Editor's note: This is an updated version of a story published in 2022 with new stores, shopping areas and other details.
Wall Street is focused on big box stores and big malls this weekend, but don't forget about the store around the corner.
Dallas-Fort Worth has an impressive list of independent merchants with enough strength and ingenuity to survive even the worst of the pandemic.
To name a few: In 2006, Carly Seal founded Favor the Kind and Rohm Fine Goods, which currently has five stores in Dallas, Houston, and Crested Butte, Colorado. Candace Williams, a former educator, founded The Toy Maven in 2007 and currently has two of her stores in Houston. He has one in Dallas and Southlake. Angoyer and Wes Goyer founded St. Bernard Sports in Dallas in 1978, and his second generation now heads the chain, with two stores in Dallas, one in Southlake, and one in Houston and San Antonio. He has one store at a time. Brittany Cobb started Flea Style in 2015 and currently has four stores in Dallas, Frisco and Fort Worth, and will soon open in Dallas' Farmers' Market and Prosper. Cobb expanded the concept to include her Heirloom Haul restaurant in Frisco and a wide-brim hat shop in Fort Worth.
Here are more than a dozen locally owned stores around Dallas.
bishop arts district
With over 60 shops and restaurants, it bills itself as the most independent district. Katie Silsuis of Mosaic Makers Collective, which she founded in 2018 and has grown, said local customers shop there during the week, but afterward, it's a weekend destination for people from around Dallas-Fort Worth and out of town. He says it will become a destination for the world. Eighty Texas-based manufacturers of handmade goods will be participating. If you visit, don't limit yourself to the main Bishop's Avenue. Even more businesses are located on the side streets south of West Davis Street. CocoAndre Chocolatier & Horchateria is located on West 7th Street and has been in the area since 2009. One of his newest stores, his 8th Avenue Joie Shop, sells women's apparel.
Henderson Avenue
Although North Henderson shares an exit off the North Central Expressway with Knox Street, it has a more organic, rustic feel than Fripp Street. From Favor The Kind, a gift, home and apparel boutique, to Esther Penn's women's fashion shop and Coco & Dash Home, the stores remain stylish. The long street extends almost to Ross Avenue and Louise Bar and Restaurant. Continue east to Lower Greenville Avenue and shop for casual and unique apparel at Bruzerk and Outside Texas. Outside Texas was founded in Dallas in 2019 by Josh Florence and Brandon Yates with a mission to provide a fitting destination for the state's natural beauty.
Hillside Village
Northwood Retail has transformed this corner shopping center into a daily destination for Lakewood and East Dallas residents. Local shops included Betty Lou, Canal Clothing, Texas Goods Co., and Froggie's 5 & 10 Toy Store. Continue west on Mockingbird, almost to the North Central Expressway, and arrive at Austin-based Whole Earth Provisioning's only Dallas store. Japanese retailer Daiso just opened in the northwest corner along with Tom Thumb.
Plaza at Preston Center
This is a collection of primarily locally owned luxury boutiques such as Pockets Menswear. Many are upscale, but not necessarily expensive. Most of them are also women-owned, including Betty Reiter, Lucky Dog Barkery, Carla Martinego Boutique, Double R, Apples to Zinnias, and her jewelry stores Ylang 23 and Castle Gap.
Preston Royal Village
The two north corners of Preston and Royal were first developed in 1958 and have since housed many local businesses. Ken's Man's Shop is located here. Ken Mann's Shop was founded by Ken Helfman since 1964 and is currently owned and operated by his son Cory Helfman. Toy Maven, Roam Hoam, and Eatsy's Market and Bakery. Austin-based Tyler's is worth checking out for casual living and outdoor vacation apparel.
west village
This shopping center opened in 2001 and is currently surrounded by residential and business areas. It includes national brands as well as local brands such as Nicole Kwon, Q Clothier, Rye 51, and Mizzen + Main. Austin-based Kendra Scott has a large store here. Braquish recently opened.
