In 1998, Denton County Electric Cooperative began doing business as CoServ. This was done to better signal that the company operated in areas beside Denton County and offered other services – namely natural gas, through CoServ Gas – in our growing service territory.
It’s twenty years later, and as North Texas and CoServ continue to grow, the pace and increased demand for electricity and natural gas isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon.
According to a study by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, almost 11 million residents are expected to call North Texas home in 2040, up from 6.3 million counted by the U.S. Census in 2010. Most of CoServ’s electric and gas meters are located in Denton and Collin counties, which are expected to double in population in the next two decades.
The businesses profiled in the following pages are just a few of the many that have sprouted up to meet the demands of our newest neighbors.
Are you a CoServ business owner interested in being featured in an upcoming business spotlight?
Please drop us a line at [email protected].
In Frisco, More People Mean More Pets
It’s raining cats and dogs in Frisco from all the growth.
At 121 Animal Hospital off Independence Parkway, 30 to 35 pets are dropped off for surgery every day. And, the number – along with Frisco’s population – keeps climbing.
“It’s grown the last year or two, especially with Toyota coming in,” said Carma Johnson, who manages the Frisco and Allen hospitals. “A lot of people are coming in from California.”
Dr. Ali Afkhami-Rohani is one of several specialists treating pets for everything from an abscessed tooth to a fractured leg. The first hospital opened in Allen in 2004 and the Frisco location was in operation by November 2011.
With competition on almost every corner, the business believes customer service is the key to success. They even have pet greeters in the form of Gandalf the tabby and Stormy the black Labrador, who both roam the hospital corridors welcoming pets and their people.
For first-time patients, staffers introduce veterinarians to their owners, give them a tour of the hospital and find out preferences to make everyone feel more at ease.
“We’re very big on customer service,” Carma said.
Learn more at 121 Animal Hospital and Alma Animal Hospital.
Little Elm’s Newest Burger Joint is a Step Back in Time
A touch of retro turns back time to a different era when life seemed simpler.
That’s the brainstorm behind Gene Gumfory’s newest endeavor – It’s A Burger.
An old-fashioned burger, fries and a malt with 1950s music playing in the background creates a sense of yesteryear. Veggie burgers and sweet potato fries round out the menu to keep it relevant today.
Gumfory, a ‘50s kid himself, believed the idea would entice people away from the hustle of today’s busy streets, hectic work lives and ever-expanding communities.
“It’s a place to stop and slow down a little bit,” he said. The eatery attracts young and old alike.
With two locations in the 380 Corridor and a third opening in Denton this spring, Gumfory will temporarily stop and re-evaluate. A Denton resident since 1965, Gumfory has owned and operated Sonic franchises for years and knows how to build a solid following before expanding.
“Each is in an area where there is a void,” he said. “The area is growing tremendously. We just provide a place to take a little step back in time.”
Learn more at It’s A Burger.
Is the Grass Greener in Pilot Point?
Growth often means more money for a community. But money’s not the only thing that’s green in Denton and Collin counties.
Grass, or more specifically, turf, is in high demand with the fast-paced construction of new homes, schools and businesses.
Trinity Turf Nursery in Pilot Point grows Bermuda and Zoysia. As Bermuda goes dormant during cooler months, Trinity mixes some of it with rye seed to keep it green for customers who prefer lush lawns year-round. Zoysia thrives in shade and handles dry spells more easily than many varieties, including St. Augustine. The sandy loam in the soil is perfect for the drought- and cold-tolerant crop grown on the 800-acre farm.
Started in 1982 by Wallace and Sharon Huggett, the family-owned business built a steady supply of wholesale customers: golf courses, athletic fields and landscapers for major developments.
Farm machinery creates 90-foot rolls to plant football fields. The company is also using innovative technology with a GPS-guided irrigation system.
“We try to do five-year projections,” said General Manager Brian Geiger. “With the available land, there are no severe limits to growth. We see it happening.”
Learn more at Trinity Turf Nursery.
