Amarillo Country Club while he was attending West Texas
A&M University.
“As soon as I graduated (from WTAMU), I became an assistant
for ACC, mainly because I didn’t want to go home to Friona and
work at my dad’s feed yard,” Renner said. “I became the head
golf professional at Canyon Country Club in 2005 and then
started at Palo Duro Creek Golf Course in 2010.
“I fell in love with the game at age 5 when my dad and grand-
dad gave me a set of clubs for Christmas that year. They were
both avid golfers and this was a great way for us to spend time
together (not on the farm or feed yard.).”
The layout at Palo Duro Creek Golf Course, according to
Renner, is unique in many ways.
“We are probably one of the only golf courses in the panhandle
that has water in play for 14 holes. Plus, on the back nine holes,
the course is played in a housing development,” Renner said.
“It’s challenging in many ways: our par 5’s are lengthy, our par
4’s require some thought off of the tee box and you have a lot of
different iron shots into the greens. Our greens are usually fast and
firm and can be difficult to read at times. Add in our wonderful wind
that blows every day and you have challenging, but fair test of golf.”
Also, the golf shop and restaurant offers a variety of items for
golfers to enjoy.
“We have a fully-stocked golf shop and carry all the major
brands. Plus, we offer great prices,” Renner said. “We always
update our inventory with the latest and greatest equipment.
Our restaurant makes great breakfast burritos in the morning
and their hamburgers are (possibly) the best in town.
“We open when the sun comes up and close when the sun
goes down seven days of the week.”
Renner noted that there is benefit to having a permit at Palo
Duro Creek Golf Course.
“Since we don’t offer memberships, let me tell you what the
benefit of having a permit is. You get to make tee times one day
earlier than people who don’t have permits. When you have a
permit, you can play whenever you want (as long as you have a
tee time and we don’t have an event going on.) There are several
people that really take advantage of this and play a lot (they
really get their monies worth.),” Renner said.
Palo Duro Creek Golf Course, a public municipality, is located
in Hunsley Hills at 50 Country Club Dr. Call (806) 655-1106 to
reserve your tee time and request information about the PDC
Permit program.
14 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
HEALTH CARE
ASSISTED LIVING/RETIREMENTConner Place(806) 452-43212 Cottonwood Ln, Canyon, TX 79015
CHIROPRACTORCanyon Chiropractic(806) 655-23732306 7th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
DENTISTDr. Crossland(806) 655-41812000 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
EYE CAREAdvanced Eye Care(806) 655-77481801 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
HOME HEALTHCARETrue Blessings(806) 731-62661317 4th ave, Canyon, TX 79015
ORTHOHodges and Hodges(806) 353-98631801 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
PHARMACYUnited(806) 655-2300201 N 23rd St, Canyon
PHYSICIANDr. Clarke(806) 655-2104911 23rd St, Canyon
URGENT CARECare Express(806) 655-2104911 23rd St, Canyon
VETPalo Duro Vet(806) 655-21061901 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
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HOUSE & HOME
APARTMENT COMPLEXCCC Apts806-674-0807
CLEANING SERVICECarpet Tech(806) 331-51424510 Tradewind St, Amarillo
ELECTRICAL REPAIR SERVICEDietz Electric(806) 655-15661212 9th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
EXTERMINATORBug Baggers(806) 236-46137501 Rice Rd, Canyon, TX 79015
FENCING COMPANYAllstate Fencing(806) 655-570016500 I-27, Canyon
HEATING & A/CGrizzle Heating and Air806) 655-7676112 N 15th St, Canyon, TX 79015
HOME BUILDERPaul Lyons(806) 655-97701602 4th Ave, Canyon
HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTERJohnstons(806) 655-3116408 15th St, Canyon
HOME MORTGAGE COAmarillo National(806) 655-88801700 4th Ave, Canyon
NURSERY GARDEN CENTERCanyon’s Edge(806)670-57361401 5th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
PLUMBINGQuality PlumbingROOFING COPaul Blake(806) 655-30941501 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
16 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
HAPPY STATE BANKBY TIM RITTER
Building relationships is what
drives Happy State Bank
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer J. Pat Hickman to
excelling at the highest level in the
banking industry.
