Coffee News

Austin coffeehouse transports old-timey flair to quaint downtown Frisco

This cup of coffee, coming to Frisco, was powered by bicycles.

Photo courtesy of Summer Moon

Dallas has a history of liking coffee from Austin, and it's about to get another fix: Austin roaster Summer Moon will open its first Dallas-area coffee shop in the busy-busy suburb of Frisco.

This is not the shiny new Frisco of Dallas Cowboys headquarters fame — it is instead historic downtown Frisco, with its charming brick storefronts. Summer Moon will open at 6943 Main St., in the old Horse Hardware, a 10-year-old store that sold equine gear; it closed in October.

Summer Moon has a unique profile among coffee vendors. The chain opened its first location in Austin in 2002 as a coffee bar, then expanded into roasting. But not just any roasting. This is roasting as done by bearded fellows.

Following the craft of 19th century coffee roasters, it roasts its beans manually in a brick hearth that burns hand-split Texas oak. The roasting drum is hooked up to a bicycle, requiring that someone ride the bicycle in order to turn the drum (you can see it on a video here).

The beans are organic and fair-trade, and the menu includes hot and cold espresso and coffee drinks, mochas, smoothies, frozen lemonade, and teas. There will also be muffins, bagels, breakfast tacos, cookies, and pastries.

Its signature is the "moon milk," which is used for drinks. It's a secret recipe, ssshhh, unable to say what's in it because it's a secret. But sugar seems to be a prime ingredient, along with possibly whipped cream or condensed milk, and maybe spices like vanilla and cinnamon.

A family-owned, family-run, family-oriented business, Summer Moon has amenities for kids that are unique for coffeehouses, such as shorter tables and chairs, books, and games.

Austin's Houndstooth Coffee opened a location in Dallas on Henderson Avenue in 2014, and now has a second branch at the Sylvan Thirty complex.

Summer Moon currently has six branches, one of which — the South 1st Street shop — was a stop on the twee Gilmore Girls pop-up tour that took place in October 2016. There are two new stores in the works for 2017: the one in Frisco and another opening in Austin at Avery Ranch.

openings coffee

Craft Beer News

Lakewood Brewing brings Fort Worth favorite Rahr beers to Dallas

Photo by Mary Tuab/Flickr

The new partnership will expand production capacity for select Rahr brands.

Longtime Fort Worth craft beer name Rahr & Sons Brewing is about to surface in a new location: The brewery, which exited its longtime brewery space in Fort Worth in 2025, has entered a new partnership with another acclaimed brewery: Lakewood Brewing of Dallas.

The new partnership will expand production capacity for select Rahr brands, bringing together two of North Texas’ most respected craft brewing pioneers.

"Rahr Brewing has been seeking additional brewing capacity to help meet increasing Dallas demand," their statement says. "Under this new agreement, Lakewood Brewing will produce certain Rahr brands at its Dallas facility, while Rahr will continue brewing beer in Fort Worth."

As an added benefit to the new partnership, Rahr beers will be served on tap at the Lakewood Brewery taproom.

Rahr left their Fort Worth location after 20 years, with a goal to find a new home. (Their space was taken over by Blue Flag whiskey distiller.) Rahr has continued to brew their beers, maintaining their availability in restaurants, bars, and stores.

Craft beer pioneer Fritz Rahr debuted his namesake brewery in 2004, back when Fort Worth was “very much a Miller-Coors town,” as he said in 2024. They went on to establish themselves as the godfather of Fort Worth's craft beer scene, thanks to an evolving roster of beers that range from classics like Texas Red American ale to newer favorites like Dadgum IPA — earning them critical nods such as a CultureMap Tastemakers Award nomination in 2023 for Brewery of the Year.

Founded by craft beer aficionado Wim Bens in 2012, Lakewood Brewing has become one of Texas’ most recognized independent craft breweries, winning numerous awards. Their tap room on the east side of Dallas is a popular beer hound haunt.

With the new partnership, the two brands will collaborate on brewing projects, special releases, community events, and initiatives that celebrate the vibrant culture of North Texas craft beer.

“This partnership is built on friendship, mutual respect, and a shared belief in the future of Texas craft beer,” says Fritz Rahr in a statement.

“Together, we can continue to innovate while honoring the traditions that have made both of our breweries successful," Wim Bens says. “Rahr Brewing has long been a cornerstone of the North Texas brewing community. We are excited to produce some of their brands here at our brewery.”

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Celestina Blok contributed to this story.

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