1534 replies to this topic

[John T Roberts]

I remember when Wendy's had the "Super" Bar.  I thought it was fantastic.  All of the Wendy's locations by my house had them.

[txbornviking]

as a kid sitting in the sunroom spot always felt "fancy" to me, ha

[Urbndwlr]

Seriously though, I hope the new owner (Blacks?) does something impressive and worthy of the location with that property.  It must have been very expensive.  Would be surprising and a shame if they only refurbished the existing pad-site restaurant. 

 

That property is the single worst remaining property on W. 7th between the river & University if judging by each property's contribution to an active, attractive walkable place. 

[youngalum]

Does anyone remember when Wendys had a salad bar?



https://www.thedaily...-its-salad-bar/

I must have missed the SuperBar:

I remember the superbar as I worked at Wendy's with one. It did not have Mexican food as corporate allowed franchise owners to nix one if they saw fit in the local market to do so. In East Texas the mexican food was nixed at all the locations I ever worked in high school.

[JBB]

I don't ever remember seeing the Mexican food around here.  That probably was more of a thing in areas that don't revere Mexican/Tex-Mex food like Texas.

[txbornviking]

 

Bud Kennedy is reporting that Varsity Tavern is no more.

 

Varsity Tavern to be renamed Tequila Ranch:

 

Project Description:

Tequila Ranch

Name Change to Tequila Ranch, No change in Use A-2, remains the same as existing C of O, Bar/Restaurant, 1st Floor 7984 sq ft Occ load 412, 2nd Floor 6450 sq ft Occ load 309. Existing issue date of 10/19/2016 // PREVIOUS CO PO16-04811 // ASSEMBLY BAR

 

https://accela.fortw...ShowInspection=

 

 

I wonder if it's the same owners

[ramjet]

Lol.  Great find!  You would be a great detective if you ever decide to change careers.

[Crestline]

 

1001 University

"The developer plans to break ground in the beginning of 2024."

 

https://www.star-tel...exclusives-card

 

Demolition permits are in for this project. 

 

3005, 3009 and 3017 Morton and 3008 and 3012 Bledsoe. 

 

 

Demolition photos from this week:

 

 

Does this project have its own thread yet?

[rriojas71]

Wow.  That was fast.  So I don't totally recall because I wasn't living here permanently yet, but wasn't the building that was The Yard a newer building?  I think it was Capital Bar or something like that.  I was still living in California and would come back to visit family and my best friend took me there when it had just opened up.  Maybe it was a conversion.  Just curious.

[rriojas71]

You're slightly behind.  All of these have been torn down for about 2 weeks.

[txbornviking]

a new QR coded based parking arrangement goes into effect today for the parking garages at west 7th.

 

the up/down gates for the garages are being taken out (some already have been removed) and instead there are cameras in place to take photos of your license plate.

 

patrons are then expected to scan a QR code posted on basically every column in the garage, input their license plate number and a credit card. cost is $20 per day OR the client should be able to inturn have a QR code available after registering their license plate and credit card that can be scanned at the businesses in order to have parking validated (no cost for 4hours)

 

this is where the QR code takes patrons:
https://app.metropolis.io/sign-in

[Austin55]

Here is the "Mullet" site as of Feb 11. 

 

[JBB]

So what if you don't scan the QR code, don't pay and then leave, do they track down your personal information from your license plate?  I've never looked into this, but it seems like anyone can look up your personal information now from a license plate including toll road operators and now parking garage operators.  I always thought that was a function of law enforcement, DPS, DMV etc.

 

I had a similar experience recently with remote parking during an event at the Dallas Convention Center.  I assume that it's supposed to be some sort of combination of an honors system and enforcement.  It was pretty much a free for all with no marked spaces and there were no attendants present.  I'm betting a majority of the people parking there didn't bother paying.  I've had a couple of bad experiences with dicey event parking in the past (once in Dallas), so I did the right thing.  I would go out on a limb and say that Crockett Row will have a smarter system than what I experienced.

[Jeriat]

So, it looks like the Van Zandt got a make over... I'm guessing this was the hold up.

WFAA news piece 

 

 

 

[elpingüino]

Also, the "corner of doom" will be the "Riot Room". 

