Opening News

8 new restaurants to join roster at new mixed-use center in Lewisville

Ked's ice cream, coming to the Realm at Castle Hills.

dallas.culturemap.com

A mixed-use development in Lewisville is growing growing growing with the addition of several new retailers: The Realm at Castle Hills, a 324-acre development along SH 121 in Lewisville, has signed up a slate of eight new tenants that will bring cookies, beer, and baked goods.

The Realm includes office, retail, and multi-family options, combining an urban lifestyle with outdoor activity and event spaces, with more than 5,000 multifamily units, restaurants, a boutique hotel, a trail system, and an outdoor entertainment district.

The project is from Bright Realty, the commercial and residential real estate arm of parent company Bright Industries, founded in the 1950s by the late H.R. "Bum" Bright.

Newly signed leases include:

Marble Slab Creamery/Great American Cookies. The 1,600-square-foot shop will offer ice cream, cakes, shakes, and cookies.
The Monk's: This 3,869-square-foot restaurant will feature authentic flavors from China and India.
RT Bakery: The 1,507-square-foot bakery will offer pastries and coffee.
Voodoo Brewing Company: This 4,346-square-foot brewery is part of a chain founded in Colorado in 2005.
Bagel Bar: Bagel shop with a variety of beverages will occupy a 1,186-square-foot retail space.
Ked’s Artisan Ice Cream & Treats: The 1,893-square-foot dessert boutique will offer ice cream in classic and exotic flavors, plus crepes, waffles, boba tea, and coffee.
Cocinero Mexican Restaurant: A 3,800-square-foot, full-service restaurant will serve Mexican food.
Bluebonnet Brunch House: A 2,479-square-foot eatery known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious breakfast and brunch offerings.

These new retailers join current Realm tenants The London Baker, featured on the Food Network; Little India, an Indian grocery store and fine dining restaurant; Mochinut, a Japanese-American doughnut shop and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, the coal-fired, brick-oven pizza chain.

The Realm also features Crescent Park, which has shaded seating, a cooling water feature and green space.

The Realm at Castle Hills features Offices at the Realm, a nine-story office building with first-floor restaurants; Cottages at The Realm, an all-rental community with 72 single-family houses; Sojourn at The Realm, 80 condos over first-floor retail; and four multi-family communities with apartments and townhomes for rent: Valor at The Realm, Tapestry at The Realm, Discovery at The Realm and Olivian at The Realm.

The developers are committed to providing a range of eateries that cater to the varied interests and preferences of the community, says Bright Realty development manager Britton Lankford in a statement.

"Each retailer brings its own unique offerings and contributes to the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere of our community," Lankford says. "We are confident that these new establishments will further enrich the overall experience for our residents and visitors."

Hits for a Good Cause

CultureMap writer and Cowboys crush it for charity in home run derby

CultureMap's Alex Bentley competing in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby

Photo courtesy of Reliant

CultureMap's Alex Bentley competed in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby.

There was some friendly rivalry on and off the field at the 13th annual Reliant Home Run Derby at Riders Field in Frisco on May 14, where members of the Dallas Cowboys and a dozen local media members stepped up to the plate to raise money for North Texas charities.

Before Cowboys fans showed up for the main event, the day kicked off with the 10th annual Reliant Media League, featuring 12 reporters from around Dallas-Fort Worth - including CultureMap's Alex Bentley - taking their hacks for a charity of their choice.

On what was said to be one of the hottest days in the event's history, each media participant got 10 swings in the first of three rounds, earning $100 for every hit and $300 for every home run.

Bentley, a first-time competitor, advanced to the second round with four others, and with a strong second-round performance - including a home run on his final swing - made the three-swing final round against WFAA reporter Sean Giggy.

CultureMap's Alex Bentley celebrating a home run in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby. Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

With Kristi Scales, sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network, calling the action, Giggy narrowly edged Bentley by hitting two home runs compared to Bentley's two hits and one home run.

Collectively, the media members raised $36,220 for local North Texas charities, including $4,335 by Giggy for his charity, Keeper of the Game, and $4,135 by Bentley for his charity, The Street Dog Project.

The Street Dog Project is comprised of a small group of volunteers who, since 2016, have rescued hundreds of dogs from the streets and found them loving homes.

WFAA reporter Sean Giggy celebrating his win the Media League portion of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby WFAA reporter Sean Giggy and his son celebrating his win in the Media League portion of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby. Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

Reached for comment, Bentley said: "For a 50-year-old man who hadn't touched a baseball bat in 16 years to even compete was amazing, but to be one of the finalists was beyond all my expectations. I'm very happy with my performance, but even happier that I was able to raise a lot of money for a good cause."

Ten Cowboys players then took the field in front of hundreds of fans, trading in their pads for a bat for a chance at baseball glory.

Participants included Bryan Anger, Brandon Aubrey, Jake Ferguson, DeMarvion Overshown, Dak Prescott, Luke Schoonmaker, Trent Sieg, Tyler Smith, Terence Steele, and Sam Williams.

With each hit and home run earning a donation from Reliant, the teammates raised a total of $80,000 to benefit The Salvation Army of North Texas.

Ferguson, the Cowboys tight end, was named the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby Champion with $20,600 raised and 22 home runs.

As the winner, Ferguson also received a $10,000 bonus from Reliant for his chosen charity, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson celebrating his win at the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby.Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

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