BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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Whitehall Exchange bar opens in Bishop Arts

A new drinking-and-eating spot, Whitehall Exchange, recently opened in the former Cretia’s and Nodding Dog Coffee Co. space at Bishop and Seventh. Whitehall is more bar than wine bar. The place sports a chic interior makeover that includes blue-and-white patterned wallpaper and a long, blue sofa that serves as the centerpiece of a lounge area. It otherwise consists of tall round-top tables and a long bar with dim lighting. Tall cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon are $3, plus better beer and all manner of liquor. A small food menu includes a lobster roll, several flat breads and bar snacks such as olives and fried almonds.

Pearl Cup Coffee planned for Sylvan Thirty

The chic coffee shop with locations on Henderson Avenue and Downtown is the latest addition to the planned mixed-use development on the site of the former Alamo motel on Fort Worth Avenue. Own- ersCarlene Saelg and Rita Davis opened the first Pearl Cup in East Dallas in 2008, and the coffeehouse soon became known for its signature drink, the Pearl Latte. Pearl Cup Coffee sources its coffee from Texas roasters.

“It means a lot for us and our business to be here. It is such a cool and creative place.”

—900 LBS of Creative co-owner Steve Deitz on its new home in the Bishop Arts District

900 LBS of Creative moves to Bishop Arts

The multimedia creative firm has moved to Route 80 Studios Founded by Steve Deitz and Josh Bray, 900 LBS is best known for its video shorts played at Mavericks games. “We are really excited to be in the Bishop Arts District,” Deitz says. “It means a lot for us and our business to be here. It is such a cool and creative place.”

Davis Street Mercantile offers vintage and custom furniture

Joe Ramirez and his wife, Amy ThomassonRamirez, opened a design studio and retail shop in the Bishop Arts District last month. Davis Street Mercantile offers custom-designed furniture along with readymade furniture from other local designers. They also sell vintage furniture and accessories. “We’re always going to have an eclectic mix,” Thomasson-Ramirez says. Joe Ramirez is a real estate broker, and Amy Thomasson-Ramirez is an interior designer with 13 years of experience. They started designing furniture together about two years ago. “This is an opportunity for people to work with an interior designer and really do some custom pieces,” Thomasson-Ramirez says. The shop is open Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

More business bits

1 The Bishop Arts District’s new 303 Bar & Grill has changed chefs. Chef Adam Bazaldua, formerly of Rathbun’s Blue Plate, has left, and Chef Chad Starling, formerly of Saint Ann, is manning the kitchen. 2 Smoke chef Tim Byres recently was chosen as a nominee by Food & Wine magazine as “The People’s Best New Chef” in the Southwest. 3 Campo Modern has named Josh Black executive chef after Matt McAllister announced he is moving on to open his own restaurant. Black has worked at Stephan Pyles and The Cedars Social, and he has been second in command to McAllister at Campo since it opened last year. 4 Oak Cliff-based Kitchen Beautician and Rodeo Monkey will be at the Dallas Flea at South Side on Lamar on Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Whitehall Exchange 500 N. BISHOP 214.946.3900

Pearl Cup Coffee PEARLCUPCOFFEE.COM

900 LBS of Creative 428 W. EIGHTH 469.360.5928 900LBS.COM

Davis Street Mercantile 443 W. DAVIS 449.855.0884

303 Bar & Grill 303 W. DAVIS 214.942.3030 303BARANDGRILL.COM

Smoke 901FORT WORTH AVENUE 214.393.4141 SMOKERESTAURANT.COM

Campo Modern Country Bistro 1115 N. BECKLEY AVE 214.946.1308 CAMPODALLAS.COM

The Dallas Flea 1409S.LAMAR THEDALLASFLEA.COM