Texas Downtown

Tis the Season to Be Jolly in the City of Ennis' historic downtown! As the holidays approach, downtown Ennis transforms into a magical wonderland straight out of a Hallmark movie—complete with twinkling lights, Santa’s sleigh, and giant toy soldiers. Whether you're shopping, playing, or giving back, there’s something for everyone this season! Mark your calendars: * Nov 30: Shop Small Saturday * All December: Elf Seek & Find * Dec 5: Lights of Ennis Parade, Block Party & Christmas Bluebonnet Market * Dec 6, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23: Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides * Dec 7: Lucky’s C.C. Car Show & Cookies with Mrs. Claus * Dec 9: Toys for Tots Christmas Toy Drive * Dec 12-13: Holiday Snow Tubing by GAF & Schirm USA, Inc. * Dec 20: Dr. Seuss The Grinch Movie Night With so many holiday events, Downtown Ennis is the perfect destination to celebrate the magic of the season! For details and event links, visit VisitEnnisTexas.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram: @visitennistexas | @downtownennistx They can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with you, friends, and family in Downtown Ennis! #DowntownEnnis #EnnisTX #VisitEnnisTexas #HolidayMagic #ShopSmall #TisTheSeason #ShopLocal #TexasDowntown #TXD

BIG News for Texas Restaurants! Michelin Guide Texas Awards Its First Stars, and our vibrant downtown scenes are shining bright! We’re thrilled to share the results of the first-ever Michelin Guide Texas ceremony! Texas is officially on the global culinary map, with 15 Michelin Stars awarded. Austin led the way with an impressive seven stars, followed by Houston with six. These stars symbolize excellence in cooking and innovation, a true testament to the talent and passion found in our local dining establishments. By the Numbers: * 15 Texas restaurants earned one Michelin Star * 43 restaurants were awarded the Bib Gourmand for exceptional, affordable cuisine. Notable mentions include: *City of Seguin's Burnt Bean Co. (2022 Texas Downtown President's Award Winner for Best Downtown Business) * City of Lockhart's Barbs B Q * City of Tomball's Tejas Chocolate, and * Two Austin restaurants received a Green Star for their commitment to sustainability “Today's Texas is home to some of the finest restaurants in the world, and now those restaurants become more visible to the world from this prestigious guide.” — Michael Heckman, Houston First President and CEO. This recognition highlights the incredible diversity, quality, and dedication of our Texas Downtown member's restaurants. It’s a proud moment for our culinary community and a nod to the rich flavors that make Texas a food lover’s paradise. Congratulations to all the award-winning chefs and teams! We can’t wait to see what’s next on the menu. #MichelinGuideTexas #TXD #TexasDowntown #TexasEats #MichelinStars #BibGourmand #GreenStar #TexasProud #DineLocal #DineDowntown

Heads up Texas Downtown (TXD) Members, join us in person or virtually! Don't miss out on an important discussion tomorrow (Thursday) featuring Texas Downtown's very own Executive Director, Tania Moody, at The Texas Tribune's "Small Towns. Big Possibilities." Rural Symposium in San Antonio! Learn more and tune in here: https://lnkd.in/gF4DyhYr... Panel Discussion: Ghost Towns, Boom Towns - For years, rural Texas towns have seen population decline, but some are experiencing a surprising boom. What’s really happening on the ground in these growing and shrinking communities? Time: 10 - 11 A.M. Date: Thursday, November 14 Speakers: * Tania Moody, Executive Director, Texas Downtown (Levelland) * Lloyd Potter, Texas State Demographer; UTSA Professor * Rick Rhodes, Rural Engagement Coordinator, Texas Rural Funders Moderated by Jayme Lozano, Texas Tribune Regional Reporter. This symposium explores critical topics about the future of rural Texas—don’t miss Tania's insights and this vital conversation! Let’s support Tania and get inspired by the possibilities for our rural communities! #RuralTexas #TexasTribune #SmallTownTexas #MainStreet #DowntownTexas #CommunityLeadership #TXD #TexasDowntown

Don’t forget to join us?at 11 a.m.?this Wednesday, November 13,??for our FREE and final 2024 Texas Downtown funding webinar on the?Governor’s Community Achievement Award (GCAA)—your chance to earn funds (from $90,000 to $310,000 based on your population size) for transformative landscaping projects in your downtown. Webinar Details:? Date:?Wednesday, November 13 Time:?11 a.m. Free for TXD Members Register?TODAY:?https://lnkd.in/g5ZauU3N We’re thrilled to have?Sara Walters, Program Director of Keep Texas Beautiful, and?Kelly Hancock, Main Street Manager for Levelland, share?updates to the GCAA Program and?their expert tips and best practices for submitting a successful GCAA?project?application. This is a great opportunity to learn how your?downtown?can stand out and secure funding for impactful landscaping initiatives. With the application opening on?January 2, 2025, now is the time to get a head start! Don’t miss out—register today and get ready to?transform your downtown!

