We're a month and five days into 2016 already and stuff is happening, y'all. Will 2016 see as many changes to the Denton retail, dining, and housing landscape as has been seen in the past few years? It is definitely shaping up to look like that may be the case. Read on to learn about the latest openings, closings, and rumors in the Denton business world.
We stopped by Service Industry on Monday only to find the gate locked to their hallway locked. We were at first worried that they had closed for good, but after reaching out to them, we found out that Service Industry is just closing their doors for a short while to work on some minor renovations and that they plan to reopen soon. We should hear back soon with a specific date (make sure you're following us on Twitter for small details like that).
We've heard that one of the former owners is hard at work developing a new Denton food truck and food truck news is always exciting. Also, Hoagie Slingers is Denton's newest food truck, and are at Austin St. Truck Stop all the time. Stop on by and grab yourself a hoagie from a truck!
In November, we reported that Hailey's would close down at the end of 2015 and then be split in to two separate businesses throughout 2016. At the time, we knew that one business would be a sports barcade, but were unsure at the time what the second concept would be. Well, the word is out now. The second part of what was once Hailey's will become a speakeasy named 1933 Spirits and Small Plates. The bar will be the smaller of the two new concepts and serve both craft cocktails and food.
In the craft beer world, both Lone Star Taps and Caps and Midway Craft House are currently open. Both establishments are on W. Hickory. Midway Craft House is an offshoot of the iconic Denton beer slinger, Midway Mart and is close to UNT. Lone Star Taps and Caps is located at the intersection of Hickory and Carroll. We may have finally reached peak beer, y'all. Although, we have yet to see Armadillo Ale Works start to work on the new space in downtown they claimed a few months ago (which just so happens to still have a "For Lease" sign in the window).
If you're looking for a place to host a fun birthday party for your kiddo and/or a broken arm for yourself, Altitude Trampoline Park is now open off of Lillian Miller in the space that was once home to an Albertson's.
Elsewhere in the world of grocery stores, WinCo is coming for you no matter how much you complain. They've already broken ground at Rayzor Ranch Town Center and have kept open the possibility of expanding 130,000 feet in the future. In additional grocery-related news, the Sprout's Farmers Market we all knew was coming will be here sometime this summer on Teasley Lane.
Juice Lab, Denton's newest juice and smoothie bar is open as of today. We hear they will also be offering some delicious and healthy baked goods in addition to their line of freshly made juices and smoothies.
While we may still not have a Torchy's Tacos in Denton, we will have one pretty close in the fall of 2016. Torchy's will open a location in the Shops at Highland Village in the fall of this year. We've got plenty of tacos to keep us satiated. Personally, we just kinda dig Torchy's bowls, fried avocados, and cheap margaritas. Feel free to let them know that Highland Village isn't quite as close as you'd like it to be.
Voertman's book store was sold back in 2013, but development deals have only recently been in play for the past year or so. Denton Planning and Zoning recently denied plans that would have seen the space occupied by the bookstore and Subway (boy, Denton sure hates Subways, y'all) to be replaced with a new, multi-story development that would include not only retail, but housing, as well. P&Z cited parking issues as the main issue for denying the proposal. EdR Collegiate Housing was behind the plans and it remains to be seen whether or not they will abandon the project or come forth with new plans that feature more parking.
Eureka 2, the play ground that will be replacing the playground formally known as Eureka should be opening this month. We hope to have a first-hand report of the slides, swings, and jungle gyms very soon. So y'all get your playground skillz in tip-top shape in the meantime. We gotta get that new playground worn in quickly!