Vegan, vegetarian restaurant may open in Denton in August

by Rachel Watts of of North Texas Daily

Supporters gathered at J&J's Pizza on Denton's Courthouse-on-the-Square Thursday night, stuffing dollar bills into glass jars. It was the second benefit the pizza parlor hosted this month in support of Clarity Corner, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant set to open its doors in August.

The first benefit in early April drew a large crowd of vegetarians, artists and local music lovers to the basement of the pizza place, which was the stage for local bands such as Spooky Folk, R2B2, Hats & Statues and six others. Thursday night's lineup had only four acts this time around, including the bands For Pete's Sake and Daniel Folmer. T-shirts, painted vinyl, hand-blown pipes and artwork were sold at the show to contribute to the restaurant's savings fund.

"I think this benefit is a great opportunity for people to get involved," Breana Hyche, a vegetarian and local supporter said. "It's also a good way to raise awareness, and hopefully it will open people's eyes up to the fact that there is good healthy food out there. People just have to be supportive."

Clarissa Miller, 21, of Denton, and the sole proprietor of Clarity Corner, says she is in the middle of writing a proposal to investors, and plans to begin renovation on the empty space this summer in hopes of transforming it into something unique. The building sits on the corner of North Locust and West Congress Streets, and will feature a coffee and tea bar, a small stage for poetry or jazz and a quieter room in the back for students to study.

"I've talked to a lot of people who've been in Denton for several years," Miller said, "And they all say the city needs something like this. There have been some vegetarian restaurants in the past that have opened up, but just not made it. I thought I could be the person to make it happen."

As far as the restaurant's menu is concerned, Nick Briggs, Miller's long-time friend and a vegan of six years, is the restaurant's main creative force. He will be in charge of making recipes and preparing most of the dishes that will be offered at Clarity Corner.

"We will primarily be cooking vegetarian and vegan versions of Asian and Indian cuisine, American diner food and mid-range ethnic food," Briggs said. "I want people to have the same dining experience as any other non-vegetarian except without the dietary restrictions."

Miller said people can expect to see other entrees such as pasta dishes, veggie burgers and spinach salads, and she will buy most of the food products from fresh local markets such as Cupboard Natural Foods and Cafe in Denton.

Miller said she and a few others have mainly publicized the restaurant and its benefits through networking, mass texting, e-mailing and handing out fliers on Denton's square. She says a Web site will be going up soon and hopefully will get more people informed.

"Denton is a place where everybody knows everybody," Miller said, "And I have good intentions for what we're trying to accomplish, so I hope people will see that and want to become a part of it."

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