The Headless Librarian to open storefront in downtown Tyler
The Headless Librarian bookstore is expanding again — this time to its very own storefront in downtown Tyler. Owner Katy Perez said the shop has grown quickly since it first opened at Blue Bird Antique Mall & Treasure Shoppe in September 2023.
“…We’ve built a strong sense of community and shared our love for books with others,” Perez said. “Our growth is a testament to a wonderful partnership and the incredible loyalty of our customers.”
The Headless Librarian has a boutique book shop inside Blue Bird Antique Mall. The shop will remain in its original location but also expand to a new storefront in downtown Tyler at 235 South Broadway Avenue. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
The shop’s name is inspired by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, replacing the Headless Horseman’s pumpkin with an open book. Its tagline, “Read your head off,” reflects the experience of becoming fully immersed in a story.
The Headless Librarian’s current home at Blue Bird Antique Mall & Treasure Shoppe on Gentry Parkway in Tyler features cozy reading nooks and a community-focused atmosphere. The bookstore will remain but is expanding to a new, permanent storefront at 235 South Broadway Avenue in downtown Tyler. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Perez started the business in a 100-square-foot booth inside Blue Bird and has since expanded, now occupying a 380-square-foot room inside the antique mall at 1718 W. Gentry Parkway.
“Downtown felt like a natural next chapter for The Headless Librarian,” she said. “Independent bookstores thrive on community, walkability, and a sense of place, and downtown offers all of that. It’s also clear that downtown is being invested in, and I’m excited to be opening alongside that momentum.”
The new location at 235 South Broadway Avenue will allow the shop to host author events, book clubs, readings, and other gatherings. Perez worked with Martin Heines Realty to find a space with supportive neighbors and said she is excited to share a patio with Velvet: A Vintage Collection, calling it a “truly intentional fit.”
“It was important that this move felt like the right partnership, not just the right square footage,” Perez added.
Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in February, with a goal of opening in early summer 2026.
“There’s a lot happening behind the scenes right now, including design, planning, and logistics,” Perez said, “but everything is moving in a really positive direction.”
The Headless Librarian will continue to occupy its space at Blue Bird.
“We’ll also be keeping our cozy little book nook at Blue Bird, so you’ll still see us there even after our new main storefront opens!” Perez said in a Facebook post.
Creekside Sports opening new location in Flint
Creekside Sports is expanding with the opening of a new location in Flint. The Chandler-based sporting goods store specializes in hunting and fishing supplies, including live bait and gear, as well as livestock feed and supplies. The business also offers boat rentals and serves as a gathering place for local outdoor enthusiasts.
Founded in 2010 as a small fishing store, Creekside Sports has grown into a 7,000-square-foot operation at 501 State Highway 31 West in Chandler. The Chandler location will remain open and continue normal business hours, from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The new Flint location will be at 18687 Highway 155 South. An opening date has not yet been announced.
Hood Family Farms to close; food truck remains at limited capacity
Hood Family Farms, a family-owned regenerative operation in Bullard, is shuttering its business after six years in the community. Owners Jimmy and Sara Youmans shared the decision was not an easy one but was made to embrace new opportunities.
“Farming is a relentless, beautiful challenge, and our family has reached a natural crossroads,” the owners said in a Facebook post. “It is time to honor a new season of life.”
The farm will no longer be participating in local farmers’ markets, but customers can still place orders for delivery while current supplies last. Additionally, the owners noted the Farm to Fork food trailer will continue limited operations for the “foreseeable future.”
“Our mission was always to provide the absolute best for you, our local neighbors, and our wonderful friends in Dallas and Houston,” the farm said on its Facebook page. “…We poured our hearts into this venture, and we are walking away with nothing but gratitude.”
Visit their website, www.hoodfamilyfarms.com, for the latest updates.
Sara and Jimmy Youmans serve up chicken chorizon breakfast tacos and the Ultimate Breakfast Sammy from the Hood Family Farms farm to fork food trailer on February 28, 2024, in Bullard. The food truck will operate in a limited capacity for now, but the farm has closed its operations. (Les Hassell/Tyler Morning Telegraph File)
Spring Creek BBQ closes in Tyler
Spring Creek BBQ, a popular Texas-based restaurant chain, has permanently closed its Tyler location. Located off South Broadway Avenue, a sign posted on the front door states that the location is closed for business and the family-owned restaurant is thankful for the “years of fantastic memories.” The sign also encourages people to visit the locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas.
For a list of locations, visit www.springcreekbarbeque.com/locations.
Hangry Joe’s closes Tyler location
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings has permanently closed its Tyler location after nearly two years in business. The restaurant was situated off University Boulevard next to the University of Texas at Tyler campus. The popular chain offers Nashville-style hot chicken, wings, tenders and sandwiches with a wide range of heat levels, from “No Heat” to the extremely spicy “Angry Hot,” which requires signing a waiver.
For a list of locations, visit hangryjoes.com.
Lavender Hill Farm Pet Resort won’t reopen for summer
Lavender Hill Farm Pet Resort will not be reopening for the summer due to personal reasons, the business announced via social media.
“We are so grateful for the trust, support, and love you’ve shown us over the last four years. Caring for your dogs has truly meant the world to our family,” the post read. “We will make updates here if plans change, but we wanted to give you all plenty of time to make other boarding arrangements for your pups this summer.”
Owned by the Marsh Family, the resort originally opened in the summer of 2022, offering overnight boarding in spacious 5’x6′ suites with elevated beds – not crates – alongside playtime, cat condos, daily updates, and 24/7 on-site care. Family- and veteran-owned, the facility typically operated seasonally from May through October.
C. Woods Company celebrates 70 years
C. Woods Company, part of Ace Hardware Home Services, celebrated 70 years with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Tyler headquarters, held in partnership with the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. The event gave local community members the opportunity to connect with the team behind one of East Texas’s longest-serving home service companies, with the Better Business Bureau also in attendance.
Doug Beasley, general manager of C. Woods Company, said the company has remained a trusted provider of plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and electrical services across East Texas for seven decades, providing dependable service and skilled craftsmanship in the region.
“Seventy years is a milestone that reflects the trust our customers place in us and the commitment of our incredible team,” Beasley said. “From our first repair job to the comprehensive services we offer today, we’ve remained dedicated to putting people first — our customers, employees, and our community.”
Founded in 1956 as a small, family-owned business, C. Woods Company was built on a mission to provide dependable, high-quality service with honesty and integrity. Over the years, that mission guided the company’s growth into one of the region’s most respected service providers while maintaining the values that shaped its beginnings.
Today, C. Woods Company continues to serve homes and businesses throughout East Texas with plumbing, HVAC, and electrical solutions. In 2024, the company joined the Ace Hardware family, expanding its ability to deliver greater service and support. Beasley said while embracing new technologies and sustainable practices, the company remains focused on providing the same trusted comfort, safety, and value its customers have relied on for decades.
Beasley said C. Woods Company will introduce a series of special offers throughout its 70th anniversary year, many in partnership with local organizations and businesses. The first promotion, in collaboration with Great Harvest Bakery Café, will provide the first 70 customers at the café a complimentary cup of coffee on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
“We wouldn’t be here without the trust and loyalty of our community,” Beasley said. “This celebration is our way of saying thank you and looking forward to the next 70 years.”
For additional anniversary offers and announcements, visit C. Woods Company on social media @c.woods_company or online at www.cwoodsco.com.
Credit: Source link