Inwood Village
This is the home of St. Bernard's flagship store. Janet and Jay Feingold have been running KidBiz/The Biz since 1995 and moved here from the Plaza at Preston Center five years ago. This is the only location for Wolo Women's Boutique, Susan Saffron Jewelry, Pogo's Wine & Spirits, and Raw by Canines First. Just east of Inwood Village is Interabang Books and Linen Boutique in the Pavilion on Lovers Lane. Lovers also has a home and garden shop, Nicholson-Hardie.
snyder plaza
This quaint center is home to many small businesses, including the long-established Christy M. Boutique and Cubby's Sausage House and European Market. It's a great place to window shop, take a walk, have a snack, and enjoy dessert. Just around the corner on Hillcrest Avenue is the men's shop Cullwell & Son.
Highland Park Village
It's a window shopping center experience similar to flipping through Vogue magazine. The locally owned estate also includes several locally owned shops, including Brian Volks The Conservatory, Market, Hadley's, Madison, La Vie Style House and St. Michael's Women's Exchange.
Casa Linda
This is truly a neighborhood destination, but its unique mix of Elliott's Hardware, local shops, Sample House, Buff City, Sergio's Jewelry, and more may suit you on any given day. East of Casa Linda is Maker's Connect in the White Rock Shopping Center.
Galleria Dallas
Shopping malls north of Dallas have made efforts in recent years to attract local retailers. Flea Style and Gregory's moved in this year. Bonsai Paper has also opened at North Park Center.
northpark center
The entire mall is locally owned by Nancy Nasher of Dallas and is the only local mall that houses the Dallas Public Library. While primarily focused on bringing the world's hottest concepts to Dallas, North Park is also home to his second store of Nicole His Quon and the one and only Eisman Jewels.
If you're in the Dallas suburbs, there are many options to consider.
grandscape
The development focuses on dining and entertainment, but also includes small retail stores in the area carved out as the homestead. Original Texas stores include Bullzerk, Willow House, Odin Leather Goods & Provision, Dallas Silk Art, White Rock Soap Gallery, Gisela Fuentes' Gal Clothing,
legacy west
Gift shops Read Between the Lines, Pockets and Austin-based Tecovas are among the local stores. Dallas-based Neighborhood Goods is a new breed of department store that is experimenting with the brick-and-mortar scene by introducing digital branding.
The Shops at Legacy
Another Time & Place, Dallas Running Company, Prized Kicks, Scout & Molly's Boutique, The Impeccable Pig, and y&i Clothing Boutique are all part of this Plano shopping center. Kendra Scott and Francesca's are based in Austin and Houston, and both have multiple locations in the Washington D-FW area.
Other notable nearby stores include:
- Uptown Dallas: Uptown shopping anchor Stanley Korshak, owned and operated by Crawford Block.
- Lake Highlands: Lake Highlands store at Walnut Hill Lane and Audelia Road and Rooster Home and Hardware at East Northwest Highway and Ferndale Road.
- East Dallas: Talulah & Hess on Live Oak Street and The T Shop in Lakewood.
- Far North Dallas: Courtney Goldberg's Urban Spikes on Alpha Road, Christopher White's Rekka Cafe & Gifts on Preston Road, and Sunnyland Outdoor Living on Spring Valley Road.
- Knox Street: Dallas-based Hari Mari started as a wholesale flip-flop brand, expanded to include apparel, and opened its first store.
Locally owned stores with multiple locations include Bullzerk T-Shirt Shop, Buff City Soap, The Sample House, Miss A Beauty and Accessories, Mizzen & Main, Weir's Furniture, and Half Price Books.
For the record, these are not small businesses, but locally based companies that are publicly traded or owned by major shareholders: Neiman Marcus, JC Penney, Fossil, At Home, Michaels, The Container Store, GameStop, 7-Eleven, Sally Beauty, Tuesday Morning, Zales.
Where is your favorite local restaurant? Please contact us at mhalkias@dallasnews.com.
Updated on Monday, November 28th, with a few more reader favorites.
twitter: @MariaHalkias
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