CANYON NEWS
READERS’ CHOICE August 2026
The Best Businesses of Randall County
AMARILLO NATIONAL BANK
Amarillo National Bank takes home multiple awards from voters thanks to their top-notch services SEE INSIDE for more information for all of the 2026 winners.
CanyonNews.com 1
Thank YOU for Choosing US! A DIVISION OF CENTENNIAL BANK
Best Place to Work Best Drive Thru Best Loan Officer Cierra McCarty NMLS ID # 2381118
HAPPYBANK.COM
A Home BancShares Company | NYSE: HOMB CanyonNews.com 1
2 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
Thank you Canyon for voting us Best Auto Accessories & Best Oil Change / Lube Shop! 2026
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CONTENTS 6
The Lumberyard
10
Stacia Houser
14
Lavender Lane
REGIONAL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carmen Ortega, cortega@hearstnp.com
18
SkyWest
MULTIMEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE Leticia Favila, leticia.favila@hearstnp.com
22
Canyon Main Street
26 First United Bank - Mortgage Loans 30 Toot’n Totum 34 38
The Cake Company First United Bank - Auto Loans
42 Mickey’s Place
STAFF INFORMATION
MANAGING EDITOR Tim Ritter, tritter@hearstnp.com
CLASSIFIED SALES COORDINATOR Shannon Cook, scook@hearstnp.com SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Kevin Scannell, kevin.scannell@hearstnp.com PUBLICATION DESIGNER Kelsi Pohlman EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING OFFICES Canyon News 1500 5th Ave. Canyon, TX 79015 806-655-7121 www.canyonnews.com To advertise in Canyon News’ print and digital products, contact the office at 806-655-7121. To submit a story idea or inquire about freelance writing and photography opportunities, contact Canyon News Managing Editor Tim Ritter at 806-655-7121 or tritter@hearstnp.com. Canyon News Readers’ Choice Awards is a publication of Canyon News. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
CANYON NEWS
READERS’ CHOICE August 2026
The Best Businesses of Randall County
44 Grizzle 46 Winners Listings AMARILLO NATIONAL BANK Need teaser text here
SEE INSIDE for more information for all of the 2026 winners.
CanyonNews.com 1
4 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
ON THE COVER Amarillo National Bank branch manager vice president Ross Macon, third from left, and employees of the bank pose for a photo outside the business. NOLA HOPKINS – CANYON NEWS
thanks, canyon! For voting First United Bank as BEST AUTO LOAN LENDER and BEST HOME MORTGAGE COMPANY. We’re honored by your choice and are happy to be a part of our great city. The people of Canyon are truly the cream of the crop and exemplify what we call The Spirit of
West Texas.
CANYON: 801 23rd Street | (806) 655-8000 AMARILLO: 45th & Soncy | (806) 677-2060 ✯ 34th & Osage | (806) 337-1888 www.FirstUnited.Bank Member FDIC
The Spirit of West Texas GENEROSITY ✯ LOYALTY ✯ INTEGRITY ✯ COMMUNITY
KRIS BILBREY: 477-1484 kbilbrey@SpiritMortgage.net NMLS # 1048735
www.FirstUnited.Bank
www.SpiritMortgage.net
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THE LUMBERYARD STORY AND PHOTOS BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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he Lumberyard received three gold Readers’ Choice Awards: Best Family Entertainment, Best Outdoor Dining and Best Date Night Restaurant. Restaurant and bar general manager Justin Dunlap is pleased with those awards because “that was the goal – to make a
The dining area at The Lumberyard.
6 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
family-friendly environment for the community. That’s really special to me.” Danny Byrd, owner of Feldman’s WrongWay Diner, had the vision to take the vacant Taylor and Sons Lumberyard and turn it into a restaurant, event center and concert venue. “It was a monster; it was a big, big project,” Dunlap said. The Lumberyard opened in March of 2025. Unfortunately, Danny Byrd passed away that fall.
“He was a very good man,” Dunlap said. “He was a mentor to me and a father figure. I try to keep his legacy going. This place meant a lot to him. He had a passion for music, food and community. It’s my job to keep this thing going for him.” Dunlap had a long connection with Byrd as he started with him when Byrd opened Feldman’s in 2003. Dunlap took a year and a half to develop the menu. He took the same care to develop The Lumberyard menu. “I can make it at home, but can you mass produce it in a restaurant?” Dunlap said. He developed The Lumberyard’s menu to be “fast, casual, quality food in a timely manner. We want to get our food out in eight-10 minutes.” Everything is made from scratch. The bread items do not have preservatives. A customer favorite is the smash burger: a blend of short rib, brisket and chuck in two, 3.2 oz. patties. The Lumberyard dining area, located in a former Quonset hut that was the lumberyard, is 8,000 sq. ft. It would be larger, but walls were constructed to make the round walls straight. Its dining capacity is 199. Its décor is eclectic. More than 30 vintage neon signs hang from the ceiling or decorate the walls, including one from a funeral home. Tables and chairs were purchased at auctions, so they don’t match. The floor is the original concrete of the Quonset. Dunlap could not estimate how many lightbulbs hang from the ceiling. He just knows he doesn’t want to be the one to change them when they burn out. Sometimes in the winter, Dunlap will have live music set up inside, and he will turn off the lights, leaving only the glow of the neon lights. “Everybody goes, ‘Oooh!’ It’s a really cool atmosphere,” Dunlap said. A major feature of the dining area is the self-pour beer wall. A guest pays a tab and receives a card. He uses the card to activate the taps and is charged by the ounce. If he wants to try several beers, he can pour small amounts rather than purchasing a full-sized drink. Forty taps are inside, and another 20 are in the outside dining area. The outside patio is 25,000 sq. ft. It consists of tables, bench and individual swings, a dog park and a corn hole area with artificial turf. It also has a stage area, the “Backyard,” for live entertainment on the weekends. Most of the time, the entertainment is free, but some concerts are ticketed.
Next to the dining area is the banquet room or “Barn.” It has original wooden beams from when it held Taylor and Sons’ refrigerated produce. It can be rented for business meetings charity events, wedding rehearsal dinners and parties. It holds 250 guests. Joe Marion, who worked at Feldman’s 22 years, is the director of events, concerts and fundraisers. He schedules concerts for The Yard, the concert venue that holds 8,500 guests. Fans can check upcoming concerts and buy tickets at lumberyardcanyon.com. The best part of Dunlap’s job is “the people: the customers, guests and staff. I enjoy making people happy. I love when they come in and get a good meal. You can make people happy with food.”
Lumberyard kitchen manager Abel Villafana and general manager Justin Dunlap. He also enjoys the fast-paced environment. “I could never do an office job,” he said. “If I am here 12 hours, I may sit down 10 minutes to eat my lunch. After 30 years, your body adapts to it. I average 25,000 steps a day.” Dunlap’s biggest challenge in running a restaurant is getting good staff in the kitchen. “We are a small town, and it’s hard to find talented people to work in the kitchen,” he said. Most of his kitchen staff lives in Amarillo. “When you find them, you gotta take care of them.” Abel Villafana, kitchen manager, has been with Dunlap 10 years. The Lumberyard employs 35, plus additional concert staff. The Lumberyard’s hours are Sunday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. -10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
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2026
THANK YOU for choosing us Best Hotel!
