After a year of trying, Urban Acres in Oak Cliff is closing its urban farmstead and café. Urban Acres founder Steven Bailey says in a release that they're sorry to be closing.

"Our heart was to provide a retail spot in Oak Cliff where people could support local farmers and artisans, learn about urban farming, and come together to share real food," he says. "During the last 18 months, we’ve seen a lot of folks in the organic sustainability market struggle here in Dallas. After many hard discussions, the wisest thing for us to do is close down our brick and mortar location."

Urban Acres has had a noble journey, beginning in 2009 when it launched a CSA produce share. In 2010, it opened a temporary retail market at the old Delafuente Produce stand on Davis St. across from Nova, then moved into a storefront across the street.

In 2013, they launched the farmstead and café at the current location on Beckley. The farmstead has been home to community events, classes, and farm dinners as well as chickens, rabbits, fish, bees, native plants and herbs.

They certainly gave it their all, including the hire of chef David Rodriguez, whose mission was to transform the cafe into a more meaningful dining destination. More recently, they cut back the menu to pizza.

The company will continue its organic CSA produce share program, and the building at 1605 N. Beckley Ave. will continue to be a produce pickup location at the normal Friday and Saturday pickup times.

Melt Ice Creams will also continue to serve ice cream as a pop-up shop inside the building, Fridays-Sundays 11 am to 9 pm.

The CSA program distributes produce through 17 pickup locations throughout the four corners of Dallas-Fort Worth, including Arlington, Frisco, Southlake and Rowlett. It no longer requires a membership and has expanded its offerings to grass-fed meats and pasture-raised eggs in addition to local and organic produce.