This Week's Hot Headlines

Treehouse Dallas finds its perch at top of this week's 5 most popular stories

Editor’s note: Another week has come and gone, and there’s a lot we all probably missed. But we’re looking out for you, kid. Here are the most popular stories from this past week:

1. TreeHouse Dallas opens with groovy party and revolutionary mission. Home decor store TreeHouse Dallas opened on June 1 with an unrivaled welcome party that felt more like a shindig at some swanky mansion than it did a retail launch. The Austin-based company is a first-of-its-kind home improvement store. Its products and services promote healthy and sustainable spaces and thoughtful building.

2. Downtown Dallas steakhouse The Palm closes citing recent events. The West End will lose a little bit of East Coast glam as longtime downtown Dallas steakhouse The Palm is shutting down on June 30. Owners Wally Ganzi and Bruce Bozzi Jr. announced the closure in an email to customers, which was also posted on its website, stating that safety had become a concern.

3. Against all odds, Texas craft beer brewers hope governor cuts them a break. Texas has cultivated a love affair with craft beer, but that doesn't extend to the Texas Legislature, which recently passed a bill that beer advocates are calling grossly anti-competitive.

4. Acclaimed ramen guru stirs up noodles and sushi for Deep Ellum Dallas. An acclaimed ramen restaurant from Fort Worth is growing the family with a new location in Dallas, in the oh-so-hot neighborhood of Deep Ellum. Oni Ramen, from vaunted chef Jesús García, will open its second branch at 2822 Elm St., across from Cafe Brazil.

5. Bourbon and burgers are on at Republic Texas Tavern in North Dallas. Texas-themed restaurant-bar Republic Texas Tavern, which aims to be a casual burger-and-bourbon hangout for the North Dallas swells, has opened its doors in the former Tupinamba space at 12300 Inwood Rd.

Republic is ready for some patio action.

Photo courtesy of Republic

Republic is ready for some patio action.

hot-headlines

Historic Theater News

Forest Theater in South Dallas continues restoration with eye on 2025

Courtesy of HKS Architects

Forest Theater

In the midst of an epic renovation, the historic Forest Theater in South Dallas is taking a moment to celebrate a milestone birthday: The facility turns 75 years old. And to keep it running another 75, the facility is seeking donations.

First built in 1949, the theater was expected to be demolished in 2015, when Preservation Dallas advocated for recognition of its historical value as a landmark.

The property was gifted to nonprofit Forest Forward in 2017 and has since become one of their main initiatives in a mission toward preserving history and bringing neighborhood revitalization to South Dallas.

A restoration to the tune of $75 million began in April, starting with expanding the building to a 66,000-square-foot space.

The plan includes a 1,000-seat performance hall, 13,000 square feet for arts education in partnership with MLK Arts Academy, and a 200-seat studio theater and rooftop feature.

Although currently funded for the restoration, the project will eventually need more funds for day-to-day operation. Donations can be made through their website.

Developed by theater owner and philanthropist Karl Hoblitzelle, the theater closed in 2008 and had become significantly run down — down to three walls and not much of a roof.

“Our support of Forest Forward is about more than the effort to restore the theater built by our founder,” says Katie Robbins, president and CEO of the Hoblitzelle Foundation. “It’s about our ongoing commitment to Dallas that will bring educational, economic, and cultural opportunities to a neighborhood that’s important for the next 75 years.”

The role of the theater in the South Dallas community has evolved since its first opening. It closed and reopened as a theater serving mostly Black residents in 1956, following the construction of U.S. 75. In the years after, notable artists such as Erykah Badu, B.B. King, Wilson Pickett, Ike and Tina Turner, and Prince performed at the theater before its 2008 closure.

“It will continue to be more than a venue for entertainment. The Forest Theater is making its comeback as a cornerstone for social change, important dialogues, community gatherings, and educational initiatives,” Elizabeth Wattley, president and CEO of Forest Forward, said in a statement.

Renovations on the theater are expected to be completed by December 2025.

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