June Updates
New business openings in South Garland include the Rustic Ranch Grill and Maxx Save for bargain hunters. The new grill opens at 7 am for breakfasts that have been described as “awesome”. We have found the lunches and dinners to be satisfying and the service to be cordial and attentive. Maxx Save is a bargain hunters wonderland with overstocks and returns from Costco and Kirklands. Proprietor Arlene Macias tells us that new inventory is arriving daily. Her store is located alongside the indoor soccer facility at Broadway and Centerville. The Rustic Ranch Grill is located in the strip mall at Broadway and Colonel.
Eastern Hills CC Property Update
The Friends of South Garland had about 300 in attendance at their meeting in the South Garland Baptist Church this month. The agenda consisted mainly of updates and discussion on the status of the former Eastern Hills Country Club property. Most of those in attendance were adamantly opposed to the proposed development of the property by Henry S. Miller, the firm holding a contract to purchase the property from the current owner, Victor Ballas. Ballas purchased the property at bankruptcy auction for $4 million and the HSM group have supposedly signed a $6.4 contract to purchase the 190 acre property. In order to make their proposed investment feasible, the HSM development group states that they would have to divide the parcel into 550 homesites. Hundreds of homeowners in the EHCC area have voiced their vehement opposition by posting signs on their lawns and forming a committee to fight any such development. The City of Garland would have to issue the necessary zoning variances in order for development to take place. They have retained a consulting firm to study the situation and their report, we have been told, will be presented in late August or early September.
On the Move in Downtown Garland
Lemmond’s Haircutters will be moving into their new home around the 1st of July. Harvey Lemmond has purchased the building at 704 Main Street and has done a spectacular job of creating a brand new building in the interior. The new Lemmond’s Salon & Suites is nearly 3 times as large as its former location. Lemmond’s clients will now have manicure and pedicure services available to them, as well as massages and facials. Congratulations to Harvey and LouAnn Lemmond for an awesome job of renovation.
The Garland Civic Theatre has been headquartered on the Garland Downtown Square for decades. They have occupied that space with their offices, costume department, and set design area, while their performances have taken place and will continue to take place at the Granville Arts Center. The building is over 100 years old and originally housed several small businesses. The original brick facade was updated in the 60’s with the current white surface. The GCT owned the building until about a year ago, when it was purchased by the City of Garland. We’ve been told that the non-profit theatre company found a building in the industrial area around Jupiter Road that will serve as its new home. The vacant building in the square gives way to all sorts of interesting possibilities. The business owners in the area would like to have more retail or other attractions to bring more foot traffic to the square. Those in favor of historic preservation would like to see the old brick facade restored, though certain COG employees have expressed their preference for demolition. Our mayor, Douglas Athas, remains staunchly in favor of preservation with new business development.
The Garland/Rowlett Messenger has opted to do their bit to enhance the appearance of the Square by having local artists decorate the benches that are located at street level. They have been invited to use the benches as a canvases for floral representations. The project will begin with the sanding of the benches by BSA Troop 100. We’ll then apply a primer and let the artists do their thing with colorful acrylic paints. If this effort proves to be successful, the other 14 benches in the square will no doubt be enhanced as well.
Nancy Ghirla
Social