Valley View Mall now razed, make way for Dallas International District

Shopping News

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After nearly three months, the former Valley View Mall has been demolished, RIP, and now it's time for — drumroll — the Dallas International District.

According to a release, the Dallas International District will be a live-work-play-visit community, located on a 450-acre site in the Valley View-Galleria Special Purpose District, that "celebrates the diverse people and businesses of North Texas."

Dallas City Council member Jaynie Schultz, in whose District 11 the property resides, joined city of Dallas staff on May 23 in a ceremony at the site and offered official comments:

“The final demolition and clearing of the Valley View site is an important step in the fulfillment of the vision set forth over 10 years ago by our city leaders, chambers of commerce, the development community and neighbors,” Schultz said.

“The vision of the Dallas International District is to be a new regional downtown that thousands of people call home, thousands more are employed, and thousands more come from across North Texas to visit as a global meeting place whether in the park, our international restaurants, and shop at Galleria Dallas," she said.

A plan for the Dallas International District was presented to City Council in January 2022 by Schultz and community volunteers.

The city purchased the Prism Center at 5580 Peterson Ln. in early 2021 as an anchor for the district whose international flair would include becoming home the French Trade Office and the European American Chamber of Commerce Texas.

Other components include:

Dallas ISD purchased a building for the school district’s first PreK-12 International STEAM Academy, expected to open in 2025.
Workforce Solutions will open an office in fall 2023.
Friends of The Commons has begun fundraising for a 20-acre park called Dallas International Commons.

There are also plans for 10,000 residential units.

The city is currently building pedestrian-friendly streets along Montfort Road, with wide sidewalks, bike lanes, and streetscape improvements.

The goals are heady: to not only create an engine for economic growth and a diverse cultural destination, but also solidify Dallas’ global leadership. Godspeed!

Courtesy photo

Cool coffee shop Good Boy Cafe opens inside Main St vintage Dallas shop

Coffee news

Hey Koneko, a cool vintage clothing store east of Deep Ellum, has added a tasty new amenity: A cute tiny coffee shop called Good Boy Cafe.

It's from Hey Konēko owner Linda Bishop, who has an ever-expanding empire inside the 3901 Main St. building. First, she opened Konēko Studio, an acclaimed vegan tattoo studio in 2017. Then she expanded with an adjacent beauty salon. Then Hey Koneko.

Now Good Boy, which opened inside the on May 8 in a high-visibility spot facing Main Street that was previously occupied by Favor Delivery warehouse.

"I always wanted this front building because of its structure and how cool it is, and I had the dream to have a store with a coffee shop in it," she says.

“In New York, Mexico City, Rome, there’s always going to be a good coffee shop in good stores," she says. “Why not give this neighborhood a local, comfortable place so people can relax and enjoy their shopping experience with a great coffee?”

The coffee shop offers a traditional menu with coffee drinks such as espresso, cappuccino, cortado, latte, and London fog. The menu also includes cocoa, matcha, and loose-leaf tea. All syrups are made in house. These include lavender, vanilla, brown sugar, and they are working on an horchata flavor, as well.

Their default milk is organic, but they have alternative plant-based milks. They have no signature drinks at the moment, and this is a purposeful decision as their focus is to perfect their current offering, then add more drinks eventually, as needed.

The coffee area is small, and they use a small though powerful La Marzocco Linea Classic machine. Interestingly the leftover coffee water is reused as compost plant water for the shop and studio.

Their coffee roaster is Lemma Coffee, who is also in charge of training their baristas.

"Consistency is my biggest thing. All the good coffee shops have it. People need that," Linda says.

In terms of food, Good Boy rotates pastries from Doughregarde’s in The Village, and doughnuts from Moreish Donuts, in Bishop Arts.

It's part of an overall attention to detail Linda champions at Hey Konēko, as well. The store has vintage clothing from Europe, the East Coast, and Kansas, where she and her husband Derek travel to hand-pick items Dallas does not have, which makes the selection unique. The store also includes candles and ceramics.

