BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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New chef, new desserts

Chef John Tesar of Spoon Bar and Kitchen appointed a new executive pastry chef to help him introduce Spoon’s new dessert menu on Feb.

8. Chef David Collier, who worked with Tesar on The Mansion on Turtle Creek, will replace chef Joseph Baker. Collier was previously the executive pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City.

Outstanding restauranteur

Brian Black, owner of Preston Hollowbased Ocho Kitchen and Cocktails , is one of eight business leaders who recently received the nationalOutstanding Business Leaders awardfrom Northwood University. Black was honored at the 33rd annual Outstanding Business Leaders Awards gala in Florida on Jan. 25. The award recognizes Black’s business achievements and community support.Northwood University, a nationwide managerial- and entrepreneurial-focused college, has campuses in Fort Worth and Cedar Hill. Black, an SMU graduate and son of one of the original Chili’s concept founders, started working in the restaurant business at age 15.

Centennial files for bankruptcy; Cheers Spirits and Liquors to take over lease

One of Dallas’ oldest liquor retailers, Centennial , filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late December. The chain owes $6 million to BBVA Compass bank, and $4.4 million to the area’s biggest wine and liquor wholesalers. By state law, the chain can’t buy new liquor or wine until it pays the $4.4 million, and hasn’t been able to buy wine or spirits for a couple of months. Sales are down 50 percent this year over last. Centennial is expected to close some of its remaining 23 stores (down from 70 just a couple of years ago). The chain owns Centennial, Majestic and Big Daddy’s stores in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Dan Flagg, Cheers Spirits and Liquors chief financial officer, says the Ponder, Texas, company is in the process of acquiring Centennial’s leases from the landlords to take over 18 former Centennial locations across the Metroplex if the bankruptcy judge approves.