From magical experiences to major milestones, 2025 kept North Texas on its toes. Our readers followed every twist, turn and surprise the year had to offer. It wasn’t just about celebrations and wins; it was a year defined by change, reinvention and moments that captured the imagination.
Across these stories — fun, surprising and sometimes bittersweet — our 2025 most-read showcase the happenings that made readers stop, cheer and talk. From major jackpots to transformative developments, hometown favorites to immersive adventures, these are the stories that shaped North Texas in 2025.
Starting Today, Immerse Yourself In Harry Potter
What’s better than fiction? A whole world of it. In October, Dallas officially became the chosen destination for every wizard, witch and confused Muggle in North Texas when Harry Potter: The Exhibition opened its enchanted doors. Spanning over 30,000 square feet, the exhibition offers a fully immersive, interactive journey through 25 different rooms, showcasing the wizarding world — including the adventures of Fantastic Beasts and the celebrated stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Read on.
Bad Luck From The Start: Why The Shops At Willow Bend Failed
The Shops at Willow Bend opened in 2001 with major anchors and high hopes, but a mix of timing, competition and ownership changes kept it from ever thriving. A strong start on opening weekend gave way to challenges, from nearby malls to changing retail trends, turning Willow Bend into a cautionary tale of what happens when a promising shopping center can’t catch a break. By 2025, the site was being reimagined as The Bend, a mixed-use development with apartments, offices and restaurants (maybe even a new Dallas Stars arena), signaling a new chapter for the once-hopeful mall. Read on.
Hudson House Is The Hottest New Restaurant In Collin County
Frisco’s dining scene got a major upgrade this summer when Hudson House opened its doors in August, bringing its celebrated East Coast‑inspired menu to 3475 Preston Road. The restaurant is known and loved for its flown‑in daily oysters, signature cheeseburger and famously crisp “World’s Coldest Martini,” all served alongside coastal comfort classics and a lively raw bar. With warm leather booths, a wraparound bar, and a spacious patio, Hudson House blended New England seafood house vibes with Dallas‑area hospitality and became a favorite destination for happy hour and weekend meals alike. Read on.
Prosper Mom Wins $1 Million At Choctaw Casino During Son’s Birthday Trip
What started as a simple birthday trip turned into a jackpot celebration when a mom from Prosper hit $1 million at Choctaw Casino & Resort during its 3 Months. 3 Millionaires summer promotion. The surprise win in July 2025 stunned her family, sparked plenty of hometown cheers and made headlines as a reminder that sometimes luck hits close to home, especially when you’re celebrating another year around the sun. Read on.
The Preserve: Inside The First Home In Frisco’s Most Exclusive Neighborhood
Imagine waking up in a home where every detail is custom-made for you. Then step outside to rolling green fairways and world-class amenities. That’s life at The Preserve, Frisco’s premier gated neighborhood within the expansive 2,500-acre Fields development. When finished, 233 multi-million-dollar lots will host some of North Texas’ most stunning custom homes, crafted by ten of the region’s top luxury builders. In October, one of the builders chosen for The Preserve completed the community’s first home. And Local Profile got a sneak peek inside. Read on.
Frisco Lands Another HQ Relocation, This Time From Addison
Frisco’s reputation as the destination for corporate headquarters kept growing this year when Brightline Dealer Advisors (BDA), a top‑100 insurance and dealer advisory firm, announced it would relocate its headquarters from Addison to The Tower at HALL Park in Frisco. The move isn’t just a change of address: the new space includes a state‑of‑the‑art training facility and corporate amenities designed to support growth and collaboration, and positions BDA alongside other major tenants driving Frisco’s dynamic business district forward. The relocation added another chapter to the city’s fast‑expanding corporate scene and underscored Frisco’s momentum as a headquarters magnet in North Texas. Read on.
Plano’s Must-See Christmas House In Deerfield
Plano’s Deerfield neighborhood shone brightest on the holiday map this season as one of the most beloved and talked‑about Christmas light displays in North Texas. What started as a friendly tradition has grown into a month‑long spectacle of twinkling lights, festive themes and joyful community spirit that runs through December each year. Residents and visitors alike made evening drives or strolls through the illuminated streets, soaking up millions of lights, creative displays and good cheer, making the season feel a little brighter. Read on.
$750 Million Development Will Transform Plano’s Largest Remaining Undeveloped Site
Plano took a big step toward reshaping its skyline when developers unveiled plans to turn the city’s largest remaining undeveloped tract into a $750 million mixed‑use community. The project, which broke ground in 2025 after years of planning, will introduce retail space, residences, office sites, a boutique hotel and ample green space to a site long untouched amid rapid growth. With plans to honor the land’s historic agricultural roots while adding vibrant new amenities, the development promises to be one of the most significant transformations in Plano’s modern development story. Read on.
What Fields Represents For Frisco And The Future Of Collin County
In 2025, Frisco’s transformation story took a bold leap forward with the ongoing development of Fields, a 2,500‑acre master‑planned community on the city’s northern edge that represents more than just new homes and shops — it embodies the future of growth for Frisco and the wider Collin County region. Fields blends expansive open space, trails and community design with Class‑A office, retail and entertainment, anchored by proximity to the PGA of America headquarters and projected job growth that could reshape where people live, work and play. Fields has become a symbol of the region’s rapid expansion and strategic planning for what suburban life will look like in the years ahead. Read on.
Costco Set To Open New Store In Allen This August
Collin County’s wholesale fans had something big to bulk‑buy about this summer when Costco Wholesale finally opened its new 160,000‑square‑foot store on the Allen‑McKinney border on August 15. The $25 million investment brought another major retail destination to the region, offering members groceries, pharmacy services, automotive offerings and more. The opening marked one of several recent expansions by Costco in North Texas, reflecting the area’s rapid growth and appetite for big‑box retail.Read on. ___…