Whistle Britches was well worth the wait. Why? Let us count the ways. The thin and crispy skin on the fried chicken. The little jar of pimento cheese topped with the jalapeno jelly. Those big buttermilk biscuits and the honey butter. The Cobb salad with all that blue cheese. The pleasant surprise of the whiskey-brined pork chop with corn succotash. And we haven’t even addressed brunch yet. Chef/owner Omar Flores knows his way around a kitchen, and we’re glad we don’t have to truck to Dallas for his modern comfort food. While we sort of wish they had a patio, we’re OK with ducking into WB midday for a beer and some deviled eggs when it’s 100 degrees in the shade. We’re also looking forward to Flores’ Muchacho Comida Tex Mex, opening most likely in early fall. We’ve learned that good things come to those who wait.

Southlake Town Square, 1231 Main St., 817-912-1096, southlake.whistlebritcheschicken.com (Muchacho is located at 321 Grand Ave. East.)

Southlake Town Square adds Summer Classics furniture (outdoor and indoor)

Luxury outdoor furniture brand Summer Classics opens its first Tarrant County store this summer in Southlake Town Square in the former Charming Charlie space (there’s also a Summer Classics in Dallas’ Knox-Henderson neighborhood). Founded in 1978 by Bew White III, a then 28-year-old Auburn University graduate with a degree in textile engineering (and from a family that owned a historic Alabama mill), Summer Classics set the standard for durable and comfortable patio furniture before the expression “outdoor living” was a thing. Until the mid-’90s, the furniture — then sold only by Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Restoration Hardware and Neiman Marcus — was almost exclusively painted wood, wrought iron and aluminum. Since 2000, the company has expanded into its own stores with new lines that include UV-resistant resin wicker plumped up for comfort with trademarked Dream Cushions covered in outdoor performance fabrics. Still a family-owned and -operated company, Summer Classics in 2010 introduced Gabby, an indoor furniture line. At the new store, you’ll find outdoor furniture lines in harvested teak, aluminum and wicker — in traditional to contemporary styles — as well as select lines from Gabby home furnishings.

Southlake Town Square, 301 N. Carroll Ave., summerclassics.com

Express Edit hones in on Southlake Style

A more intimate version of the national brand’s regular store, Express Edit offers a tight focus on local taste and private styling appointments to help customers gain confidence in their personal style. (We’re glad to see the bodysuit make a comeback.) Offerings include mix-and-match looks for men and women curated by the fashionable and influential British designer Tanveer Wasim, better known as Tan France, but there’s buzz that local influencers may have some input into which pieces come to town in the future. There’s a smattering of accessories as well as personal care products such as fragrances and candles. The store is now open.

Southlake Town Square, 311 Grand Ave., 817-796-7368, express.com/exp/express-edit

Saint Bernard Southlake: Big, fun and full of goodies

A drum line from Carroll High, cold-brew coffee from the in-house bar, a custom embroiderer on-site and more perks were part of the retail store’s opening-day festivities on a hot weekend in June. The former Pier 1 space has been transformed into a shopper’s delight with clothing and accessories for men, women and children. There’s casual wear along with beach attire, including swimsuits. Notable brands appeal to a wide range of ages and include Rebecca Minkoff, Loeffler Randall, Velvet and Aviator Nation. For men, there’s Barbour, Mizzen+Main, Faherty Brand, Greyson and more. There are giftables galore, too. We stocked up on Compagnie De Provence hand soaps and creams for hostess gifts this summer.

Shops of Southlake, 1275 E. Southlake Blvd., 817-329-0322, saintbernard.com

Trophy Blooms branches out

Owner Madeline Ricketts left Trophy Club for Southlake Town Square and a cozy space next to Nothing Bundt Cakes. Trophy Blooms Floral Couture & Events makes its presence known as soon as you walk in the door, thanks to a rack holding buckets of blooms ready to be made into simple or elaborate arrangements. A hand-painted black-and-white floral mural by Ricketts’ sister provides a dramatic backdrop for shelves of retail: gifts, potted plants, botanical jewelry, cards crafted of plantable paper embedded with seeds, and handcarved hearts made by fair-trade artists in Kenya. In addition to custom floral design, Trophy Blooms also is available for weddings and special events.

Southlake Town Square, 335 N. Carroll Ave., 817-271-0250, trophyblooms.com