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    Game On

    It’s hopscotch and tacos in Uptown Dallas at new playground-themed bar

    Teresa Gubbins
    Jul 26, 2017 | 4:36 pm
    Austin classic cocktails_Vieux Carre_Bar Congress_2015
    Playground Bar in Uptown Dallas will pair its cocktails with hopscotch.
    Photo by Melody Fury

    Bars with fun and games have been a thing around Dallas-Fort Worth since 2008, when Barcadia brought its giant Jenga to Henderson Avenue. Now a new Uptown Dallas bar is taking it to the next level. The appropriately named Playground Bar will open at 2908 McKinney Ave., in the former Next Door space, with a relaxed atmosphere that doesn't try too hard.

     

    The founders are two veteran bartenders who both worked at Henderson Avenue bars: Kyle McClard, who most recently worked at Saint Ann Restaurant and Bar, and Lidia Jovel, who worked at Henderson Avenue Tap House. They're collaborating with One Entertainment Group, owners of Avenu Lounge and Landmark Bar and Kitchen.

     

    "We just want a chill spot on McKinney Avenue, something that's laidback and not super expensive, like some of the other bars in the area," Jovel says.

     

    The bar program will go back to basics, with six draft beers and two cocktails on tap. "We want to keep things simple, not too crafty," she says. "It'll be the stuff that takes you back to when you were in college, before we got all complicated."

     

    They'll also do some food, namely tacos. "We'll have late-night street tacos, with a taco window on the side of the building so that you can come up and get a taco at 3 am," she says.

     

    That space at 2908 McKinney Ave. hasn't had it easy. Following failed tenants such as Pozo Mercado and Three Sheets, Next Door opened there in 2015 with similar intentions as a relaxed spot, although as a gastropub with a greater focus on food, including a brunch it added in early 2017.

     

    But Next Door was restricted by the fire marshal from using the second floor and the owners shut it down in June.

     

    The Playground, which opens in August, will feature arcade games on the second floor, with more options on the patio, including picnic tables painted with games.

     

    "We'll have swings out front instead of bar stools," Jovel says. "We'll paint the tables with patterns for checkers and tic tac toe."

     

    They'll also make use of a ramp on the front patio. "The bar came with a ramp that goes up to the front door, so we're going to paint it with a template for hopscotch," she says. "We just want to have a fun vibe."

     
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    meet the new boss

    Texas' most popular doughnut shop chain is acquired by new owner

    Eric Sandler
    Jul 28, 2025 | 7:00 pm
    Shipley's doughnuts
    Shipley's Do-Nuts
    undefined

    Texas' favorite doughnut institution has a new owner. Shipley Do-Nuts, the Houston-based chain known for its iconic hexagonally-shaped doughnuts, has been acquired by California private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.

    Before Texas doughnut lovers experience a collective freak-out about what private equity ownership might mean for restaurants, it’s worth nothing that Shipley’s most recent owner was also a private equity firm — Austin’s Peak Rock Capital acquired Shipley in 2021.

    Peak Rock touts a number of successes during its four years with Shipley, growing the company to more than 375 stores across 14 states. They currently have 25 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, most outside the 635 loop. They also opened a new headquarters and R&D facility in Houston, according to a release.

    "We are proud of the success Shipley has achieved during our ownership and honored to have contributed to the evolution of this iconic brand,” said Robert Strauss, senior managing director of Peak Rock. “Our investments in people, processes and technology have propelled Shipley to achieve transformational growth. We have deeply appreciated the support of Company's loyal customers, franchisees, employees, and the Shipley family."

    Founded in Houston in 1936, Shipley offers more than 60 doughnut varieties, including their signature plain glazed, cut in Shipley's hexagon shape with a lighter, fluffier texture; plus filled, iced, and cake donuts, bear claws, and coffee. They're also known for kolaches in varieties that include Bacon, Egg & Cheese, Ham & Cheese and Sausage, Jalapeno & Cheese.

    Prior to Peak Rock’s acquisition, Shipley had been a family-owned business led by Lawrence Shipley III. The family remained as investors in the business and are likely realizing a significant windfall as a result of Levine Leichtman’s purchase.

    "We have benefited greatly from our partnership with Peak Rock, and their approach has been key to unlocking Shipley's impressive growth,” Shipley CEO Flynn Dekker said. “We are committed to supporting our franchisees' businesses and serving our customers the world's greatest donut as we continue to introduce our iconic brand to more and more communities across the nation."

    Just as Peak Rock brought experience with food-related businesses to Shipley, so too does Levine Leichtman. It has been involved with restaurants such as Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Kilwins, a chocolate and ice cream concept from Los Angeles.

    Private equity firms have shown regular interest in Texas restaurants. In November 2020, KSL Capital Partners invested in Hai Hospitality, the Austin-based group behind Uchi, Uchiko, and Loro. More famously, Chicago’s BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Whataburger in 2019.

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