2025 Star Awards complete

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Legacy Chevrolet GMC is a local car dealership that focuses on customer experience—located on the corner of I-35 and Hwy. 287, it has seen and experienced many changes over the years.

Managing partner Shawn Swenson said, “We concentrate daily on maximizing the customer experience. We have room to grow, but we as a company don’t take it lightly when we have dissatisfied customers.”

Growing up in Groesbeck, Texas, Swenson left the U.S. Army in 1991 and immediately began his career in the automotive business.

Legacy Chevrolet assumed ownership of

LEGACY CHEVROLET

this facility in 2023. Swenson stated, “This community is excellent and growing. We take pride in helping local organizations, including high school athletic programs, Cook Children’s Hospital, and several others.”

Swenson stated the business’s goals as simple: “We want to be an industry leader in customer satisfaction. We know issues will arise but do our best to handle them. Customers are welcome to call anytime.”

Poised in an ever-growing community, Swenson added, “Soon, we will start construction of a new state-of-the-art service and sales facility. We need the capacity for our service customers in Waxahachie.

Service can be a challenge right now with our limited capacity, but we are going to address that this year.”

According to its website, Legacy Chevrolet GMC of Waxahachie offers new and used vehicle sales, as well as commercial and electric vehicles. They are also a provider of service and parts.

The community is welcome to visit Legacy Chevrolet at its location or online at mylegacychevroletgmc.com. It can also be found on Facebook and Instagram and can be reached at 972-938-8000.

Legacy Chevrolet GMC of Waxahachie –“Together, Let’s Drive!”

Beautiful tattoos by talented artists are what customers are promised when they enter the door at Southbound Tattoo.

Southbound Tattoo opened for business on March 4, 2021. Owner Alex Freeman says, “ I’m motivated by the passion for artistry, the connection with our clients, and the ability to create meaningful, custom tattoos that people carry with them for a lifetime. Seeing the joy and confidence a great tattoo brings to someone is what drives us every day.”

American Traditional tattoos are making a strong comeback for their timeless style and durability, while large-scale Japanese tattooing is gaining popularity for its storytelling and bold expression. “At Southbound Tattoo, we embrace these trends by refining our skills and delivering top-quality work,” Freeman stated.

To continue to be the top tattoo shop in

SOUTHBOUND TATTOO

Waxahachie and beyond, each artist ensures every client receives a top-tier experience. Freeman added, “We are always looking to expand our team of talented artists, grow our reputation, and remain a trusted name in the community.”

“ Southbound Tattoo stands out through our unwavering commitment to quality, exceptional customer experience, and deep community involvement. Our art speaks for itself—our tattoos are designed to last a lifetime, aging gracefully with the wearer rather than just chasing online trends. With nearly two decades of experience, I have dedicated my career to mastering the techniques that ensure a tattoo remains bold, vibrant, and properly executed for longevity.

We offer free custom design sessions focused on body flow and structure, ensuring that each piece looks incredible when freshly

done and continues to look great as it ages. Our designs are crafted to complement the body’s natural movement, enhancing their longevity and visual impact over time,” Freeman said. “We’re actively involved in the Waxahachie community, supporting events like Hachie Gras, and I am currently serving as Vice Grand for the Waxahachie Oddfellows Lodge No. 80. We love giving back and being a part of what makes this town great.” Southbound Tattoo is located at 602 S. Rogers St., just across the viaduct from historic downtown. Vvisit them online at southboundtattoo.com, Instagram - @southboundtattoo, Facebook - facebook.com/ southboundtattoo, and TikTok - @southboundtattoo. They may be reached by phone at (214) 903-7138. They are open seven days a week, Mon-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Top Car Salesperson Casey GonzalesWaxahachie Autoplex

Top Car Wash/Detail Shop Scarborough Car Wash

Top CBD Shop Smokes N Edibles

Top Chicken Chick-fil-A

Top Child Care Yaya’s Yuniversity

Top Chiropractor Progressive Pace Chiropractic

Don’t trust the most important purchase you can make for your family to just any mortgage company!