For the past 30 years, it’s those small-
town relationships and friendships
- established in his hometown of Canyon
– that has enabled Hickman to place
Happy State Bank among the top banks
in the Texas Panhandle, Texas and the
United States.
This year, the Canyon News subscribers
voted Happy State Bank the 2020 Reader’s
Choice “Best Bank.”
Looking at the Happy State Bank
mission statement, which details working
hard, having fun, making money,
providing outstanding customer service
and honoring the Golden Rule, the staff,
administrators and officers go out of their
way to making sure their customers feel appreciated.
Happy State Bank employees care about their customers and
in turn, their customers feel right at home when they enter the
doors of this multi-million dollar institution.
“The original bank started in Happy, Texas in 1908,” Hickman
said previously. “The modern bank started in Canyon, Texas. It
was in 1989 that I heard the little bank in Happy, Texas was for
sale. I was a banker in my hometown of Canyon, Texas … Canyon
was home and had two banks. Neither one was owned by people
in Canyon. One was the First National Bank of Amarillo, which
was owned by stockholders all over the area. One was named
the First National Bank in Canyon, but was actually owned by
people around Plainview and Lubbock. We heard the bank in
Happy was for sale and I went and found the very best business
people in Canyon, Texas and in 1990, when nobody was buying
Texas banks, we bought that little $10 million bank that had
six employees.
CanyonNews.com 17
“But, our whole purpose was just to be a really good bank
for Canyon. We thought we might have one branch someday
outside of Canyon in Amarillo that would be there to service
our customers that were from Canyon. Our whole intent,
originally, was to serve Canyon and we still support Canyon in
ways we support no other community. Simply because that’s
not only my base, but several of our officers still live there (in
Canyon) as do I.
“Our first (Happy State Bank) building was there in Canyon in
1995. Now, we have gone to build, I think, 25 buildings all over
the state of Texas.”
The roots of Happy State Bank’s foundation lie in the
Texas Panhandle.
When Hickman thinks of banking in the Texas Panhandle,
especially in the small towns, he says “we pride ourselves on
being relationship bankers.”
“We know our customers. We go to church with our
customers. Our kids go to school with our customers’ kids.
We’re not banking customers, we’re banking friends. And, we’re
banking neighbors” Hickman added.
“In the Texas Panhandle, that’s what we do throughout. We’re
the third largest agricultural lender in the state of Texas, 60th
largest in the nation. Agriculture is so volatile that we decided
that it would be good to move to some of the more urban areas
to diversify our loan base. It’s better for our stockholders and,
by the way, a huge number of our stockholders are from the
Canyon area.
“When we opened in Canyon in 1990, the other two banks
were big banks. We’re now, by far, the biggest bank in Canyon.
Our original goal of serving our friends, serving our neighbors
has proven to be true. But, we’re still pretty much dedicated to
Canyon and those relationships that we built there.”
Hickman noted that the key to Panhandle banking is
relationships and recognizing that you’re banking with your
friends and neighbors.
When Hickman started Happy State Bank in 1990, he
never imagined the impact that it would have in Canyon, as
well as across the Texas Panhandle and in the Dallas/Fort
Worth metroplex.
“When we bought the bank, there were 880 banks in Texas.
Only 60 of them were smaller than us. We were ranked 812 out
of 880 banks in the state. Today, there’s about 500 banks in the
state and we’re No. 17. An article came out last year, we’re the
14th fastest-growing bank in the United States over the last 20
years,” Hickman said.
“Never, in a thousand years, did I anticipate the success that
we’ve had.”
Happy State Bank’s core values, Hickman said, are we
will treat customers with the same courtesy and respect we
would expect if we were in their position. Every contact is an
opportunity to establish or to strengthen a relationship.
