The hook establishes the character’s ordinary world so readers know how the inciting incident will shake up the character’s life. Learn more!| WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
An international clothing and home goods chain is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth. Primark, an Irish retailer with trendy clothes at value prices, is opening a store in the Grapevine Mills outlet mall. According to a release, it'll open on December 4. For the uninitiated, Primark is a massive European retailer famous for its low-cost, high-turnover approach to home goods, everyday essentials, and fashion — think women’s jeans for $12, men’s T-shirts for $5, and kids’ sweatshirts for $8. F...| CultureMap Fort Worth
Things are busy on the dining front in Fort Worth, with lots of little openings — and some closings, as well. There are tempting new menus, fun new cocktails, and some appealing desserts that seem like a must-try. There's also a local restaurant that'll be featured in a brand new reality TV show. Here's what's happening in Fort Worth restaurant news: Fuego Tortilla Grill, a Texas fast-casual chain known for its roasted poblano queso and creative tacos, has opened its location in Burleson at...| CultureMap Fort Worth
Universal Destinations & Experiences is leaking details about Universal Kids Resort, the new amusement park designed for families with young children that's slated to open in 2026 in Frisco. Billed as a first-of-its-kind kids-themed resort, the park will feature seven brand-name lands featuring characters such as Shrek, Puss in Boots, Minions, Jurassic World, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Universal Creative president Molly Murphy says in a release that the regional theme park "brings Universal...| CultureMap Fort Worth
A cool new watering hole is coming to a vintage building in Weatherford: Called Chapel Bar, it's from Christian Lehrmann, co-owner of Tinie’s Mexican and Sidesaddle Saloon in Fort Worth, and according to a release, it'll open in the historic Cotten-Bratton building at 115 College Ave. in late fall. Chapel Bar will serve primarily as a bar with cocktails and wine, but will also feature a menu of Southern-inspired small plates such as buttermilk biscuits with peach preserves and smoked bacon ...| CultureMap Fort Worth
A newer bigger Apple retail store has debuted in Fort Worth: Apple University Park Village is now open in a bigger and better location within the shopping center at 1540 S. University Dr. #F104A, in the storefront next door to Eatzi's. The storefront next to Eatzi's used to be a smaller space occupied by The Impeccable Pig boutique. But the Impeccable Pig scooted over two spaces, taking part of what used to be Jos. A. Bank, while the remaining part of the Jos. A. Bank space fused with the for...| CultureMap Fort Worth
A developer is teeing up a master planned community in northwest Fort Worth: Centurion American Development Group, the Farmers Branch-based company helmed by Mehrdad Moayedi, has acquired a 629-acre tract of land for the Rio Claro project, featuring approximately 1,761 single-family homes and amenities, developed with builders like Coventry Homes and DR Horton. According to a release, Phase One development is expected to begin soon, with lot delivery to builders anticipated in Q1 2027. The tr...| CultureMap Fort Worth
Southlake is getting oysters and martinis via Hudson House, the popular East Coast–inspired concept from restaurateur Hunter Pond’s Vandelay Hospitality Group, which is opening a location at 1131 E. Southlake Blvd., taking over the old RA Sushi spot next to Gloria’s. According to a release, it'll open in summer 2026.| CultureMap Fort Worth
Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, beginning with three restaurant openings. Plus, a billionaire family plans to make unprecedented donations, and a premier shopping destination gets a new owner. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then plan your weekend right here. 1. Veteran Houston chef claims Menil restaurant for new all-day cafe. The Menil Collection has found a new operator for its campus restaurant. Veteran Houston chef and restaurateur C...| CultureMap Houston
Houston real estate developers Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners have announced the first two restaurants coming to The Swift BLDG, their new mixed-use project in the historic Swift & Company Packing Plant that’s located near the Heights Hike & Bike Trail. They are: Escalante’s: The Houston-based Tex-Mex restaurant Merit Coffee: The San Antonio-based coffee shop and roaster Founded in 1993 by Pat Torres and Kopi Vogiatzis, Escalante’s is known for its upscale Tex-Mex fare su...| CultureMap Houston
