BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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Changes coming to Forest and Inwood — eventually

While developers propose razing the Forestwood Townhouse Community for up to 350 apartments and townhomes, and 85,000 square feet of retail at the northwest corner, plans for the aged shopping center across the street remain unclear. However, the owners recently released a statement outlining their intentions. The west side of the property is occupied by Liberty Burger and other small tenants who “operate successful, vibrant businesses, which contribute to our community” and have up to 10-year leases. Those on the east side Forestwood Antique Mall and Forest Car Wash and Detail, around for 20-plus years — received only short-term lease renewals and could be on their way out. According to the statement, “The most recent proposals were presented this summer, but we have made no firm plans or commitments to move forward with any specific development, and we continue to evaluate alternatives.” As for the northwest corner, a zoning application to replace the existing townhomes with a mixed-use development has not yet been submitted at City Hall. The owners of both corners of Forest and Inwood come loosely from the same Daniel family but operate as different entities.

First round of Preston Hollow Village tenants opening soon

Several new restaurants and shops will arrive in Preston Hollow Village over the next couple of months as the mixed-use development enters its second phase. The European street-food concept VertsKebap was slated to open by the end of December. The Colorado-based healthy fast-food eatery Modmarket is expected by the end of January. Other soon-to-open businesses include Blue Sushi Sake Grill, Pakpao Thai, Orangetheory Fitness, Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salon and Aveda’s Tangerine Salon

The next phase for the 42-acre project will yield a seven-story luxury apartment building with 512 units.

Central Expressway at Walnut Hill, prestonhollowvillage.com

For Lovers Lane, a new cycling studio and fish tacos

The Pavilion on Lovers Lane, between Eastern Avenue and Greenway Boulevard, has two new tenants on the way. California-

Philanthropy

Local clergy-fronted band Connections performed a benefit concert at Northaven United Methodist Church to raise funds for Ebola relief in Africa. In total, the band raised $7,519 for the United Methodist Committee on Relief — all while performing classic rock hits from The Eagles and Chicago.

Awards

based cycling studio The Ride House is set to open this month in the old Phoenix Salon space. The fast-casual Hawaiian seafood restaurant Coconut Fish Café opened in December in the storefronts formerly occupied by Donna’s Pie House Café and Laguna Coffee and Tea. This is the first Texas location for the Maui-based chain, which features salads, pasta and tacos with a Hawaiian twist.

5600 W. Lovers, pavilionshoppingcenter.com

7 new stores headed to The Shops at Park Lane

A flagship Starbucks — the only flagship Starbucks in Dallas — and Zoë’s Kitchen will anchor the new 150,000-square-foot, fivestory office and retail building under construction at North Central Expressway and Park Lane, scheduled to open this spring. Other shops coming soon include: cyclingcentric fitness studio Zynn22, DXL men’s tall clothing and shoes, and Unleashed by Petco. More new tenants will be announced in the months ahead.

8080 Park Lane, shopsatparklane.com

Cedars Woodfire Grill closes all but one location

Cooper Aerobics Center’s healthy fastfood restaurant Cedars Woodfire Grill is the last remaining location for the local chain. The Frisco and Plano locations closed in late November. Cedars opened on the Cooper Aerobics Center campus in summer 2013 as part of the health club’s $6.5 million renovation. Despite the other two closures, our neighborhood’s location is here to stay, according to owners.

12100 Preston, 972.560.2700, cedarswoodfiregrill.com

The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce announced Baker Brothers Plumbing & Air Conditioning as its 2014 business of the year award winner. The award was presented at a luncheon featuring Mike Donahue, co-founder and chief brand officer of LYFE Kitchen.

Education

As part of the school’s “social-entrepreneurial” program, Lamplighter pre-K students operated a farmers market on campus and sold vegetables that they planted and harvested, supplemented by store-bought produce. The program taught lessons in philanthropy, as the profits go to a charity of their choice.

The Friends of the Preston Royal Library announced the winners of this year’s art competition for elementary school students in first through eighth grade. The work is displayed at the library. It also makes up the 2015 Preston Royal Library calendar. You can buy one in person for $5, and the sales benefit library projects such as updates to the old auditorium. Winners include Jack Levy , Gabriela Benavides and Desteny Briones ( George Bannerman Dealey International Academy ); Peyton Militello , Amanda Flores , Valeria Garcia and Paige Traver ( Arthur Kramer Elementary School ); Brenda Gutierrez , Gabriela Lima and Isaac Molina ( John J. Pershing Elementary School ); and Jasleen Kaur , Ezra Pedraza , Carter Sido and Tristan Theeringer ( Preston Hollow Elementary School ).

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Night at the museum

The Museum of Biblical Art recently hosted its fourth annual 8 x 8 Art Exhibition and Auction, benefiting the museum’s educational programs. Patrons bid on more than 110 small works of art from 36 artists, including actress Jane Seymour’s “Open Heart Angel.”

Pictured from left: Lorrie Smith , Jeff Levine and museum curator Scott Peck

Girl power

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas recently celebrated this year’s Women of Distinction Luncheon honorees during a patron reception at the Preston Hollow home of Regina Montoya and Paul Coggins (From left: Gene Jones; Jennifer Bartkowski, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas; Meredith Burke, Cameron Wicks, Regina Montoya and Nancy Ann Hunt )

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