Shopping in the 'burbs

Retail boom in fast-growing Forney fueled by massive mixed-use development

The Village at Gateway is a booming retail complex in Forney.

Photo courtesy of The Village at Gateway

Frisco's not the only North Texas city experiencing a retail explosion right now. Forney's getting in on the action, too.

A Dick’s Sporting Goods store will join EVO Entertainment and other new tenants at The Village at Gateway mixed-use development in the booming Kaufman County city, according to a release.

Dick’s hasn’t announced an opening date for the 60,000-square-foot store. The retailer operates more than 10 locations in DFW.

The 82,000-square-foot EVO location will be an all-in-one entertainment venue. Think Dave & Buster’s meets Alamo Drafthouse. (Fun facts: Dave & Buster’s headquarters is in Coppell, while Alamo Drafthouse is based in Austin.)

The Forney venue will feature:

Nine movie theaters, including one IMAX auditorium and two EVX auditoriums
A full-service bar and restaurant
An upper-level lounge area
Event and conference spaces
22 bowling lanes
More than 125 arcade games
Rock-climbing walls
A multilevel ropes course
Bumper cars
Laser tag

An opening date for the EVO location hasn’t been set, although EVO previously said it would be ready this fall. It’ll be the first North Texas venue operated by Austin-based EVO after locations in Addison, Southlake, and Waxahachie rebranded as Hooky Entertainment under new ownership.

Construction of the EVO venue kicked off in January.

EVO Entertainment Group Kyle EVO construction is underway in Forney. EVO Entertainment Group Facebook

Developed by Dallas-based StreetLevel Investments, the Village at Gateway also will welcome other new tenants such as:

Luna Grill, a Mediterranean restaurant (October opening date).
Forney Nail Bar (October opening date).
Handel’s Ice Cream (future opening date).
Costa Vida, a Mexican restaurant (future opening date).

“The Village at Gateway is an exciting milestone for Forney, bringing new jobs, shopping, and dining opportunities while continuing to strengthen our local economy,” Forney Mayor Jason Roberson says in the release.

Tenants already open at the 152-acre development include:

Target
Home Depot
H-E-B
BJ’s Wholesale Club
Five Below
Burlington
Ross Dress for Less
James Avery
Bath & Body Works

“Forney is one of the fastest‑growing communities in the Dallas area, with exceptional schools, strong employment, and a rapidly expanding population — yet it has long been underserved when it comes to convenient, high‑quality retail and dining,” says Brian Murphy, managing principal at StreetLevel Investments.

From April 2020 to July 2025, Forney’s population soared by 79 percent to nearly 41,700, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in North Texas and the U.S.

A report released in January 2025 by OpenDoor revealed Forney’s 75126 ZIP code claimed the No. 6 ranking as the hottest U.S. housing market in 2024 for the second year in a row. It was the only North Texas ZIP code to make the top 10.

Forney failed to crack the top 10 in OpenDoor’s 2026 report, though. The only DFW ZIP code appearing in the latest top 10 is McKinney’s 75071, landing at No. 8.

forney retail shopping

Real estate deals

Dallas firm 90Ten snaps up prime space in Bishop Arts and Lower Greenville

Courtesy photo

Cafe Duro, at 2804 Greenville Ave., is part of the deal.

A pair of marquee retail properties in two of Dallas’ prime neighborhoods for dining and shopping, Bishop Arts and Lower Greenville, have a new owner: 90Ten, a Dallas-based boutique retail real estate investment firm, recently purchased 301-321 N. Bishop Ave. in Bishop Arts and 2908-2937 Greenville Ave. in Lower Greenville, according to a release.

The names of the sellers weren’t disclosed.

“Dallas continues to solidify its position as one of the country’s most dynamic retail markets, and we’re excited to deepen our investment in the city through two of its signature neighborhoods,” says Tripp Russ, managing partner of 90Ten, in the release.

He founded 90Ten in 2023.

“Bishop Arts and Lower Greenville represent exactly the type of upscale, urban trade areas we’re seeking — places with exceptional real estate, strong local operators, and best-in-class brands that create lasting value,” Russ adds.

The properties house some the hottest restaurants and shops in town.

Tenants at 2908-2937 Greenville Ave. include Italian restaurant Sister, European-style Café Duro, upscale steakhouse duo Goodwins and Goodwins To Go, and boutique rental property Casa Duro.

Tenants at 301-321 N. Bishop Ave. include burger diner Hunky’s, Italian pastry and coffee purveyor Palmieri Café, vintage clothing store Dolly on Bishop, gift shop Kawaii Candle Co., and cosmetics retailer Simply Bella.

palmieri cafe coffee Pastries, coffee, and gelato from Palmieri Cafe. Palmieri Cafe

Russ’ firm made the two acquisitions amid a tight supply of retail space, with Dallas-Fort Worth vacancy rates sitting below 5 percent.

Elsewhere in Texas, 90Ten’s portfolio includes 1323 S. Congress Ave., located in Austin’s buzzy South Congress district. Clothing and apparel brand Ariat occupies the space.

The firm says it will continue hunting for retail real estate deals in Dallas, Austin, and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida, along with other fast-growing markets.

“Today’s commercial real estate landscape is incredibly competitive, and we’re often going head-to-head with some of the largest investment firms in the country,” says Russ.

greenville avenue real estate restaurants business bishop arts