2025 STAR AWARD WINNERS

Top Church The Avenue Church

Top Coffee Shop Dutch Bros Coffee

Top Construction Company Concreatures LLC

Top Credit Union Neighborhood Credit Union

Top Customer Service Synergy Roofing

Top Daiquiri Dancing Daiquiris

Top Dental Office Morgan Dentistry

Top Dermatologist Word Dermatology

Top Dessert The Dessert Spot

Top Dry Cleaner Waxahachie Laundry & Cleaners

Top Electric Service Estes Electric

Top Employer Lippert Components, Inc.

SYNERGY ROOFING

Waxahachie (972) 953-5064 synergyroofing.com

Synergy Roofing believes integrity and communication are the most critical aspects of their business. “Do what you say you will do and always follow through” are words Steve, Shelley, and Andrew Raney live in this family-owned and operated business.

Starting in 2009, Shelley said, “We love our hometown of Waxahachie and enjoy building lasting relationships with our customers here. We are motivated. When we complete a project, we know it is well done.”

With the significant cost increase of home insurance and building materials, Synergy Roofing now offers easy financing to ease its customers’ burdens.

“Roofing businesses come and go,” said

Shelley. “Synergy Roofing has been in business, right here in Waxahachie, since 2009. All our business is referral-based; we never solicit business by knocking doors.”

For many years, Steve’s job in the roofing industry required him to travel. He and his family finally decided it was necessary for him to stay home so they could be together and serve the local community.

With a five-generation history in Waxahachie, the Raneys’ roots run deep, and they are thankful for that.

Steve and Shelley Raney, along with their son, Andrew, own and operate this business.

When the need arises, potential customers can find Synergy Roofing online at synergyroofing.com, on Facebook at Synergy Roofing, or Instagram at roofingsynergy. The business can also be reached by calling 972-953-5064.

Synergy Roofing is “Building Relationships With Integrity One Roof at a Time.” It serves Ellis, Johnson, Navarro, Tarrant, Dallas, Collin, Hill, Kaufman, and Hunt Counties and is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating.

Top Employment Agency

Express Employment Professionals

Top Event Venue

The Springs Event Venue

Top Eye Care Provider

Dr. Marvin Brown III, OD

Top Family Medical Center

Methodist Family Health Center

Top Fencing Company Woodcrafters Fencing

Top Fitness Center/Gym Shelby Symmetry

2025 STAR AWARD WINNERS

Top Flooring Company

Concreatures LLC

Top Florist

Eubank Florist & Gifts

Top Funeral Home

Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home

Top Furniture Store Furniture by Sleep Quarters

Top Glass Repair

Glass Doctor Auto of Waxahachie

Top Hamburger Oma’s Jiffy Burger

Top Hearing Center

Beltone Hearing Care Center

Top Home Health/Hospice Hospice Plus

Top Hotel/Motel

Comfort Suites Waxahachie

Top Insurance Agent

State Farm: Kip Fedora

Top Landscaping S & L Lawn Service

Top Lawyer/Law Firm

Ron B. Johnson

Choosing a not-so-opportune time, Smokes N Edibles opened its doors in 2020 during the pandemic. The 1037 W. US Highway 287 Bypass lease was signed just a week before the shutdown.

The owner, Waz, said, “I remember buying China cabinets from people’s houses because I couldn’t afford actual display cases like normal businesses would buy to display their product. I was using my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee on its last limb but pulled through to pull a U-Haul full of China cabinets.”

SMOKES N’ EDIBLES

1037 US 287 Bypass, Suite E, Waxahachie (214) 980-1623

When asked what their motivation was for opening his business, Waz took a step back to a hard time in his life, “Experiencing homelessness and having literally nothing to my name, not even gas money to get to work back 2017-2020, that’s when I realized I was just wasting my time. And time is the only thing we can never get back, no matter what.”

“Not having anything at all,” he continued, “ motivated me to make sure never to reach that path again.”

Smokes N Edibles carries edibles that aren’t too weak or strong. Waz says, “The edibles we have are to die for. The stories we hear from people that come in are nothing short of incredible. We have to keep it legal, so our product is literally perfect for medical purposes.”

Every day, people come into the store to tell about how they have quit taking their daily required medications by simply taking half a gummy.

“Our goal for the business is to keep

supporting the cities we are currently operating in. I know what we offer, and I know how we are very, very different from any other hemp shop or smoke shop,” Waz continued. “I know very well the type of effort and how much of that effort it takes to make a shop become ‘the shop.’”

