It has been a busy summer for downtown Dallas, and the coming months will prove to be no different. In fact, it’s getting better all the time. With more restaurant, retail, and entertainment additions than I can keep up with, and more special events than I can possibly attend, it is an exciting time to be downtown. Here’s an update on activity.
There are now more than 300 restaurants and bars in downtown, with many that have opened in recent months, including Work, Green Room, Monkey King, Tanoshii Ramen, and Glazed Donut Works in Deep Ellum. In the Main Street District, we’ve welcomed Capriotti’s, Freshii, Fluellen Cupcakes, Weekend Coffee, Urban Orchard Market, and Bar None Café. And just last week, Savor and Relish opened at Klyde Warren Park.
The Joule expansion is almost complete, adding several new retail outlets to the Main Street District, not to mention the recently-opened 8,000-square-foot spa, ESPA, and CBD Provisions, a new restaurant concept from Consilient Restaurants, which will open on Thursday. The Design District has seen its share of new restaurants too, with PakPao Thai, Bowlounge, and Central Standard.
Looking to October and beyond, many significant events are on the calendar. The new GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower opened with a bang this past weekend, with a spectacular fireworks show. The Crow Collection of Asian Art is celebrating its 15-year anniversary this month with the opening of its sculpture garden. On October 18, Downtown Dallas Inc. will host its annual Membership Forum and Luncheon, featuring Mayor Rawlings’ State of Downtown Address. Also on October 18, Aurora 2013 and the Fall Block Party will welcome thousands of attendees in the Dallas Arts District.
The Nasher Sculpture Center is celebrating its 10-year anniversary on Oct. 20 by debuting the Nasher XChange program and hosting other special events. Klyde Warren Park will celebrate its one-year anniversary Oct. 24-26 with concerts, performances, and a family festival on Saturday, Oct. 26. The new— and free—downtown entertainment shuttle, D-Link, will begin service on November 4. City Lights Opening Night, DDI’s signature holiday event in partnership with the City of Dallas, Neiman Marcus and CBS Radio, is scheduled for November 16, and an entire season of holiday programming is planned throughout downtown, including events like Design & Dine on November 14, Winter Warmer on December 14, movie nights, pet picnic, and tree lightings in the various districts.
There is never a shortage of things to do in downtown Dallas! Be sure to check the Downtown Dallas Inc. Facebook page often to stay up to date.
The last 10 years has been a decade of change, and the next 10 years will be the decade for downtown as we go about executing a downtown for the future! “As goes downtown, so goes Dallas” is becoming more of a truism every day!
