Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum

Tivo_Kenevil wrote:

mdg109 wrote:Side note: I noticed all the Fireside Pies signage has been removed from the Commerce St location. The space looks like it's ready to be finished up. Is FP still moving in?

Last I checked they were to opens
In April .

An employee at one of their other locations told me the other day they were still opening. I will say no permits have been issued and no certificate of occupancy has been applied for which leads me to believe April isn't happening.

Apparently they were asked to take down the signage for some reason but are still very much planning to open.

Well for the past two weeks the signage was down and the construction crew was in there making it look like it does now. Finished drywall walls and a basic utilities connections. I can not tell if its moving forward or not.

If they don't take the space some other pizza joint should. The location is wedged between four hotels, four residential towers and a college campus. Those buildings will suck in pizza like a black hole sucks in planets.

I walk by this Fireside Pies location every day with my dogs. Quite a bit was being done a month back, but as of late, all signage is down and the whitewashed drywall is complete. If it is to actually be a pizza joint, the layout will be interesting - low ceilings, pillars everywhere - your typical first floor in an older building, I'm just curious to see how it all comes together. Its nice to finally have a chain within walking distance of my loft.

Via twitter, Fireside Pies stated they are still opening in that location and their opening date is TBD. . .

dpl-1202 wrote:I walk by this Fireside Pies location every day with my dogs. Quite a bit was being done a month back, but as of late, all signage is down and the whitewashed drywall is complete. If it is to actually be a pizza joint, the layout will be interesting - low ceilings, pillars everywhere - your typical first floor in an older building, I'm just curious to see how it all comes together. Its nice to finally have a chain within walking distance of my loft.

Welcome dpl-1202... Funny thing; I used to live in unit 1212 of dpl many, many years ago. Oddly, even though we didn't have as many restaurants back then, we certainly had plenty of pizza joints.

^just curious, why did you move to Las Colinas?

tamtagon wrote:^just curious, why did you move to Las Colinas?

Work moved... Got married... Had a kid...
Coming from Los Angeles area, we always wanted a house. But, it didn't take long for us to want to get back back to the city and not deal with all the madness that comes with a house. But the schools in downtown area were terrible back then, and really not much better now. So, it looks like we're stuck here for many more years.
Don't get me wrong... Irving schools are actually worse, but we strategically bought a house that resides just within Coppell ISD boundaries.
Home Address is in Irving
School District is Coppell
Actual school address is Dallas (cypress waters)

It's complicated up here. Anyway, sorry to divert thread.

Speaking of retail and DPL building... Why is it that they have NEVER been able to fill all that retail space? Its a beautiful building, and with all the Joule renovations across the street it seems like a solid location. Perhaps with all the activity to the east, and ATT renovations to the west, this empty retail will finally get some love.

jrd1964 wrote:Work has been ongoing for a few weeks on a new Smoothie King location in part of the ex-Cafe Solace (and ex-Wall Street Deli before that) space in the tunnel food court at the 1700 Pacific building. No sign yet as to when it will be finished and open.

Looks like it opened up this week some time. Big wigs with the company were sitting out in the food court welcoming potential customers on Thursday morning.

muncien wrote:

dpl-1202 wrote:I walk by this Fireside Pies location every day with my dogs. Quite a bit was being done a month back, but as of late, all signage is down and the whitewashed drywall is complete. If it is to actually be a pizza joint, the layout will be interesting - low ceilings, pillars everywhere - your typical first floor in an older building, I'm just curious to see how it all comes together. Its nice to finally have a chain within walking distance of my loft.

Welcome dpl-1202... Funny thing; I used to live in unit 1212 of dpl many, many years ago. Oddly, even though we didn't have as many restaurants back then, we certainly had plenty of pizza joints.

I moved into 1202 a couple months back and absolutely loving it- grew up in South Dallas, but my dream was always to live DT among the architecture and historic buildings. From the Statler to the Salsa Limon opening in the Mayflower, I'm very excited for the big changes happening down here.

dpl-1202 wrote:

muncien wrote:

dpl-1202 wrote:I walk by this Fireside Pies location every day with my dogs. Quite a bit was being done a month back, but as of late, all signage is down and the whitewashed drywall is complete. If it is to actually be a pizza joint, the layout will be interesting - low ceilings, pillars everywhere - your typical first floor in an older building, I'm just curious to see how it all comes together. Its nice to finally have a chain within walking distance of my loft.