Linda is a big animal advocate, and the name Good Boy honors Tsuki, her fluffy white rescue dog who lounges at the studio daily in a very important welcoming role. The shop is dog-friendly. Profits from the store help run her cat rescue, A Feral Friend.

Courtesy photo

You could own this darling historic building in downtown Dallas

Downtown News

A unique and historic building in downtown Dallas is up for grabs: The Purse Building, ideally situated across the street from Dallas' No. 1 tourist destination Dealey Plaza, is now for sale.

The building is located at 601 Elm St., and has been restored to its former glory by owner Tanya Ragan of Wildcat Management, who has owned it for nearly a decade.

Built in 1905, it has six stories and a total of 65,000 square feet of office or multi-family space. It was built in a "Chicago Italianate" style and features:

original century-old pine wood floors
brick walls
floor-to-ceiling windows
modern fixtures and aesthetics

Beyond its own stunning features, it has an optimal location across the street from Dealey Plaza and the Book Depository, a tourist destination that sees nearly 7 million visitors annually.

According to the listing, the building has been completely stripped to reveal the original flooring and walls. "A new owner can finish out an amenity roof deck of up to 3,300 square feet. The site is zoned CA-1, central area district 1, within a Historic Landmark Overlay District and falls within the City Center TIF District allowing for tax incentives & abatements. It's located in a prime Dallas CBD location, with heavy traffic counts, convenient public transportation and nearby retail and attractions," the listing says.

The release notes that the building was commandeered by the FBI and served as headquarters while they were investigating the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It had been vacant for 30 years before its renovation and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wildcat Management has championed urban pioneering, and its renovation of the Purse Building helped spur a reactivation of the West End, with new apartments, restaurants, business and government offices creating a renaissance in the neighborhood. It's also this-close to the DART rail.

In a statement, Ragan, who is currently working on a new project in Mansfield called Castle Ranch, calls the Purse Building her "pride project."

"What a phenomenal feeling that the legacy of Wildcat’s role in this extraordinary landmark will continue on as a vibrant part of the city I love," she says.

Marcus & Millichap’s Joe Santelli and Matthew Sheard are the brokers representing the Purse Building at 601 Elm Street in downtown Dallas. They don't list the price but in this realm, this is one of those things where if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. For information, call 972-755-5282.

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

Texas' H-E-B rolls out new sustainability initiatives for Earth Month

KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL

Texas' favorite grocery chain H-E-B is celebrating Earth Month with some new environmentally-conscious initiatives for all of its stores.

The new measures were planned with the ultimate goal of boosting the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its overall waste while maximizing eco-friendly choices in the communities they serve. H-E-B Partners will also spread awareness of their practices through community events and donations to sustainability-focused organizations across the state of Texas.

A few of the new initiatives include improving awareness of the company's pre-existing plastic bag recycling program with more prominent bins at every store, and rolling out a new curbside plastic bag collection system.

Many municipalities don’t accept plastic bags at their recycling centers, so H-E-B is stepping up to provide their own alternative to landfills. With the new curbside program, shoppers can bundle their eligible plastic bags and items for an H-E-B employee to collect during the customer’s designated curbside pickup time. If a customer would like to bring their plastic items while shopping in-store, they can drop them off in the newly designed, highly visible bins at the main entrances.

Plastic items that will be accepted by the new Curbside program and in-store drop off bins are:

Retail shopping bags
Produce bags
Bread bags
Dry cleaning bags
Newspaper bags
Plastic over wrap, such as the plastic packaging that comes around toilet paper

H-E-B will also switch all their plastic cutlery to biodegradable versions at all stores, restaurants, and business locations. The new cutlery and straws are made from agave and other plant-based materials.

Additionally, H-E-B will host their annual reusable bag giveaway on April 22 to honor Earth Day. 250,000 reusable bags will be given to shoppers, free of charge.

Other actions the company will take include their annual “School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge” at 600 Texas schools, their 2023 H-E-B Community Recycling Grants for funding improvements for infrastructure and educational recycling resources, and participating in other community-based events.

