Vegan News

Dallas-Fort Worth vegan restaurant Spiral Diner closes location in Denton

Spiral Diner vegan sandwich

Spiral Diner

A pioneering local vegan concept has shut down a restaurant: Spiral Diner, the vegan restaurant chain based in Fort Worth, has closed its location in Denton.

According to a post on Facebook, the restaurant opted not to re-sign its lease in the space, abruptly:

"It’s with a heavy heart that we announce our lease is up and we are officially closing our location in Denton as of today," the post says.

This leaves just one location: the original in Fort Worth opened by founder Amy McNutt in 2002.

The Denton branch opened in 2017, in the new Railyard complex on Hickory Avenue. McNutt said at the time that Denton was the perfect choice.

Denton is surely one of the most vegan-friendly cities in North Texas, with businesses such as Mashup Market, the only vegan grocery in the DFW area, as well as acclaimed vegan restaurants such as Pepitas. It's also home to the University of North Texas, where the first vegan student cafeteria in the U.S. opened in 2016.

The Denton space was rather large, and often not full outside of big mealtimes such as weekend brunch. By 2022, they were hosting events to drum up business such as trivia and game nights, and reverse happy hours.

The company seems to be consolidating its efforts in Tarrant County. In 2022, they shuttered their Dallas location, which had been at its Oak Cliff address for 15 years.

Plans to open a location in Arlington have also been scuttled; McNutt said in an email that location is no longer happening.

"While this closing is unfortunate it will allow us to focus on our thriving vegan village in Fort Worth with Spiral, Dreamboat Donuts, and Maiden Fine Plants and Spirits. Hopefully we’ll see you all out in Fort Worth," the post says.

In the 20 years since Spiral Diner first debuted, vegan dining has increased dramatically. They've been eclipsed by an explosion of vegan activity around Dallas-Fort Worth, including multiple vegan restaurants opening, as well as an increase in the number of vegan items on menus at non-vegan restaurants.

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RIP Rain

Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott dies at 52

Courtesy

Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott

Dallas entrepreneur Rain McDermott, who founded artisan caramel maker Dallas Caramel Company when she was only 34 years old, died after a battle with breast cancer; she was 52.

Her passing was noted on the company's Facebook page, stating that "it is with the heaviest hearts that we share the passing of our beloved founder, Rain McDermott. Rain lost her courageous battle with breast cancer, but not without an incredible fight—full of strength, grace, and unwavering spirit. She gave her all, just like she did in everything."

A spokesperson said that "there will be a memorial at a later date, but no details have been confirmed as of yet."

A native Texan, Elizabeth Rain Reglin McDermott grew up in Houston and moved to Plano at the age of 7. According to her biography, when she turned 9, her father took her on a date to the Reunion Tower which inspired her creativity and propelled her desire to leave her own mark on the city.

She attended El Centro College (now Dallas College), earning a degree in pastry, culinary & food service management, then started Dallas Caramel Company in 2007 to satiate her curiosity: Could she make a delicious caramel that would satisfy her sweet tooth?

Her caramels and turtles, which were made at a facility in Wylie, were described as bold, unapologetically delicious, and big as Texas, in 11 flavors — many inspired by Dallas, including Sea Salt, Orange, Cinnamon, Marshmallow, Espresso, TX Drunken Nut (Texas Whiskey & Texas Pecans), Pumpkin, Bacon, Apple Pie, Chocolate, Lemon Meringue, and traditional Original.

According to the post, the company will continue to operate, carrying on "her mission of world caramel domination, one delicious piece at a time."

Friends meanwhile called her "the sweetest and kindest soul," "an amazing woman and mentor," who was "adored for her enthusiasm and determination." Customers expressed gratitude for her wonderful caramels and doting personal service.

"Rain's sweet smile lit up every room, her hugs could fix just about anything, and her love for caramel was only matched by her love for her husband Sean and her dogs Wylie and Maui," the post said. "She poured her heart into Dallas Caramel Company, and every bite of caramel tells a little piece of her story."

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