Want to escape the hustle and bustle of big-city life? Old-fashioned charm awaits you on the
square in any of these nearby burgs.
:: LANCASTER – Lots in store
Downtown Lancaster is gearing up for the Soup and Chili
Cookoff. And organizers are hoping that snow won't keep participants
away from the Feb. 12 festivities as it did last year. The cook-off is
one of about a dozen weekend events held on the square in conjunction
with the monthly Second Saturday Sale of arts and crafts, handmade goods
and other merchandise. Shopping is the main activity on the town square,
followed by dining, grooming and business services. No one here is
trying to compete head-on with malls and mass merchandisers. Unusual,
one-of-a-kind and local are among the guiding themes. The square is home
to the Lovin' Oven, a 28-year-old bakery with a loyal following. It's
also the place where a gal can get her hair done or have a massage, a
guy can get a hot-lather shave and a haircut, and women can tone up at a
fitness center. Several places, including a tearoom, a bakery and a
sandwich shop, serve breakfast and lunch. Amaya's Grill, a Tex-Mex
restaurant, is the only downtown spot that serves breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Sunday is still a day of rest for almost all downtown shops.
» Shops on the Lancaster square are generally open Tuesdays through
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
at 972-227-2579. www.lancastersquare.com.
History
Lancaster, about 15 minutes south of downtown Dallas, was founded in
1852, and parts of the town square date from the late 1800s. The well in
the center was dug about 1870. The square rebounded after big fires in
1877, 1889 and 1918 and after a direct hit by a tornado in 1994.
Old-timers are likely to tell you that the legendary Clyde Barrow helped
rob Lancaster's R.P. Henry & Son Bank in 1933. A city initiative in the
1970s helped renew interest in the square and led to public and private
investments in improvements.
Old standbys
The Lovin' Oven, Amaya's Grill, Miz Raus gift shop, Town Square Realty,
Texas Trim Barber Shop and Luanna's and Backroom Raggs clothing stores
have some of the longest tenures.
New hot spots
Check out Hardscrabble Antiques, Corah's Boutique massage salon and the
Lettuce Eat sandwich shop. An antiques mini mall is expected to open in
March.
Must see
People drive from other counties to buy sweets from the Lovin' Oven. Be
sure to meet Maggie the mutt, the square's unofficial greeter, whose
headquarters is the Lit'l Bit of Texas gift shop.
– KARA KUNKEL / DMN
:: PLANO – Cultural crossroads
Antiques shops and spots for warm drinks dot the landscape of
Plano's downtown. There are also plenty of places to take in some culture (check out the must-see category
below). Downtown also boasts some international flair. Visitors can
sample schnitzel or other Austrian delicacies at Jörg's Cafe Vienna. The
Wooden Spoon carries Scandinavian food and gifts ranging from clogs to
recipe books. If you want to rent or buy a costume, or just see some
unusual garb, try the Queen of Hearts Magic Emporium. It has bunny
suits, Mardi Gras finery and Hillary Clinton masks in stock.
Lawrence Jenkins / Special to DMN
The patio is a popular spot at Kelly's Eastside restaurant in downtown Plano.
History
Plano, about 15 miles north of Dallas, had its beginnings in the 1840s.
In 1872, the Houston and Texas Central Railway connected the community
to Dallas. A fire in 1881 destroyed dozens of buildings, temporarily
making Plano a tent city. In 1900, the population was 1,304. Between
then and 1960, the farming community averaged an increase of about 600
new residents per decade, according to The Handbook of Texas Online. Starting in the 1970s, the city experienced dramatic growth. By 1990, the
population was 128,713 and the city took up 72 square miles. DART
brought light-rail service to downtown Plano in 2002.
Old standbys
Haggard Park, designed as an entry to downtown, was officially
dedicated in 1928, according to the city's Web site. Today, the scenic
park includes a pond with a bridge, a playground, a fountain and a
gazebo. The Interurban Museum didn't open until 1991, but it teaches
visitors about the days when the Texas Electric Railway interurban cars
were the transportation of choice. The museum features displays and
artifacts and is in a building that served as a stop on the railway,
which ran between Denison and Dallas from 1908 to 1948.
New hot spots
Photographer Kay Askew moved her studio and gallery (Kay Askew
Photography) to downtown Plano last year. Her clever portraits, shot
using black-and-white film, are worth a look. Local photographers show
their work there as well.
