Southlake has several amazing stories to tell — that’s part of what makes our job so much fun. We’ve shared many stories of many amazing members of the community this year within the pages of Southlake Style. Here are the 10 that resonated most with our readers.
1. Southlake’s Barbecue Backbone
Southlake’s longest-running establishment marked a big milestone this year as Feedstore BBQ made it to 20 years. The building has gone by many names throughout the years: the Bailey Feed Store, Miller’s Grocery Store, Dee’s Hitchin’ Post and Southlake Feed & Tack. Today it’s known as Feedstore BBQ, and locals couldn’t be happier to line up for its delicious barbecue and family-friendly atmosphere.
2. 50 Things To Eat In Southlake
But Feedstore BBQ isn’t the only restaurant in Southlake. From Central Market to Coolgreens, there are several amazing restaurants and eateries to support in the area. In this tasty deep-dive, we cover 50 of the must-try foods you have to eat at least once in Southlake. Whether it’s Sushi Dojo’s sushi tacos or Peace, Love and Little Donuts’ maple bacon donuts, there’s so much food to love in Southlake.
3. The State Of Maryland
Few football legacies are as large as Russell Maryland’s is, and his son RJ paved his own legacy this year during a standout 14-1 season with the Southlake Carroll Dragons. In this special Dragon Pride feature, we take you behind the scenes of the Maryland family and how their football upbringing has helped shape RJ into the stellar wide-receiving athlete that he is.
4. Frank Lucchesi’s Tarrant County Life
No matter if it was as a player, coach or manager, Frank Lucchesi led an impressive 40-year career in baseball. Whether he was managing the Philadelphia Phillies, the Texas Rangers or the Chicago Cubs, Frank has impacted many lives on and off the field. After he retired in the 1990s, Frank started a new chapter of his life in the city of Colleyville, where he continued to make strides until his passing in 2019.
5. Eight Seniors On The Rise
The area is too big for just five seniors. That’s why in our annual high school seniors feature, we decided to spotlight eight seniors on the rise instead. From Carroll ISD and Grapevine Faith Christian School to Westlake Academy and Liberty Christian School, these students have made big moves in their high school years alone, and we can’t wait to see what else they accomplish in the year ahead.
6. Loving Every Dragon
Words have power, that’s why some students need words of encouragement once in a while to keep going. Enter Laura Durant. Through her organization Love Every Dragon, she makes every LGBTQ+ student in Carroll ISD feel seen and heard. Growing up in LGBT in America is never easy, but thanks to Laura Durant and Love Every Dragon, LGBT Dragons have a supportive network they can rely on.
7. Bringing Her Full Self To The Table
CEO. Author. Mentor. Southlake mom. Anne Chow isn’t just one of these important roles — she’s all of them. Named the CEO of AT&T Business in 2019, Anne Chow is the first woman of color CEO at AT&T. Serving as the keynote speaker at Southlake Style’s fifth annual Women’s Luncheon, Anne Chow leads courageously as she shows others how to bring their full selves to the table.
8. Open For Business
From the food and drink industry to the health care community, there are several Black business owners and executives leaving an impact on the Southlake business scene. From Emmitt’s Catering to Prism Dermatology, these five leaders have distinct backgrounds, talents and inspirations that helped them develop their own brands right here in Southlake — and the city is better because of their business ventures.
9. The Power Of Flowers
Opening her own Southlake Town Square storefront at the ripe age of 22, Madeline Ricketts is in love with floral design. So much so that she opened her own flower business Trophy Blooms in 2017. This year, she brought Trophy Blooms to Southlake Town Square, where her business has blossomed. Whether it’s flowers for a dance recital or arrangements that line a wedding aisle, Madeline loves bringing some color into people’s lives.
10. Following Along
Southlake loves Instagram, but not as many people know the faces behind the favorite accounts that they follow. This spring feature changes that. “Following Along” spotlights six talented lifestyle influencers and the following they have amassed online. Whether they’re sharing stories about food, fashion or motherhood, these Instagram influencers are carving their own path forward. And like many others, we love following along.