Welcome dpl-1202... Funny thing; I used to live in unit 1212 of dpl many, many years ago. Oddly, even though we didn't have as many restaurants back then, we certainly had plenty of pizza joints.

I moved into 1202 a couple months back and absolutely loving it- grew up in South Dallas, but my dream was always to live DT among the architecture and historic buildings. From the Statler to the Salsa Limon opening in the Mayflower, I'm very excited for the big changes happening down here.

Speaking of the Salsa Limon - this place was a huge hit over in FW. Walked by this morning and it looks completely done on the inside - anybody know if its open yet? Location isn't even listed on their website.

Cool. I hope it's open late night like the one in FW. Late night Tacos is a good thing.

I'm really glad Salsa Limon removed the reflective film off the glass. The Mayflower looks a lot more inviting now.

Does anybody know what's going on with Mosaic's retail? The Serj coffee shop seems like it has been in the works for a while. There's also some kind of yoga/meditation studio next door with some really bad artwork on the walls.

mdg109 wrote:I'm really glad Salsa Limon removed the reflective film off the glass. The Mayflower looks a lot more inviting now.

I wish they'd take that film off all of the windows on the Mayflower- i'm sure its part of the TIF $ agreement and restoring to original facade...

mdg109 wrote:I'm really glad Salsa Limon removed the reflective film off the glass. The Mayflower looks a lot more inviting now.

Does anybody know what's going on with Mosaic's retail? The Serj coffee shop seems like it has been in the works for a while. There's also some kind of yoga/meditation studio next door with some really bad artwork on the walls.

It's part of a wellness center that took over the gym space as well that attempts to guide customers on overall wellness not just working out.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Neiman Marcus is in talks to sell itself to Hudson's Bay Co. If the sale happens, it could have an effect on downtown Dallas retail...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/neiman-marcus-hires-advisers-to-explore-strategic-alternatives-1489499472

Looks like Salsa Limon has soft opened... at least there were a few people that looked like customers after 2pm. Also noticed that a nail salon will be taking the other space on Akard so expect to see more of that ugly film removed from the windows.

lakewoodhobo wrote:Looks like Salsa Limon has soft opened... at least there were a few people that looked like customers after 2pm. Also noticed that a nail salon will be taking the other space on Akard so expect to see more of that ugly film removed from the windows.

Holy cow, that looks terrific!

dukemeredith wrote:

lakewoodhobo wrote:Looks like Salsa Limon has soft opened... at least there were a few people that looked like customers after 2pm. Also noticed that a nail salon will be taking the other space on Akard so expect to see more of that ugly film removed from the windows.

Holy cow, that looks terrific!

still no announcement for a full opening, i'm trying to get some TACOS!

Tucy wrote:The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Neiman Marcus is in talks to sell itself to Hudson's Bay Co. If the sale happens, it could have an effect on downtown Dallas retail...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/neiman-marcus-hires-advisers-to-explore-strategic-alternatives-1489499472

HBC has actually invested in their downtown stores in Canada.

Wasn't the Saks brand 'presented' as a purchase option to the NM owners once, kinda recently?

With all the retail in downtown, how do companies representing the vacant store fronts get new tenants for them? Do they just hope that someone who might be interested in them calls them? Does UCR not do trade shows were they show the properties they have to potential national brands? I just feel like theres so much momentum downtown and no one is leasing the retail spots available. The retail at the Merc has been vacant since they opened.

ArtVandelay wrote:

Tucy wrote:The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Neiman Marcus is in talks to sell itself to Hudson's Bay Co. If the sale happens, it could have an effect on downtown Dallas retail...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/neiman-marcus-hires-advisers-to-explore-strategic-alternatives-1489499472

HBC has actually invested in their downtown stores in Canada.

That's good news if Hudson's Bay decides to buy Neiman's.

I wonder...if the flagship Neiman's is making enough money to stay open or is it open because it's the company's HQ? In the past, the Downtown Joske's was bought out and it was closed...the same can be said for Sanger-Harris. I hope the same doesn't happen with Neiman's.

^That would be my biggest concern, HB has no loyalty to this city. At least downtown is on a positive trajectory and I believe that store does well....at least I have heard that before.

I know nothing about the current ownership - did they have any loyalty to Dallas before purchasing Neiman's ~15 years ago?

dukemeredith wrote:I know nothing about the current ownership - did they have any loyalty to Dallas before purchasing Neiman's ~15 years ago?