Morning News, Country singer Koe Wetzel opens Riot Room, a restaurant and club in Fort Worth

[Jeriat]

 

Also, the "corner of doom" will be the "Riot Room". 

Morning News, Country singer Koe Wetzel opens Riot Room, a restaurant and club in Fort Worth

 

 

Passed by the last two weekends... and I saw more people in that building in the last two weeks than I had for the past 2 years, combined. 

[Austin55]

New renderings of "The Mullet" via MAA's Instagram.

 

 

 

 

[george84]

Those look great. In other West 7th news, with Terra coming back and another new restaurant coming, are we seeing a good sign that the new ownership has improved the situation?

[rriojas71]

Those look great. In other West 7th news, with Terra coming back and another new restaurant coming, are we seeing a good sign that the new ownership has improved the situation?

It's strange that they are not opening up at their previous location but instead in the space that was once Blue Fin Sushi.  Will be great to have them back and have them open a cousin concept, La Cabrona, across the street at 2933 Crockett St. in the former El Bolero restaurant and patio.

[Jeriat]

 

Bud Kennedy reports about a possible newcomer at the site of the old Wendy's on West Seventh.
Terry Black's Barbecue, an Austin legacy, buys restaurant in west Fort Worth

 

Razing permit for Wendy's filed:

 

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Project Description:

Wendy's

Demolish building completely along with the concrete slab

 

 

Thank god. 

[johnfwd]

I couldn't read the ST article, so I don't know why the Wendy's building has to be demolished for a new barbeque restaurant.  Wouldn't a rehab of the Wendy's building been sufficient?

[John T Roberts]

My guess is that the Wendy's wouldn't be large enough for that type of barbecue restaurant.  Of course, you could build an addition to it, but then you get into bringing all of the existing elements inside and on the site up to the current building codes.  If you started with a new restaurant, you could locate the building where it would be the most efficient on the site and everything would be up to the current codes. 

[John T Roberts]

The current Wendy's building is 3,198 square feet.  That's not real big for a barbecue restaurant.

[Austin55]

I guess I missed the memo that Trinity College closed.

[rriojas71]

I guess I missed the memo that Trinity College closed.

That sucks.  I really liked Trinity College.  It was really the only place I would go to in the Crockett Row area.

[Doohickie]

The current Wendy's building is 3,198 square feet.  That's not real big for a barbecue restaurant.

It seems like there's a BBQ boom lately.  I think it's only a matter of time until the bust comes.  The old school places (Railhead, Cousins, Spring Creek) I think will survive due to value.  But the craft places will eventually crowd each other out.

[Jeriat]

 
Trinity College Irish Pub to become Wonder Bar?
 
https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023015963
 
PROJECT
Project Name: Wonder Bar Fort Worth
Project Number: TABS2023015963
Facility Name: Wonder Bar
Location Address: 910 Currie
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Location County: Tarrant
Start Date: 5/15/2023
Completion Date: 8/25/2023
Estimated Cost: $350,000
Type of Work: Renovation/Alteration
Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.
Scope of Work: Renovation of existing bar into a new concept
Square Footage: 4,700 ft 2
 
OWNER
Owner Name:
Darren Van Delden
 

 
It would appear Trinity College is (maybe) moving next door to 908 Currie?  I could be wrong on this but I think this is the owner of Trinity College filing an Alcohol Distance Check.  Google maps shows Trinity College "Temporarily Closed" I assume as they transition in Wonder Bar to 910 Currie.
https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=
 
Project Description:
Alan Kearney
Alcohol Distance Check
 

Permit Address
908 CURRIE ST

I feel like their current building is perfect for an Irish Pub...

[rriojas71]

Totally agree Jeriat

[rriojas71]

I hope this project turn out well and that the building design has some visual appeal other that just a square box... wouldn't normally care but with it having frontage on W7th I think it needs to be something more than average.

[John T Roberts]

I had heard of it, but I've never eaten there.  I believe the original location is in Austin, and they have another one in Dallas.

[txbornviking]

there's a bit of an on-going family feud with the Black BBQ...

 

https://www.texasmon...bq-family-feud/

[Doohickie]

there's a bit of an on-going family feud with the Black BBQ...

 

https://www.texasmon...bq-family-feud/

Sounds like a reality TV show in the making.  Otherwise... meh.  The article had so many names I couldn't keep track of what was going on other than to get a sense of, "OH THE DRAMA!"