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1-27 Exit 106 • 2901 4th Ave. Canyon • 806-655-4445
8 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
I don’t just see a customer. I see you.
Thank You Canyon
While other insurance companies just see a customer, I see a neighbor in my community. I’m here to get to know who you really are so I can help life go right.
LET’S TALK TODAY. Kenny Dean, Agent 1709 5th Avenue Canyon, TX 79015 Bus: 806-655-7104 kenny.dean.jhre@statefarm.com
For Voting Us Best Bakery, Cinnamon Rolls and Dessert!
Thank You Canyon For Voting Us Your Favorite Insurance Agency 14 Years In A Row!
1502 5th Ave. Canyon, TX 806-655-8700 www.canyoncakeninjas.com
We Understand Commitment You can rely on Edward Jones for one-on-one attention, our quality-focused investment philosophy and straight talk about your financial needs. Contact an Edward Jones financial advisor today.
READERS’ CHOICE
AWARDS Dan Shuman, CFP®, ChFC®
Lindsay Mayhew, CRPC™
Kassidy Pagett, CFP®
1610 4th Ave. Canyon, TX 79015 806-655-4994
1610 4th Ave. Canyon, TX 79015 806-655-4994
1301 4th Ave. Canyon, TX 79015 806-655-7841
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisor
2026 CANYON NEWS
GOLD
READERS’ CHOICE
AWARDS
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
2026 CANYON NEWS
GOLD
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STACIA HOUSER STORY AND PHOTO BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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tacia Hauser started her banking career at Amarillo National Bank in 2008 and has spent her 18 years in banking there. Hauser won gold for Best Loan Officer in the Readers’ Choice Awards. Hauser’s business philosophy is the same as her life philosophy. It is Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men….” “I feel like I received this award for the awesome customer service I strive to provide and the amazing team that helps me,” Hauser said. “There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to mortgage lending. It’s not one person alone. As assistant vice president of mortgage loans, Hausers main responsibility is with mortgages. “I help people with one of the most significant purchases of their lives,” she said. “We are well-known for closing on time and honoring our approval letters. We have the ability to service our loans for the duration of the term.” What advice would she give to a potential home-buyer? “I think everyone should own a home,” Hauser said. “It’s one of the best investments that they can make. Our market here in the panhandle is strong, and we have great resale.” The best part of her job at Amarillo National Bank is “helping first-time home buyers, I have a lot of repeat business that I truly appreciate, but helping a first-time home buyer is very rewarding.” The biggest challenge of her job is “helping people to understand everything that goes into a mortgage as far as qualification and the monthly cost after they close - understanding taxes and insurance are included in the payment, etc.”
10 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
Amarillo National Bank encourages its employees to be involved in their community. Hauser has definitely taken that to heart. She has served on the Lions Club board six years including one year as club president. She’s the board vice president for Fill with Hope. She’s on the promotions committee for Canyon Main Street. She’s on the Randall County Sheriff ’s deputy advisory board. As a member of the Randall County Livestock sales committee, she helps organize the 4-H livestock sale. The Chamber of Commerce has named her Volunteer of the Year twice. “My passion is to serve people, and that could be in any capacity,” Hauser said. “If there’s a need, I would like to be a part of helping meet that need.” In addition to her banking duties and community involvement, Hauser also has a family to care for. She’s married to Jesy Hauser. They have two sons, ages 20 and 16, and two daughters, ages seven and four. They enjoy all outdoor activities, especially spending time at Lake Keystone in Oklahoma or riding ATVs on their land in the country. In addition to Hauser’s award, Amarillo National Bank won the Readers’ Choice gold awards for Best Bank and Best Customer Service. Branch manager vice president Ross Macon explained why he thinks the bank was named Best Bank: “Our main focus is the community. We think it’s important to support the community and give back to the organizations that make this a wonderful city to live in.” He believes Amarillo National Bank was named Best Customer Service because “We think it’s important to get to know our customers. We know our customers are important to us, and that’s what makes the partnership so great. Amarillo National Bank, a family-owned bank, has 30 branches in 10 Texas cities. It is a full-service bank that offers personal banking, commercial and mortgage loans, a drive-through ATM that accepts deposits, safety deposit boxes and much more.
“MY PASSION IS TO SERVE PEOPLE, AND THAT COULD BE IN ANY CAPACITY...IF THERE’S A NEED, I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF Amarillo National Bank Assistant Vice President of Mortgage Loans, Stacia Hauser
HELPING MEET THAT NEED.”
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Thank You For Voting Our community has spoken — and we’re grateful you made your voice heard. Thank you to everyone who participated in our Readers’ Choice Contest! Your votes help celebrate the local businesses, people, places, and experiences that make our community such a special place to call home. Every vote is a show of support for the people who work hard to serve our community each and every day. Thank you for voting. Thank you for supporting local. And thank you for being part of Readers’ Choice!
Congratulations to all of this year’s Readers’ Choice winners!
Carmen Ortega, Regional Ad Direct or Canyon News
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Call Us 806-668-4420 12 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
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24/7 FULL FITNESS FACILITY Thank you, Canyon for Voting us Best Fitness Center! Office: 806-803-9499 • support@806fitcanyon.com 601 FM 2590, Canyon, TX 79015
Thank you Canyon for Voting us Best Independent Mechanic Shop and Best Brake Repair! Crabtree Automotive is proud to celebrate 31 years of business in Canyon!
Voted the BEST BY THE BEST!
THANK YOU For Voting us Best Family Entertainment, Best Date 2026 Night Restaurant & Best Outdoor Dining in Canyon!
Crabtree Automotive, LLC
201 N. 11th Street, Canyon, Texas 79015 • 806-655-4434
Gary Crabtree
The Lumberyard 850 N 23rd Street Canyon TX 79015 Restaurant 806-804-3000 Concert Venue 806-804-3002
Owner/Tech
Sunday 11:00 A.m. – 10:00 P.m. Monday Closed Tuesday - Thursday 11:00 A.m. – 10:00 P.m. Friday & Saturday 11:00 A.m. – 11:00 P.m.
Thank You Canyon! We wouldn’t be where we are without the support of this community to shop local!