I believe it's current ownership is the Canada Pension Plan (Canadian version of SS) and private equity which is operated like a portfolio company i.e. managed locally. I would imagine a buyout by Hudson's Bay Co. would be predicated on synergies meaning HQ jobs would be in peril. That would not be good for Dallas.

My earlier comment was based on the fact HBC has revamped their Downtown stores in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto in recent years. While I don't know about the profitability of the Dallas store, there may be enough nostalgia and cache to keep the original store open.

This may be our replacement if NM closes (would hate to see that happen).
http://fortyfiveten.com/
I was just in this store for the first time this past Saturday and I thought it was super impressive. The view from the restaruant is stunning.

If it closed it certainly would make headlines. That store has been there in Downtown Dallas for centuries now and it would make headlines all around the world. Neiman's despite its apparent financial woes is a world renown brand in retail.

Cbdallas wrote:This may be our replacement if NM closes (would hate to see that happen).
http://fortyfiveten.com/
I was just in this store for the first time this past Saturday and I thought it was super impressive. The view from the restaruant is stunning.

I agree, Forty Five Ten is VERY impressive. It's a stark contrast to Neiman's dated interior. From my viewpoint, Neiman's should have done a better job of trying to appeal to the millennial shopper. Many people (including myself) view Neiman's as a store their mother or grandmother would shop at. It simply doesn't appeal to younger shoppers.

Adjusting the stores' merchandise and structuring the stores to today's shopper, would have helped out a lot (IMO). Even though Neiman's is a high end department store, (I believe) people will spend money, if they have what they want.

A company cannot rely on their iconic name to keep them afloat...and maybe they have gotten lazy or took too long to make adjustments. Who knows? Hopefully, they can get it worked out.

cowboyeagle05 wrote:If it closed it certainly would make headlines. That store has been there in Downtown Dallas for centuries now and it would make headlines all around the world. Neiman's despite its apparent financial woes is a world renown brand in retail.

In reality, if the downtown store were to be closed, it would be a minor news blip outside of Dallas. For the record, that store has NOT been there for "centuries". The fact is, Nothing in Dallas has been there for centuries.

Neiman's has been owned by outsiders for decades. If the downtown store wasn't a net positive (including the positive impact on the overall brand) it would have been closed long ago.

http://dallas.culturemap.com/news/resta ... mayflower/

Salsa Limon is open!

https://www.dmagazine.com/business-econ ... s/?ref=mpw

FTA: (and former NM CEO Allan Questrom - current retail expert)

In contrast to a renovated Neiman’s he just visited in Los Angeles, “if you go to the Neiman Marcus at NorthPark, it looks just like it did when I was there (in 1988)!

Ouch. Harsh dig at Neiman Marcus and at NorthPark, considering the store shuffling going on there and the consistent job renewing itself.

Also FTA:

Besides pumping more money back into the company, Questrom advised eliminating some of its (more than 40) stores that “aren’t in the right location”—or at least shrinking their footprint

The_Overdog wrote:https://www.dmagazine.com/business-economy/2017/03/is-neiman-marcus-real-problem-not-keeping-up-with-the-times/?ref=mpw



Also FTA:

Besides pumping more money back into the company, Questrom advised eliminating some of its (more than 40) stores that “aren’t in the right location”—or at least shrinking their footprint

Mmmm...I wonder how he feels about the new Neimans in Fort Worth? That store left a dying mall and was rebuilt as an anchor of a shopping center in the middle of run-of-the-mill, cookie-cutter Texas sprawl.

The_Overdog wrote:https://www.dmagazine.com/business-economy/2017/03/is-neiman-marcus-real-problem-not-keeping-up-with-the-times/?ref=mpw

FTA: (and former NM CEO Allan Questrom - current retail expert)

In contrast to a renovated Neiman’s he just visited in Los Angeles, “if you go to the Neiman Marcus at NorthPark, it looks just like it did when I was there (in 1988)!

Ouch. Harsh dig at Neiman Marcus and at NorthPark, considering the store shuffling going on there and the consistent job renewing itself.

Also FTA:

Besides pumping more money back into the company, Questrom advised eliminating some of its (more than 40) stores that “aren’t in the right location”—or at least shrinking their footprint

SMH...you'd think the owners of NorthPark or Neiman's would have updated it by now...since it's Neiman Marcus' #1 or #2 store in terms of sales. I guess, my idea of Neiman's getting too lazy isn't too far fetched.

i know i've been heavy spamming on this Salsa Limon place, but I finally ate their this past weekend (actually i ate twice - breakfast by myself and then took the fiancee for lunch lol). it was tasty as hell though. Also its always good to judge the authenticity and deliciousness of mexican food restaurants by the (get ready for it) race of clientele - this place was full to the brim of downtown construction workers at lunch on saturday. really excited for this business.

