BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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Senior-living high-rises to be built near NorthPark Center

Buckner International, a faith-based social services organization, plans to establish a new senior-living community on three acres at the southwest corner of North Central Expressway and Northwest Highway, across from NorthPark Center. Ventana by Buckner will be two 12-story towers with 314 units and measure about 450,000 square feet. The building will provide 182 independent-living residences, 36 assisted-living apartments, 24 memory-care apartments, 48 skilled-nursing apartments and 24 short-term-rehabilitation apartments. The community also will feature three dining areas (casual, formal and bistro), a wellness and fitness center, a pool, a chapel, a movie theater, roof terraces, a business center, a library, a day spa, indoor parking and 24-hour security. Ventana is scheduled to open by 2018 and already is accepting deposits.

LYFE Kitchen to open in Preston Center

LYFE Kitchen, a California-based chain restaurant that serves locally sourced, organic and healthy eats “in minutes,” is coming to Dallas. That’s according to Christine Perez at D Magazine, who reports that the restaurant is planning to open three locations in North Texas this summer, with one of those locations in Preston Center. Menu items — which are all fewer than 600 calories — include breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as beer, wine, and fresh-pressed smoothies and juices. The expansive menu, which includes a number of gluten-free and vegan offerings, was developed by vegan chef Tal Ronnen and chef Art Smith, who was once a personal chef for Oprah Winfrey. The restaurant’s sustainable/healthy concept doesn’t apply to just menu items: LYFE Kitchen’s interiors are eco-friendly too, from bamboo tabletops to soy-based cushion foam.

More business bits

Celebration Restaurant suspends summer farmers market

Since 1971, long before any “locavore” and “green” trends hit the restaurant scene, Celebration Restaurant has been serving comfort food with a conscience the ground beef comes from grass-fed cows, chickens are raised in pastures, and during summertime, the restaurant’s farmers market fills the parking lot weekly.

But this summer there will be changes. The restaurant has announced that its farmers market is suspended for the 2014 growing season. That doesn’t mean, however, that the popular market won’t return next year. This isn’t the first time the Celebration Farmers Market has taken a break. Costly city permits forced the restaurant to cease the market for the 2009 season, but it returned in 2010. Although you’ll have to check out other farmers markets for fresh, local produce this summer, rest assured that Celebration Restaurant and its neighbor Celebration Market, which sells plenty of locally made items, aren’t going anywhere.

Get In Contact

Buckner International 4830 Samuell 214.388.1442 BUCKNER.ORG

LYFE Kitchen 8315 WESTCHESTER COMING SOON LYFEKITCHEN.COM

Celebration Restaurant 4503 W. LOVERS 214.351.5681

CELEBRATIONRESTAURANT.COM

Gigi’s Cupcakes 5450 W. LOVERS, SUITE 130 214.352.2253

GIGISCUPCAKESUSA.COM

NorthPark Center 8687 N. CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY 214.363.7441

NORTHPARKCENTER.COM

1 Summit Parque, a seven-story apartment complex under construction near Merit Drive and LBJ, is slated for completion by the end of the year. Amenities will include a rooftop terrace, fitness center and a cyber lounge. 2 Gigi’s Cupcakes in Inwood Village has some new spring flavors, including lemon daisy, triple chocolate torte, raspberry pink blossom and pink champagne. 3 Steve Madden in NorthPark Center has expanded beyond shoes and now offers apparel and accessories. Check out the new products — and the store’s new location — between Macy’s and Nordstrom on level one. 4 In other NorthPark news, Tesla Motors, an interactive store that invites customers to learn about owning an electric car and design one of their own, will open in NorthPark this summer. It will be the only Tesla Motors store in Dallas.

TheKesslerSchool.com

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Experience St. John’s

Pre-k through Eighth Grade Co-educational stjohnsschool.org

214-328-9131 x103

Awards

W.T. White High School theater students performed “The Importance of Being Earnest” in the UIL One Act Play Competition, earning a straight score of “excellent” across the board. Dru Miers was awarded best actor, Jason Tarlton was awarded best technician, and Paige Madkins and Cecilia Gatling received honorable mention to the all-star cast.

Religion

CitySquare President and CEO Larry James, whom Mayor Mike Rawlings recently appointed to chair his Poverty Task Force, spoke at a luncheon held at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church early last month. While working at CitySquare, James has become well acquainted with factors that exacerbate homelessness, poverty and mental disability. In response, CitySquare is exploring and developing innovative ways to help. The PHPC Foundation also supports CitySquare’s Cottages at Hickory Crossing, a housing project that will aid homeless individuals battling drug abuse and mental health issues.

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