The lowdown on what’s up with neighborhood businesses

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Museum of Biblical Art showcases rarest Bible collection in the world

“The Story of the Bible” exhibit features a collection of more than 100 Bibles, pages and fragments from various countries and religions. The exhibit opened May 10 and will remain for the next five years, and was acquired from theologian Charles C. Ryrie’s collection, which is the largest owned by a single person. Scott Peck, museum co-director and curator, says the museum dedicated its entire library to Ryrie’s collection, and it will now be known as the “Charles C. Ryrie Library.” The first Bible printed in America—Eliot’s Indian Bible (1663) in the Algonquin Indian language, a Wycliffe New Testament (1430) and a rare copy of Tyndale’s Pentateuch (1530) are among the library’s highlights.

Museum of Biblical Art, 7500 Park Lane, 214.368.4622, biblicalarts.org

 

Taco Diner unveils new menu

Whether you are looking for a lighter option, a shareable appetizer other than chips and salsa, or simply an easier-to-read menu, Taco Diner’s menu now provides all of that and more. Michael Cox, CEO of M Crowd Restaurant Group, which owns Taco Diner, says that while changing a menu is just part of the restaurant business, the company also wanted to give patrons more variety. The Preston Hollow location tested options for five to six months and officially changed the menu a few months ago. Customers can now find diet-friendly options such as guiltless soups and “Heather’s Chop Salad.” The Taco Diner menu now features new tacos and tamales as well as traditional tortas. The appetizer menu also has expanded, so look out for the empanadas. Not only has the restaurant added food items, the menu’s format has changed as well. Previously the menu had tacos on different pages; now customers can look at all of the taco options in one place or, as Cox calls it, a taco “matrix.” Any items that no longer exist on the menu, such as some of the shrimp tacos, customers can still order upon request. Since the change, Cox said the restaurant has seen an increase in the frequency of its regular costumers.

Taco Diner, 4011 Villanova, 214.696.4944, tacodinerrestaurants.com

 

Councilwoman Greyson works to address noise concerns

District 12 Councilwoman Sandy Greyson says she is working with an assistant city attorney to tackle potential noise issues before businesses receive certificates of occupancy. The conversation came up in response to an ongoing argument between neighbors of the Katy Trail Ice House and its owners. Greyson says though the popular hangout is not in her district, she met with the assistant city attorney so he could “put language” in the development code related to outdoor patios and noise. “If you know a business is going to come in and have an outside patio, I’d like to see the city have some change in their development code that addresses the issue before it becomes a problem and not after. Then it just becomes an issue of code enforcement,” she says. Greyson says she’ll have more information when she reconvenes with the assistant city attorney.

Katy Trail Ice House, 3136B Routh, 214.468.0600, katyicehouse.com

 

NorthPark Center to add home furnishing stores and retail expansions

NorthPark Center will fill out 65,000 square feet with new stores and expansions as soon as fall 2013. Ann Taylor will open a new concept store at NorthPark Center Nov. 4, 2013. The boutique will feature stylists that work with both walk-in patrons and those who schedule an appointment to put together the perfect look. CH Carolina Herrera will relocate its NorthPark fashion store between Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom fall 2013. The expanded store will feature its signature women, men’s and children’s apparel among a backdrop of a signature fireplace and library. Kate Spade New York will undergo an expansion to model its Madison Avenue flagship store. The store features handbags, clothing, jewelry, shoes, leather goods and more. The expanded location will open fall 2013, and will be the second largest Kate Spade store in the country. Home furnishing stores Arhaus Furniture and Fixtures Living will also move in between Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom (the former Barneys New York home) summer 2014. Additional retailers are expected to move into the same spot at a later date. Occupying 24,000 square feet, Arhaus Furniture produces “eco-conscious” and eclectic home furniture and accessories. The store will feature its signature “chair wall” with dining chairs of all shapes and sizes. Fixtures Living will occupy 32,000 square feet with cook tops, ranges and grills, showers, sinks and baths, decorative plumbing and more.

Ann Taylor, 8687 N. Central, 214.691.5544, anntaylor.com

CH Carolina Herrera, 8687 N. Central, Suite 1304, 469.232.9002, carolinaherrera.com

Kate Spade New York, katespade.com

Arhaus Furniture, arhaus.com

Fixtures Living, fixturesliving.com

 

Making work more enjoyable 

Preston Hollow resident Claire Rathbun recently launched a company called Great Workplaces, through which she aims to help companies inexpensively improve office culture, reduce absenteeism and increase productivity. Some small-business leaders don’t have time to worry about morale-boosting activities. “That’s where I come in,” Rathbun says.

Great Workspaces, 214.789.5017

 

| More business bits |

Bikini’s Sports Grill (the closest one is at Campbell and Central) founder Doug Guller, the same guy who bought a Texas town and named it Bikini’s, trademarked the word “breastaurant” this spring.

Bikinis Sports Bar and Grill, 720 E. Campbell, 972.238.7060, bikinissportsbarandgrill.com