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Economic development update: new businesses, incentives and Big Lots site interest; Center Stage restaurants still uncertain
Summary
Staff reported four new businesses in March, façade grant progress for Café Medi, interest in the former Big Lots site for family entertainment, upcoming small-business week and a Keller restaurant week; the proposed Center Stage restaurants remain without submitted plans.
City staff gave the Economic Development Board an operations update that included business openings, incentive reimbursements, promotional events and commercial property interest while reporting that the Center Stage mixed-use project’s retail/restaurants remain uncertain.
The update: Staff listed four new businesses opened in March and 16 new businesses for the year, naming Triple A Café, Splishin' and Splash Pools (2000 Whitley Road), Sweet Frog (101 Town Center Lane) and Texas Front Porch (255 South Main Street). Staff said Café Medi at 129 Olive Street completed façade improvements under a grant and that finance will issue the reimbursement following final paperwork.
On commercial properties, staff said the former Big Lots site at 1580 Keller Parkway has drawn interest from parties who own the acquired leases and are willing to parcel them for individual tenants; staff noted particular interest from family-entertainment operators. “We’ve seen some interest in that location, and a permit came through,” staff said, adding that temporary utilities work is enabling showings.
Events and promotions: Small Business Week (May) will again use a GooseChase scavenger-hunt app; 36 businesses had signed up. Keller Restaurant Week is scheduled July 28–August 3; registration opened for restaurants in April and public promotion begins in May. Staff also noted ribbon-cutting schedules (Mad Mexican scheduled for April 30) and encouraged board members to attend openings and wear city badges or shirts where possible.
Center Stage project status: Staff said developers continue to include restaurants as part of project plans but city staff have not received submittal plans for the restaurant spaces. Staff reported apartment occupancy above 90 percent and retail tenant finish-out permits in process but no active plan submittals for the restaurants or the proposed office building on Mount Gilead.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the minutes of the March 24, 2025, regular meeting by voice vote; the mover and seconder were not identified on the record and no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Ending: Staff will follow up on Big Lots lease-parceling interest and on incentive reimbursements for completed façade work; the board asked to be notified of plan submittals for Center Stage retail/restaurants.
