LIVE LOCAL

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT’S UP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

Well-knownrestaurateur PatrickColombo (Cru, Steel, Ferré, Victory Tavern) plans to open anItalian restaurant in the former Popolos space at Preston and Royal (8411 Preston). The space has been split practically in half — 4,000 square feet went to AT&T and the remaining 3,000 square feet to Colombo’s intriguing new concept. He describes his vision for the new digs as “modern Tuscan farmhouse” where “rustic (beam ceilings, natural stone) meets modern with some contemporary elements.” The menu is focused on wood-fired pizzas (the crispy, Naples style) and housemade pastas, desserts and breads. Chef Kevin Ascolese has worked with Colombo on and off for almost 20 years. His résumé includes stints at Fuse, Ferré and Mi Piaci. When asked why he chose this location for the new restaurant, Colombo answers, “My new concept embraces families, and this is a very family-oriented area. There is a mature family market here.” The name had not been finalized at press time, but Colombo expects to have it nailed down soon. Construction began in May, and the opening is planned for the end of August. “I want to take the time and put the focus on getting everything right; I want this to be a part of the community,” Colombo says.

The Plaza at Preston Center recently welcomed Calypso St. Barth Home (8413 Preston Center Plaza, 214.750.4266, calypsostbarth.com) to its bevy of stores. Located just around the corner from its apparel counterpart, Calypso St. Barth Home carries Maison de Vacances bedding, Heidi Merrick textiles, custom upholstered furniture, and signature poufs and rugs. “We have enjoyed such a strong following from the Dallas community,” president Stefanie DiRienzo Smith says. “The small amount of home items we could carry in our apparel store always sold out, so when our manager, Amy, made us aware of a store vacancy, we jumped at it.”

The corner of Hillcrest and Northwest Highway has seen a lot of change with the opening of Elevation Burger and Tasti D-Lite. Most recently, Tiff’s Treats (8611 Hillcrest, 214.613.4700, cookiedelivery.com) opened. Started in 1999 by two University of Texas students, Tiff’s Treats has garnered countless fans of its made-from-scratch goodies. Available for pick-up or delivery, it offers 10 flavors of warm cookies plus brownies, ice cream, ice-cold milk and soft drinks.

M Crowd’s marketing guru, Hillary Arzt, tells us that this summer marks Mi Cocina’s (11661 Preston, 214.265.7704, mcrowd.com) 20th anniversary. Being the original Mi Cocina, the Preston-Forest location will hold the 20th anniversary celebration in July.

The burger and grilled cheese joint MooyahBurgers & Fries just opened the doors to its latest location at Northwest Highway and Hillcrest (6713 W.Northwest Hwy, mooyah.com). Since its debut in 2007, this Plano-based burgerand-fries concept hasn’t stopped growing. By winter 2011, Mooyah will have 25 locations.

Mark your calendars for Kids Cooking Company’s (6025 Royal, 214.265.9949, kidscookingcompany.com) “Dinner for Dad” June 18 from 10 a.m.-noon or 4-6 p.m. In preparation for Father’s Day, pint-sized students will learn how to make oven-fried chicken, “marvelous” mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuits and triple berry cobbler. One parent or special guest is invited to stay and cook with each child, and the cost of the class is $60.

Celebrity Café & Bakery (10720 Preston, 214.373.0783, enjoycelebrity.com) now has online ordering and a “Grab & Go” section, featuring select sandwiches and salads freshly preprepared, plus some pre-packaged baked goods.

According to Jon Alexis, co-owner of TJ’s Fresh Seafood Market & Catering (11661 Preston, 214.691.2369, tjsseafood.com), we are deep in the middle of crawfish season. “June ... is the best time to get them,” Alexis says. “They are bigger and cheaper than anytime in the season.” TJ’s can cater your entire crawfish boil. “We bring the bugs, boiling equipment and staff; the heaviest thing you’ll lift is your beer,” Alexis says. Save the date: TJ’s chef, Chase Cheatham, will be at Taste of Dallas in Fair Park July 8-10.