Today, we pause to honor and thank all veterans who have served our country. Your bravery, dedication, and sacrifice have protected the freedoms we hold dear. We’re especially grateful for the many ceremonies and celebrations happening across the great state of Texas, including in our vibrant downtowns, where communities are gathering to pay tribute. To all our veterans: THANK YOU for your service. You are the true heart of our nation, and we are forever in your debt. #VeteransDay #Freedom #ThankYouVeterans #HonoringOurHeroes #TexasDowntown #TXD

Ready to jump start the 2024 holiday season? Kick off the holidays at an award-winning holiday event, Christmas In God's Country in the City of Hondo's downtown! This beloved event was voted "Best Festival in Medina County in 2023", so grab your loved ones and make your own unforgettable memories! Plan now to join them in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region on November 22nd & 23rd for two days of holiday magic featuring festive lights, local vendors, and tons of family fun. Don't miss: * The Snow Fall * Cocoa Jingle * Lighted Night Parade * Visits with Santa! Enjoy live entertainment, tasty treats, and a chance to shop for unique gifts that you won’t find anywhere else. Downtown Hondo, Friday: 5-9 p.m. and Saturday: 10 a.m. -9 p.m. Let’s celebrate the season together in downtown—see you there! #ChristmasInGodsCountry #HondoTX #TexasDowntown #TXD #ShopHondoForTheHolidays #ShopSmall #ShopLocal Hondo Economic Development Corporation Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce

Shop the Date: Sunday, December 1 for Artists Sunday in Texas Downtowns, the Thanksgiving weekend and day after Small Business Saturday! Give the gift of emotion this holiday season! Celebrate artistry and make a difference in your downtown by choosing gifts that inspire and connect. Every piece tells a story—make it a meaningful one. This December 1, step out and support your local artists on Artists Sunday?! The Sunday after Thanksgiving is now dedicated to art and creativity—a day to shop handmade, unique, and original gifts that carry meaning and heart. Artists Sunday is a nationwide celebration bringing together professional artists, non-profit art organizations, cities, and communities across the country, and Texas downtowns are proud to be part of this exciting day! Join the movement to Shop Small, shop creative, and support the talented artists who make our downtowns and communities one of a kind. For more details and free marketing materials to market Artists Sunday in your downtown, https://artistssunday.com/ . #ArtistsSunday #ShopCreative #ShopSmall #ShopLocal #TexasDowntown #TXD #resources #education #connections #advocacy Main Street America

Let's Celebrate Downtown, Y'all! CHEERS and HIGH-FIVE to our 2024 Texas Downtown President’s Award winners and finalists! These downtown awards were presented during our unforgettable Awards Gala on Tuesday, October 29, at the 2024 Texas Downtown Conference in vibrant Abilene (TX) Downtown Initiative. We couldn’t be prouder of each downtown winner and finalist—your dedication and hard work have truly earned this well-deserved recognition! Since 1986, the President’s Awards Program has celebrated the exceptional projects, places, and people shaping Texas downtowns, and this year’s winners continue that tradition with incredible achievements! This prestigious program includes 11 categories that highlight outstanding efforts in design and achievement, recognizing communities both over and under 50K population. Let’s give a big round of applause to all of this year’s Texas downtown honorees, and mark your calendars for next year! We’ll be celebrating in the City of Waco, TX downtown from November 3-5 for the 2025 Texas Downtown Conference. Can’t wait to see y’all there! #TXDPresidentsAwards #TexasDowntown #DowntownProud #TXD #CelebrateSuccess #recognition #awards

Get Ready to Celebrate 15 Years of Shop Small and Small Business Saturday in 2024! Mark your calendars for November 30 and help us in making this Small Business Saturday one that is Texas Downtown President's Award-winning! As we highlight 15 incredible years of supporting local, let's rally together to promote our vibrant downtowns and the amazing small businesses that make our Texas communities thrive. Shop Small? this holiday season with hassle-free, ready-to-use 2024 Shop Small Marketing Materials! Whether you're in retail, dining, or beauty, they've got you covered with FREE, industry-specific designs. Plus, discover educational resources and marketing tools to fuel your downtown small business growth and draw customers into our unique downtown spaces. Select, download, and start promoting today, https://lnkd.in/gb5Tewgd ! Let’s make this Small Business Saturday the biggest ever! #ShopSmall #SmallBusinessSaturday #TexasSmallBiz #TexasDowntown #TXD #DowntownPride Main Street America

What a way to kick off Tuesday a.m. at the 2024 Texas Downtown Conference with a dynamo of an Opening Keynote Speaker David Rendall! A pop of pink and lots of laughs! Let's celebrate imperfections in our downtowns, y'all! #IntentionalImperfections #TXD24 #TexasDowntown #TXD #education #resources #connections #advocacy