Bless the AC

The one-stop spot in Dallas where your family can beat the summer heat

Summer in Texas can be brutal, so having a place to beat the heat with the whole family in tow is the dream. For Dallas mom and blogger Cassie Freeman, Inwood Village is the ideal go-to neighborhood spot to make that wish a reality.

Between running her successful blog Hi Sugarplum, collaborating on her own Gibson x Hi Sugarplum collection at Nordstrom, raising two amazing kids, and trying to go on the occasional date night with her husband, Cassie's life is pretty busy. Thankfully, Inwood Village provides her with a one-stop locale to spend time with her family while getting errands done, grabbing a bite to eat, and even fitting in a little fun.

Located conveniently on Lovers Lane and Inwood Road, Inwood Village is a favorite of Cassie's, as well as her 12-year-old daughter, Sloan. We spent the day with this mother-daughter duo, finding ways to beat the Texas heat as they stopped by some of their favorite spots in the center.

Mola Mola Poke
A trendy newcomer to Inwood Village, Mola Mola Poke is a whimsical and colorful restaurant that serves chef-inspired poke that focuses on sourcing experimental healthy options from across the world. With the goal to use local produce and place an emphasis on sustainable fish sourcing, Mola Mola attracts healthy, active individuals looking for a delicious bite in the neighborhood.

Landmark Inwood Theater
Opened in 1947, this unique theater has a remarkable history, distinctive film selection, and comfortable seating. Newly updated screening rooms feature leather lounge chairs, comfortable sofas, and loveseats. Additionally, a private bar allows patrons to purchase cocktails and soft drinks without leaving the theater.

BeTween Scene
One of Dallas' premier boutiques, BeTween Scene offers designer clothing, shoes, and accessories for kids and tweens alike. Featuring brands such as Ella Moss, Juicy Couture, and True Religion, this store has serious style, making grown-up fashionistas wish they could shop here too.

Berrynaked
This one-of-a-kind local spot serves a creative array of popsicles and purees with an aim to package nature's perfection. Started by a local mother, Berrynaked prides itself on serving fresh, natural, and organic ingredients so that you know your family is getting a great snack or healthy dessert alternative.

Cassie Freeman and her daughter Sloan at Mola Mola Poke in Inwood Village.

Cassie Freeman and her daughter Sloan

Courtesy photo

Cassie Freeman and her daughter Sloan at Mola Mola Poke in Inwood Village.

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Hotel News

Cool Dallas mid-century hotel off I-35 gets funding to become apartments

Cabana Hotel

Preservation Dallas

Cabana Hotel

Developers of the historic Cabana Hotel, the distinctive mid-century Dallas lodging where the Beatles once stayed, received a $41 million go-ahead from the Dallas City Council to turn the building into apartments.

Cabana Sycamore Development Inc., a subsidiary of Sycamore Strategies, plans to transform it into a $116 million, 160-unit mixed-income apartment building.

Located at 899 Stemmons Fwy., the Cabana was built in 1962 by Las Vegas entrepreneur Jay Sarno, who several years later developed Caesars Palace hotel and the Circus Circus in Las Vegas. The Beatles stayed there on their 1964 U.S. tour, reportedly followed by other British acts including the Who, Led Zeppelin along with President Richard Nixon.

The hefty cash outlay, which will be paid through the Design District tax increment financing (TIF) district once the project is complete, is a marked increase from a $15.5 million incentive that was approved in 2019, when building owner Centurion American Development Group sought to renovate the hotel and open it as luxury lodging once again.

A TIF allows cities to subsidize developers by refunding or diverting some of their taxes.

Centurion, who renovated the similar Statler Dallas in downtown Dallas, had gone so far as to gut the building, but after four years of inaction, put it up for sale; Sycamore Strategies' lead Zachary Krochtengel put it on contract in May.

The project had few dissenters at the Dallas City Council's September 27 meeting other than former city council member Ed Oakley who was in office in the early 2000s when the Design District TIF was first created.

Oakley noted that, with the $116 million price tag, each unit will cost $725,000, and reminded the council that the current TIF board voted against it on September 11, objecting to its "higher than typical costs."

But council member Omar Narvaez said the building is needed in part to introduce housing for those working within the Design District.

“There is no workforce housing in this area and that’s something we have all committed to fixing,” Narvaez said. “This is the mixing of income levels and brackets that we have talked about.”

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