“Helping the customer is our only job. If we don’t know
the answer to a customer’s question, we will find it. A true
professional recognizes there is no such thing as ‘it’s not my
job,’” Hickman added.
“We will respond in a timely manner to all requests
directed to our staff. We will not allow external factors
to affect our business performance. Our performance
affects the customer’s view and we are interested in the
customer’s mind.
“And, we will give care and thought to the decisions and
commitments that we make. We are Happy State Bank.”
18 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
CanyonNews.com 19
MEDIA
INTERNET COSuddenlink(844) 874-75585800 W, SW 45th Ave, Amarillo
LOCAL WEBCity of Canyon(806) 655-5011301 16th St, Canyon, TX 79015
TELEVISION PROVIDERSuddenlink(844) 874-75585800 W, SW 45th Ave, Amarillo
20 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
RESTAURANTS
ASIAN CUISINESayakomrins(806) 655-2698421 16th St, Canyon
BAKERYCake Co(806) 655-87001502 5th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
BBQFat Boy’s(806) 655-7363104 N 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
BREAKFASTBuff’s(806) 655-28332201 4th ave Canyon TX 79015
BREAKFAST BURRITOBuff’s(806) 655-28332201 4th ave Canyon TX 79015
BURRITOTaco Villa(806) 557-4218101 N 23rd St, Canyon
CATFISHSoul Food(806) 463-46861205 23rd St, Canyon
CHICKENChicken Express(806) 655-88002106 N 2nd Ave, Canyon
CHICKEN FRIED STEAKFeldmans(806) 655-27002100 N 2nd Ave, Canyon
COFFEE HOUSEPalace(806) 476-0111420 15th St, Canyon
DELIUnited(806) 655-2300201 N 23rd St, Canyon
DESSERTCake Co(806) 655-87001502 5th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
DONUTSDonut Stop(806) 655-9210100 N 23rd St, Canyon
FAJITASJoe Taco(806) 452-8226502 15th St, Canyon, TX 79015
FAST FOODTaco Villa(806) 557-4218101 N 23rd St, Canyon
FRENCH FRIESBear’s Burgers & Dawgs(806) 681-28742001 N 2nd Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
FRITO PIEBear’s Burgers & Dawgs(806) 681-28742001 N 2nd Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
FULL SERVICEFeldmans(806) 655-27002100 N 2nd Ave, Canyon
HAMBURGERBear’s Burgers & Dawgs(806) 681-28742001 N 2nd Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
HOT DOGBear’s Burgers & Dawgs(806) 681-28742001 N 2nd Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
ICE CREAMBraum’s(806) 655-48311101 23rd St, Canyon
MEXICAN FOODJoe Taco(806) 452-8226502 15th St, Canyon, TX 79015
ONION RINGSHil’s Burgers(806) 656-08101302 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
PIZZALabella(806) 655-7666700 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
RIBSFat Boy’s(806) 655-7363104 N 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
SANDWICHSchlotsky’s(806) 655-2867901 S 23rd St, Canyon
SNOW CONESnoball(806) 679-6627610 23rd Street, Canyon
SPORTS BAR/HAPPY HOURJoe Taco(806) 452-8226502 15th St, Canyon, TX 79015
STEAKBack 40(806) 557-37001512 5th Ave #101, Canyon
SWEET TEAPure Water(806) 350-7873504 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
TEAPure Water(806) 350-7873504 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
CanyonNews.com 21
CHICKEN EXPRESS
A s part of a growing chain, Chicken Express remains
a hotspot for the community and university
students in Canyon with what branch owner Andy
Carter calls a “really superior product.”
Carter said he has been pleased and blessed with the business,
and he thanked the community for voting Chicken Express as
Favorite Chicken.
“One of the things we do is it’s always fresh; we don’t use
frozen chicken,” Carter said in a previous Reader’s Choice
article. “It’s marinated, and then, of course, we use what they
call our secret batter to make it good and crispy, and we just feel
like it’s a really good, different product than anyone else.”
