You know at the beginning of the TV news when they say "Here's the stories we will be bringing you tonight," and then they show brief clips to get you to watch the rest of the broadcast? That's this entry in the One More Bite Blog as it relates to 2013.
First, here's what we know most certainly: SmashBurger and Mama Fu's will be arriving in the new Valley Mills Drive shopping center in the spring. Probably March or April. Also arriving of interest will be Dichotomy Coffee and Spirits, which is already operating out of The Croft Art Gallery. Dichotomy is moving forward with its own space, so we will be actively following that story.
There's also the Hippodrome story, which is that a developers are aiming to restore it and turn it into a movie theater with a restaurant attached. From the early stages, this looks like something that will unfold slowly but enticingly.
And also of interest, even if it's significantly less interest, Peter Piper Pizza will be moving from the Westview Village shopping center to a New Road location next door to Wal-Mart. According to Mike Copeland's business column in the Waco Tribune-Herald, that could happen as soon as February, in case anyone is holding their breath.
Alas, I fear I've buried the lead.
I met with Megan Henderson of Waco Downtown Development Corp. on Thursday. She wanted to get the WacoFork take on what kinds of restaurants might work in specific areas of greater downtown. One of the things she specifically asked me was whether or not an Indian food restaurant at the 15th and Colcord area would do well. Judging from the number of people who have asked me about Indian food restaurant rumors, I told her I thought an Indian food restaurant would work just about anywhere. Does that mean there's an Indian food restaurant coming to town? Maybe and maybe not. Our conversation was mostly theoretical.
But I did get some good information on the development of downtown, which is in the study and paperwork stages. But the ideas being thrown around sound exciting. For one thing, as many as four restaurants could be going into the area that will be known as Brazos Commons, which will include both sides of University Parks between downtown and I-35. Actually, the area targeted for development is a little more specific than that, but you get the idea. Essentially, there will be new things next door to the Clifton Robinson Tower.
This is the kicker: one of those things that could pop up in that spot is a recognizable, up-scale chain restaurant — one of those places we've wondered if it would ever come to Waco.
Henderson made an interesting point during our chat. She said the reason we adore our local places, but get excited when well-known chain restaurants come to town is that it makes a statement about our identity as a town. We feel like we've arrived when we finally get a Freebirds.
Judging from the names being thrown around as related to the developing downtown and new football stadium, we could be significantly gaining in the credibility column this year.