As Waz continued, he said, “Having a shop that’s making money is cool and all, but having a shop that’s giving people a fun and actual memorable experience is what gives the best service in our industry. With that being said, it all starts with the inventory selection.”

Crediting his team, Waz said he’s lucky that his team is what makes his shop more unique than anything else. The team members include Nunu, Vee, Hunter, Zack, Mani, Cassie, Jose, Jay, LoLo, Joe, Caleab, and A.Y. “They are what separates us more than anything,” he said.

Waz also included, “Realizing that Waxahachie is a growing city with the right

people, but they needed something to go to other than a bar to have fun. The look on people’s faces when they walk in here is all I needed to see to know that the right move was made.”

Waz’s advice included, “Anybody trying to do anything, whether it’s business or sports or anything they want to achieve, learning and embracing patience is key. Without that, it’ll be very complicated to get to any next step afterward.”

His kids motivate him to continue: “My babies are my life. I started this business when I had one child; now, I have three. And I wouldn’t change a single moment that has passed. If my kids ever read this ten years from now, Tata, Adham, and Falasteen, I love you.”

The store is open Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. They can be found on Instagram: ‘smotkesnediblestx.’ For more information, call 214-980-1623.

Neighborhood Credit Union, founded in 1930, is truly passionate about helping members achieve their financial goals. They accomplish this by offering lower interest rates on loans, paying higher dividends on funds, charging lower fees, and providing superior, personalized service to every member.

Shannon Carr, Waxahachie Branch Manager shares that “over the past few years, we have noticed that fintech companies and digital-only banks have increasingly drawn customers away from traditional branch locations by offering peer-to-peer payments like Zelle and Venmo, reducing the need for checks and in-person deposits. While these platforms often rely on a cost-savings model that avoids the expense of physical branches, that approach comes at the cost of personalized service and community con-

NEIGHBORHOOD CREDIT UNION

nection. Credit unions continue to invest in branch networks and face-to-face support because we know that for many members, especially those making major financial decisions, trusted relationships and accessible, local service matter more than ever.”

Carr continues, “Neighborhood CU strives to strike a balance amid these changes. While many members still depend on branches for traditional banking and personalized financial education on savings and lending products, they recognize that branch staffing has shifted from transactional roles. Today, every team member is trained to be more versatile, addressing the unique questions and diverse financial needs of their members.”

Neighborhood Credit Union is the oldest credit union in the DFW area, and they are celebrating their 95th birthday this year.

They pride themselves in providing consistent outstanding member service by local and caring team members. Neighborhood Credit Union is big on providing financial education for members and being involved in their communities.

Waxahachie is an ideal base for Neighborhood Credit Union, stresses Carr, since the area has a larger membership base and provides an opportunity for them to provide for the needs of the community. They work with the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce as well as Waxahachie ISD in various capacities.

Chet Kimmell is CEO and the branch is located at 1750 N. Highway 77 Waxahachie, TX 75165. There are 16 additional branches across DFW. They can be reached M – F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at (214) 748-9393, www.myncu.com or on Facebook or Instagram.

Jordan Borders was born and raised in Waxahachie. He strives to provide an exceptional home-buying and selling experience for each of his clients and believes that his communication skills set him apart from his competition.

“I love to help people,” Jordan said. “My goal is to help at least 50 families a year.”

Jordan began working as a realtor in 2019 and shared that lately, it seems like every Realtor wants to be a social media influencer.

Jordan is a member of the Waxahachie Young Professionals and says, “Anyone wishing to start a business should take the risk and don’t have any regrets.”

He credits his wife for assisting

him with a lot of his social media marketing needs.

Jordan is available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and can be reached at 469-955-9488. His business address is 100 Sumner Lane in Waxahachie.

Potential clients can find him online at Century 21 - century21. com/JordanBorders Century 21 Real Estate Agent in Waxahachie, TX, or on the following social media sites: Facebook - Jordan Borders-Real Estate 1.7k followers. Profile for Jordan Borders -Real Estate or Real Satisfied - profile. realsatisfied.com - Jordan Borders - Agent Reviews - CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company.

