With more restaurants per capita than any other city west of the Mississippi, Addison is known as “The Restaurant Capital of Texas” and has come a long way from the days when its only industry was the cotton gin built here in 1902. Since those humble rural beginnings, Addison has grown to become a diverse community with beauti- fully landscaped residential communities, award-winning parks, hotels, towering office buildings, business complexes and restaurants, all packed within the town’s 4.3 miles.
Addison owes its diverse business and residential development to well-thought city planning during the 1970s and 1980s that included the construction of its first town park and an aggressive beautification program. That planning has resulted in eight parks that encompass 118-acres.
Located directly north of Dallas, Addi- son’s location has been advantageous to luring business dollars. With so many office complexes and commercial and industrial businesses, Addison’s daytime population typically reaches about 100,000 during the workweek as people drive in to work in the more than 2,000 businesses that call Addison home. Business travelers are well served by the Addison Airport, which services private and corporate jets, as well as jet fleets, and the many hotels ensure that visitors enjoy a comfortable stay.
Not surprisingly, Addison’s residential population has also increased. The city is home to 21 apartment complexes and more than 8,109 single family homes and town homes. Families are served by the Dallas Independent School District and the Carrollton/Farmers Branch Indepen- dent School District. The most prestigious shopping in the Dallas area can be found here, including the Dallas Galleria with Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Addison’s sense of community is demon- strated through its citywide annual events. “Taste Addison” in May features cuisine from more than 50 Addison restaurants and national, regional and local musical entertainment. “Kaboom Town” is the annual July 3rd celebration featuring a spectacular fireworks display, and “Okto- berfest” in September is an authentic German-style celebration.
