The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses
Chicago-based Green Grocer coming to Lower Greenville
At the end of 2011, we learned that Trader Joe’s would open on Lower Greenville just south of Belmont. Then came the news earlier this year that Walmart would open a neighborhood market right across the street. The latest newcomer is Chicago-based Green Grocer, which is moving into the corner space at 3416 Greenville, right across the street from Gloria’s and Cafe Izmir. The store already has a presence on Facebook and Twitter, and says that it is shooting for a late October opening. Green Grocer has only a single store in Chicago, so the 3,500-square-foot store in Dallas would make two. On its website, Green Grocer describes itself as “an intimate, neighborhood market that features organically grown, locally produced food products and specialty items.” On its Twitter feed, the store is asking Dallasites to email their suggestions for local farms, growers, producers and vendors.
Trader Joe’s won’t open until 2013
That’s the word from Jon Hetzel of Madison Partners, which is bringing the cult retailer to lower Greenville. He says the original opening date, set for the end of this year, was “very ambitious” and that it’s not unusual for a delay like this. Otherwise, he says, all is well with what is scheduled to be the chain’s first store in Dallas.
The Tipp to become The Mecca
The 74-year-old restaurant The Mecca is moving to the space at Live Oak and Skillman that formerly housed the Tipperary Inn and Molly Maguire’s. It will open as early as Aug. 17. The Mecca has been serving breakfast all day at its current location on Harry Hines for 44 years.
214.352.0051
Fro-Yo and Wi-Fi in Casa Linda
Monster Yogurt features an indoor playground and Wi-Fi.
Monster Yogurt has opened in Casa Linda Plaza next to Alligator Café. The store is similar to other yogurt shops, where you fix your own and pay by weight, but it has two major assets: Wi-Fi and an indoor playground. Peninsula neighborhood resident Sarah Nelson says it’s the perfect place to go when you need to keep the little ones busy for 20 minutes while you do some work.
9540 Garland
214.321.6363
More business bits LA Fitness will open a location in Old Town Shopping Center at Greenville and Lovers, between Panda Express and Tom Thumb. The gym is taking the place of both the former Borders bookstore, which closed in August 2011, and Wheels in Motion, the former bike shop in the corner.
East Dallas resident Mimi Siebert-Bowen has started a bounce house rental company called Ballistic Bounce. She has two bounce houses to start; they are both 14×14 and rent for $120 (this includes, delivery, set up and break down).
214.882.8282
Mi Cocina Lakewood is now officially open in the former Matt’s space. Features include a new staircase with iron railings and an upstairs cocktail bar. The patio will feature two hidden air conditioning units to blow cool air, circulated by two huge fans.
6332 La Vista
214.217.3000