In 2022 alone, H-E-B recycled 19 million pounds of plastics thanks to its “Our Texas, Our Future” commitment.

More information about H-E-B’s sustainability initiatives can be found on their website.

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Celeb chefs and politicians to convene at Dallas' EarthX eco-conference

Celebrity News

The 2023 rendition of Dallas' annual EarthX conference is here, returning to its original stomping grounds at Dallas' Fair Park, taking place from April 21-23, with a star-studded lineup of speakers.

Dubbed "The World’s Largest Green Gathering," it'll bring in luminaries from around the globe, everyone from governors to a high-profile CNN reporter to a legendary environmental warrior to a TV celebrity chef.

Highlights include two high-powered luncheons, both held at the Women's Museum at Fair Park:

Friday, April 21: Fireside chat between Alex Epstein, the author of Fossil Future and The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels, and Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, professor of meteorology at Texas A&M and Texas State Climatologist, moderated by former Texas Gov. and former Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.
Saturday, April 22: Media personality Van Jones will share insights on America’s path to bridging dialogue on green initiatives. In addition to his role on CNN, Jones was a champion of the Green Jobs Act and served the Obama administration as Special Advisor for Green Jobs.

Both luncheons will be held in conjunction with the EarthxExpo and the Congress of Conferences at Dallas Fair Park. The luncheons will start at 12 pm in the Women’s Building. Registration can be made via Eventive for $100 per person.

Speaker highlights include:

Van Jones - CNN Reporter
Andrew Zimmern, celeb chef who has a new David E Kelley documentary series on sustainability and seafood
Jainey Bavishi, Deputy Administrator of NOAA
Former Texas Governor and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry
Captain Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Mark Kossler, VP of Operations for Ted Turner’s Ranches
Elizabeth Levy, head of ESG for Trillium
Ketan Patel, Force for Good
John Paul DeJoria, founder Paul Mitchell, Patron Spirits
Alex Epstein, author of Fossil Future
Joshua Goldstein, author of Nuclear Now and consultant on Oliver Stone’s new documentary film based on the book
Mike Crum, pro-skateboarding legend and founder of 4DWN
Anna Valer Clark, founder of Cuenca de los Ojos
Giovani Dos Santos, former professional soccer player and environmentalist
Dr. Tracy Fanara, Inspector Planet

These speakers and hundreds more will appear on one of 15 stages throughout the Fair Park conference. Additionally, there will be demonstrations, nearly 1,000 exhibitors, a dozen VR/AR experiences, food, and music.

EarthX convenes the world’s largest environmental expo, conference, film festival, and television network and is a member of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. Founded in 2010 as Earth Day Dallas, the Texas nonprofit organization promotes environmental awareness and impact through conscious business, nonpartisan collaboration, and community-driven sustainable solutions.

In 2019, the last year things were still normal/pre-pandemic, the event drew over 177,000 attendees, 2,000 environmental leaders, and 750+ exhibitors. In 2020, the April virtual event drew over 570,000 live-stream views and reached 171 countries.

Courtesy of Urban Harvest

Dallas to give away free produce in one neighborhood every other Friday

Vegetable News

The City of Dallas’ Office of Community Care, in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the Last Patrol, has launched a fresh produce drive at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center.

Starting Friday, March 24, Dallas residents can drive-thru or walk-up to the WDMC to get fresh produce, free of charge. The drive thru will take place on the second and fourth Friday of each month.

Through this initiative, OCC and its partners aim to provide access to fresh food and nutritional support to more than 370,000 community members in West Dallas who are impacted by food insecurity.

"Food insecurity occurs when healthy food is not readily available daily, due to poverty or socioeconomic challenges, causing people to go hungry or eat food that is of reduced quality, variety or desirability," says West Dallas Multipurpose Center manager Ashley Hutto in a statement. "This program will support community members in improving food security and access to fresh produce in West Dallas."