This month, Jennifer Carr of Jen Rosie Designs (214.876.2466, jenrosiedesigns.com) has started an “Apron of the Month” club. It’s free to join, and every month members have the opportunity to purchase a Jen Rosie apron for only $28 (including shipping), as opposed to the usual $39 per apron. “I will create a new apron every month; it will be totally different from anything that I have online or in stores, and there will be a limited quantity. Once they are gone, they are gone!” Carr says.

—MEGHAN RINEY

DO YOU KNOW OF A NEIGHBORHOODBUSINESS renovating, expanding, moving, launching, hosting an event, celebrating an anniversary, offering a special or something else noteworthy? Send the information to livelocal@advocatemag.com or call 214.292.0487.

Got a crime to report or cop question? Email crime@advocatemag.com

HE GRABBED HER PURSE — BUT SHE HELD ON.

Louise Reeves had gone out to run a few errands, and was coming out of her neighborhood bank just before closing time on a Friday. She made a deposit, and was about to get into her car and head home. An SUV was parked next to her car in front of the bank, and she clutched her purse as she prepared to get in. Suddenly, she felt a powerful tug on her purse. She didn’t see who it was immediately, but instinctively held on.

The Victim: LouiseReeves

The Crime: Robbery

Date: Friday, April 8

Time: 5:45 p.m.

Location: 10700 block of Preston

“They didn’t get my purse because my strap broke,” says Reeves, who has lived in Preston Hollow for 25 years.

The man had come around the SUV while she was not looking, and attempted to grab and go. He probably did not anticipate that this spunky woman was not going to be a victim.

“He was running real fast,” Reeves says. “The bank manager thought I hollered, ‘Help’, but I hollered ‘No’. I put that purse in a hammer lock.”

The suspect kept running after the strap broke, and didn’t get away with anything during the attack. The attempted robbery lasted less than a minute, and Reeves did not get a good look at the robber, who is believed to have been working with another suspect functioning as a lookout. A customer attempted to follow the men after the robbery, but was unsuccessful.

Unfortunately, the attack knocked Reeves to the ground, leaving her with slight injuries such as scratches on her elbow and bruises on her knees. But Reeves says she learned some lessons from the experience and is glad she did not have to go through the process of cancelling all her credit cards.

“Nothing has ever happened like this to me before,” she says. “Keep your ID and credit cards on your body and not in your purse.Now I always keep my keys in my pocket. Don’t take anything of any serious value in your purse.”

Reeves says police told her there have been similar robberies recently near other area banks. Despite the crime, Reeves is hopeful her attacker will find a better path in life.

“I’m so blessed that he didn’t get anything,” she says. “This young man couldn’t have been over 21. I just thought, ‘I hope God helps him and changes him.’ He’s too young to get caught up in this way of life.”

Dallas Police Lt. Richard Dwyer of the North Central Patrol Division confirms two other purse snatches outside banks that occurred in February in the 12900 block of Coit and the 15100 block of Preston.

“The detective has developed some leads on this case as to who the suspects may be,” Dwyer says. “Right now, he is in the process of trying to re-contact the witnesses to confirm some information.

Dwyer offers some warnings for women who find themselves in similar situations.

“A couple things to keep in mind is that material things can be replaced, and that a woman can be seriously injured if she holds onto a purse as a person snatches it and runs.

“Also, while exiting the bank, a person may want to have their keys already out and in their hand. This way they are not fumbling or looking for the keys as they walk to the car and therefore less aware of the people around them. In addition, if something does occur, the person can press the car alarm button on their key fob to bring attention to themselves.” —SEAN

CHAFFIN

NUMBER OF CAR BURGLARIES THAT HAPPENEDNEAR JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL MAY 3 2

BLOCK OF LAVENDALE WHERE SOMEONE BROKE INTO A 2007 DODGE CHARGER, PARKED IN FRONT OF THE OWNER’S HOME; WHILENOTHING WAS STOLEN, IT’S THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BURGLARIZED IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS 7200

05.01

DATE WHEN A MAN WAS STABBED TWICE IN THE STOMACH BY AN UNKNOWN SUSPECT AT THE SPANISH POINT APARTMENTS IN THE 4100 BLOCK OF HARVEST HILL; THE VICTIM SURVIVED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO PARKLAND HOSPITAL

SOURCE: Dallas Police Department