2026
2306 4 t h Ave blessedbuffalo.com
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LAVENDER LANE STORY AND PHOTOS BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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lthough it opened less than two years, Lavender Lane is already a favorite Canyon shopping destination as attested by its Readers’ Choice Awards. The shop received gold awards for Best Gift Baskets, Best Children’s Clothing and Best Jewelry. It also received silver awards for Best Locally-Owned Business, Best Bookstore, Best Gift Accessories and Best Home Décor. “Thank you to everyone who voted for Lavender Lane and continues to support our small business,” owner Wendy Schmucker said. “Your loyalty, encouragement and kindness
14 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
mean more to us than words can express.” The store carries home décor, party supplies and baby and bridal registries as well as unique items. “We like to have the unusual,” Schmucker said. “We have something for everybody in all price ranges.” Schmucker opened the shop on the west side of the square in October of 2024. When she obtained the former Weathered Elements building on the north side of the square in February of this year, she doubled her space – and her inventory, especially her kitchen and baby departments. “I went all out on those,” Schmucker said. She added a kitchen gadget wall to her kitchen inventory. She describes the wall as
having “any kitchen gadget you didn’t know you needed.” Her kitchen inventory includes Crae and Geometry kitchen towels. “They are everybody’s favorite,” she said. Schmucker also added a “stuffy” wall of stuffed animals of all sizes to the baby department. She has expanded her baby clothing from three to six months to newborns to 24 months. “We carry everything that we had at the other location plus a lot more,” she said. Additions include Niven Morgan lotions, bath salts, skin care and hand soaps, Simplified Soap lotions and Noodle and Boo baby lotions. When she was first thinking of a name for her business, “Lavender Lane” seemed like the perfect name. “I always liked lavender, so from that I picked the name,” she said. “’Lavender Lane’ just sounds good.” Schmucker appreciates the Canyon Chamber of Commerce, Canyon Main Street and Canyon Economic Development Corporation for the support they Lavender Lane sales consultants Melanie McKinney have given her business. and Kelli Kieth. Schmucker’s goal for her business is “to serve Canyon by being a place everyone building that still has its original wooden wants to come and shop. It has been fun visiting floors and tin ceiling tiles. The building offers a with everybody, getting to know them and unique shopping experience for those looking helping them find the perfect gift or something for home décor, devotional books, unique food for themselves.” items and much more. Kristen McKinney has continued her Klash Lavender Lane is open Monday-Friday, 10 Boutique that she ran in Weathered Elements. a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. It is She offers women’s clothing, toddler girls’ located at 1521 Fourth Ave. The business phone clothing and gift ideas. number is 806-699-1099. Klash Boutique specializes in “trendy and “It’s a privilege to serve this amazing affordable clothing and accessories,” according community, and we look forward to helping to McKinney. you celebrate life’s special moments for years Floor tiles that say “1924” greet to come,” Schmucker said. “Thank you, Canyon, Lavender Lane shoppers as they enter the for making Lavender Lane a gold winner.”
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Catering | Call A-head Seating Take Out Window | Patio Best Chicken fried steak Best Catfish Best Steak Best Chili Best Catering
2026
Best Local Restaurant
follow us on Facebook.
BEST TEA & BEST DRINK (NON-ALCOHOL)
16 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
ASSISTED LIVING CENTERS BY SHAW
Thank you for choosing us Best Assisted Living/Retirement Home Canyon (806.655.2911) • Amarillo (806.351.0686) www.skywestliving.com www.facebook.com/skywestliving
Thank you Canyon for Voting Audry Miller Best Business Leader and June James Best Annual Events Learn more at canyonmainstreet.org CanyonNews.com 17
SKYWEST STORY AND PHOTO BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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or eight years Lonnie Shaw and family members would place his father (who had suffered a massive stroke) in SkyWest Assisted Living Center so they could have a respite. Eventually, his father became a resident there. Meanwhile, the owners repeatedly told Shaw that he should buy the facility. In 2009 Shaw took them up on their offer. “I never looked back,” Shaw said. “This is my calling; this is where I am supposed to be. God is in our place; He’s in our house; He’s in our home.” SkyWest was named 2026 Readers’ Choice Best Assisted Living Facility for the fourth year in a row. Shaw believes the facility was chosen because of its “consistent leadership. I am here. Our leadership has been here awhile. That’s hard to do in this environment – keeping anyone for a length of time. It’s hard work.” When Shaw interviews a potential employee, he always asks why they want to work in assisted living. Many say they took care of a parent or grandparent, and they would want
“IT’S PRETTY HUMBLING TO RECEIVE THIS MANY TIMES IN A ROW...WE FEEL LIKE OUR REPUTATION IS REALLY, REALLY GOOD, AND I THINK THIS IS CONFIRMATION THAT THE COMMUNITY AGREES. THANKS.”
18 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
someone’s loved one to be treated as they had treated their own. That’s the kind of person he wants to hire. “Part of our job is to guide joy for our residents in a loving environment,” Shaw said. SkyWest employs 24 staff members to care for the 16 residents who currently range in age from 55 to 101. One resident has lived there 15 years. Services include preparation of three meals per day, housekeeping, laundry, move-in coordination, and transportation. There is no “level of care” charge. Activities abound for the residents. Favorites are bingo, art, and trivia. One activity, flyswatter volleyball, brings out the competitive nature in residents. The staff blows up balloons and gives residents flyswatters in the shape of hands. “You better get out of the way when that backhand comes for that balloon,” Shaw said. Residents also have a form of bowling and corn hole. Animals are important to the residents, too. They have had mini-horses (with real house shoes) inside the building and a steer they could pet behind the residence. A dog trainer often brings dogs. Their house dog, Rey, “will fetch a ball all day long” if residents toss it for her. “She’s a significant part of our spreading joy,” Shaw said. Music is important to the residents. “They may not remember what they had for breakfast, but they remember the words of those old hymns,” Shaw said. Choirs from each Canyon Independent School District elementary school present programs throughout the year. West Texas A&M students also entertain. The University Church of Christ pre-school has adopted the facility and brings their children to sing. “Anything that happens with kids, they absolutely enjoy,” Shaw said. “They (kids) get to
SkyWest Assistant Living Center owner Lonnie Shaw and the SkyWest Staff.
love on us, and we love on them. The kids seem to know this is giving more than just singing to these residents: they are giving a little joy.” At Halloween the facility hosts a trick-ortreat event for Canyon’s children. “A lot of people participate,” Shaw said. “It’s a safe place for moms and dads to bring their kids.” The residents enjoy seeing the children in their costumes. Shaw wants new residents to feel at home as soon as possible. Bedrooms are furnished, but Shaw encourages residents to bring any of their own furniture, pictures and personal items to make their room feel like home. Shaw also makes sure they eat their first meal in the dining room so they can meet other residents. He learns what they did earlier in their lives and what hobbies they enjoy. He also cares about the residents’ families. Sometimes they turn into the “parent of a
parent” and have to make tough decisions. Often they feel guilty about placing a parent in a facility. He advises them to get as much counseling as they need and to find a support group. The hardest part of running an assisted living facility is “seeing them decline and losing our residents along with their families. I was kind of prepared for losing residents, but not for losing their families. We meet them in a hard place, and we see our job as taking care of them, too, not just residents. It just happens that way.” How does Shaw feel about SkyWest winning the Best Assisted Living Facility four years in a row? “It’s pretty humbling to receive this many times in a row,” he said. “We feel like our reputation is really, really good, and I think this is confirmation that the community agrees. Thanks.”