Aamerican Heart Association Community Impact Director Bry Mabry says they chose the location for its accessibility to a large population in need.

“This center is a centerpiece of the community in West Dallas and a suitable location to reach a large portion of the residents of West Dallas," Mabry says.

"This area within Dallas County historically has had high rates of poverty and food insecurity," she says. "Knowing and understanding the needs in this area, the American Heart Association's North Texas Team continues to partner with the West Dallas Multipurpose Center to create more opportunities for positive impact."

The fresh produce distribution will be first-come, first-serve, from 1-2:30 p.m. at WDMC, located at 2828 Fish Trap Rd.

There is no income or zip code requirement to participate.

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3 Dallas-Fort Worth entrepreneurs rank among Forbes' richest self-made women for 2023

Elite entrepreneurs

Twelve of the country's 100 most successful female entrepreneurs live in Texas this year, and three of them call Dallas-Fort Worth home. So says Forbes in its 2023 list of America's Richest Self-Made Women, released June 1.

"Bolstered in part by a rebound in the stock market, [the richest 100 female entrepreneurs] are cumulatively worth a record $124 billion, up nearly 12% from a year ago," says Forbes.

To make the Forbes list, women had to garner wealth on their own, rather than by inheriting or winning it.

Texas' wealthiest women have made their fortunes in fields ranging from home health care, insurance, and aviation logistics to jewelry design, dating apps, and running the show at SpaceX.

The three female entrepreneurs from North Texas who appear in the elite club of America’s richest self-made women (and their national rankings) are:

Robyn Jones, No. 29, of Fort Worth. Her net worth is estimated at $830 million. Jones is founder of Westlake-based Goosehead Insurance Agency LLC. She started the property and casualty insurance agency in 2003 after being frustrated with her truck-driver husband's "road warrior lifestyle," Forbes says. He joined her in 2004 and they took the company public in 2018. It has nearly 1,000 franchised offices.
April Anthony, No. 34, of Dallas. Forbes puts her net worth at $740 million. She founded the Dallas-based home health and hospice division of Encompass Health Corp and sold it for $750 million to HealthSouth. In 2022, she was named CEO of VitalCaring, a home health and hospice care firm.
Kathleen Hildreth, No. 44, of Aubrey. Her net worth is estimated at $590 million. Hildreth is co-founder of M1 Support Services LP, an aviation logistics company based in Denton. A service-disabled Army veteran, she graduated from West Point in 1983 and was deployed all around the world as a helicopter pilot.

The nine other Texans who appear on the list are from Austin and Central Texas. With an estimated net worth at $4.8 billion, Thai Lee, of Austin, remains at the top of the list in Texas, and ranks No. 5 nationally.

She falls behind only No. 1 Diane Hendricks of Wisconsin (co-founder of ABC Supply, $15 billion net worth); No. 2 Judy Loveof Oklahoma (chairman and CEO, Love's Travel Stops And Country Stores, $10.2 billion); No. 3 Judy Faulkner of Wisconsin (founder and CEO, Epic Systems, $7.4 billion); and No. 4 Lynda Resnick of California (co-founder and co-owner of Wonderful Company, $5.3 billion) among America's richest self-made women.

For some additional perspective, Oprah Winfrey lands at No. 13 on the list for 2023. The TV titan (and most famous woman on the planet) has an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion, Forbes says.

Austin's Lee, a native of Bangkok who holds an MBA from Harvard University, is founder, president, and CEO of SHI International Corp., a provider of IT products and services with a projected revenue of $14 billion in 2023. Fun fact: "Lee majored in both biology and economics," Forbes says, "in part because her English was less than perfect and she wanted to avoid writing and speaking in class."

