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Snuffer's savior and Dallas sports stars top 5 most popular stories this week

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. Deep Ellum finally gets a neighborhood grocery store. Brandon Castillo, founder of Deep Ellum Outdoor Market, is opening Deep Ellum Postal & Grocer next week at 3100 Main St. The space was most recently a vintage shop with an old-school mailbox center. Castillo will continue to operate that, but he has expanded the space, with shelves and refrigerated cases holding basics and one-of-a-kind items.

2. Woman falls to her death at Six Flags Over Texas. Rosy Ayala-Goana, 52, died while riding the Texas Giant roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington on July 19. Witnesses reported watching a woman fall out of her seat as the roller coaster reached a peak. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

3. It's a girl for Dallas Maverick Dirk Nowitzki and wife Jessica Olsson. Never mind that other royal baby: Jessica Olsson, wife of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, gave birth to a baby girl on July 24. Fellow Mavericks player Jason Terry was the first to offer a congratulations via Twitter. "Congrats to @swish41 #bigpoppa," he tweeted.

4. Meso Maya owner steps in to save Snuffer's cheese fries. Mike Karns, owner of Meso Maya and El Fenix, is about to get an unlimited supply of cheese fries. His Firebird Restaurant Group has stepped in to aid the Snuffer's burger chain. Firebird purchased Snuffer's bank note and is the lender to the five Snuffer's that are in bankruptcy.

5. Where Tony Romo goes, do the Dallas Cowboys follow? Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and his wife, Candice, are building a new house in Glen Abbey, a gated community in Far North Dallas. The neighborhood sits smack in the middle of Keller Springs Road, Westgrove Drive, Dallas North Tollway and Preston Road. So it makes sense the Dallas Cowboys would draw a line north from Romo’s home to their new practice facility, right?

Dirk Nowitzki and Jessica Olsson welcomed a baby girl into their family July 24.

Photo by Jerry McClure

Dirk Nowitzki and Jessica Olsson welcomed a baby girl into their family July 24.

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Smurfs News

Immersive show starring blue Smurfs makes U.S. debut in Arlington

SBX

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Beloved blue characters The Smurfs are making their way to Arlington with an immersive experience for families: The Smurf Experience, located at Esports Stadium at 1200 Ballpark Way, opens May 7.

Get ready to shrink down, turn blue, and journey into the land of the Smurfs to help save the world from the evil wizard, Gargamel in a show that started out in Europe and now makes its U.S. debut in DFW for a limited time.

“The Smurfs may be small, but their journey has been anything but," says SBX Group’s CEO, Danny Fritz in a release. "From their origins in Europe in the 1950’s to their increasing global popularity, we are excited to bring the world of the Smurfs to life for families in DFW! Based on the success of the attraction in Europe, we believe US audiences will thoroughly enjoy the launch of The Smurf Experience."

This 13,000-square-foot, fully immersive attraction will transport families into the heart of Smurf Village. The 75-minute experience will feature nine mission-based zones filled with interactive scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, virtual reality adventures, meet-and-greets with beloved Smurf characters and more. It’s hands-on, high-energy and full of Smurftastic fun for kids and parents alike.

The Smurf Experience is not to be missed and is only in Texas until the end of summer.

Tickets are now available at $30 for regular admission and $40 for VIP, as well as group and birthday packages.

“When my father first drew these little blue characters decades ago, I don’t think he ever imagined that they’d one day jump off the pages and be able to physically interact with families around the world," says Véronique Culliford, Founder & President of Peyo Company and daughter of Peyo, in a release. "It is wonderful to see The Smurf Experience bring the Smurfs, their story and their values to life in such a meaningful way."

Timed with the release of Paramount Pictures’ new Smurfs movie, hitting theaters July 2025, this summer-long adventure builds on the excitement of the big screen.

The film stars Rihanna as both a producer and the voice of Smurfette. She’s also behind the soundtrack’s musical hits. The Smurf Experience lets fans step into the world of the Smurfs ahead of the film’s release—creating unforgettable moments for families to share together.

The Smurf Experience was designed by Belgium-based agency Cecoforma in collaboration with Smurf parent entity Peyo Company. SBX Group, a leader in entertainment attractions, is working with Cecoforma and Peyo Company to adapt the experience for North American audiences.

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