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We would like to thank everyone who voted for us in the Readers’ Choice Awards! We are blessed beyond imagination with the best customers. We appreciate and value your patronage and friendship. To show our gratitude, we are offering Cherry Limeade Punch Cards! With your punch card, you may buy 8 of our delicious Cherry Limeades and get the 9th one FREE! We look forward to serving you. From: Barry (Bear), Christie, Janice, & Larry Wesley and our employess: Clayton, Christian, Seanna, & Sam.
WE WOULD LIKET O THANK
Larry, Janice, Bear & Christie.
Here’s what is on the menu! Burger Double Meat Burger Hot Dawg Chili Cheese Dawg Corn Dawg Frito Pie Loaded Frito Pie Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich Chicken Fried Stake Plate Steak Fingers BLT Ham & Cheese Sandwich Grilled Cheese Sandwich Chicken Strips
Baked Potato Loaded Baked Potato French Fries Tator Tots Bear Bites Chips Cherry or Peach Cobbler Soft Drinks Tea Kids Drinks Cherry Lime Bottled Water Beer
2001 N 2nd Ave. • (806) 452-8033
20 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
2026
Best Hamburger, Hot Dog & Frito Pie!
Investing in Teachers. Empowering Students. Enriching Canyon ISD. The Education Foundation of Canyon ISD funds: Innovative Classroom Grants Senior Scholarships Student Leadership Grants New Educator Grants Plus more We are incredibly thankful for our generous community partners. Your support fuels our mission and makes a lasting difference for Canyon ISD students and teachers.
Serving Canyon for over 75 Years
Dr. Kenneth Crossland
Readers’ Choice Best Dentist
2026
TELEPHONE (806) 655-4181
OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT 2000 4TH AVENUE, CANYON, TEXAS 79015
Thank you Canyon for Voting us Best Agriculture Supply! Feed • Farm & Ranch • Fuel • Tools & Equipment • Vehicle Services Everyday Essentials 100 1st Avenue • Canyon, Texas 79015 (806) 655-2134
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CANYON MAIN STREET STORY AND PHOTOS BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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anyon Main Street has received two gold Readers’ Choice Awards: Best Annual Event and Best Business Leader. Canyon received the designation of a Main Street City in 2002. Canyon Main Street’s mission statement is: “To improve the quality of life for the citizens of Canyon and the benefit of the overall community through the enhancement and promotion of historic preservation, restoration, business vitality, tourism, cultural and arts awareness.” Audrey Miller, Canyon Main Street director, thought awhile before answering the question, “Why are you the best person for this position?” She thinks she is qualified to lead Canyon Main Street because “I am relational. Someone in this business needs to be able to cultivate relationships by being present in the community, by showing up and getting involved and immersing yourself in the community.” What makes Canyon such a great place to live and work? “The amount of people who care about our community,” Miller said. “I like that we have a lot of people that take chances on businesses
22 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
here, and I like taking historic properties and turning them into successful businesses.” She cited Palace Coffee as an example. “Palace took a chance on downtown Canyon and created a coffee empire,” Miller said. Joe Taco and Sayakomarn’s Restaurant also renovated old buildings for their businesses. Burrowing Owl Books is in a former bank that H. Root restored. Several shops have their building’s original wooden floors and tin ceilings. The 2016 restoration of the iconic 47-foot, 7-ton Tex Randall cowboy that stands along Highway 60 was a major Canyon Main Street undertaking. One of last year’s projects was to build ramps and rails for easier sidewalk access on the square’s corners. A spring project this year was to display 25 banners of 2026 seniors around the square. Main Street replaced those banners with 4th of
July banners to keep the square festive. A spring event was the second annual Art Fest around the square. “People could come together and express themselves through art whether that be through music, painting, sculpting, etc.,” Miller said. Artists also displayed their creativity by competing in a sidewalk chalk contest. “We hope this will become a big regional event,” Miller said. Canyon Main Street joined the Canyon Chamber of Commerce to host the biggest 4th of July celebration in the panhandle with an estimated attendance of 30,000. A new event was the Firecracker Mile race held before the traditional parade. Nearly 220 runners competed. Miller’s husband Brody, sister and brother-in –law, and parents volunteered to help with the big day’s activities. “It’s a whole-family affair,” she said. She calls her husband “volunteer of the year” because he helps with so many of her projects. Her fouryear-old daughter attends so many of Canyon Main Street’s events that she thinks she will get her face painted every time she visits the square. The non-profit organization provides other community activities throughout the year. An obvious favorite is June Jams that won the Best Annual Event Award. Local musicians entertain each Thursday of June at Neblett Park from 7:309 p.m. Families bring their blankets and lawn chairs to relax and listen to the music. An estimated 6,000 children attended Canyon Main Street’s Spooktacular last October. Businesses and groups parked their decorated vehicles around the perimeter of the square as costumed children and their parents (often costumed, too) waited patiently in long lines to reach the 42 candy-suppliers. Canyon Main Street’s latest campaign is to install architectural lighting for the historic vacant courthouse at night. Miller said only $6,000 more is needed to reach the goal of $70,000 for the lights. She hopes to have the lights operating by Christmas. She has produced an information card that answers the question, “Why light the courthouse?” It’s the centerpiece of downtown. It shows we (the citizens of Canyon) still care about the property. It’s festive and fosters community pride. It will last over 10 PLUS years. Why not? Miller focuses on the future to save Canyon’s past.
Canyon Main Street director Audry Miller
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FIRST UNITED BANK MORTGAGE LOANS STORY AND PHOTOS BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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irst United Bank Spirit Mortgage has earned the Readers’ Choice Award for Best Mortgage Loan. “We are honored to be recognized by the community of Canyon, TX,” Kris Bilbrey, senior vice president of the Amarillo/ Canyon market, said. “The award belongs to our customers who have trusted us with one of the most important financial decisions of
their lives. We could not do it without our amazing team behind every loan.” First United Bank operates on four founding principles: generosity, loyalty, integrity and community. Bilbrey considers herself on the “frontlines” of building relationships with clients, real estate agents and builders. Her team combines “experience, responsiveness and genuine care of the people we serve in our community. We believe every customer deserves that personal attention that we give.
First United Bank Khayla McDonald-Loan Processor, Kris Roberts Bilbrey-SVP Mortgage Loan Officer, Kelsy Reynolds-SVP Mortgage Operations Mgr Senior Underwriter
26 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
We also feel they deserve honest advice. I want to be a lender who is available to them throughout the full process. That’s the standard that I strive to deliver every day for every client.” The biggest challenge in the mortgage loan business currently is the “volatile environment we are in such as interest rates, and that volatility gives clients concern about their ability to purchase a home,” Bilbrey said. Creativity and education are needed to overcome that concern, “Some clients, Realtors and builders are doing everything they can to be creative in helping overcome the volatility in the market and show that home ownership is still possible with the right structure,” she said. Bilbrey closed 125 mortgage loans in the Amarillo/Canyon market in 2025. By the end of this July, she had already closed 100. Because First United Bank is locally-owned, decisions are made individually at each of its 23 branches. The ability to do that has many advantages, according to Bilbrey. “In our market, everybody that touches loan files are all employed by the bank - loan officers, processers, underwriters, assistants – are all working for the bank,” she said. “You (employee) get up from your desk and walk to another desk. That’s a huge advantage in our world.” Knowing their clients’ situations can help with “extenuating circumstances” that might be flagged for denial by an outside entity. Applying for a mortgage can be done totally online. “There’s a generation of people who enjoy
online; however, there are quite a few who want to do things face-to-face,” Bilbrey said. The bank offers both methods. All closing papers are signed in person. Bilbrey’s advice to those who want to purchase a home is to get educated on the processes, get pre-qualified so they know what they can afford, and always shop locally for their mortgage. “At the end of the day, mortgages are about people, not just loans,” Bilbrey said. “When we put people first, success tends to follow.”
