lakewoodhobo

Looking forward to checking it out. Any idea when Red Mango is opening?

It's not all rosy for the neighborhood. Taco Diner, Mi Cocina and Village Burger Bar may be recession-proof, but I just read yesterday that the Mondrian is foreclosing. The juice store and the Yap are long gone. And how is the Monterrey doing? I only see a few lights on at night.

Would be awesome if they reopened downtown.

Awesome write-up. Very informative.

Looks like it'll be LED lighting everywhere. Hopefully it won't be overkill, but I'm looking forward to checking it out!

Do we know if any of the other businesses clearing out for the GWB Library plan on relocating, maybe to Mockingbird Station?

Give these people a break! The new line just opened on Monday and you expect everything to run perfectly smooth from day one? The lady doth protest too much.

If they had upgraded the lights on the ball (LEDs are cheap now, aren't they?), more people would be looking at Reunion Tower and maybe think of it as a destination as well.

Congratulations, Times Ten! Cheers to your continued success (but don't forget us folks in Lakewood).

dk, I was renting an apartment on Reagan St. at the time, and I was walking home from Cafe Brazil (I knew it was dangerous, but I have always been careful and aware of my surroundings).

I still recommend the area, but stay away from the streets west of Cedar Springs, especially late at night. The closer you are to Lemon, the safer you'll be.

Now I live in Lakewood, where our biggest problem is the string of cat killings.

I have been robbed at gunpoint in this neighborhood and I'm damn mad that the city will only increase police patrols AFTER a homicide occurs. Where are the security cameras that are dotting downtown and uptown? Why aren't we doing more to light up those dark patches that serve as hiding spots for these criminals? Oh yeah, and the detective assigned to my case after the robbery -- completely useless.

I do think the area is moving in the right direction by tearing down old apartment buildings like 4242 Cedar Springs. And the rest of the slum lords need to be put on notice: thoroughly check your tenants for criminal history or lose your right to own property in this neighborhood.

I hear they are opening a new store at the Mercantile downtown. We need as much street-level retail in that area, so I wish them the best!

Teresa, there's another place oddly missing from your list: my neighborhood winery Times Ten Cellars. I was at their 4th anniversary party last week and you could not fit any more people in that building. I'm excited for them and for their new expansion into Ft. Worth later this year.

I wonder if The Grape would've shut down had it not been for "Burger Mania". Don't tell me you wouldn't change your restaurant concept it if made you more successful. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar. Good for them.

Where are Pinkberry and Red Mango opening their first stores? I do know that Yogen Fruz is opening at the Merc downtown (woo hoo!).

Oh, and at the West Village Yogilicious there's a big honkin' sign that says "Good Source of Calcicum". My female co-workers got a good giggle out of it.

I believe that is also the site of the new Times Ten Cellars that is set to open later this summer.

It's pretty obvious that Fair Park needs a spring festival to balance against the State Fair (much like Austin has SXSW and ACL). A music/film/interactive arts festival would do wonders to attract people so they can see all the beautiful renovations going on at the park.

Did TABC shove patrons or give anybody a concussion? Or is that only reserved for bars that have the word "Rainbow" in them?

Thank you for pointing out the bad service. We were meeting a friend for brunch there one Sunday when the place wasn't even half full, and the hostess said she couldn't seat an incomplete party. SERIOUSLY? Of course I understand that policy when the place is full or even almost full. So we waited at the bar instead of one of the dozen empty tables, where we could've ordered an appetizer.

Amen, brother. This city has a vision for greatness that many other cities lack. I've lived in El Paso, San Antonio and Austin, and none of those cities have the collective desire or entrepreneurial spirit that we have here (and yes, I do love Austin for its music and its quirkiness).

To achieve greatness, one must take risks. A taxpayer owned hotel is a huge risk, but one we must take if we want to get to that next level.

It should be worth mentioning that the first Red Mango in Dallas will be in the new ilume building on Cedar Springs.

I like this neighborhood, its history and culture, but Cedar Springs desperately needs improvement (and more than just beautification). I'm looking forward to seeing what Beeler Guest Owens comes up with.

Thank god the group is called UCAGHC and not UCALGBTHC.

I'm a huge fan of this place. It just has a great vibe and a good selection of wines. To me, there's nothing like ordering a pizza and sipping Rose on their patio (on a cool night, of course).

I wish them the best of luck on their new location in Ft. Worth.