Must see
An exhibition by artists from Gallery VIII, a Plano gallery that closed
in 2003, will be on display at the ArtCentre of Plano through Feb. 5.
A Black History Month exhibit starts Feb. 11. The Courtyard Theater is
home to Plano Repertory Theatre, as well as performances by other local
groups. A family concert, featuring a wind ensemble from the Plano
Symphony Orchestra, will be held there Feb. 20.
– ANN PINSON / DMN
:: GRAPEVINE – Always ripe for a visit
It's like walking into yesterday. Downtown Grapevine, with its
gazebo, offers a charming way to spend an afternoon: shopping for gifts,
antiques, art and jewelry. In keeping with its name, the city has its
share of wineries. Enjoy a glass of vino at one of the tasting rooms.
There are plenty of festivals throughout the year, including the New
Vintage Wine Trail in April, Main Street Days in May, GrapeFest in
September and Christmas on Main in December. And the Grapevine Vintage
Railroad travels from downtown to the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Palace
Arts Center on Main Street is home to the Palace Theatre, Grapevine Opry
and concerts. Upcoming shows include the Platters on Feb. 11 and
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown in April. The Grapevine Convention Center is also downtown.
» Downtown Grapevine is on and near Main Street at State Highway 114.
817-410-3185 or 1-800-457-6388. www.grapevinetexasusa.com.
History
Grapevine, which became well-known in the 1930s when Bonnie Parker and
Clyde Barrow killed state highway patrolmen E.D. Wheeler and H.D. Murphy
at State Highway 114 and Dove Road, recently celebrated its 160th
birthday. Downtown developed in the late 1800s, thanks to the arrival of
the Cotton Belt Railroad. The historic downtown area, with plenty of
shops and cafes, is mostly concentrated along Main Street. Nearby
streets include Northwest Highway, Wall, Texas, Worth, Franklin, College
and Barton.
Old standbys
Willhoite's Restaurant, at 432 S. Main St., just celebrated its 24th
anniversary. It's a popular place with its all-American food and buffet
and live entertainment. It's open daily for lunch and dinner. On the
same block is Bermuda Gold, a custom jewelry store that has been around
since 1987. The store was once the Grapevine Home Bank, which was
reportedly robbed during the 1930s by associates of Bonnie and Clyde.
New hot spots
D'Vine Wine, located in the 400 block of Main Street, became Grapevine's
seventh winery in November. As at Su Vino Winery, customers can create a
custom vintage, choosing the ingredients and tailoring it to their own
tastes.
Must see
Get a taste of Britain at the British Emporium at 140 Main St. The
import shop carries an assortment of British foods and trinkets. At
Vetro Glassblowing Studio in the 700 block of Main, you can watch studio
artists make handmade glassworks. The public demonstrations are offered
on Saturdays.
– TONI EDWARDS / DMN
:: CARROLLTON – Warm and inviting
The menu at a 1903 reunion of some of the first settlers in
Carrollton included salted pecans, buffalo broth and jack rabbit with
onions, according to the city's Web site. Today, the city's historic
downtown square strives to whet visitors' appetites with old-fashioned
charm, eclectic goods and personal warmth. At Vintage House, owner Nan
Walvoord sells Victorian antiques, lace, collectibles, tabletop
accessories and Lampe Berger fragrance lamps. The business opened in
1988 in the Victorian-era house built in the 1900s on Belt Line Road,
about one block north of the square. Sid's Rainbow Grill is a popular
lunch spot housed in a century-old building that went through several
reincarnations (it was the Rainbow Pharmacy in the 1920s and an ice
cream parlor in the 1960s) before Sid Wagner started serving
old-fashioned hamburgers, fries, soups, sandwiches and malts in 1995. At
the Silver Star, you can shop for unique gifts and get your hair done
under one roof. A barbershop in the 1940s, the building is now a
treasure-trove of American-made antiques, paintings, redware,
handcrafted birdhouses, folk art from Iowa, and artisan-crafted Rowe
pottery from Wisconsin. The store also houses the full-service Silver
Star Salon.
Chris Hamilton / Special to DMN
The gazebo sits in the middle of the historic downtown square in Carrollton.