CanyonNews.com 27
Thank You Canyon! For Choosing Us For Favorite Snow Cone 15 Years in a Row!
806-679-6627
Located Between Allsup’s & Ranch House Cafe on 23rd Street READERS’ CHOICE
READERS’ CHOICE
2021 CANYON NEWS
AWARDS AWARDS
2025 2026 CANYON NEWS
CANYON NEWS
GOLD
GOLD
READERS’ CHOICE
AWARDS
2026 CANYON NEWS
GOLD
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your trust and vote of confidence!
28 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
For Voting us Best Antique Store! Owner: Patty Nitsche
Antiques & More 2316 4th Ave., Canyon, TX (806) 570-8506 @restorationchicincanyon
We Accept
Buff Cash! Best Chicken
2106 N. 2nd Ave., Canyon, TX
(806) 655-8800
CanyonNews.com 29
TOOT’N TOTUM STORY AND PHOTO BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
T
oot’n Totum has been named Best Convenience Store and Best Car Wash in the Readers’ Choice voting. “What an honor to receive this prestigious award based off so many team
30 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
members’ hard work and determination,” Toot’n Totum Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mitchell said. Toot’n Totum started in Amarillo in 1950 as a family-owned business and has remained “proudly local,” according to Mitchell. Eldon “Lefty” and Novie Mitchell opened the first store on 15th and
“WE TRY TO PLEASE THE GUESTS IN EVERY WAY WE POSSIBLY CAN WITH OUR SELECTION OF PRODUCTS AND GUEST EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER,”
Washington and sold milk, bread, chips and soft drinks. Guests tooted their horns, and employees toted that requests to them. The convenience store chain has grown to 98 stores with locations in southern Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas as far south as La Mesa and one in Clayton, N.M. The chain has also added 10 car washes and eight lube centers. It has incorporated food offerings which include nine Wendy’s, seven Mitch’s Texas Style BBQ and four Jacket Potatoes. It employs 1,700 team members in its stores and car washes. “Our culture is based around Toot’n Totum’s Way which is ‘to create experiences worth repeating.’ We do that through our five values: 1. Team focused 2. Guest ready 3. Honor and value 4. Ownership 5. Quick, clean and convenient,” Mitchell said. What sets Toot’n Totum apart from other convenience stores? “We try to please the guests in every way we possibly can with our selection of products and guest experience like no other,” Mitchell said. The company’s biggest challenge is “making sure that we do follow the Toot’n Totum Way with every guest, every time, 100 percent of the time,” according
to Mitchell. The company depends heavily on its vendors to help create those guest experiences. To keep 98 stores operating smoothly is a big undertaking which includes departments for maintenance, fuel transportation, lawn care and cleaning, and internal marketing. The company also has a warehouse and a print shop. Most Toot’n Totums are open around the clock; however, some are open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The store has celebrated its 76th year in business. Mitchell’s greatest reward as CEO is “getting to work with such incredible team members.”
CanyonNews.com 31
READERS’ CHOICE
AWARDS
2026 CANYON NEWS
GOLD
Thank You Canyon
For Voting Us Best Veterinarian! Thank you for putting your trust in us. We love what we do, and we are honored to be recognized! 1901 4TH AVE., CANYON, TX 79015 806.655.2106 paloduroanimalhospital.com
32 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF READERS’ CHOICE! It was a pleasure helping our local businesses showcase what makes them special in this year’s Readers’ Choice Magazine. Your customers are making decisions every day — where to shop, where to eat, who to call and where to spend their money. Keep your business in front of them with the trusted, local reach of the Canyon News.
WINE BEER & SPIRITS
Consistent advertising can help keep your business top of mind all year long. Readers’ Choice was a great opportunity to be seen. Let’s keep the momentum going. Contact me today and let’s create an advertising plan that keeps your business in front of our community. Leticia Favila, Account Executive O 806.655.7121 C 806.808.2816 Canyon News
Protect Your Investment!
2026 Proudly Serving the Texas Panhandle
Thank you Canyon for Voting us Best Cleaning Service! Mason & Kelsey Sargent canyondrycarpet@gmail.com
806-759-1354
2026
THANK YOU Canyon for voting us Best Liquor Store!
14915 FM 2590, Amarillo, TX 79119
806-877-2644 • txbeverage@gmail.com
CanyonNews.com 33
THE CAKE COMPANY STORY AND PHOTO BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
T
he Cake Company has received the Readers’ Choice awards for Best Bakery, Best Cinnamon Roll and Best Dessert. “I am very thankful for the community of Canyon and the surrounding area showing up and supporting our business,” owner Mandy Williams said. “I am also thankful for my employees. They show up every day with a smile on their face, ready to go, and it makes coming to work fun and not just a job.” Williams opened the Cake Company in 1999 although she had never had formal baking and decorating classes. “Growing up I always had a fascination with birthday cakes and the decorating aspect of it,” Williams said. “Fast forward to when I was a teenager in Plainview, and I worked in a grocery store bakery.” After hours she taught herself cake decorating by reading Wilton (cake decorating supplies company) magazines, “The Days Before You Tube.” “I learn by sight and practice,” Williams said. She has 19 employees who help bake cookies, cakes, fried pies and bars. The Cake Company also offers wedding cakes and other special event cakes. Two employees have been to culinary school. The others were novices like Williams when they started. The hardest part of running a bakery has been to balance it with her home and family time. When her husband had a liver/kidney transplant in 2024-25, her staff “came together and took care of things, and I was able to focus fully on his recovery journey. I look back now, and I am in awe of what they did.” Past employees
34 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
even returned and volunteered time to help. The Cake Company bakes and decorates an average of 175-200 wedding cakes per year. Styles change in cakes. The current trend is smaller cakes with only two tiers but with cupcakes and sheet cakes. Williams estimates that she sells an average of 300 dozen cookies every six months with Valentine’s Day, Christmas and graduation being high volume months. Nobake and chocolate chip cookies are favorites throughout the year. She estimates that she sells 275 dozen cupcakes per year.
