A Central Market store nearly decimated one year ago by a tornado has a timetable for reopening. According to a release, the Central Market located at 10720 Preston Rd. will reopen in April/May 2021.

The Preston-Royal store experienced significant damage from the tornados and storms that swept across North Dallas on Sunday October 20, 2019, and has been closed ever since while undergoing complete rebuilding and restoration.

The supermarket was just one business along the tornado's 15-mile stretch that also included 10 Dallas ISD schools — three of which experienced significant damage and were not able to reopen at their original campuses.

H-E-B/Central Market is also bestowing a $1 million gift to the Dallas Education Foundation for the direct benefit of Dallas ISD as they continue with the rebuilding process.

"H-E-B/Central Market is committed not only to rebuilding the Preston Royal corner, but we are committed to this community as a whole," says Stephen Butt, president, Central Market/H-E-B Division, in a statement. "Our company has a long-standing commitment to public education throughout the state and we’re proud to participate in helping Dallas ISD with additional funds to rebuild these schools in our own backyard. On the anniversary of the tornado, we’re hoping to re-energize the attention still needed to rebuild this part of the city and are inviting others to join us in these efforts."

Central Market is also gifting 50 new trees to the neighborhood through the RETREET organization. Many mature trees were destroyed during the storm.

Central Market began to rebuild immediately following the storm, but most of the Preston-Royal shopping center had to be leveled due to structural damage.

A spokesperson for Regency Centers, the developers of the shopping center, says they're committed to rebuilding.

"Preston Oaks has long served the surrounding community, and will continue to do so for many years," says managing director Patrick Krejas. "Our team, along with the support of our retailers and the city of Dallas, have been working tirelessly to bring this center back to life as quickly and responsibly as possible. We look forward to welcoming everyone back as our construction progresses through 2021."

Central Market is taking the opportunity during the renovation to add new features and amenities including:

• curbside service
• expanded produce, seafood and floral departments
• additional grocery selection
• larger sandwich bar
• improved coffee bar experience
• additional customer seating in the upstairs mezzanine
• more energy efficient fixtures and equipment to make the building more green

Careful attention is being paid to the construction materials and architecture to highlight and complement the mid-century modern aesthetics of the original building.

Approximately 130 Central Market partners (store employees) were employed by the Preston Royal store; many went to other stores, and they hope many originals will return.