BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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Zoë’s, Bar Louie, Zynn22 among Park Lane openings

The Shops at Park Lane recently announced the first tenants that will inhabit the center’s 150,000-square-foot, five-story mixed-use building, under construction at North Central Expressway and Park Lane: a flagship Starbucks — the only flagship Starbucks in Dallas — and Zoë’s Kitchen More shops will open in the existing development, too. Zynn22, a cycling-centric fitness studio; Bar Louie; DXL men’s tall clothing and shoes and Unleashed by Petco also are set to open in late 2014 to spring of 2015.

Nonprofit alternative to payday lenders

A city ordinance regulating payday lenders caused about 70 of them to close, and a nonprofit, Austin-based Business and Community Lenders of Texas, which recently gained approval to open in Dallas, hopes to fill the gap. Payday and auto-title lenders charge as much as 400 percent interest, and even with more regulation, Dallas still has more than 100 high-interest lenders. Last year, they charged about $247 million in interest, and auto-title lenders repossessed about 7,800 cars. BCLT aims to prove that there can be affordable alternatives for workers who have no credit or bad credit and experience financial emergencies. The nonprofit would offer loans of up to $1,000 at no more than 18 percent interest. The loan is amortized, with predictable payments every month for a year. Employers can enroll with the nonprofit, allowing their employees to receive loans with no credit check. The loan payments are taken out of the employees’ paychecks. BCLT presented their model to Dallas City Council in November, and Councilman Sheffie Kadane questioned whether a lender charging 18 percent interest should be considered a nonprofit. But the organization’s president and CEO, Rosa Rios Valdez, explained that proceeds go back into the lending pool. The nonprofit also offers credit counseling. The leading argument against payday loan regulation is that there is no other legal alternative for people who lack credit or have bad credit, City Councilman Jerry Allen says: “A lot of people have a hard time getting their head around 18 percent. The alternative is 400 percent.”

Upper Greenville diner reinvented, again

A restaurant at the northwest corner of Forest and Greenville (9025 Forest) has a new owner, a new niche and an updated look. What last year was Beranea’s Mexican Grill, and the previous year was Bee Gee’s restaurant, is now Flaming Cheese Greek Restaurant The new tenant has added stained-wood panels to the facade and iron patio tables and potted plants out front. The eatery opens at 11 a.m. for lunch and also serves dinner. Proprietors offer a Mediterranean menu, including vegetarian options, and do not have a bar; guests may bring their own wine. Call 214.647.1620 for takeout.

Senior living facility expands

Presbyterian Village North, a senior living facility near Stults and Greenville, broke ground on the first phase of a $93 million expansion project. The project adds two independent living buildings, assisted living units, a fitness center, a transitional care unit, a chapel, a park and memory care apartments and services. “As the number of seniors living with Alzheimer’s is increasing, we are seeing a need to add to our existing Alzheimer’s program,” executive director Ron Kelly says. He adds that once completed, the project will provide more than 150 new jobs and enable an additional 200 seniors to live on campus.

CHRISTMAS AT CENTRAL LUTHERAN

WEDNESDAYS IN DECEMBER

Soup Supper 6:00 PM – Advent Vespers 7:00 PM Fellowship Hall

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Sunday, December 7th – 1:00 PM in the Sanctuary following the Christmas Lunch at 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MUSICAL OFFERING

Sunday, December 14th – During 10:30 AM worship

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Wednesday, December 24th, 7:00 PM 1000 Easton Road, Dallas, TX 75218 • 214-327-2222

Baby, baby, baby

Presbyterian Hospital Dallas in late September became the topic of international media attention — the first patient ever diagnosed with Ebola in America was treated there, where he died and two nurses contracted the illness. But as CNN’s Anderson Cooper recorded live shots and helicopters circled overhead, Lake Highlands residents Aimee and Joe Hardin were inside, a few buildings away from the melee, with more personally pressing issues on their minds. On Sept. 23 Aimee gave birth to triplets — Drew and Brooks, who are identical boys, and Hannah. The babies were hospitalized for about 33 days (Hannah came home a few days earlier) in the neonatal intensive care unit at Presbyterian and came home healthy, joining big brother Hudson, Oct. 26.