BUSINESS BUZZ

The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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$30 million ends Town Center stalemate

Lake Highlands Town Center owner Cypress Real Estate Advisors surrendered its shot at $30 million in future tax reimbursements in an effort to hasten the arrival of anchor tenant Sprouts Cypress arrived at a stalemate with the City Design Studio/ Urban Design Peer Review Panel over the site plans for the portion of the development that includes the grocery store. By giving up the $30 million, Cypress no longer is required to pass its designs through the board, although it must conform to zoning regulations. The company will receive $10 million in TIF money for fulfilling its obligation to complete the WaterCrest Park and the Haven, plus leasing 60 percent of the ground floor retail at the Haven. Cypress expects to break ground by spring.

Two new restaurants, one star sighting

The new Resident Taqueria (9661 Audelia) boasts fresh, made-to-order tortillas, slow-braised meats, seasonal and local produce, and “a margarita that elevates the concept of Happy Hour.

Chef Andrew Savoie has worked at fine restaurants in New York, New Orleans and Napa, and possibly more impressively, he is married to the sister of Annie Clark, a nationally famous musician from Lake Highlands. Clark worked the floor on the restaurant’s opening day, causing much buzz.

Meanwhile, at Walnut Hill and Plano, the new Mely’s Bistro is serving up Greek, Italian and American fusion.

Barbecue fans unite

Neighbors showed support for OinkMoo BBQ, Lake Highlands High School alumnus David Hunt’s food truck business, after it went up in flames in September. A smoker caught fire, right before OinkMoo’s busiest season, and caught the kitchen on fire. A $50,000 gap between the insurance payout and actual recovery costs could prevent the truck from reopening. But fans of the truck have donated hundreds of dollars via an online fundraising campaign at gofundme.com, which is ongoing.

Reverse food truck

The NorthPark Presbyterian Church has a new food truck. The two-tone blue truck doesn’t offer artisan sliders or authentic bahn mi, though. This is the Reverse Food Truck. If you see it parked in front a neighborhood grocery store, expect a volunteer to ask for your donation of groceries. Shoppers can buy food to help financially struggling families or use a virtual food menu to make monetary donations. The church gives 100 percent of donations to its partners, including Vickery Meadow Food Pantry to “put hunger in the rearview mirror.”