Tucy wrote:

cowboyeagle05 wrote:If it closed it certainly would make headlines. That store has been there in Downtown Dallas for centuries now and it would make headlines all around the world. Neiman's despite its apparent financial woes is a world renown brand in retail.

In reality, if the downtown store were to be closed, it would be a minor news blip outside of Dallas. For the record, that store has NOT been there for "centuries". The fact is, Nothing in Dallas has been there for centuries.

Pardon me I meant decades not centuries I must have caught the Trumped up flu.

I do believe it would make headlines not necessarily the front page from coast to coast but if Neiman's closes the store that started it all in Downtown it will make news in more than the DallasNews.com business section. Neiman's is still considered a major voice in the world of fashion merchandising and sales despite their hardships.

As part of an ongoing renovation, downtown Dallas hotel the Adolphus is introducing a new restaurant concept called City Hall Bistro that will be open three meals a day. Opening is slated for May.

http://dallas.culturemap.com/news/resta ... ench-room/

City Hall Bistro is replacing "The Bistro" which was a breakfast and lunch restaurant only. I don't know much about the old restaurant or the new one, but it's certainly promising to hear they are now serving Dinner at yet another Dallas restaurant.

DPatel304 wrote:

As part of an ongoing renovation, downtown Dallas hotel the Adolphus is introducing a new restaurant concept called City Hall Bistro that will be open three meals a day. Opening is slated for May.

http://dallas.culturemap.com/news/resta ... ench-room/

City Hall Bistro is replacing "The Bistro" which was a breakfast and lunch restaurant only. I don't know much about the old restaurant or the new one, but it's certainly promising to hear they are now serving Dinner at yet another Dallas restaurant.

Even more exciting, they seem to have plans to reopen the Main Street entrance:

"A new entrance on Main Street will allow both interior and street-level access to the restaurant. "

Apparently, the scene is coming back.

https://www.guidelive.com/food-and-drin ... phus-hotel

Sarah Blaskovich GuideLive

The Adolphus' General Manager of Food and Beverage Operations Anthony Cournia notes there's a "developing food scene" in downtown Dallas. Longtime popular restaurants such as Five Sixty, on its perch up high inside Reunion Tower, and the Zodiac, the quintessential ladies' lunch spot inside the original Neiman Marcus, have long lured diners to downtown Dallas. Newer spots such as CBD Provisions have helped encourage diners to stick around past 5 p.m., though the neighborhood could surely use more reasons to convince diners to stay awhile.

There's a bar or restaurant space at the base of 1910 Pacific (next to Corrigan Tower) that is close to being finished. The beer & wine permit application sign says "Cafe No Name" on it.

More retail/restaurant space coming to 1700 Pacific tunnel and perhaps at grade on Pacific:
http://www.jllproperty.us/assets/doc/17 ... 346878.pdf

Nice!

Well, that "ground floor" space has been available for years now. I wonder if they ever have marketed it to a restaurant before? It has always been set up as office space and been empty ever since I started paying attention to Downtown. The food court is always busy for lunch and the way it's integrated even long distance bus tour groups drop off people at this site for a resting spot.

Looks like Unbranded will be back this year, this time in the former Jos. A. Bank space (1508 Commerce). At least that's what I think their CO says, which DDI posted on Facebook.

The former salon on Main (Volver, I think) will now become an F45 Training Studio. They have a banner hanging with this website on it: https://f45training.com/

It seems as though the Adolphus is copying the Joule's successful strategy..

From December's Modern Luxury Dallas magazine on pg 34-

3 new boutiques on Commerce Street:
- Commerce: boutique stocked with goods made in Texas
- Barber Shop
- Otto's: European style cafe

Now all we need Downtown is more... RESIDENTS!!

But either way this is great news and Commerce is such an underutilized, under retailed street.

I am just so surprised and excited that the Adolphus new owners saw the potential in removing their huge carport and flipping it into retail space that hotel guests and downtown workers and residents would use. One of the best ideas in Downtown in years. Once AT&T gets their plaza redone Commerce won't be just a sleepy car freeway. There will finally be more to see and visit towards this side.