liVe l ocal

T HE LOWDOWN ON WHAT ’ S UP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

Moon w ok, d aily s top and c owboy- s tyle p hilly’s open at s killM an/ r oyal

A lot of action has taken place lately at the corner of Skillman and Royal in Royal Highlands Plaza. daily stop convenience store, c owboystyle philly’s cheesesteaks and Moon wok all have recently opened their doors. Graham Irvine of JAH Realty, which owns the shopping center, says Daily Stop has two locations in Irving and one in Duncanville, and is a “nice, clean little business” — a typical convenience store that also carries beer and wine. Nearby Moon Wok offers large portions of casual Asian cuisine at a low price-point.

Cowboy-Style Philly’s opened in the former Burger Spot space. Owner Sean Mathis, originally from Oak Cliff, is excited to bring his Arlingtonbased cheesesteak shop to Lake Highlands. “I want to hire LHHS students and get involved with the community,” Mathis says. Mathis drove trucks and cooked pre-game meals for the Dallas Cowboys for four years before saving enough money to open his first Cowboy-Style Philly’s restaurant in Arlington in November 2009. His hard work has paid off, and the Dallas Farmers Market has asked him to open a third location Downtown in October. The menu includes eight different types of cheesesteaks: original, chicken-fried chicken, blue cheese crumble, lemon pepper, the audible Philly (veggie-only), barbecue, the time out Philly (hot! hot! hot!), and shrimp and lobster. Cheesesteaks are served with waffle fries,

Business buzz:

“We sell plenty of food at a good price.” —a sign near the cash register at Moon Wok, a new Asian restaurant in Royal Highlands Plaza sweet potato fries or onion rings. For dessert, Mathis has scoops of Blue Bell and is working on a deep-fried oreo recipe. Order a “Project 24” (chicken strips with French fries for $4.25), and Cowboy-Style Philly’s donates 24 cents to former Pinkston High School football player Jared Williams, who was paralyzed while making a tackle at a football game in 2009. Williams’s mom is a good friend of Mathis.

• Moon Wok, 8670 Skillman, 214.221.8888, moonwoktx.com

• Daily Stop,9901 Royal, 214.553.8600

• Cowboy-Style Philly’s, 9090 Skillman, 817.522.1319 c a J un restaurant opening in c asa linda alligator café owner Ivan Pugh is opening a second location of his popular Cajun restaurant in the former Frankie’s Little Europe space in Casa Linda. The original Alligator Café at Live Oak and Carroll has been a best-kept secret in East Dallas for years. The new location will have the same tried-and-true menu as the original plus baby-back ribs, pulled pork, crab claws, voodoo jambalaya and more. “We’re adding more pork dishes to the menu to make it more Creole, plus a full bar, more jazz and blues bands, and a patio,” Pugh says. Pugh describes the intended atmosphere as that of a “nice restaurant in the French Quarter.” He adds, “I chose this location because I liked the look of the building and the area’s high traffic,” Pugh says. “This one is going to be even better than the first. This gets my creative juices flowing You’ve got to keep going further in life, and I’ve been bored.”

• Alligator Café, 4416 Live Oak, 214.821.6900, eatgator.com

View p oint b ank M o V ing into for M er wa M u space

A part of the many changes at Walnut Hill and Audelia, Plano-based Viewpoint bank has announced it will move into the former WAMU bank building in Lake Highlands Plaza this fall.

“Our branch in the Albertson’s at Ferndale and Northwest Highway has been very successful, and we’ve been looking for a location in the area for years,” executive vice president Mark Hord says. ViewPoint currently has 23 branches and is actively expanding. The bank prides itself on being involved in its communities and plans on supporting Lake Highlands as well. “Our marketing group and retail division will work on getting plugged into the community,” Hord says. “In the past, a part of our outreach has been to offer financial education in local schools.”

Viewpoint bank, viewpointbank.com new stores for the shops at park lane

The Shops at Park Lane has announced that charming charlie, a women’s accessories boutique, and Park Grill, a Chicago-based restaurant with American cuisine, have signed leases and will open by the end of the year. Charming Charlie is a Houston-based boutique that carries jewelry, handbags and other accessories that are priced on average between $5-$50. park grill will be the first DFW restaurant for its parent company, Restaurants-America, whose concepts include Townhouse Restaurant (coming to Galleria Dallas this fall) One North and Primebar.