The Cake Company’s Mandy Williams and employees
“I AM ALSO THANKFUL FOR MY EMPLOYEES. THEY SHOW UP EVERY DAY WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE, READY TO GO, AND IT MAKES COMING TO WORK FUN AND NOT JUST A JOB.” Fried pies are Williams’ most popular items. The most popular fillings are cherry, apple and peach. However, the seasonal pecan fried pie is her personal favorite. “Oh, my God! It’s good. I like to heat it up just a little bit,” she said. Her fried pies are so good that she now sells them to all area Pak a Saks. Her pie crew starts at midnight and is finished, ready to head out the door by 8 a.m. to deliver them to the convenience stores. Since the first delivery March 31, she had
sent out 18,000 pies by mid-July. She will soon need more employees. The bakery was named Business of the Year in 2013 and has received 12 Readers’ Choice Best Bakery awards. Williams has been named Canyon News Citizen of the Year. Cake Company hours are Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Williams’ business philosophy is, “Work hard; be patient; God provides, and enjoy the life you have been given.”
CanyonNews.com 35
Monday - Saturday 11am-3pm/5pm-9pm Sunday - Closed Dine-In • Carry-Out 655-2698 • 421 16th St.
www.sayakomarns.com
Best Asian 2026 Cuisine READERS’ CHOICE
AWARDS CANYON NEWS
GOLD
THANK YOU
Canyon !
Store #1 - 2800 4th Ave 806-655-9811
We are incredibly honored to be named
CANYON’S BEST GAS STATION! An award like this reflects the hard work of our amazing Canyon teams and the wonderful support of our neighbors. It is a joy to serve you every day, and we are so grateful for your trust in us!
36 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
Store #5 - 1100 4th Ave 806-655-7559
THANK YOU
Canyon for Voting Us BEST FENCING COMPANY!
Congratulations to all of our
2026
2026
940.732.0204
winners!
campbellfencing25@gmail.com
2026 We would like to express our sincere gratitude for being voted
Best Home Improvement Center Best Exterminator
Thank you Canyon for Voting us
Best Snacks and Sweets!
Thank you Canyon for voting us Best Florist! 2026
Owner: Evelyn Romero
2304 4th Ave., Canyon, TX 79015 806.452.7767 info@canyonpopcornco.com
1515 4th Ave. Canyon, TX 79015 (806) 655-3732 (800) 328-2743 www.stevensfloralco.com
READERS’ CHOICE
AWARDS
2026 CANYON NEWS
GOLD
Thank you Canyon for voting us
We are truly honored and grateful for your support. Thank you for allowing Pony Express Burritos to serve the Canyon community. Your trust, loyalty, and votes mean the world to us! We Also From business lunches and school events to weddings, graduations, and parties-we’ll bring the burritos to you! CALL US TODAY for Catering!
CANYON (Est. 2013)
Best Sandwich! VISIT US! WT JBK STUDENT CENTER
Owners: George & Paige Nester
AMARILLO
BUSINESS HOURS MONDAY - SATURDAY 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM FOLLOW US! @PONYEXPRESSBURRITOS
5005 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015 VISIT US ONLINE PONYEXPRESSBURRITOS.COM
806.381.3446
creekhousehoneyfarm@gmail.com CanyonNews.com 37
FIRST UNITED BANK AUTO LOANS STORY AND PHOTO BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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irst United Bank has won the gold vote for the Best Auto Loans in Canyon in the Readers’ Choice Awards. “We are pleasantly surprised, honored and grateful,” assistant vice president/lending Rhett Bain said. Cody Cook, assistant vice president/ portfolio manager expressed similar feelings. “I would like to give a thank you to our community, as well as our current and future customers.” Cook said. “We pride ourselves on being Canyon’s financial partner.” Bain has seven years’ experience in the banking world. He spent two to three years as a credit analyst at an Amarillo First United Bank and has spent the last four as a commercial lender in the Canyon branch. Cook started as a teller in Canyon, spent three years as a credit analyst in Amarillo, and then returned to Canyon as a portfolio manager. “My job wears many hats from cooking burgers, to managing Canyon portfolios, to making commercial loans,” Cook said. Cooking hamburgers may not be in the job descriptions of First United Bank employees, but it falls under the category of the bank’s business philosophy: generosity, loyalty, integrity and community. Bank personnel cook burgers for Canyon schools as well as for West Texas A & M events. They also host Ray Day (in honor of former president Ray Bain) for the community the second Friday of August every year. Free food flows from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at each of the 23 branches. The event draws more and more people each year, according to Bain. “We pride ourselves in getting out and having our faces shown and giving back to Canyon,” Bain said. “We want them to feel comfortable coming in our doors.” Bain estimated that his department makes 250 commercial and private auto loans per year. About 50 percent are for new vehicles and the other 50 percent are for used ones.
38 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
It’s harder to make loans on used vehicles because they may be too old or have too many miles on them. Also, sometimes the buyer doesn’t qualify. Both agreed that the hardest part of working with auto loans is dealing with regulations because they are always changing. Why should automobile buyers come to First United instead of getting a loan through the car dealership? “We are a very family-oriented bank, and we treat each customer like family,” Bain said. “Whether we get the loan or not, we want to give the best advice.” Cook added to that, “We provide more than a transaction; we provide a relationship.” Being a locally-owned bank has its advantages for customers because decisions are made locally. “We get to be part of growing the community, helping shape the future of our community,” Bain said. Cook pointed out that “our executives live and work in the same community that we are approving loans in. That makes a big difference. Our executives have the community’s best interest in mind as well as our local customers.” Auto loans are only a small part of the loans First United works with. Other loans include agricultural, commercial, real estate, working capital and more. “We are just serving,” Cook said. “Anything you need, we will do our best to accommodate.” What is the best part of working at First United Bank? “It doesn’t feel like work around here,” Bain said. “We are a very family-oriented bank, and we try to treat each other as family.” Cook agreed. “I love getting to develop relationships with our customers as well as with my co-workers,” he said. First United Bank is located at 801 23rd Street. Lobby hours are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The bank’s phone number is 806-655-8000.
“WE ARE JUST SERVING...ANYTHING YOU NEED, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE.”
First United Bank assistant vice president/ lending Rhett Bain and Cody Cook, assistant vice president/portfolio manager
CanyonNews.com 39
Give Us A Break... We’ll Fix It! We Handle Insurance Claims
AWARD WINNING QUALITY SERVICE FOR OVER 28 YEARS THANK YOU, CANYON!
READERS’ CHOICE
• Windshields
• Shower Door
• Patio Doors
• Desk Tops
• Screens
• Rock Chip Repair
• Storm Window Doors
• Auto Glass
• Windows
• Mirrors
• Store Fronts
• Plexiglas
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806-655-7676 www.grizzlehvac.com
CANYON NEWS
GOLD
TACLB15640E
Thank you Canyon! Best Windshield Repair/Replacement READERS’ CHOICE
Hometown owned by Garre Robinson 604 23rd St. Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 655-1628
PALO DURO CREEK GOLF COURSE THANK YOU
for voting us Best Golf Course.