• Sid's Rainbow Grill. 1107 S. Broadway St. Mondays through Saturdays
from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 972-242-1621.
• Silver Star. 1102 W. Main St. Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to
6 p.m. 972-242-4490.
History
Carrollton was officially named in 1878 with the opening of its first
post office (the moniker reportedly came from settlers from Carrollton,
Ill.). By the 1900s, the agricultural community had evolved into a
thriving shipping center for cattle, grain and cotton as a stop on the
railroads, including the Dallas-Wichita, Cotton Belt and Katy lines.
Historic Downtown Carrollton is located off Interstate 35 and bounded by
Fourth, Broadway, Main and Elm streets. Its growth is credited to its
proximity to the railroads, which intersected just north of downtown.
Commerce included building supplies, a bank and a barbershop. A gazebo,
which serves today as a focal point of community activities, was built
in 1976 in the middle of the square to celebrate America's bicentennial.
Old standbys
The Old Craft store, a 20-year-old quilt shop, is housed in a 1930s
building that is the site of a former bank. The building also contains
an old-fashioned U.S. post office (with modern mailing procedures but no
overseas shipping).
The quilt shop takes custom orders and offers classes. (Its "A Quilt Is a Sandwich" class is a hit with children 6 and older.) While
there, be sure to visit the old bank vault at the back of the shop.
• 1110 W. Main St. Mondays through Wednesdays and Fridays and Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 972-242-9111. U.S.
post office open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New hot spots
Babe's Chicken Dinner House, the latest location of the fried-chicken
and chicken-fried steak chain, opened in October in downtown Carrollton.
Its family-style dining makes a great fuel stop while antique hunting.
Broadway Cafe and Wine Bistro also opened last year at the corner of
Broadway and Main. According to owner Michael Cochran, the building was
originally a hotel that serviced the railroads in the 1900s. A sweeping
staircase is the focal point of the spacious spot, which offers
sandwiches, soups and salads. There's also live jazz Fridays and
Saturdays at 7 p.m. and stand-up comedy Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
• Babe's Chicken Dinner House. 1006 W. Main St. Mondays
through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays and
Sundays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 972-245-7773.
• Broadway Cafe and Wine Bistro. 1101 S. Broadway St. Mondays through
Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays 11 a.m.
to 10 p.m., Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. 972-242-7979.
Must see
The Plaza Theater movie house opened in 1949 and operated through the
1990s. Since 2003, the building has been home to the nonprofit Plaza
Arts Center. The facility showcases and sells the works of regional
artists and features oil paintings, watercolors and pottery in an
intimate setting. The center also offers art classes and hosts special
events, including Champagne & Diamonds: The Plaza's Arts & Hearts on
Feb. 12. The event marks Valentine's Day weekend with an evening of
wine, food and music. Proceeds will benefit the children's summer art
program.
• Plaza Arts Center. 1115 Fourth St. Tuesdays through Thursdays
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
972-446-3200. Champagne & Diamonds will be Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. $30 in
advance, $35 at the door. 972-446-3200.
– BINDU VARGHESE / DMN
:: GARLAND – Setting the stage for family entertainment
When most people think about "going downtown," they think about
shopping and taking care of official business. Contrary to that
expectation, old downtown Garland, which has shops and plenty of
government buildings, is evolving into a cultural district that
emphasizes performing arts. The downtown square and surrounding blocks
offer a steady stream of activities ranging from music at the Garland
Opry to stage productions at the Plaza Theatre and entertainment of all
kinds at the Granville Arts Center.
The Garland Opry, a nonprofit organization, has been an outlet for
country and gospel music for more than 30 years. Shows are on Saturday
nights, and stars such as LeAnn Rimes and the Dixie Chicks performed
here before they hit the big time.
If you like bluegrass and old-time acoustic music and enjoy open-air
jamming, the Garland Square Pickers gather on the downtown square each
Saturday night April through October. You're welcome to listen or to
join in. Either way, it's free.
Stores downtown are geared heavily toward items for the home. Two
longtime stores sell new furniture, while several small shops sell
antiques and collectibles. On or just off the square are a quilting
shop, a sewing machine dealer and a stitchery store. Hubbard's Cubbard,
about three blocks off of the square at 901 W. Main, is an old-fashioned
cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. Saturday mornings are
standing-room-only, and you'll probably rub elbows with some of the
city's movers and shakers.
