The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses 

New White Rock YMCA plans

The White Rock YMCA moved out of its building on Gaston and across the street. Its temporary location at 7324 Gaston on the top floor of the Lakeview Shopping Center opened in November. The YMCA has plans to build a new facility on the site of the former Trinity Lutheran Church on Gaston at Loving. Lincoln Property Co. has purchased the building that formerly housed the YMCA as well as the Y’s temporary home, Lakeview Shopping center, with plans to redevelop those two corners. The YMCA will be housed in the Lakeview center until its new building is finished, as early as summer 2014. Its 16,000-square-foot temporary facility offers most of the same amenities as its former facility across the street. Meanwhile, the YMCA is working on the new facility’s preliminary designs, which indicate a two-story, contemporary building designed by neighborhood architect Craig Reynolds. (Reynolds’s firm also designed the addition to Woodrow Wilson High School being completed this year.) A main feature of the building will be an almost facility-long wall of glass facing west and looking out over green space (currently a triangle of grass and trees, all of which are expected to be maintained in the plans) and onto a recreation area that will feature outdoor classes, walking/cycling activities and summer camp events. The projected $12 million project — assuming an additional $6 million can be raised over and above the $6 million the YMCA received from selling the current facility, says YMCA administrator Derek Smith — will include a gymnasium, aerobics studio, cycling center, wellness studio, playground and, if funding can be raised, an indoor-outdoor natatorium. The new YMCA could include a dual-purpose pool that allows for indoor lap swimming as well as outdoor sunbathing and recreational swimming. Smith says that several neighborhood families have stepped up with “six-figure gifts,” and the fund-raising program has just begun.

White Rock YMCA
7324 Gaston
214.328.3849

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Debate on Dallas United Crew Boathouse

Dallas United Crew received approval from the city council to proceed with its $4 million boathouse project, despite objections from the Peninsula Neighborhood Association, which encompasses a group of homes near the east shore of White Rock Lake. Those residents recently came out unanimously against the project, citing, in a letter to the council, increased traffic and parking near the lake, as well as the possibility that approving this construction opens the door for “future commercialization” of the lake. To hear the Advocate’s podcast with the Dallas United Crew officials spearheading the project, search “podcast boathouse” on lakewood.advocatemag.com.

More business bits

1. The Grape Restaurant, located on Lower Greenville, celebrates its 40th year in business.

The Grape Restaurant
2808 Greenville
214.828.1981

2. Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs opened on Gaston. In addition to wood-fired hot dogs, Jerry’s serves sausages, salads and kids’ fare.
Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs
6340 Gaston
214.750.7053

3. Lemon Bar moved out of its space in the West Village and is now open in the former Alma space on North Henderson at Willis.

Lemon Bar
2822 N. Henderson
214.443.6043

4. Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger Bar has now been serving up beer and burgers for one year.
Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House
1154 Peavy
214.324.3335

5. Home décor store Hess, which stands for Home Essentials Simply Stated, is now open in the former Bebe Grande spot in the Lakewood Shopping Center. In addition to its front entrance, the home decor store opens into Talulah Belle, which owner and neighborhood resident Elizabeth Mast also runs. “I wanted to have a new, fresh concept that could meet everyone’s needs,” Mast says. “We’re trying to make it hip and cool and comfortable, and something everyone can afford.”

Hess
2013 Abrams
214.821.1929

Talulah Belle
2011 Abrams
214.821.1927

6. Walmart Neighborhood Market on Lower Greenville is now open. The store includes a pharmacy, a bakery, produce, a self-service deli, money services like money orders and grams, and more.

Walmart Neighborhood Market
2218 Greenville
972.581.0188