Supermarket News

Whole Foods Market adds one more store to its Dallas-Fort Worth tally

Every town wants its own Whole Foods Market.

Whole Foods Market

The northerly city of McKinney is about to get that amenity that every northerly city desires: its own Whole Foods Market.

The Austin-based grocery chain will open a location in a new mixed-use development called West Grove, located at the southeast corner of US Highway 380 and Custer Road. Set to break ground in 2022, it will include retail, restaurants, and entertainment, as well as 420 residential units, 55,000 square feet of office space, and a park.

This will be the first location in McKinney, and the 15th Whole Foods Market in DFW. The closest is one near Allen, in the Shops at Fairview, which opened in 2010.

McKinney is the new supermarket darling: It's also in line to get an H-E-B store, only the third city in DFW to get one. If you're a supermarket junkie, you want to consider relocating to McKinney about now.

West Grove was designed through a public-private partnership between De La Vega Capital and Development and the city of McKinney, and will be designed "to bring people and a growing city together," says De La Vega Capital and Development president and CEO Artemio De La Vega in a statement. He calls Whole Foods Market "the perfect addition."

"A central greenspace and a considered mix of open-air, experience-driven retail and restaurant spaces will cultivate a sense of community, where visitors can connect meaningfully with each other and their natural environment," Artemio De La Vega says.

McKinney Mayor George Fuller says that "McKinney is a community that understands the importance of taking care of ourselves, and with a focus on health and wellbeing, we are thrilled to be adding Whole Foods Market to our city."

West Grove will feature open-air paseos, outdoor decks, landscaping, and "thoughtful" lighting details. A two-acre park will be the centerpiece.

The eastern portion of the development will feature The Hub, an indoor/outdoor restaurant and entertainment space, with a central lawn and performance stage for live music, movie nights, and fitness classes.

supermarkets openings

Stir Fry News

Mom-and-pop Asian chain from Austin makes Dallas debut in McKinney

Fire Bowl

A small Asian chain from Austin has entered the Dallas market: Called Fire Bowl Cafe, it's a small chain that has opened its first DFW location in McKinney, at 4060 W. University Dr. #300, in a new shopping center west of US-75.

Fire Bowl Cafe was founded by husband-and-wife Gigi Lee and Daniel Pao in 1996 with a focus on customizable bowls prepared in sizzling woks. They have four locations in Austin and one in Colorado.

Bringing the concept to McKinney is Dallas-based hospitality group DLC Restaurant Holdings (Firo Pizza, Craft Pies Pizza, Desperados), according to a release.

“We are thrilled to bring Fire Bowl Café to McKinney and introduce our unique dining experience to the wonderful community here,” says CEO Mike Daniel in a statement. “Our mission is to ensure that every customer leaves satisfied and happy, and we can’t wait to share our passion for fresh, customizable Asian cuisine with our new neighbors in North Texas."

To give it local flavor, they've partnered with Julian Rodarte, who co-founded Beto & Son, the Mexican restaurant at Trinity Groves in west Dallas, and also served as Trinity Groves' CEO. He was briefly executive chef at COSM at Grandscape and is currently culinary director for Dee Lincoln Concepts.

The menu has a Pei-Wei vibe, featuring a mashup of Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines, with favorites like edamame, spring rolls, crab rangoon, pad Thai, pot stickers, and lettuce wraps.

There are noodle and rice bowls, topped with vegetables and choice of protein; and a make-it-your-way stir-fry where you choose from proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu, tossed in a wok with vegetables, then combine it with your choice of "carb" — noodles, brown or white rice — and a wide selection of sauces, from teriyaki to spicy peanut to classic Chinese.

Prices are $12-$14. They do not currently serve alcohol, but have plans for it at a future date.

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