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Marshall Street is a picturesque street in our historic downtown that is lined with shops, restaurants, studios and more. On this soon to be renovated street, you’ll find Pique Boutique who was the first to jump on the opportunity by our CDC to offer their billboard to local businesses. Founded by Mandy and Donald Bacco in 2022, Pique Boutique is the result of Mandy’s passion for fashion and their shared desire to provide an exceptional boutique experience in Van Alstyne. You’ll find women’s and girl’s clothing and accessories including bags, shoes and jewelry, all of which are individually selected by Mandy. Mandy says, “we believe that fashion is a means of self-expresssion” and that the day is just better when you like what you’re wearing.

Pique Boutique also offers a loyalty program called Pique Perks that allows customers to earn 1 point for every dollar spent, and each 150 points is $10 off a future purchase. Follow Pique on your preferred social platform and stay up to date on the new items and events or visit their website at www.mypiqueboutique.com to shop their current items today.

Address: 245 E. Marshall St., Van Alstyne, TX 75495

Hours of Operation: Mon – Sat 10:00 – 6:00 Sunday 12:00 – 4:00

Facebook: Pique Boutique
IG: @mypiqueboutique
TikTok: @pique_boutique

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088

McKinney Wilson Park is one of the most beautiful of our 5 parks.  Located less than a mile east of downtown Van Alstyne on Jefferson St. this park has beautifully maintained green space and old growth shade trees, making it a perfect spot to enjoy being outside throughout the year. Some of the amenities of the park include a large playground that a wide age range of kids can enjoy, the open green space, 2 softball fields with a concession stand and public restrooms, and now a brand new gazebo.

The old gazebo had served the community for many years and had seen better days.  The city decided it was time for an upgrade and has replaced the gazebo with a 20′ x 23’ pavilion that will serve park goers for years to come. In addition to this gazebo, there are multiple picnic tables to utilize as well.

Use rec desk to reserve this brand new gazebo for your next gathering, or swing by to have lunch and enjoy one of our beautiful parks this Spring.

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088

Van Alstyne ISD is at the top of the list of why so many move to Van Alstyne. The Texas Education Agency has given VAISD an A rating and it is clear to see why.

The mission of VAISD is to “be a premier school district providing a well-rounded, safe school experience that prepares our graduates to discover and attain their life goals.” This is seen throughout the school district on a multitude of levels.  Not only to students score significantly higher than the state average on most STAAR exams, as well as on the SAT and ACT exams, Van Alstyne students have the ability to choose between AP courses or dual credit courses, and can currently acquire 32 college credits from courses offered by college professors on campus during the school day. In partnership with Grayson County College, students are also able to acquire career certifications in welding, cosmetology, HVAC and OSHA. Van Alstyne High School also has a dual credit culinary certification program offered in their culinary kitchen.

The safety and health of students has been a clear priority of the school district. Each of the 4, soon to be 5 with the addition of the new high school, campuses have their own full time nurse, counselor and VAISD police officer. The school district currently serves over 2,400 students and that number is expected to grow rapidly in the years to come. The new high school will open for the 2024-2025 school year but that will not add a second high school to Van Alstyne. Instead, it will replace the current high school which will house 7th & 8th and the middle school will be 5th & 6th.  Currently Van Alstyne has 2 elementary schools, Sanford Elementary which is for residents north of 121 and Partin Elementary which is for residents south of 121.  More elementary schools will be added in the near future as larger residential developments are established that include elementary schools as well, starting with one in Mantua Point.

The Van Alstyne ISD has always been a big highlight of our community and having a District of Innovation plan is one of the attractive aspects.  Per the VAISD website:

“Districts who decide to pursue a District of Innovation plan are able to analyze specific innovations in curriculum, instruction, governance, parent or community involvement, school calendar, budgeting, or other ideas. An innovation plan also allows a school district to gain exemption from many Texas Education Code requirements. Essentially, an innovation plan allows for schools and communities to have local control on the best ways to educate their children.”

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088

Van Alstyne’s brand new high school is nearing completion.  Located just south of Grayson College South Campus on Collin Mckinney Pkwy and opening August 2024 for the next academic year, this new school will replace the existing high school which will be become the jr. high and host 7th grade and 8th grade.  The Van Alstyne Middle School will host 5th and 6th.  While this is definitely a sign of growth coming to Van Alstyne, our community will remain a one high school town for many years to come. During the extensive research during the planning process of expansion for our ISD, leaders were advised to have  one high school or at least three. This minimizes competition and comparison within the community per the advise of towns ahead of Van Alstyne’s growth cycle.  The new high school is expected to host 1,000 students and with planned future additions will be able to increase that capacity to 2,800 students.

With this architecturally beautiful, larger school, many more offerings for our students will be on the horizon including adding more sports to the athletic department and much more.

For updates on the construction process monthly, check out the progress page for the project here and for an interactive rendering of the high school, check out this YouTube video by the architects.

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088

Van Alstyne has a long, vibrant history and we are blessed to have that history well documented, and well preserved. We have the Van Alstyne Historical Museum, which moved to its new, beautifully appropriate location at at 130 N Waco St., we also have the Van Alstyne Historical Society, and the Van Alstyne Cemetery Association.  The local Grayson College South Campus also holds monthly lectures, which regularly hosts Dusty Williams, who is highly involved in every single one of these organizations.   These organizations are a wealth of interesting information about Van Alstyne and our region!

Also, did you know there are 9 state historical markers in Van Alstyne city limits:
Van Alstyne City #020 (Dorothy Fielder Park, on Van Alstyne Parkway and N. Main St.):
Boy Scout Troop 1 (Troop 44) #029.1: (300 5th Ave.)
Collin McKinney #021: (Van Alstyne Cemetery – see below)
First United Methodist Church #023 (Located at Preston and Fulton streets) dedicated in 1917.
Mantua Masonic Lodge #209 A.F. and A.M. marker #024 (201 N. Waco)
Umphress-Taylor Home #025 (109 E. Paris). Queen Anne and Classical Revival home built in 1903.
Barron-Veazey Home #025 (104 Umphress) Prairie-influenced home built in 1905.
Site of Campus of Old Columbia College #027 (203 S. College)
First Christian Church #022 organized on this site in 1877

To get involved, you can visit the museum, join or donate to the historical societies, attend a Grayson College lecture, or even just attend one of our City Council meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at City Hall at 6:30 where many important details about he past, and the future, are shared.

Crystal DeBacker
Media Coordinator
City of Van Alstyne

cdebacker@cityofvanalstyne.us
903-357-1088