[Jeriat]

I didn't take any photos, but the remaining block of 2822 W. 7th has fencing around it.

Demos coming soon. 

[Austin55]

Including Enterprise?

[Jeriat]

Including Enterprise?

I don't believe so. I just glanced over while driving. I know the old McGee Architects and Snap are fenced in. 

[txbornviking]

the fencing does not include the enterprise lot

there are certainly earth movers etc today, so I'm curious what all will be taking place in the short-term,

[rriojas71]

the fencing does not include the enterprise lot

there are certainly earth movers etc today, so I'm curious what all will be taking place in the short-term,

They have started demo on the buildings... the rear of Snap Kitchen is no more.

[TLA]

Is this the rest of the Van Zandt property? If so, this would be one of the last steps before work begins on the development.

[Jeriat]

Crocket Row stuff that I just so happened to find...

 

Also, there's this?

[Crestline]

This is the new Wonder Bar location? Bold color choice 

[Doohickie]

Crocket Row stuff that I just so happened to find...

 

Also, there's this?

[rriojas71]

This is the new Wonder Bar location? Bold color choice 

Bold wasn't the adjective I was going to use but I will go with that.

[Jeriat]

This is the new Wonder Bar location? Bold color choice 

 

 

 

This is the new Wonder Bar location? Bold color choice 

Bold wasn't the adjective I was going to use but I will go with that.

 

Funny thing is, of all the neighborhoods in this city, I feel like a pink bricked building works best here in West 7th. 

[Urbndwlr]

 

Record UDC-2023-075: 

Urban Design Commission

Record Status: Pending

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Project Description:

Terry Black's BBQ

New BBQ Restaurant with Parking

The construction of a new Terry Black's BBQ restaurant with approximately 6,400 sf of conditioned space, 1,320 sf of unconditioned pit house and an adjacent outdoor covered dining space set within a landscaped courtyard. The restaurant will have masonry exterior walls on the south and west elevations and metal panel on the east and north elevations. There will be a clerestory portion above the main dining set within a parapet wall surrounding the entire rooftop, that will act as screening for mechanical equipment. The pit house will also have masonry exterior walls with metal panel inserts. The restaurant, pit house and outdoor dining space will occupy the majority of Tract 2, while Tract 1 will consist of a proposed on-grade landscaped parking area. The outdoor dining area fronts 7th Street, providing a pedestrian friendly experience that is consistent with surrounding properties.

 

It looks like they tried to rezone it to General Commercial and withdrew the application- does that sound right? 

If so, it suggests their first choice was either to build a pad site (middle of the lot, surrounded by parking) or were trying to avoid building the higher/taller building as required.  The clerestory mentioned above - do you all think that is maybe the City Staff's (or UDC) going easy on them and allowing them to just build a taller 1-story building rather than having to actually build a 2nd story? 

[TLA]

I like that building, I like the idea of Black’s BBQ in the W 7th neighborhood, but this stretch of the road shouldn’t be supporting single story or low density single use commercial buildings any longer. They are missing what W 7th is evolving into. This should be off of W 6th or in The Foundry District — in the interior of this district.

[rriojas71]

Totally agree TLA...  I also hope that they build up to the sidewalk with parking in the rear only.

[TLA]

I see TAD had the value marked at $1.8M. Assuming that’s the minimum of what they paid for the primo spot, plus the construction costs and taxes — I find the economics of opening a restaurant baffling. Especially BBQ, where competition is tough and meat prices are unstable. Hopefully they get high volume and don’t need to charge too much to pay the bills.

[JBB]

One thing about that tough BBQ competition: you don't see many of them not make it.  If you're good at it, it's lucrative to the point that spending that kind of money on a new building makes sense.

[JBB]

I never said they all make it, just that most do.  And Heim never even started construction so I'm not sure that's relevant.  Their locations that opened all survived COVID and Dallas survived a fire.

[rriojas71]

 

Crocket Row stuff that I just so happened to find...

 

Also, there's this?

 

I agree however I just think painting every single part of the building is what makes it look visually awkward to me.  If they broke it up slightly maybe it wouldn't be so harsh to my eyes.  This is all personal taste and I may have a different opinion once it is completely done.