This Week's Hot Headlines

Guy Fieri's State Fair gig drives this week's top stories

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines.

1. Guy Fieri cruises into Dallas for State Fair barbecue throwdown. Beloved Food Network star and restaurateur Guy Fieri is coming to Dallas for an in-person appearance at the State Fair of Texas. The irrepressible Fieri will be in Dallas on October 11 to co-host a kids' cooking contest, in association with Carnival Cruise Line, for whom Fieri does restaurant concepts that include a barbecue-themed place and a burger joint.

2. Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 brand new restaurants for fall. With more than 50 restaurants slated to open around the Dallas area, it's crucial for diners to stay on top of what's coming and what's already arrived. Openings are happening fast and furious. There's no rest for the wicked on this. Must keep up. For this edition of Where to Eat, we look at 10 of the latest, newest openings.

3. A spring wedding delivers downtown Dallas views and thoughtful details. Rachel Duitch and Jon Aronson got more than they bargained for when they attended a Dallas networking event for young Jewish adults. Fresh off a move from Los Angeles, Jon was in the market for new friends. But when he spotted Rachel across the room, sparks flew.

4. Downtown Dallas cops new kind of coffee fix at iconic fountain building. Downtown Dallas gets a one-of-a-kind new coffee shop with a very specific and ambitious approach. Called 84 Point Coffee, it's a specialty shop from Russell Hayward, founder of Ascension Coffee, and will open at 1445 Ross Ave., aka Fountain Place, the angled blue building designed by Henry Cobb of I. M. Pei & Partners.

5. Legendary architect Frank Welch's Dallas home goes on the market. A piece of architectural history is for sale. Legendary architect Frank D. Welch's Dallas home went on the market September 25. The 2,932-square-foot residence is at 3511 Cragmont Ave., in Northern Hills, just outside of Highland Park. Welch lived in the home until his death June 22 at age 90.

Guy's coming to town!

Photo courtesy of Food Network

Guy's coming to town!

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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