Karina Ramírez

A year and a half into his tenure as general manager of Denton’s Red Lobster, Jason Williams has something big to celebrate.

On June 28, Williams received the company’s Diamond Club Award, which is granted to 34 general managers from Red Lobster’s nearly 700 locations in North America.

Darden Restaurants, Red Lobster’s parent company, gave Williams the award for demonstrating the company’s core values of respect, integrity, genuine caring, hospitality and teamwork, according to a news release.

Jason Williams

Additionally, Denton’s Red Lobster location was recognized for top performance during the company’s previous fiscal year. Considering the restaurant only opened last year — Denton’s Red Lobster location moved to 2801 S. Interstate 35E in March 2009 — Williams said the recognition from Darden was especially significant.

“It was kind of interesting that they allow new restaurants to compete,” Williams said. “We are proud of our team, and the crew will get a great party.”

As much as he wants to take credit for his restaurant’s recognition, Williams said his managing team and the employees are the center of the operation.

“They support me and give me the time I need,” Williams said. “I just guided them.”

In addition to Red Lobster, Darden Restaurants also operates Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, the Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 locations across the country.

For more information, call the restaurant at 940-382-6410.

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Independent Bank Group Inc. announced Monday it has bought out Town Center Bank.

The McKinney-based holding company finalized the acquisition July 31, giving Independent Bank Group two locations in North Texas — Denton and Coppell.

David Brooks

“We are very pleased with the addition of the Town Center banking locations and staff to the Independent Bank family,” David Brooks, chairman and CEO of Independent Bank Group, said in a news release. “As we do in our existing markets, we look forward to serving Coppell, Denton and surrounding cities with the services of a committed staff and strong sense of community.”

In addition to the Town Center Bank acquisition, Independent Bank Group also acquired First Bank of Farmersville. The purchase is scheduled to close later this year, pending regulatory and shareholder approval. First Bank, with $100 million in assets, has locations in Farmersville, Lavon and Princeton. These combined transactions will bring the number of Independent Bank Group banking locations to 25, with nearly 300 employees and assets in excess of $1 billion.

For more information about Independent Bank, call 972-692-6900 or 940-220-6140, or visit www.independent-bank.com.

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Stratus Building Solutions of North Texas recently opened a new master franchise in Denton, located at 1108 Dallas Drive, Suite 300.

Thomas Mosley and Jacquelyn G. Shaw-Mosley are principals of the new company, which provides environmentally friendly cleaning, commercial cleaning, landscaping and lawn care services, as well as services for building owners and managers, according to a news release.

The company plans to hire additional office employees, since the owners foresee expansion to other franchises.

Stratus Building Solutions was co-founded in 2004 by Dennis Jarret and Pete Frese, who are the company’s current CEO and president, respectively.

Stratus Building Solutions has franchise operations in 23 states across the country, plus operations in Canada, Europe and Central America. Earlier this year, it was designated as the top new franchise, the No. 3 fastest-growing franchise and the No. 13 overall franchise in the January edition of Entrepreneur magazine.

Stratus Building Solutions also opened another Texas location in Houston last August.

For more information, call 940-539-0090 or visit www.stratusclean.com.

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The Denton Economic Development Partnership Board met this week to discuss the city’s economic growth.

The board addressed the city’s Downtown Implementation Plan, a “notice of intent” to pursue a tax increment financing district for downtown, revisions to the existing property tax rebate agreement with Granite Properties Inc., and an incentive package for a wind turbine component assembly company at the University of North Texas’ Discovery Park.

The City Council is expected to take final action on these proposals at Aug. 17, according to a news release.

Also at the meeting, the board voted to reappoint Chairman Marty Rivers, a local banker.

Since its creation in 2003, the board — which includes representatives of the City Council, Denton Chamber of Commerce, the University of North Texas and major taxpayers — has provided the city with economic development policy guidance and recommendations.

For more information, contact Karen Dickson, the chamber’s vice president of economic development, at 940-283-7151 or edvp@denton-chamber.org.

Coming up

Amyx Fine Jewelry began its second annual Sterling Silver Catalog Auction event Tuesday.

More than 350 pieces of antique, vintage, modern and contemporary silver jewelry are available for viewing at the Amyx showroom, located at 222 W. Hickory St., Suite 101.

Collectible pieces signed by the designer are also available.

Items will be priced from 50 percent to 90 percent off retail, depending on the shopping week and bidding price. The event will continue through Sept. 4.

For more information, call 940-383-AMYX or visit amyxfinejewelry.com.

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Jim Griffith, a representative of Service Corps of Retired Executives, will discuss steps to creating a better business plan, at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Denton Chamber of Commerce.

The discussion is part of the North Central Texas College Small Business Development Center’s monthly business breakfast, which begins at 7:15 a.m.

The chamber is located at 414 W. Parkway St.

For more information, call 940-380-1849.

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The state’s tax-free weekend is scheduled for Aug. 20-23.

During the weekend, shoppers are spared having to pay sales tax on most clothing and footwear priced under $100. Layaway plans may be used again this year to take advantage of the tax break.

For a complete list of tax-exempt items, visit www.window.state.tx.us and click on “Tax-Free Weekend.”

KARINA RAMÍREZ can be reached at 940-566-6878. Her e-mail address is kramirez@dentonrc.com.