The remaining eight Texas women on the list are:

Gwynne Shotwell, No. 27, of Jonesboro (Coryell-Hamilton counties). Her net worth is estimated at $860 million. Shotwell is president and COO of Elon Musk's SpaceX. She manages the operations of the commercial space exploration company and owns an estimated stake of 1 percent, Forbes says.
Lisa Su, No. 34, Austin. Forbes pegs Su’s net worth at $740 million, tying her with April Anthony of Dallas. The native of Taiwan is president and CEO of Santa Clara, California-based semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices.
Kendra Scott, No. 47, of Austin.Forbes says she has amassed a net worth of $550 million as founder of Kendra Scott LLC, which designs and sells jewelry in more than 100 stores (and is worth $360 million). The celebrity entrepreneur is also a judge on TV's Shark Tank.
Whitney Wolfe Herd, No. 52, of Austin. She is worth an estimated $510 million. Herd is co-founder and CEO of Bumble Inc., which operates two online dating apps: Bumble and Badoo. She owns a 17% stake in Bumble and became the youngest self-made woman billionaire after it went public in February 2021.
Paige Mycoskie, No. 73, of Austin. She is worth an estimated $380 million. Mycoskie created founded her 1970s-inspired California lifestyle brand, Aviator Nation, which took off during the pandemic and now has 16 retail locations across the U.S. If the name sounds familiar, that's because she'sl the sister of TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie, with whom she competed on TV's The Amazing Race.
Imam Abuzeid, No. 77, of Austin. Her net worth is estimated at $350 million. Abuzeid is the co-founder and CEO of Incredible Health, which she started in 2017 to help alleviate America's nursing shortage. Forbes describes it as "a souped-up version of LinkedIn for nurses." Abuzeid is one of only a handful of Black female founders to run a company valued at more than $1 billion, Forbes notes.
Julia Cheek, No. 92, of Austin. Her net worth is estimated at $260 million. Cheek founded at-home testing company Everly Health in 2015 "out of frustration at having to pay thousands for lab testing to diagnose issues related to vitamin imbalance," Forbes says. It got a Shark Tank deal with Lori Greiner and is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.
Belinda Johnson, No. 96, of Austin. She is worth an estimated $250 million. Johnson was Airbnb's first chief operating officer and led many of its legal disputes. She stepped down from that role in March 2020, Forbes says, and left the company's board in June 2023.

Plano sizzles with hot music and cool pools all summer long

Fun in the Sun

The sun is shining, the kids are out of school, and you're all ready for some summer fun. Plano's where it's at, with everything from concerts to happy hours on tap this summer.

Dive in
From Memorial through Labor days, take a refreshing dip in 168,000 gallons of saltwater that's shaped like the great state of Texas. This membership-supported community pool (there are tourist passes available) features a diving board, two water slides, and an island with a shallow "South Texas" wading area for the little ones. Picnic tables, a beach volleyball court, barbecue grills, and a snack bar complete the experience.

C'mon, get happy
Head to Legacy West for its monthly sip-and-shop Happy Hour Hikes, where you can sample beer, wine, cocktails, and food; receive exclusive offers at shops and restaurants; and enjoy entertainment throughout the Legacy West neighborhood. There are also photo opps, featured local artisans and nonprofits, and a chance to win a $300 gift basket to your favorite store.

The hikes happen from 6-9 pm the first Thursday of the month, aka June 1, July 6, and August 3 in the summer. Participants must be 21 and up, and groups of 10 or more get a discount by emails happyhourhike@lot32.com.

Tasty tunes
From Monday night karaoke to a concert lineup that includes all your favorite genres of music, live music at Legacy Hall is a rockin' good time. Check upcoming acts here, and then arrive early to enjoy dinner from nearly 20 eateries and craft cocktails from five-plus bars.

For an even more elevated experience, reserve a Balcony VIP Lounge (21 and up only) and enjoy dedicated cocktail service, soft seating, and the best view of the stage. Fridays and Saturdays also come with free admission to the Late Night After Party on the third floor of Legacy Hall in High Bar.

First-rate Fourth
America's birthday is a big deal in Plano, beginning with a free patriotic concert on July 3 at 7 pm. Plano Community Band will be playing in Haggard Park in the Downtown Plano Historic Arts District.

