Local real estate agent Cindy Peters has called Celina home for the past 15 years. She’s watched her children grow up in the city—and the city grow up around them, too. Moving to Celina after five years in the real estate business, the expansion here has been a mecca for her profession.
“I think being here in Celina, I've watched all the growth, and it's definitely helped my business, obviously, because Celina is one of the fastest growing cities in the country,” Cindy said. “And Celina has a lot of housing opportunities, whether you want a master-planned or an established neighborhood. Now, we're starting to see townhomes coming in, which we've never had before, and we're starting to notice that. Of course, we're seeing some single-family rentals as well, which they're popping up everywhere for people who are in transition, building and only need a short lease.”
As Celina's neighborhoods have expanded, so too has its food scene, offering a culinary tour of the world, right in town.
“It's been great because when people come to Celina—especially people that are moving here and they are not familiar with Celina and they're looking at different areas—I can show them all that Celina has to offer,” Cindy said. “We have some really great restaurants downtown that you're not going to see in other cities because they're boutique restaurants. People want that. They want the amenities.”
Whether you're craving a taste of home or feeling adventurous enough to try something new, here are a few local spots Cindy recommends where you can eat around the globe—without ever leaving Celina:
Venezuela, American –The Nook CKMC
This cozy neighborhood café in Light Farms serves up handcrafted American favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—but for a true taste of Venezuela, don’t miss their arepas or tequeños. The owner’s wife brings her Venezuelan roots to the menu, making this a unique local gem. 1230 Homestead, Celina
China, Vietnam, Thailand – Simply Pho House
If you’re looking to curb your cravings for an Asian meal, Simply Pho’s expanded menu has a wide variety. Their new menu features Bún Bò Cay, a Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup, and their Heavenly Beef, which resembles Thai beef jerky. They have other classic Vietnamese pho dishes and Thai noodle soups, but also offer classic Chinese dishes like Hot and Sour Soup or Orange Chicken. You’re sure to find something you like on their extensive menu! 605 S. Preston Rd. Ste.130, Celina
Italy – Mangiamo Italian Market & Deli
Bringing the focus to the downtown square, Mangiamo, which translates to “let’s eat,” is the much-anticipated italian market and deli that opened at the beginning of this year. This family-owned deli and market brings a slice of the Northeast to Celina’s downtown square. Jason Algiere and his father, Robert, opened this authentic eatery during the pandemic, transforming a vacant building into a bustling Italian shop offering sandwiches, pastas, sauces, and more. 203 W. Pecan St., downtown Celina
Greece, Italy – Di Mantzio’s Greek & Italian Gourmet Market
Downtown, Di Mantzio’s brings an authentic taste of Greek and Italian, owned by Greek army veteran Vasilios Mantzios. The market on Pecan Street carries a variety of pastas, olive oils, sauces, herbs, cheeses and meats, all brought in every three w, eeks from Greece and Italy. Any product in the store has to pass through the ultimate test—his mother, Irene. Mantzios began his market concept at Friday Night Markets back in 2016 and had been waiting for the right location for three years. Now that he has his first location, he continues improving his current shop to increase its offerings. After all, putting a smile on a customer’s face, he says, is the most important part of having customers in his shop. 204 E. Pecan St,, Ste C, Celina
That same "people-first spirit" found in Celina’s restaurants is what Cindy loves most about her real estate work.
“Actually, meeting new people [is the best part of working in real estate],” Cindy said. “I'm in the people business, you know, and I help them find their homes. I've had the pleasure of meeting a lot of different people moving into Texas from different states, just hearing their story, and a lot of times, my clients become my good friends.”
Community is everything in Celina. Whether it’s real estate or restaurants, the town’s growing offerings continue to make it a place for everyone, without losing its charm.
“I love Celina,” Cindy said. “I love the downtown area and all the unique restaurants that we have downtown, and the shopping. It's just a quaint little place.”
For your real estate needs, contact Cindy Peters at Cindy.Peters@Compass.com or CindyPetersRealEstate.com