Sheriff’s Corner with Sheriff

DEDICATION FOR NEW DENTON COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE COURTHOUSE

by Denton County Judge Andy Eads photo courtesy of Judge Andy Eads

On Nov. 4, Denton County Commissioners Court held a dedication and grand opening for the new Denton County Administrative Courthouse at 1 Courthouse Drive just off Loop 288 in Denton. The public was invited to join Denton County in the dedication, refreshments and tours that began at 1:30 p.m.

As part of the Denton County Administrative Complex, the new four-story building brings a number of staff together in one location from the Denton County Courthouse-on-theSquare and the Carroll Courts Building.

The four-story building houses the County Judge, Commissioners Court, County Administration, Budget, County Auditor/Accounts Payable, County Treasurer, Purchasing, Community Relations, Human Resources, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 and Precinct 1 Constable, Economic Development and Aide to Commissioners Court. Also included is the 2020 room on the third floor, which will be available for use by the public through a reservation via the Aide to Commissioners Court. The room features seating for 186 at tables and chairs with a podium, electronic screens for presentations, a food service area and access to a balcony.

The new facility not only consolidates county administrative personnel, it also allows Denton County to expand the judicial system, which continues to grow.

“We are repurposing the Carroll Courts Building to house additional courts. While it is under renovation, the 367th District Court will relocate to the second floor of the Courthouse-on-the-Square,” Denton County Judge Eads said. The new Administrative Courthouse, which covers 95,794 total square feet, sits on 10 acres in a larger complex that includes Denton County Public Health, Facilities Administration, Election/ Technology Services, Emergency Services and Adult Probation.

Designed with a traditional government building front complete with clock and a dome with the finial topping out at 132 feet, the building also features a forward-looking design in the back with glass as a nod to the future. On the back or north side of the Courthouse, the grounds feature an outdoor amphitheater with outdoor restrooms for public use in addition to a large grassy area, an outdoor pond complete with a recycled iron bridge featuring memorials to fire and police and areas for the public to sit under trees.

“The new Denton County Administrative Courthouse includes features from the original Courthouse-on-the-Square along with an eye to future growth,” Judge Eads said. “We designed this building to last 100 years with room to expand as needed.”

“We also incorporated features that would make this an attractive place for the public to plan outdoor and indoor events in the months and years to come,” he said. “It has been enjoyable seeing the brides and families having photos taken on the grounds.”

Funds to pay for the building, estimated at $45 million, were part of a 2008 bond election. Construction began in November 2018, continuing at a slowerthan-expected pace during the COVID-19 pandemic with labor and material shortages and weather delays including the significant freeze in February 2021, with substantial completion prior to movein in September 2021.

CONNECT WITH US

If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. 940.349.2820 | andy.eads@dentoncounty.com | www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup

NOT YOUR EVERYDAY

LIQUOR STORE

by Steve Gamel | photos courtesy of Miranda Longoria Photography

Imagine for a second that you need to make a quick trip to your neighborhood liquor store to grab a bottle of wine and some vodka for a party. As soon as the door jingles and you peek your head inside, an unmistakable feeling comes over you as you realize this isn’t your everyday spirits store.

“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT, ‘GIVE ME YOUR MONEY AND MOVE ON.’ WE WANT TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU’RE TAKING HOME.”

Sure, the place looks like what you’d expect at first glance. And judging by the stocked shelves and cases, they’re going to have what you came for. But this place feels different. It’s bright, friendly, and the store owner knows your name. They greeted you the second you walked in and offered to help find a specific brand. And after ringing up your purchase, they followed with, “See you next time!” Everything about the experience was perfect.

We don’t know about you, but that sounds fantastic. And all you have to do to experience it is visit Worth the Pour. Worth The Pour is the newest addition to The Realm at Castle Hills in Lewisville. And judging by the overwhelming response from nearby residents, owners Michael and Brenda Reyes have succeeded in creating a neighborhood liquor store that bucks the impersonal style of many other liquor stores you may have been relying upon over the years.

If you’ve been there already, then you know exactly what they’re talking about. If you haven’t — what are you waiting for?

“We are quickly becoming everyone’s neighborhood store, and that was our vision from the very beginning,” Michael said. “We never wanted to be the typical liquor store. We want to create an experience from the second you walk in.”

Brenda agreed.

“It’s not just about, ‘Give me your money and move on.’ We want to know that you’re happy with what you’re taking home,” she said. “There has to be a personal connection.”

And every bottle has to be worth the pour.

Michael was previously a partner with another successful liquor store in Dallas called Kindred Spirits. But after selling the store in 2020, he and Brenda wanted

to take what they had learned — the successes, failures, and everything in between — and open a new store that was different from the rest.

They’ve achieved that with Worth the Pour, which also offers stemware, glassware, bar sets, personalized items, gift baskets, and a humidor with a full selection of cigars. The entire facility is 3,000 square feet, including a 500 square foot walk-in beer cave that is always kept at 34 degrees for the coldest beer in town.

They also spent a considerable amount of time creating a friendly vibe that simply doesn’t exist in other liquor stores.

“It’s not your typical head-down-behind-theregister thing like other stores, and I credit Brenda for that,” Michael says. “From the design to the aesthetics, everything is warm and friendly. Brenda is always here running everything and taking care of people. Brenda makes sure everyone is greeted and taken care of, and it’s reached the point now where we have our regulars. We know who they are, and they know us.”

Because of that, they know what their customers like and have those items available. Sure, they sell the typical stuff like Tito’s, Bacardi, Jack Daniels, and more, but they also have local crafts and specialized brands. Not sure what to get for your next gathering? Let Brenda or Michael help you decide.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Just ask, and they’ll get it for you.

“We’ve left plenty of room for customer requests. After all, when you’re the neighborhood liquor store, you want to carry what people drink,” Michael said. “They’ll say, ‘Do you have this?’ And I’ll say, ‘No, but let me get it for you.’ They are completely wowed when we call them to let them know that their order is here.”

“WE KNEW THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WAS EXACTLY WHERE WE WANTED TO BE.”

Brenda said they even try every new item to ensure the quality fits what their customers want.

Simply put, you’d be hard-pressed to find another liquor store that matches Worth the Pour’s dizzying selection, variety, location, and neighborly atmosphere.

“We knew this neighborhood was exactly where we wanted to be,” Michael said. “Being in this community means everything to us.”