On the Fourth itself, cheer on — or walk in! — the Rotary Clubs of Plano 4th of July parade at 7:30 pm. The route travels along Spring Creek Parkway in between Collin College and the Red Tail Pavilion, and you can sign up to participate here.

The parade is smack in the middle of Plano's All-American 4th, a free festival that starts at 6 pm and features a kids’ zone sponsored by Champion Energy Services and a fireworks show beginning at 9:30 pm. Blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers are welcome, with food and beverages available for purchase from onsite vendors — sorry, no pups allowed.

Staycation vibes
With all this fun on the agenda, you'll want to stay more than a day. Immerse yourself in Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel's "West of Zen" culture, with gorgeous artifacts hidden away in every public corner, and the menus for both beverage and food offer a bold take on Asian fusion.

Dine in the main restaurant, ŌMA, grab a quick bite at the quaint Texas Teahouse & Marketplace, or dip into The Whiskey Moon Bar + Lounge to sample its impressive selection of American, European, and Asian whiskeys.

Enjoy DJs on the pool deck every Saturday afternoon during the summer or live music at Whiskey Moon every Saturday evening — see a lineup here.

Speaking of the rooftop pool, you can now book private cabanas through Resort Pass and stay shady all summer long.

See all your Plano accommodation options here.

Photo courtesy of Happy Hour Hike

Join the Happy Hour Hike the first Thursday of each month.

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For a complete guide to Plano, head to www.visitplano.com.

Japanese-style 'sandos' pop-up finds permanent home in downtown Dallas

Sando News

A popular sandwich pop-up has found permanent quarters in downtown Dallas: Sandoitchi, which serves Japanese "sandos" with creative fillings, will move into the space near the Joule at 1604 Main St., next to/under the Joule Hotel. It's the space that was previously occupied by La Tarte Tropezienne, the French bakery that closed in 2021.

Sandoitchi has already started to use the space for pop-up events, with a remodel in the works for later this year, says spokesman Keith Tran.

"We've had a great partnership with Headington Companies, who own the space, for more than a year, doing pop-ups at Midnight Rambler and at the Eye Ball," Tran says. "Their marketing team has been working to bring energy to their spaces and this gives us the benefit of having a permanent location."

Sandoitchi was founded in 2020, part of a wave of pandemic foodie pop-ups, but has persevered long past the pandemic both with its consistency and its ever-evolving menu of trademark sandos and other Japanese eats.

Their sandwiches are served on soft, rich milk bread, with fillings that include egg salad, Nashville-style hot chicken, pork katsu, and even Japanese wagyu topped with caviar, as well as dessert sandos filled with fruit and cream.

Their branding and packaging are sharp: The sandwiches are trimmed neatly, like finger sandwiches, and come in cute little boxes that display the ingredients winningly.

They also come with serious culinary firepower: Chef Stevie Nguyen worked at Uchi in both Dallas and Houston before heading to New York where he worked at Momofuku Ko, the two-Michelin-starred crown jewel in superstar chef David Chang's culinary empire. Nguyen shows off his techniques in a number of ways, including by using three different egg preparations to make his egg salad and coating the chicken with an umami-packed "wet shio koji solution."

They use social media skillfully and have won legions of fans, not just in Dallas but also at road-trip pop-ups to the West Coast and cities such as Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, New Orleans, and Oklahoma City.

They plan to continue doing pop-ups — for example, they have one this weekend in Orange County, California. But there's something to be said for having a home.

"Our model was built during and post-COVID, but with the return to normal, it's tougher to find spaces to host pop-ups," Tran says. "Our team includes high-end chefs with strong pedigrees who continue to evolve and remain creative, and we want to have a home base."

The location will definitely require some retrofitting; they'll start serious renovations at the end of the summer. In the interim, they're hosting pop-ups at the space, usually on weekends, over the next month or two.

"We've been experimenting, we recently tried doing breakfast — it's been a valuable opportunity to gather data on what does well," Tran says.

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Eric Sandler contributed to this story.

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