Carter bought his first Chicken Express in Amarillo in 2004,
and he opened the Canyon branch in 2009 with help from the
Canyon Economic Development Corporation. At the time he
opened the Canyon branch, Chicken Express had 150 locations,
and it has now grown to over 200 stores. Besides Texas, Carter
said Chicken Express now has locations in Oklahoma, Louisiana
and Arkansas.
“There was not another chicken restaurant here in Canyon,
so we thought with the community of Canyon and with the
university that this would be a great place to put a store,” he
said. “We just have a lot of people who want to help others be
successful, and in a lot of communities, you don’t see that. Here
in Canyon, other Canyon people support Canyon businesses,
and you just don’t find that anywhere.”
Carter said the team at Chicken Express tries hard every day
to “do our best and put out the best product that we can.”
“I enjoy it because I get to see my friends and neighbors every
day,” he said. “I enjoy working with high schools and with WT.”
22 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
THE CAKE COMPANYThe challenge of designs. The interaction with
customers and the relationships with employees. The
squeal of little children as they see their cakes for the
first time.
These rewards make work worthwhile for Mandy Williams,
owner of The Cake Company.
In the almost 20 years that The Cake Company has been open,
Williams said that trends in the industry have “completely
flipped” with simple elegance taking the place of the “more
is better” philosophy. One of Williams’ biggest goals in the
business is to keep up with the changing times, and these
innovations and more have helped The Cake Company win the
awards for Favorite Bakery and Favorite Dessert.
“We still continue to be more cutting edge as far as what we
can do (as compared to) our
competition,” Williams said
previously. “We definitely want
to stay on top of that and have
good customer service. Our goal
is to keep our work clean and to
have that clean presentation.”
The Cake Company offers a
variety of options with tiered
cakes, sheet cakes and layer
cakes, and pick-up items are
available for purchase in the
store display. Some of Williams’
favorite cakes that the business
has designed include a sculpted
Jones AT&T Stadium cake and a
“steak dinner” cake designed to
look like a steak, baked potato
and corn on the cob.
Williams and her husband,
originally from Plainview,
lived in Amarillo when she first
opened The Cake Company,
but she knew she wanted her business to be a part of the
Canyon community.
“This community has been so good to The Cake Company,”
she said. “Canyon is just such a comfortable community where
people just love on each other. It’s amazing.”
In addition to her involvement in the community, Williams
said she also appreciates her relationships with her employees.
“That has definitely become something that I treasure that’s
really indescribable,” Williams said. “It’s not just an employee-
employer thing - it’s a deeper relationship. We’ve become a
family. A lot of us travel together; we go to church together. It’s
just really cool how close we’ve become.”
After working her way up from cleaning the grocery store
bakery at age 16, Williams said she enjoys the opportunity to do
what she loves and serve her community.
“I enjoy just watching the new trends and watching how
everything changes,” she said. “I enjoy serving my customers. I
enjoy when people come and pick up their cakes, to hear little
ones squeal up front because they’re so excited about their
cakes. That kind of stuff never gets old, and it makes it each and
and every day so worth what we do.”
