The One With the Friends Pop-Up
The bar known for its trendy pop-ups is kicking off 2022 with a bit of nostalgia. The Friends experience will include all types of wacky shenanigans such as employees in costume, a photobooth, recreated sets, and more. The pop-up will debut January 20 with themed cocktails to please even the most high-maintenance Monica of every friend group. Don your best ’90s attire or pull a Joey and just wear as many layers of clothes as you can, and head to the Whippersnapper at 1806 McMillan Avenue.
Elmwood Coffee House Softly Launches in Oak Cliff
Graf Kofe owner German Sierra, a Los Angeles transplant who began his business roasting coffee at home in Oak Cliff, plans to open a retail coffee shop at the intersection of South Edgefield and Tennessee avenues. In an Instagram post, the coffee connoisseur proudly displayed an all-black painted wooden exterior with dainty caffeine-related decor and light blue kitchen tile. According to the post, the house was almost completely gutted with the project going into its second year now. Stay tuned to their Instagram page for updates and future events. (If Graf Kofe rings a bell, you may recognize it as the roaster-collaborator of Xamán Cafe, which brings small batch beans from Veracruz that Graf roasts.)
Duro Hospitality Group Adds Highland Park Soda Fountain to Its Portfolio
Highland Park Soda Fountain was a Dallas treasure, first opening as a pharmacy in 1912 and later as a soda fountain. It closed back in 2018. Now, the old soda shop on 3229 Knox Street will find new life under Duro Hospitality Group, CultureMap Dallas reports. Duro was founded in 2020, and includes Design District favorites The Charles, Bar Charles, and Greenville Avenue restaurant Sister.
The new expansion is a part of a much larger project that will include three new spots opening up in early 2022: Casa Duro (a hotel above Sister restaurant), Cafe Duro (a cafe and market opening adjacent to Sister), and Cole and Riverfront (a property under development at the corner of Cole Street and North Riverfront Boulevard). Unfortunately, not much is known about what exactly will come to replace the soda fountain but rest assured, our food detectives are on the case!
Nonprofits Band Together to Increase Fresh Food Options in South Dallas
Honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Oak Cliff Veggie Project has partnered up with 4DWN to open a community cold storage facility right at the center of the 4DWN Skatepark on 2633 Ferris Street. NBC 5 reports the new cold storage space will allow these nonprofits to quadruple their food distribution efforts, allowing for fresh fruits and vegetables that would otherwise spoil from being left out for too long.
Theresa Tumminia, cultural director at Oak Cliff Veggie Project, is excited for this new project which will provide more fresh options for those seeking a nutritious meal. “It’s not just that everybody needs food. But everybody needs choices. Everybody needs good food,” she told NBC.
Deep Ellum Brewing Co. Gets Swallowed Up by Monster
Monster Beverage Corporation acquires Deep Ellum Brewing Co. mere weeks after its 10th anniversary. In a $330 million dollar deal, Monster purchased Canarchy, the parent company of Deep Ellum Brewing Co. According to Eater Dallas, the move comes as a part of the Monster’s efforts to branch into the alcohol industry. Canarchy also owns breweries Oskar Blues and Cigar City. Sadly, patrons wonder if the sale might affect the availability of their favorite blondes—ales, that is—in local bars and restaurants.
