Supermarket News

Central Market will finally get rolling on new store in Uptown Dallas

Central Market Uptown Dallas

Courtesy rendering

After much anticipation and numerous inquiries from neighbors, Central Market has unveiled preliminary drawings for its highly-anticipated Uptown Dallas location. Anticipation is the word.

The new store is set to take over an old Albertson's grocery store at a prominent intersection at 3524 McKinney Ave. at the corner of Lemmon Avenue, which has been closed since 2016.

Construction on the store has been on hold since 2023 when development plans for a high rise, mixed-use project which were to include office, hotel, and residences were pushed back and are now possibly revised.

In recent months, Central Market, who took over the property in 2016, went back to the drawing board to design a new a stand-alone store within the parameters set by the property owner.

“The Central Market team is dedicated to creating an exceptional food destination for Uptown residents, and we are excited to share our preliminary plans. We hope to start construction as soon as possible on this much-anticipated store for our loyal customers and new neighborhood friends,” said Stephen Butt, president of Central Market and H-E-B Shareholder Relations.

“Uptown is a vibrant, walkable area, and we look forward to collaborating with neighborhood groups and city officials to creatively transform this important location We appreciate the patience from our friends, neighbors and future shoppers as we move forward.”

The new plans have many elements from the original design. The new location will include expanded parking on two levels and an open concept cooking school that will double as a community room for neighborhood meetings. Additionally, a stage for live music will be located in the café area.

Pending city zoning and permitting approvals, construction is slated to begin in 2025 and will involve a complete renovation of the existing building. The groundbreaking date and further details will be released at a later time.

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RIP Al

Beloved Dallas restaurateur Al Biernat dies at 69 after ALS battle

Dallas restaurateur Al Biernat, RIP

Beloved Dallas restaurateur Al Biernat, founder of the acclaimed local steakhouse Al Biernat's, passed away on November 13, following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease; he was 69.

Biernat was one of Dallas' all-time great hospitality figures, dating back to his days at The Palm steakhouse, for whom he worked in Los Angeles, Houston, and Dallas.

Biernat founded his namesake restaurant in 1998 on Oak Lawn Avenue, where his standard of excellence and doting charm made it a destination for special occasions, Park Cities swells, and celebrities in town.

His sense of hospitality had little competition in Dallas. He was a charming and personable host who genuinely liked people, and it didn't matter whether you were Conan O'Brien, David Crosby, or one of the other high-profile diners that visited his restaurants — or else just a regular schlub: He had a knack for making everyone feel special and remembered.

Biernat was born on August 20, 1955 and grew up in Michigan, then lived in Colorado, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston, before moving to Dallas to work at The Palm in the West End, where his dynamic presence gave the restaurant an incomparable vitality; it closed in 2017.

He opened Al Biernat's at 4217 Oak Lawn Ave. in 1998, followed by a second location in North Dallas at 5251 Spring Valley Rd. in 2017.

He began to experience ALS symptoms in May 2023, was diagnosed in December, and revealed his condition in February 2024. The revelation was met with an outpouring of sympathy and well wishes from the hospitality industry — a sign of the high regard in which he was held.

The average life expectancy for people with ALS is two to five years after diagnosis. Symptoms can begin in the muscles that control speech and swallowing, or in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. He began to have difficulty communicating in September, and spent his last days in a hospice.

On September 18, he broached the topic of dying, before ending on a note of gratitude to friends and family.

"Having Bulbar ALS I am realistic about my future," he said. "Friends and family have asked me if I’m afraid of dying, and this is what I say to them. Because of the salvation of Jesus, I will be rejoicing in my spirit to see him in all of his glory. Since we are all flesh, soul, and spirit, only my flesh is being left behind. But don’t get me wrong, I have a blessed life in this world, with a loving wife, and a beautiful family and many wonderful and caring friends. I am grateful!"

Both Al Biernat's locations will continue to remain open under the management of Biernat's nephew Brad Fuller, as they have for nearly the past two years.

Biernat is survived by Fuller, as well as his wife Jeannie and three daughters: Angelica Saylor, Kaitlin Biernat Connell, and Jess Biernat and grandchildren. According to family members, details regarding a celebration of his life will be announced soon.

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