CanyonNews.com 23
SHOPPING
ANTIQUE STOREReuze(806) 367-02871513 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING Thompson’s(806) 655-2525405 16th St, Canyon, TX 79015
CLOTHESBlessed Buffalo(806) 655-16962306 4th Ave, Canyon
CONVENIENCE STOREPak a sak(806) 655-98112800 4th Ave, Canyon
DISCOUNTWalmart(806) 655-11751701 N 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
ELECTRONICSWalmart(806) 655-11751701 N 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
FLOORINGCarpet World(806) 655-9981910 US-60, Canyon, TX 79015
GIFTS/ACCESSORIESThompson’s(806) 655-2525405 16th St, Canyon, TX 79015
GROCERIESUnited(806) 655-2300201 N 23rd St, Canyon
HOME DÉCORWeathered Elements(806) 655-76811521 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
JEWELRYThompson’s(806) 655-2525405 16th St, Canyon, TX 79015
SHOES/BOOTSWest Tx Western Store(806) 655-96121206 23rd St #5320, Canyon
WESTERN WEARWest Tx Western Store(806) 655-96121206 23rd St #5320, Canyon
24 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
SERVICES
ACCOUNTING FIRMHoulette and Garland(806) 655-87721611 4th Ave, Canyon
AUTO LOAN COAmarillo National(806) 655-88801700 4th Ave, Canyon
BANKHappy State(806) 655-22651908 4th Ave, Canyon
BARBER SHOPJoes Barber ShopCATERINGFeldmans(806) 655-27002100 N 2nd Ave, Canyon
CREDIT UNIONECU(806) 358-77772100 4th Ave, Canyon
CUSTOMER SERVICEEducation Credit Union(806) 358-77772100 4th Ave, Canyon
DAY CAREIn His Hands(806) 655-54371818 4th Ave, Canyon
DRY CLEANERSModern Cleaners(806) 655-3611411 16th St, Canyon, TX 79015
FINANCIAL PLANNERMark Gilliland(806) 655-59092001 4th Ave #1, Canyon
FITNESS CENTER806 fit(806) 803-9499601 FM2590, Canyon, TX 79015
FLORISTHr Flowers(806) 655-25872010 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
FUNERAL HOMEBrooks funeral(806) 655-21111702 5th Ave, Canyon
HAIR SALONPurple Zebra(806) 655-5889404 15th St, Canyon
HOTELHoliday Inn(806) 655-44452901 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
INSURANCE AGENCYKenny Dean State Farm(806) 655-71041709 5th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
LIQUOR STOREBuffalo Chip(806) 622-133313290 I-27, Amarillo
MASSAGE THERAPISTHideaway(806) 316-27471408 4th Ave, Canyon
NEW BUSINESSBuff’s(806) 655-28332201 4th ave Canyon TX 79015
PET GROOMERPampered Pouch(806) 655-87702309 Ninth Ave, Canyon, Texas 79015
PHOTOGRAPHERSCliff Lawson(806) 679-6483
REAL ESTATE AGENCYKeller Williams(806) 359-40003955 S. Soncy Rd, Amarillo Tx
REAL ESTATE AGENTLiz Carver806-341-16017669 Canyon Dr, Amarillo
STORAGE FACILITYCanyon Self Storage(806) 655-2460(806) 655-2460
TOWING SERVICEBuffalo Towing(806) 654-68884501 W Cemetery Rd, Canyon
VACATION RENTAL BBBHudspeth(806) 655-98001905 4th Ave #4023, Canyon, TX 79015
CanyonNews.com 25
HOULETTE & GARLAND ACCOUNTANTS
A business partnership of 25 years, hometown clients
and an “excellent” staff all add up to success for
accountants Gary Houlette and Tom Garland.
Houlette & Garland won the Readers’ Choice
award for Best Accounting Firm. Houlette said they view
the award as a blessing and appreciate the opportunity “to
contribute what (they) can” to the Canyon community.
“We ask a lot of questions of our clients to get everything
right, and we pay attention to detail,” Houlette said in 2017. “We
try to take care of the client. I’d say that’s the number one thing.”
Houlette started his accounting practice in Canyon in 1991,
and Garland joined the firm in December 1995. Houlette and
Garland mainly prepare tax returns but also offer options
including financial planning, consultations, payroll and
investment services.
“We like to look at ourselves as we’re more than just tax
preparers because we do go beyond just taking the numbers
and slapping them on the tax return,” Houlette said. “We like to
think outside the box, and after we look at a return, we think,
‘What can we do to make this better?’”
The firm has been “growing like crazy” as Houlette and
Garland continue to add new staff and clients, and they said they
have enjoyed their 25 years of working together.
“We have a really good client base, really good people,”
Garland said. “That’s probably the biggest part of what you
enjoy is the people you work with and work for.”