18 Hole Course with Golf Shop Visit the PDC Grill 50 Country Club Dr. • 655-1106 www.palodurocreekgolfcourse.com
READERS’ CHOICE
AWARDS
2026 CANYON NEWS
GOLD
Voted Best Mexican Food
AWARDS
2026 CANYON NEWS
GOLD
THANK YOU CANYON FOR VOTING BEST EYEBROW ARTIST
Owner Mindy Cagle 1 S Hunsley Hills Blvd, Ste B Canyon, TX 79015
806.683.8056
READERS’ CHOICE
AWARDS
2026 CANYON NEWS
GOLD
MONDAY - SATURDAY 8 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY - 8 AM - 3 PM 2301 12TH AVE • 806-510-7703
JOIN US TODAY!! 40 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
Thank you Canyon for choosing us! Best: • Appetizers • Pizza • Salad • Italian Restaurant
Forvoting us Best Children’s Clothing, Best Jewelry, and Best Gift Baskets
For voting us Best Children’s Clothing, Best Jewelry, and Best Gift Baskets
1521 4th Ave., Canyon, TX Canyon for Voting us Best Barber Shop!
TONY GARZA
2308 10th Ave., Canyon, TX 79015 806.673.5695 canyonbarbershop@gmail.com
(806) 699-1099
1521 4th Ave., Canyon, TX
lavenderlanecanyontx@gmail.com (806) 699-1099
lavenderlanecanyontx@gmail.com
THE CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTER Providing quality care for children through spiritual, mental, physical, and social activities designed to model Christian principles.
FOR VOTING US BEST DAYCARE
2026 1717 4TH Ave., Canyon, TX (806)655-3246 clc@christianlearningcenter-canyon.com
CanyonNews.com 41
MICKEY’S PLACE STORY AND PHOTO BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
M
ickey’s Place has consistently won Readers’ Choice gold awards since it opened in 2022. This year’s gold awards are for Best Italian Restaurant, Best Pizza, Best Salad and Best Appetizer. “I am very proud of the town we chose to open our restaurant in, and it feels great whenever we get accolades and these type of awards from the community,” owner Mickey Foster said. Foster and his wife Renae had experience in restaurant management before they moved to Canyon, but their goal had been to open their own restaurant. “Canyon stole our family’s heart from Day One,” Foster said. “We have three kids, and they have all excelled in the school systems in Canyon ISD. I can’t express how grateful we are for Canyon ISD. It’s one of the reasons why I serve on the board of directors for the CISD Education Foundation.” The Fosters’ business philosophy is: “Good people, good wine and good food.” Their core values are “1. Run a beautiful restaurant that’s comfortable for people to dine in. 2. Put good food on the plates. 3. Hire and retain a great team. Renae and I, as a family-owned restaurant, believe in ensuring a positive environment for our team to excel and then that carries through to our customers.” Mickey’s has 54 employees; half are full-time. The challenge to running a restaurant is “staying relevant in a hard economy and keeping our prices reasonable and yet continue to push the standard of service in the hospitality industry,” Foster said. When the Fosters created their menu, they named may of the dishes for family members. Fettuccine Alfredo is the Italian restaurant’s
42 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
best seller, but Mona’s Marsala, named for Foster’s mother-in-law, is also a favorite. “Every time someone tells me how great the Mona’s Marsala is, it is touching, but in no way does it compare with how great a woman she was,” Foster said of her. “She passed away a couple of years ago, but I love to hear her name repeated over and over again, day in and day out. It makes me feel good that I can tell people that I created that recipe for my mother-in-law, Mona.” Not only is Mickey’s Place a favorite of locals, but it is getting repeat business from out-of-towners who are here for the musical TEXAS or who are on their way to Colorado. “It’s validation that we are doing something right,” Foster said. Best Pizza was another gold winner for Mickey’s Place.
“I AM VERY PROUD OF THE TOWN WE CHOSE TO OPEN OUR RESTAURANT IN, AND IT FEELS GREAT WHENEVER WE GET ACCOLADES AND THESE TYPE OF AWARDS FROM THE COMMUNITY.” “Our team is very proud that we won the gold for pizzas as we haven’t won that award since we have been open, and we intend to continue to be the best,” Foster said. Pizzas are baked in a brick pizza oven that is visible from the dining room. The crust is handmade; the pizza sauce is fresh, and the ingredients are cut in-house. The 14” pizzas can be made with
Mickey's Place owner Mickey Foster
a regular crust or with cauliflower for guests who want gluten free. The favorite pizza is the Siciliano with pepperonis, Italian sausage, salami and fresh basil. Foster thinks his business won Best Salad Award for its crispy apple salad made with all fresh ingredients. Best Appetizer might be his garlic knots. However, he has also developed a salmon dip that “is picking up a lot of steam,” Mickey’s Place’s amenities include catering, a small private dining room and a fully-stocked bar in a separate room with televisions for
watching games. It also offers dining outdoors. The restaurant serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with their regular menu. Brunch items include eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles, and West Texas sliders (egg and cheese sliders). Mickey’s Place is located at 1512 Fifth Ave. on the south side of Canyon’s historic square. It is open Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. It also offers delivery and takeout. The phone number is 806-452-7320.
CanyonNews.com 43
GRIZZLE STORY AND PHOTO BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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rizzle Heating and Air has been named Readers’ Choice Best Heating and Air Business. “We love our community and we love our employees, and we want our employees to treat the community as we treat them,” Brian Winkelman, comfort advisor, said. “The community is really great to us. We want them (the community) to trust us with their homes and their HVACs. That is what makes us a great company. Everybody we have is amazing and represents Grizzle very well.” Technicians often crawl into attics and under homes. It’s not unusual for them to encounter snakes, opossums or raccoons. “To us, it seems normal,” Winkelman said. Fortunately, they have never found a skunk. Recently, however, Winkelman came across a blanket and a pillow in a customer’s basement – apparently left by a homeless person. The homeowner was unaware of the intruder. “I don’t get nervous very often, but that was one time I did,” he said. The best part of working at Grizzle is the family atmosphere. “Everybody is great; everybody feels like family at Grizzle,” Winkelman said. The hardest part is that “we wish we could get to everybody when they need us,” he said. “It’s hard to get to them sometimes.” Grizzle offers a wide variety of services including sales, installation and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps, and duct and dryer vent cleaning. They specialize in Bryant heating and cooling systems. They serve both commercial businesses and homes. The business is located at 112 N. 15th Street. Its phone number is 806-655-7676.
44 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
Winning the Readers’ Choice Award “is an affirmation that we are doing the right things for the community, and they acknowledge that and it’s nice,” Winkelman said. “We appreciate it very much. We wouldn’t be in business for 28 years if it wasn’t for them.”
Grizzle Heating & Air employees
“THE COMMUNITY IS REALLY GREAT TO US. WE WANT THEM (THE COMMUNITY) TO TRUST US WITH THEIR HOMES AND THEIR HVACS. THAT IS WHAT MAKES US A GREAT COMPANY...”
CanyonNews.com 45
WINNERS AUTOMOTIVE AUTO ACCESSORIES Tire & Service Tire Pros AUTO BODY REPAIR Texas Body Shop AUTO DEALER Greg Lair AUTO PARTS Greg Lair BRAKE REPAIR Crabtree Automotive CAR WASH Toot'n Totum GAS STATION Pak-A-Sak INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP Crabtree Automotive OIL CHANGE/LUBE SHOP Tire & Service Tire Pros RV DEALER Family Camping WINDSHIELD REPAIR/ REPLACEMENT Garre's Canyon Glass Co., Inc.
