This Week's Hot Headlines

Neiman Marcus closing saga leads most popular Dallas stories this week

Despite widespread efforts, the downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus will close in March.

Neiman Marcus

Editor's note: Thetop Dallas news of the week is filled to the brim with Neiman Marcus tidbits, from the saga surrounding the downtown flagship's impending closure to the impossible-to-get Zodiac Room reservations. Get the details on our five hottest headlines below, then find the best bets for weekend fun in Dallas right here.

1. The 2 Dallas restaurants where reservations are now impossible to get. If you're one of those people who wants dearly that which you cannot have, then this is your moment, as there are two restaurants in Dallas right now where you cannot get a reservation. In a weird and bittersweet cosmic convergence, they're both located inside fashion retailers.

2. Dallas celebs are flocking to Soul Shack, new restaurant in Cedar Hill. Dallas has a new upscale soul food restaurant that originally hails from Chicago: Called Soul Shack, it’s in the former Turkey Leg King space in Cedar Hill where it opened in late January.

Soul Shack fried chicken Fried chicken, mac & cheese, collards at Soul Shack. Soul Shack

3. Dallas leaders rally to save downtown Neiman Marcus from closing. Dallas leaders rallied to save the iconic downtown Neiman Marcus, whose location at 1618 Main St. is closing on March 31 following a dispute with one of its landlords.

4. Owner donates land to secure future for downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus. According to a release from downtown advocacy group Downtown Dallas Inc., a landlord who owned a piece of land on which the iconic store resides agreed to donate it to the city of Dallas, so that there are no obstacles for the store's continued operation. Despite the magnanimous gesture, Saks Global confirmed that the iconic downtown store will close.

5. NorthPark Dallas Neiman Marcus one of 5 in U.S. to host special dinner. While Dallas reels over the imminent closure of its beloved, iconic downtown Neiman Marcus, the beat goes on at the luxury retailer with a new campaign celebrating the synergy between fashion and culinary culture.

neiman marcus closings openings soul food dominique crenn popular stories

Sing a Song

2 Dallas restaurants inspire songs on new LP by Grammy-nominated act

Courtesy photo

Aloe Blacc at Bonton Farms

Two Dallas restaurants have garnered recognition in a new release by a Grammy-nominated artist: Called Stand Together. it's the latest album by Aloe Blacc, a Southern California native known for songs such as “I Need a Dollar”and “The Man” who received a Grammy nomination for his album Lift Your Spirit in 2015.

Two of the tracks on the album, which is set to drop on Friday, February 28, were inspired by Dallas charitable institutions Cafe Momentum and Bonton Farms.

The album focuses on philanthropy and is the result of a partnership with the community organization Stand Together, which works with nonprofits to address social issues. Both Bonton Farms and Cafe Momentum fit right in with the topic of the album, as they’re known for helping local underserved communities including addressing food insecurity and helping at-risk youth with an internship program.

Blacc, born Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III, has been a longtime partner of Stand Together, and visited both Café Momentum and Bonton Farms to see them in action. He was so inspired that he wrote songs about them on his newest album.

The nonprofits inspired the following two songs:

“Grow Together,” inspired by Bonton Farms visit, reflects themes of resilience and the power of collective effort, all of which are central to their mission.
“My World,” emphasizes empathy, compassion, and unity, aligning with Café Momentum’s values.

Bonton Farms CEO and president Gabrielle “Gabe” Madison says it was a privilege to witness Blacc "using his platform for positive social change."

“I've been blown away by his ability to capture our mission at Bonton Farms in his music," Madison says. "Aloe is shining a light on the transformative power of community and connection, and how they help us overcome adversity and unlock our full potential.”

Cafe Momentum founder and CEO Chad Houser called the experience was "surreal."

“Seeing him take those experiences and turn them into a song—one that tells our kids, I see you, I hear you—is beyond special,” Houser says. “I had the honor of standing beside one of our Momentum Ambassadors, Kenzo Sohue, at the album release party. Before playing the song, Aloe shared its inspiration. As it played, Kenzo stood with his head down, eyes closed, grinning ear to ear, whispering, "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god" over and over. That moment will stay with me forever.”