Aug. 2, 2020 READERS’ CHOICE · Readers Choice magazine displays strong qualities toward building...

THE CANYON NEWSREADERS’ CHOICE

The Best Businesses of Randall County

Aug. 2, 2020

CanyonNews.com 1

2 Readers’ Choice | The Canyon News | August 2, 2020

CanyonNews.com 3

CanyonNews.com 5

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


CONTENTS

7 Automotive

9 Community

11 Entertainment

14 Health Care

15 House & Home

19 Media

20 Restaurants

23 Shopping

24 Services

CanyonNews.com 7

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


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.”

CanyonNews.com 9

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


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.

CanyonNews.com 11

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


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.”

CanyonNews.com 13

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.


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

CanyonNews.com 15

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


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.”

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


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.”


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


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.”


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.”


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

Aug. 2, 2020 READERS’ CHOICE · Readers Choice magazine displays strong qualities toward building...

Documents

Transcript of Aug. 2, 2020 READERS’ CHOICE · Readers Choice magazine displays strong qualities toward building...