One of Houston’s most reliable kolache bakeries has opened its new location. The Kolache Shoppe is now open near Memorial City Mall. Located in the same shopping center as the second location of The Pit Room and the newly-opened Katz’s (10321 Katy Fwy), the new Kolache Shoppe occupies 1,400 square feet, giving the mostly grab-and-go concept a limited amount of indoor and outdoor seating. Like its sister locations in Greenway Plaza, the Heights, and Pearland, it serves a mixture of more th...| CultureMap Houston
One of the most beloved bakery chains in Houston is heading to San Antonio. El Bolillo Bakery, a Space City institution since 1998, will open at 9440 W Interstate 10 in late 2026, bringing more than 150 varieties of pan dulce baked fresh each day. The business began as a small neighborhood bakery, but has since blossomed to five locations in the Houston area. Recently called the "Buc-ee's of panaderías" by Texas Highways magazine, it is known for its gobsmacking selection of treats and color...| CultureMap Houston
The Menil Collection has found a new operator for its campus restaurant. Veteran Houston chef and restaurateur Claire Smith will open a new concept called Chrôma in early 2026. Located in the former Bistro Menil space (1512 Sul Ross), Chrôma (styled as the all-lowercase “chrôma” in press materials) will serve the global comfort fare that Smith prepared at her Houston restaurants Shade, Canopy, and Alice Blue. Smith will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch at Chrôma, whi...| CultureMap Houston
Houston restaurant group Goode Company is bringing back its Goode Bird fried chicken concept. Now a food truck, the restaurant will make its debut on Thursday, October 16 at Goode Co. Armadillo Palace.| CultureMap Houston
There's a new roller coaster coming to Six Flags Over Texas: The Arlington amusement park will unveil Tormenta Rampaging Run, destined not only to get one's adrenaline pumping and redefine the thrill-seeker experience but also to change the city’s skyline.| CultureMap Fort Worth
Hope springs eternal, especially in the world of Houston restaurants. Despite a recent string of high-profile closures, entrepreneurs continue to see opportunities to open a diner’s new favorite restaurant.| CultureMap Houston
Virtual reality gaming company Sandbox VR will be opening its first Houston location in 2026, combining the community and physical aspects of laser tag with the immersive environment of modern virtual reality video gaming. The location will open at 797 Sorella Court in CityCentre early next year.| CultureMap Houston
For those who can never get enough of the State Fair of Texas, Adidas has crafted a new sneaker. According to a release, the shoe company is partnering with Hibbett, the athletic-inspired clothing chain, on a blue-and-white shoe dubbed the “State Fair” Superstar.| CultureMap Fort Worth
The classic role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons will come to life in a new way when Dungeons & Dragons: The Immersive Quest makes its U.S. debut in Plano on October 15. It'll be located in the same former Buy Buy Baby location at 2712 N. Central Expwy. that hosted the Minecraft Experience in late 2024.| CultureMap Dallas
Hilton announced the opening of Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key. The hotel marks the first property to debut the brand’s refreshed identity.| LODGING Magazine
The buzzy Richardson CityLine complex has signed on two new restaurant tenants, slated to open in the fall: Manny’s Mexican Kitchen and authentic Chinese concept Show Mini Hot Pot.| CultureMap Dallas
The annual dine-out Restaurant Week fundraiser kicks off this week with more than 150 Dallas restaurants offering discounted meals benefitting two charities. This week also gets spicy with a pepper party, and the grand reopening of a longtime restaurant in Dallas' West End.| CultureMap Dallas
A splashy new park with public art and gardens is finally opening in Frisco: Called Kaleidoscope Park, it's a new green space opening inside Hall Park, the mixed-use development off Gaylord Parkway and Dallas Parkway, where it's being billed as the second-biggest park opening in DFW since Klyde Warren Park opened in downtown Dallas in 2012.| CultureMap Dallas
