Ice Cream News

Richardson firefighter and top foodie opens cheeky new ice cream shop

New ice cream shop arrives just in time for summer.

Courtesy photo

In time for summer comes Tongue in Cheek Ice Cream, a new shop in Richardson at 526 W. Arapaho Rd., opening in early July.

Tongue in Cheek is from Brett Smith, who serves as a fireman for the city of Richardson. Tongue in Cheek is his next act: After he retires in about a year, he'll transition into running it full time.

"I've always had a passion for food, and knew I wanted to do something in the food industry after my time as a fireman," he says. "You can ask anybody at the fire department in Richardson who the best cooks are, and I think I would come up in the top two or three names every time."

He honed his skills working at a local shop, making ice cream for about three years.

"After two weeks, I decided that's what I wanted to do," he says. "The idea has been in my brain for a long time and in the planning stages for the past several years."

He also likes that ice cream has universal appeal. "Ice cream has one of the largest markets — everyone from six months to 100 years old likes ice cream," he says.

He'll do a small-batch creamery operation, with a base list of 24 flavors that include not only staples like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry but also some of his creative twists, such as bourbon vanilla, spicy honey, lavender, chocolate whiskey cake, mango habanero, and a collection of candy bar flavors such as Snickers.

That also includes a selection of four to five nondairy options, including sorbets and coconut-milk ice creams that he says taste very similar to Italian gelato.

"Honestly, I have 100-plus flavors, but there's only room for so many — that's part of my struggle," he says.

As for the location, most recently Kabobi Fresh Express, he says he eyed it for many years. It comes with a drive-thru window, where customers can get coffee, shakes, and other to-go items, and a patio with seating that includes a swing.

"My fire station is right down the street, where I've worked for almost 10 years," he says. "I'd drive by in the fire engine and always thought, 'That'd be a great spot for an ice cream shop."

ice-cream desserts

Henderson Avenue News

Dallas bar High Fives will close on Henderson Avenue after 10 years

High Fives/Facebook

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A nightlife staple on Dallas' Henderson Avenue is closing: High Fives, the bar located at 1804 McMillan Ave., will close in early January, after more than 10 years.

According to a release, the actual closing date will be tied to the Texas Tech Red Raiders' game schedule in January.

"To all our neighbors, the Red Raider faithful, and everyone who has made High Fives their home—we are saying goodbye by raising our hands high for one last High Five," says owner Phil Schanbaum. "This establishment was built on community, spirited rivalry, and countless memories. We are deeply thankful to every single patron and, especially, to all of our incredible staff who were the heart and soul of this place."

High Fives opened in mid-2015, part of the portfolio of This & That Hospitality, the company Schanbaum founded with partner Brandon Hays, next door to its sibling bar The Whippersnapper (which was rebranded into a concept called Boogies in October 2025.)

Schanbaum says that they're unsure of what will go in the High Fives space after it closes — but that the closure "paves the way for the ongoing evolution of Henderson Avenue."

The property is owned by Acadia Realty, the New York-based company that is partnered with Dallas development firm Ignite-Rebees on a 161,000-square-foot, creative, mixed-use development currently underway on Henderson Avenue between Glencoe Street and McMillan Avenue at the eastern end of Henderson Avenue.

High Fives' closure is part of that plan to transform the quarter-mile stretch into a walkable destination featuring restaurants, retail, and office space.

"To Henderson Avenue, we look forward to further expansion and to making this street even better. We are excited for the neighborhood's renaissance, which will bring new experiences, retail, and dining concepts to the area," Schanbaum says.

Moving target
The actual closing date will depend on the outcome of the season for Texas Tech's football team the Red Raiders.

"The final chapter for High Fives will be written alongside the almighty Texas Tech Red Raiders. The bar's ultimate closure is tied directly to the team's success," the release says.

The next game day is on January 1, when doors open at 10 am.

If the Red Raiders advance past the game on January 1, High Fives will remain open for subsequent Texas Tech game days until the team's run ends. Meanwhile hours in December will be Thursdays & Fridays from 8 pm-2 am, and Saturdays: from 2 pm– 2 am.