“The Shops at Park Lane has experienced a great deal of growth this year and the sales of our existing retailers continue to exceed their expectations,” says Greg Karlen, president of Northwood Retail, The Shops at Park Lane’s property management company. “We are thrilled with the project’s progress, and welcome these two new retailers to our development.”

• The Shops at Park Lane, Park and g reenville, shopsatparklane.com

—Meghan Riney

The lab @ lakewood

5304 Junius St., Dallas, TX 75214 / 214.901.4280 / www.thelabdallas.com

The Lab is a fun place for kids to learn about science! Programs include a mix of demonstrations, hands-on experiments and auditory and sensory stimulation in a fun, age-appropriate environment. Servicing all school-aged children, we offer on-site birthday parties, science fair project mentoring, homework help, enrichment classes, school assemblies and Scout programs. Please visit our website for up to date calendar of activities and events, www.thelabdallas.com.

Munger Square Child Care

5302 Junius St / www.mungerchildcare. com / 469.248.2905 Nestled in historic East Dallas, MSCC offers smaller class sizes than most daycare centers for more individualized attention. Infants through preschoolers are treated to a loving, nurturing, safe, clean, esthetically pleasing environment aimed at promoting their physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth. The curriculum includes Spanish offered by experienced, bilingual, caring, competent, teachers, who are also CPR certified. Exercise is promoted with indoor and outdoor activities. Children learn about gardening using the center’s greenhouse. Meals are prepared on site using natural ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided daily. Open year round, M-F, 7am-6pm.

SChool of ConTeMporary balleT dallaS

214.821.2066 / 1902 Abrams Pkwy., Dallas / www.schoolofcbd.com. Summer Dance 2011. Two sessions available: June 6-August

13. Toddlers/Youths/Teens classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz & Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Fairies & Frogs, Princesses & Princes, Summer Intensive workshops~ Morning, Afternoon & Evening classes available. Register Now! ADULTS, Get in Shape with Dance Workout, Just Barre and Basics Beginner Classes! All levels of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-hop Contemporary & Tap! Professional instructors in a positive environment! Schedule available on-line. REGISTER NOW – space is limited!

SCofield ChriSTian SChool

3K through Grade 6 / 214-349-6843 / www.scofieldchristian.org HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY! Since 1961, Scofield has been helping students joyfully reach their academic potential. The school curriculum continues to include a rich blend of classic literature, writing and phonics instruction combined with a comprehensive math and science program. Caring teachers enhance curriculum with hands-on learning and interactive participation. A student-cultivated garden provides additional opportunities for students to “dig in” to their lessons. Scofield alumni are strong leaders who continue to make an impact in their schools, homes, churches and communities. Find us on facebook for all the latest SCS news. (Scofield Christian School • Dallas)

ST. ChriSTopher’S MonTeSSori SChool

7900 Lovers Lane / 214-363-9391 / www.stchristophersmontessori.com St. Christopher’s Montessori School has been serving families in the DFW area for over a quarter of a century. We are affiliated with the American Montessori Society and our teachers are certified Montessori instructors. Additionally our staff has obtained other complimentary educational degrees and certifications, including having a registered nurse on staff. Our bright and attractive environment, and highly qualified staff, ensures your child will grow and develop in an educationally sound, AMS certified loving program. Now Enrolling.

ST. john’S epiSCopal SChool

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / www.stjohnsschool.org Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service. St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

whiTe roCk norTh SChool

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410. 2 Years through 5th Grade. 45 years of successful students! Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus. www.WhiteRockNorthSchool.com.

Zion luTheran SChool

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / www.ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

Community

The WhiTe Rock Republican Women’s club meets Sept. 15 at Highland Park Cafeteria, 300 Casa Linda Plaza. State representative Kenneth Sheets will speak. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., and the program is at 6:30. For details, call Lisa DeWitt at 214.893.6010.

The ciT y is calling foR aRTisTs WiTh public aRT expeRience to submit proposals for a grand sculpture at White Rock Lake to commemorate its 100th birthday. The budget is $272,000, which comes from donations and fundraising related to the White Rock Lake Centennial. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 7. For guidelines, visit dallasculture.org/opportunities.asp.

The l ake highlands e xchange club has announced the first annual Oktoberfest Lake Highlands set for 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 1 on the Lake Highlands Town Center land at Skillman and Walnut Hill. The fundraising event includes food, entertainment, music and beer. Interested vendors should contact adam_meierhofer@ yahoo.com.