HEALTHY WITH A SIDE OF PEACE AND LOVE

FLOWER CHILD’S TRENDY TAKE ON THE FAST-CASUAL SCENE

By ELISSA CHUDWIN / Photos by KATHY TRAN

WITH ITS RETRO DÉCOR and psychedelic mural, Flower Child has the aesthetic of a mom-andpop shop, even though the fast-casual chain was born in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Inwood Village restaurant is the brainchild of Fox Restaurant Concepts, the creator behind more than 30 restaurants across the Southwest. CEO Sam Fox capitalized on clean eating trends with neighborhood favorite True Food Kitchen — which he sold in 2016 — and envisioned a similar concept with faster service in Flower Child.

When it opened its first Arizona location in 2015, it was an instant hit.

“We felt like we’d captured lightning in a bottle,” Fox told Forbes in an interview that year.

It didn’t take the restaurant long to land on Lovers Lane, where neighbors now stop by after a workout and families enjoy dinner together.

The customizable menu, featuring gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, separates the chain from its competition, says spokeswoman Tracy McGinnis. Everything is made from scratch, and leftover fruits and vegetables are used to make juice.

“We want to make sure our menu has something to appeal to anyone,” she says. 5450 W. Lovers Lane / iamaflowerchild.com

WHAT TO TRY:

The Mother Earth bowl with ancient grains, sweet potatoes and portabello mushrooms is the most popular item, spokeswoman Tracy McGinnis says. The avocado hummus and Vietnamese crunch salad also are in high demand.

Food For Thought Other Healthy Neighborhood Options

Modern Market

7949 Walnut Hill Lane, suite 101 modernmarket.com

This Denver-based chain offers a rotating cast of salads, sandwiches, pizzas and plates for customers in a rush.

True Food Kitchen

8383 Preston Center Plaza, suite 100 Truefoodkitchen.com

Before it sold in 2016, True Food Kitchen was one of Fox Restaurant Concept’s original chains. Its seasonal menu emphasizes fresh produce.

Lala’s Mexican Café 6030 Luther Lane, suite 140 lalasmexicancafe dallas.us

Chef Michelle Mireles opened this fast-casual joint this past October. It offers a twist on everyone’s favorite Mexican staples, with organic ingredients.

PRINCIPAL CAROL WALSH is giving St. Rita Catholic School’s curriculum a makeover — one that may benefit the lowest and highest performing students.

Walsh is new to St. Rita, although the neighborhood school feels familiar to her. She was at the helm of St. Cecilia Catholic School in Houston, with similar demographics, for a decade.

Because of Walsh, teachers are integrating technology in the classroom that helps students learn at their own pace. Computer activities, with software that measures achievement, are incorporated into daily lessons. All students soon will have their own tablets.

St. Rita Catholic School

Year established: 1967

Enrollment: 670

Tuition: $7,650$11,000

Walsh is a staunch advocate for differentiated instruction, a teaching framework that tailors lessons to each student’s capabilities, since she got her start in California schools.

“It’s just a completely different way of learning,” she says.

Next school year, the campus also will include a student success center. It’s geared toward students who need more support, including gifted students seeking additional challenges.

“They’ll be able to go in when they need but transition back when they receive help,” assistant principal Mike Vickson says. ELISSA CHUDWIN