In setting themselves apart from other companies, Garland
said he tries to treat every tax return as though it is his own, and
he doesn’t sign it until he has confidence that “it’s the best that it
can be.” Houlette said their staff have largely contributed to the
firm’s ability to serve its clients well.
“You can’t beat it when you’ve got staff that are that loyal and
have the same desire we have to put out a good quality product,”
Houlette said. “It’s just fantastic, and then, fitting that in Canyon
makes it even better. I just wouldn’t want to be anywhere
besides here in Canyon, and it’s gone really well for us.”
Garland agreed with Houlette and said that the firm has been
“really fortunate” in the quality and work ethic of its employees.
“Our employees help make us who we are,” Garland said. “I
have a great business partner, I have a great staff, and I have
great clients, so when you can combine all that together, it really
makes for a job that you don’t mind getting up and coming to
every day and trying to do the best you can.”
26 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
W ith an office motto to “make a difference in
somebody’s life,” State Farm Insurance Agent
Kenny Dean and his staff have won the Best
Insurance Agency award for 2020.
“Whenever I am looking for employees, the number one
ingredient that I look for in them is their heart because I
want their heart to be big, loveable, servant-oriented, able to
sacrifice for that person,” Dean said in a previous article.
“Those are the things that I want my employees to do.
When we start there, then, that helps us to be set apart
because you’re actually talking to somebody who cares, that
it matters that we do a good job for you. If somebody knows
that you care, they’re going to listen to you, and they’re going
to realize that the suggestions that we’re making are actually
for that person and not for us.”
Dean, originally from Childress, attended West Texas
A&M University to play football and then found his
home in Canyon with his wife, Liz. Thirty-five years ago,
while coaching at Canyon High School, Dean received the
opportunity to work for State Farm as an insurance adjuster.
After four years, Dean received a promotion to a
management position with the company, where he worked
for 12 years. He has continued working for State Farm as an
agent in the Canyon community.
Dean said his office feels “very humbled and flattered” to
receive the award, and he thanked the community for their
business and support.
“(The people of Canyon are) first-class people,” Dean
said. “They care about you, it’s important to them that we
have a good community and everybody kind of rallies
together to make that possible. I think it takes everybody in a
community to make it work, and I’ve really enjoyed that.”
In following with the office mission to make a difference
in their clients’ lives, Dean said his staff makes the effort to
know and understand the people with whom they work.
“That isn’t so much always selling them insurance
KENNY DEAN STATE FARM INSURANCEpolicies,” Dean said. “Sometimes, it’s talking to them about a
marriage that might be in trouble or a family member that’s sick
or great things about Canyon High School’s success in sports or
something along those lines. It’s been all of those things kind of
pulled together that’s really been the neatest part about it.”
CanyonNews.com 27
MODERN CLEANERS
For over 67 years, Modern Cleaners, on the downtown
Canyon Square, has gone out of its way to provide
excellent dry-cleaning service to residents of Canyon
and surrounding communities.
Previous owners Jerry and Sally Hudson operated the
business for nearly 30 years, before selling to Jeremy Johnson
and his family in 2006.
“We do dry-cleaning, try to do as much as we can in house,”
Johnson said. “We just try to provide a great customer service,
good quality work (best we can do) and try to keep our
customers happy.”
This year, Modern Cleaners was voted the Best Dry Cleaners
in Canyon for the 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards.
Before taking over Modern Cleaners, Johnson was working
in Amarillo and his employer looked like they were going
to cut back. Johnson recalled that he was in church one day
and Jerry and Sally Hudson approached him about buying
Modern Cleaners.
“I worked with Jerry for about a year, kind of learning what
goes on and how it operates. He taught me everything. It was
an opportunity that Jerry and Sally presented us (me and Lori)
with and we jumped on it,” Johnson said in 2018. “And, we’re still
here making it work.”
Johnson and his family have resided in Canyon for 25 years,
and both of his kids graduated from Canyon High School and
continued their education at West Texas A&M University.