City Hall and the main library are downtown, as are numerous other city,
county and state offices to serve the state's 10th largest city.
History
The Garland square was founded in 1891. A few buildings, especially
those on each end of the 100 block of North Sixth, date from the late
1890s, but most of the others were built after downtown fires in 1899
and 1903. The central plaza with its fountain and brick terrace was
built in the 1970s.
Old standbys
Baker's Furniture at 524 Main has been in the Garland square about 75
years, longer than any other current business. Roach Feed & Seed, which
is about a block from the square at 409 Main, has been in the larger
downtown area since 1933. The owners have changed the building as little
as possible over the years, maintaining an authentic farm store ambience
with updated merchandise.
The year-old Dos Banderas, a Tex-Mex restaurant just off the square at
614 Main, has steadily expanded its hours as business has increased. Dos
Banderas means "two flags," in this case, Texas and Mexico. It is the only downtown eatery that serves dinner.
Must see
The Plaza Theatre at 521 W. State St. was once a movie house. It's now
owned by the city and has been restored as a theater for stage
productions. The art deco lobby has a large chandelier, and the theater
has 350 velvet seats.
– KARA KUNKEL / DMN
:: SOUTHLAKE – A blend of old and new
Southlake Town Square has the old-fashioned feel of a town
square from a century ago but with modern-day shops, restaurants and
office buildings. The Town Hall, library, bandstand and post office help
give it a sense of community. Medical, legal, real estate, banking and
other financial businesses reside in the heart of the square, along with
national retailers like Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and Eddie Bauer.
Visitors can enjoy special events at the square throughout the year,
including Art in the Square in the spring and Oktoberfest in the fall.
There are also a big Fourth of July celebration and winter holiday
activities.
File 2002 / DMN
Southlake Town Square, created in 1999, was designed to be a gathering
spot as well as a place to shop and conduct business.
History
Southlake Town Square opened in 1999. Developers wanted it to be a place
for people to shop, do business and gather for entertainment with family
and friends.
Old standbys
The history is a fairly short one, and several businesses have been
there since the beginning. They include the Gap, Williams-Sonoma, Ann
Taylor and the Tex-Mex restaurant Mi Cocina.
New hot spots
Villeroy & Boch, a leading tableware products store that sells fine
dishes and glassware, opened just before Christmas. Plans include the
addition of 114 brownstone residential units, a hotel, a movie theater
and more retail, restaurant and office space.
Must see
The Mole Hole is a distinctive gift shop and gallery with interesting
art pieces. Animal Crackers, a fun and funky children's boutique with
exclusive apparel, is a must-see for anyone shopping for kids.
– TONI EDWARDS / DMN
:: FARMERSVILLE – Reaping the benefits of small-town life
Merchants in the old downtown square in Farmersville stay
busy cultivating. But they're not out scratching the dirt; they're
running galleries, antiques stores and fun restaurants. Their harvest is
fine art, culture and an old-fashioned good time. Shopkeepers there
greet customers with genuine friendliness and Texas charm. First lady
Laura Bush recently presented the town with its designation as a
Preserve America community, a White House initiative to preserve the
country's cultural and natural heritage. Highlights include Hurst
Antiques on McKinney Street, featuring hard-to-find investment-grade
pieces. Jenny and Friends Antique Emporium on Main Street boasts a blend
of old and new. The 8,000 square-foot space is shared by vendors selling
items like china, furniture and Western decor. Daddy-O's Doo Wop Diner,
117 McKinney St., takes visitors on a sentimental journey with comfort
food and '50s music. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner or just for
an old-fashioned malt or sundae.
» Farmersville, in eastern Collin County, is on State Highway 78 at U.S.
Highway 380. The town square is off Highway 78, at McKinney and Main
streets. 972-782-6533. www.farmersvilletx.com.
History
Farmersville, founded in 1849, holds its agricultural heritage in high
esteem. Just check out the art deco mural A Panorama of Soil
Conservation by famed painter Jerry Bywaters in the old post office
at the west end of McKinney Street. The Onion Shed produce dock, Main at
Hill streets, is an artifact from the town's days as the "Onion Capital
of North Texas." It now serves as a public pavilion for events such as
the Farmers and Fleas Market (first Saturday of each month). The town
was also once home to Audie Leon Murphy, one of the most decorated
American soldiers ever.