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Top Meeting Venue 1889 On The Square

Top Mexican Food Rosa’s Cafe & Tortilla Factory

Top Mortgage Company Mid-Tex Mortgage, LLC

Top Nail Salon Artisan Nails & Spa

Top Nursing Home Brookdale Senior Living

2025 STAR AWARD WINNERS

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Cross Country Pest Control

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Waxahachie Pharmacy

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VOTED TOP PHARMACY

Top Pizza Tomatoes Mexican & Italian Restaurant

Top Oil Change Valvoline Express Care

Top Place for a Date Night Prime 115

Top Place to Hang with Friends Southern Roots Brewing Co.

Top Plumbing Bahama Plumbing

Top Pool Service Method Pools

Ellis County Pet Resort opened for business in January 2022. The motivating factor is your feeling when you produce an excellent product. Now, the community has a facility they can trust to care for their beloved pets while they are away.

The founders and owners of Ellis County Pet Resort, Joey and Jessica Gilbreath, stated, “We have always been fascinated with the idea of a pet resort for the community, differing from the typical warehouse-style kennels and boarding structures. We wanted a place where dogs could vacation while the owners enjoyed their time away. We have a large staff of highly trained professionals with many decades of combined experience in the industry.”

The goal is to strive to be the best and most trusted pet care facility in the area, with the drive to achieve this and to be second to none

ELLIS COUNTY PET RESORT

from top to bottom. The Gilbreaths believe this is achieved by extensive staff training, the overall quality of staff, proper practices and procedures to keep the pups safe and healthy, and a beautiful, clean facility that gives these pets their “own” vacation while parents are away.

“We aren’t just a standard boarding, daycare, grooming, training facility,” the owners said. “We are a pet resort with many amenities and packages to choose from to maximize the pup’s experience with us. We have a larger staff than other facilities... which gives a smaller ratio of handlers to pups With a larger staff, four outdoor covered play yards, and one indoor play yard, we can maximize personalities.

When asked why they chose Waxahachie for their business, there was one answer. The owners of Ellis County Pet Resort are the son

and daughter-in-law of Dr. Michael Gilbreath, who founded and owned Waxahachie Veterinary Clinic for 30 years before his passing. “We knew a rock-solid relationship with veterinarians was key to success in this industry,” the Gilbreaths added. “And, having that, along with developing relationships with virtually all veterinarians in the area, have been very beneficial to us in helping keep all our pups healthy while in our care.”

Ellis County Pet Resort is located at 524 Ovilla Rd., Waxahachie. They may be contacted at 972-561-6731, or you may visit their website, elliscountypetresort.com. You can find them on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. They have staff on site 365 days a year, from morning to evening. Lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Top Real Estate Agent Jordan BordersCentury 21 Judge Fite

Top Resale/Thrift Store the Thrifty Lark

Top Restaurant Ida Mae’s

Top Roofing Synergy Roofing

2025 STAR AWARD WINNERS

Top Salon Salon Gatsby

Top Smoothie/Energy Drink Hachie Nutrition

Top Storage Facility Macho Self Storage

Top Taco Taco Casa

Top Tattoo Parlor Southbound Tattoo

Top Tire Shop Sardis Tires & Wheels

Top Walk-In/Urgent Care Altus Emergency Center Waxahachie

Top Veterinary Clinic Brookside Animal Hospital

Citizens National Bank of Texas is a full-service bank which includes 11 branches in 9 cities with headquarters located in Waxahachie. The bank defines itself by the phrase You Matter, which expresses our most important priorities: extraordinary personal attention, advanced technology so you can bank at your fingertips, and our total commitment to the cities and citizens we serve.

Founded in 1868, CNB of Texas is the oldest independent bank in Texas, bringing a 157-year heritage of responsiveness in the worst and best of times. That is why customers who had relatives banking with CNB of Texas in the 1800s still call us their hometown bank.

An important advantage of a hometown, independent bank like CNB of Texas, is its resolve to invest back into the communities it serves. That reinvestment is not only in mortgage,

business, and personal loans, it also means a strong dedication to volunteerism by employees and building a better lifestyle through strong community involvement.

CNB of Texas gives you a century-and-

a-half of proven excellence of service with cutting-edge technology that redefines convenience. We give you up-to-date products with downhome service. In short, at CNB of Texas, You Matter.

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