Johnson’s wife, Lori, was raised in Canyon, graduated
from Canyon High School, and her dad used to operate the
Cowboy Café.
“We love this town, and the people are awesome,”
Johnson said.
Serving Canyon, especially on the Square, Johnson said he
sees a lot of the same people every day.
“I do love the hometown feel, where you get to know the
people and the vehicles they drive. You can have their stuff
hanging before they (the customers) come in the door,” Johnson
said. “As far the number of customers we see, it’s a lot. And, all
of our customers are great people.”
Johnson has noticed a considerable change in the dry-cleaning
business over the years.
“Technology has changed, just the out-right demand has
changed,” Johnson said. “Dry-cleaning is just not as popular, but
laundry is. People are more into casual wear now, not a lot of
suits and dress clothes. Hopefully, suits and dress clothes will
make a comeback.
“We’ve seen a decrease in dry-cleaning, but the laundry sales
have been through the roof.”
Also, Johnson and his staff do a lot of ironing and pressing at
Modern Cleaners.
“I’ve got four great ladies that work for me and do all my
steam pressing,” Johnson said. “I have Jerry (previous owner)
that helps me out in the back with loads (of laundry) in the
morning, and my daughter, Maddy, and son, Gunner, work part-
time in the front.”
Modern Cleaners, according to Johnson, has been a great
place to our family and our customers are great.
“I like doing what I do,” Johnson said. “I don’t mind going to
work every day.”
28 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020
W ith flexibility in their loan options, the team at
Amarillo National Bank (ANB) understands and
adjusts to the needs of their customers’ day-to-
day lives.
Previously, Vice President and Branch Manager Ross Macon
said the community has welcomed ANB with open arms during
the company’s first year of operation at the Canyon branch. He
credits the company’s award of Favorite Auto Loan Lender in
part to his staff ’s success in building relationships with clients
as well as their “genuine customer service.”
“For us to be here a short period of time and be voted
(Favorite Auto Loan Lender) is very humbling, but at the
same time, too, it is appreciated,” Macon said. “Without the
community and without customers in need, this wouldn’t
be possible. Our loan officer and our lending assistant do a
tremendous job.”
Other services at ANB include checking and savings
accounts, safe deposit boxes, CDs and loans, credit cards, and
financial planning options.
“A popular account is a student account,” Macon said. “It’s
more geared towards 12-year-olds to 17-year-olds. If they make
A’s and B’s on their report cards, the bank pays them $10 per
six weeks.”
Macon said that ANB’s community involvement helps set
the bank apart. Both the company and its employees help
with organizations and service projects including Lions Club,
Rotary Club, I HEART Canyon, Snack Pak 4 Kids and Canyon
Cares. ANB has also sponsored Chamber of Commerce events
and is funding construction of Neblett Park.
“The family that owns the bank is very big in the
community,” Macon said. “They push us to support the
community, but at the same time, they have a big heart for
it, too. As employees, they encourage us to get involved and
stay involved.”
While Macon never dreamed of working in the banking
industry, he began working at ANB during college at West
Texas A&M University when a friend encouraged him to apply.
“I fell in love with the bank’s philosophy of customer
service,” he said. “I enjoy talking to people; I enjoy meeting
people, so I fell in love with it and am going on my 16th year. It’s
been a lot of fun. I’ve definitely grown in those 16 years here.”
When forming the staff for the Canyon branch, Macon said
he handpicked an “all-star crew” comprised of employees from
other branches and people outside the bank who have ties to
the community. Macon said customers feel comfortable doing
business at the bank with the company’s high standards for
service and its rank as the largest auto loan lender in the area.
“At the bank from the top down, we understand people’s
day-to-day lives,” he said. “We understand that there are going
to be some times that come up in folks’ lives that they’re going
to need some assistance. To me, that’s probably the biggest
thing is the flexibility - just knowing that when a customer
comes in that we have the flexibility to talk to them or counsel
them or something along those lines.”
AMARILLO NATIONAL BANK