COMMUNITY CHARITABLE EVENT Education Foundation of Canyon ISD - Dueling for the District COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY WTAMU NON-PROFIT GROUP Canyon Lions Club
ENTERTAINMENT ANNUAL EVENT June Jams-Canyon Main Street FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT The Lumberyard
GOLF COURSE Palo Duro Creek Golf Course LOCAL BAND Next to Kin TOURIST ATTRACTION Palo Duro Canyon National State Park
HEALTHCARE ASSISTED LIVING/ RETIREMENT HOME SkyWest Assisted Living Centers By Shaw CHIROPRACTOR Dr. Nancy Hinders DENTIST Dr. Kenneth Crossland EYE CARE Epsy Vision - Amanda Sappington ORTHODONTIST Hodges & Hodges Orthodontics PHARMACY United Supermarket Pharmacy PHYSICIAN Dr. Brytnie Halencak URGENT CARE FMC Health Care Express VETERINARIAN Palo Duro Animal Hospital
HOUSE & HOME APARTMENT COMPLEX Canyon Creek CLEANING SERVICE Canyon Dry Carpet ELECTRICAL SERVICE REPAIR Dietz Electric EXTERMINATOR Ace Hardware
46 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
FENCING COMPANY Campbell Fencing HEATING & A/C Grizzle Heating & Air HOME BUILDER Wyben Homes HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTER Ace Hardware HOME MORTGAGE COMPANY First United Bank LANDSCAPING COMPANY Rock Solid Landscape NURSERY/GARDEN CENTER Canyon’s Edge PLUMBING Bernardo’s Plumbing ROOFING COMPANY Wyben Roofing
BEST DRINK (NONALCOHOL) HTeaO BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner BREAKFAST Ranch House Café BREAKFAST BURRITO Buffs BURRITO Pony Express Burrito CATFISH Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner CHICKEN Chicken Express CHICKEN FRIED STEAK Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner CHILI MEDIA Feldman’s Wrong Way INTERNET COMPANY Diner Mid-Plains Communications CINNAMON ROLLS LOCAL WEBSITE The Cake Company CanyonNews.com COFFEE HOUSE TELEVISION PROVIDER Journey Coffee KFDA Channel 10 DELI United Supermarket RESTAURANTS DESSERT APPETIZERS The Cake Company Mickey’s Place DONUT ASIAN CUISINE Got Donuts Sayakomarn’s Restaurant FAJITAS BAKERY Joe Taco The Cake Company FAST FOOD BBQ Taco Villa Robinsons BBQ FOOD TRUCK BEST DATE NIGHT Pepito’s Mexican RESTAURANT Restaurant The Lumberyard FRENCH FRIES BEST DRINK (ALCOHOL) McDonald’s Pondaseta Brewing Co.
WINNERS FRITO PIE Bears Burgers and Dawgs FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT Joe Taco GIFT BASKETS Lavendar Lane HAMBURGER Bears Burgers and Dawgs HOT DOG Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs ICE CREAM Braums ITALIAN FOOD Mickey’s Place MEAT SELECTION Doc’s Prime Cuts MEXICAN FOOD Taqueria El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant ONION RINGS Pondaseta Brewing Co. OUTDOOR DINING The Lumberyard PIZZA Mickey’s Place QUESO Joe Taco RIBS Robinson’s BBQ SALAD Mickey’s Place SANDWICH Creek House Honey Farm SNACKS/SWEETS Canyon Popcorn Company SNOW CONE Sno-Ball Stop SPORTS BAR/HAPPY HOUR West Texas Sports Grill STEAK Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner
FINANCIAL PLANNER Edward Jones FITNESS CENTER 806 Fitness FLORIST SERVICES Stevens Flowers ACCOUNTING FIRM FUNERAL HOME Myatt Young Cochran, LLC Brooks Brothers Funeral AGRICULTURE LENDER Home First National Bank - Matt HAIR SALON Cox Uplifting Salon AGRICULTURE SUPPLY HOTEL Canyon Consumer’s Supply Holiday Inn Co-op Insurance Agency ATTORNEY/LAW FIRM KENNY DEAN STATE Simmons & Brown PLLC FARM AUTO LOAN COMPANY LASH/EYEBROW ARTIST First United Bank A+ Arches BANK LIQUOR STORE AMARILLO NATIONAL Texas Beverage BANK LOAN OFFICER BARBER SHOP Cierra McCarty - Happy Canyon Barbershop State Bank Stacia Houser - Amarillo LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS National Bank The 2 winners tied for Espy Vision the gold category PLACE TO WORK MASSAGE THERAPIST Happy State Bank Nikki Ash BUSINESS LEADER MEDICAL SPA Audry Miller, Canyon Main Awaken Medical Aesthetics Street NAIL SALON CATERING Beauty Nails Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner NEW BUSINESS Canyon Brew Barn CREDIT UNION Education Credit Union PARTY/WEDDING VENUE Chateau Event and CUSTOMER SERVICE Wedding Venue Amarillo National Bank PET GROOMER DAY CARE Canine Country Club Christian Learning Center PHOTOGRAPHER DRIVE THRU BANK Lacenda Hartman Happy State Bank Photography DRY CLEANING REAL ESTATE AGENCY Modern Cleaners Palo Duro Real Estate SWEET TEA Tea2Go TeaN’ergy TEA HTeaO
REAL ESTATE AGENT Chancy Via STORAGE FACILITY Buff Storage TEACHER Breanne Holbrook TOWING SERVICE Buffalo Towing VACATION RENTAL/BED & BREAKFAST Chateau Event and Wedding Venue
SHOPPING ANTIQUE STORE Restoration Chic ART GALLERY Fourth Avenue Marsha Clements BOOKSTORE Burrowing Owl Bookstore CHILDREN’S CLOTHING Lavender Lane CLOTHING Blessed Buffalo CONVENIENCE STORE Toot’n Totum DISCOUNT STORE Dollar Tree ELECTRONICS Best Buy FLOORING Lowe’s GIFTS/ACCESSORIES Thompson’s GROCERIES United Supermarket HOME DECOR Thompson’s JEWELRY Lavender Lane SHOES/BOOTS Runningwater Dry Goods WESTERN WEAR West Texas Western Store CanyonNews.com 47
Leticia Favila, Retail Marketing • Shannon Cook, Classified Marketing • Carmen Ortega, Advertising Director
1500 5th Ave., Canyon • 806.655.7121 48 Readers’ Choice | Canyon News | August 2026
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Thank You Canyon! For Choosing Us Best Home Builder
CRAFTSMANSHIP YOU CAN SEE INTEGRITY YOU CAN TRUST
Wyben Homes builds beautiful new custom homes & new construction homes in the Canyon, Amarillo, & Bushland areas!
(806) 220-4565 • wybenhomes.com