Old standbys
Pryor's II, 116 McKinney St., serves cappuccino, latte, house-made
chicken salad, pimento cheese and club sandwiches. Restaurateur Kay
Pryor Forder ran the original Pryor's on the square for 19 years, before
taking a break to teach. Pryor's II has been open for two years.
New hot spots
The BBQ Corner, 201 McKinney St., will reopen serving lunch and dinner
in mid-February (it's being remodeled) with new grilled fare on the
menu. The space is a revamped 1930s gas station.
Must see
Whether you need a custom wedding cake or some rosin for your
fiddle's bow, don't miss Wanda's Cake and Candy, 208 McKinney St. The
bakery doesn't stock cakes on the shelves (you have to order them in
advance at 972-782-7363). But it does have a musician's
mercantile of guitar strings, straps, picks and other musical
necessities. What's the connection? Proprietor Wanda Green presents a
bluegrass gospel music showcase right there at her bakery on the third
Saturday of each month. The concert room holds about 200 people. Next on
the marquee: the Williams Family from Greenville, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
Admission is free.
– NANCY MOORE / DMN
:: IRVING – Rediscovering its heritage
When most folks (even North Texas natives) think of Irving, images
of Las Colinas, the Dallas Cowboys and Valley Ranch, Texas Stadium and
perhaps the Irving Arts Center come to mind. But those attractions are
all relatively young and north of Airport Freeway (State Highway 183).
The real heart of Irving is about a mile and a half south of the
highway, which bisects the city. Though not as vibrant for shopping,
dining and meandering as some other old downtowns, Irving's city center
has a quiet, budding presence that hints at coming growth. Its status as
an Urban Main Street City, granted in 1995 by the Texas Historical
Commission's Texas Main Street Program, means it's getting state
assistance to revitalize downtown. It also became a National Main Street
city in 2000. Revitalization efforts are working, slowly.
File 2003 / DMN
Irving's clock tower
History
Founded in December 1903 as a railroad depot by entrepreneurial
surveyors J.O. Schulze and Otis Brown, Irving was incorporated in 1914
and was probably named for author Washington Irving, a favorite author
of Mr. Brown's wife. Mr. Schulze was reportedly a one-time member of the
Washington Irving Literary Society. The town's size and role remained
small until the population exploded from 2,615 in 1950 to 45,895 in 1960
as development chased the new State Highway 183 and the brand-new
University of Dallas. By the time Texas Stadium (1971) and Dallas/Fort
Worth International Airport (1974) had opened, Irving boasted well more
than 100,000 residents and the "action" had moved north.
Old standbys
Downtown is now formally called the Irving Heritage District and is
marked by several historic sites. Chief among these is the Heritage
House (303 S. O'Connor Road), built in 1912 by C.P. Schulze, the brother
of Irving's co-founder. It's fully restored and furnished with period
antiques from the Schulze family and others. Beginning in March, tours
will be offered on the first Sunday of every month at 3 and 5 p.m.
Commercewise, the neighborhood boasts a number of good thrift stores,
antiques and collectibles shops, and ethnic restaurants (Korean,
Vietnamese and Peruvian, among others). Definitely visit Big State Drug
(100 E. Irving Blvd.), a 57-year-old drugstore that still has a soda
fountain and serves lunch.
New hot spots
The Pigeon Hole (132 W. Irving Blvd.) is a new gathering place set in a
restored 1940s-era U.S. post office. It hosts meetings, receptions,
catered dinners and the like and also offers live music every Saturday
at 8 p.m. and a blues jam every Sunday at 6 p.m. A Christian music night
and other attractions are in the works. The Trinity Railway Express
station at Irving Boulevard and Ohio Street (look for the clock tower)
has become the area's pedestrian epicenter.
Must see
Adventurous eaters will appreciate Sin Fronteras Peruvian restaurant
(137 S. Main St.), which serves such traditional dishes as tallarin
saltado (sauteéd beef slices stir-fried with noodles and veggies in
a light soy sauce), ceviche and roast chicken. Burgers and standby
Tex-Mex dishes are also on the menu.
– MIKE DANIEL / DMN
Published in The Dallas Morning News: 02.04.05
