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Every Last Word
Dallas Innovates’ signature series capturing what leaders across North Texas are saying — in their own words — about innovation, impact, and what’s next.
Some of the temptations at Drizzle Cheesecakes in Irving. [Video still: Drizzle Cheesecakes]
The Last Word: Olympic Swimmer on Opening Drizzle Cheesecakes in Irving
by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report | Jan 30, 2025
Stephen El Gidi tasted big-time competition in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics as a 100-meter butterfly specialist. But his competitive juices really got flowing when he tried to sell "cheesecakes on a stick" at Six Flags Over Texas and The State Fair of Texas. He found huge success in both historic venues—which led to him opening his own shop last month: Drizzle Cheesecakes at 310 W. Las Colinas Blvd. in Irving.
by David Seeley |
Jan 29, 2025
Bowers—whose restaurant group operates popular local restaurants including Kenny's Wood Fired Grill, Kenny’s Burger Joint, Kenny’s Italian Kitchen, and Kenny's Authentic East Coast Pizza—took off his chef's hat during the pandemic and began creating art. On Saturday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., he'll be hosting a benefit art show with 100% of the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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by David Seeley |
Jan 28, 2025
Azzurro Living—a "luxury-driven" outdoor furniture company in the Dallas Design District—aims to push the boundaries of craftsmanship for outdoor-indoor lifestyles. "We founded Azzurro Living on our love for design and saw an opportunity to bring something truly exciting to the outdoor furniture space," Partner and VP of Design Brandon Kershner said in a statement.
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Jan 23, 2025
This coming Monday, Jan. 27, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, also recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In the run-up to this global event, the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is opening up its doors for free to students this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25 and 26.
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[Image: BSD Studio/istockphoto]
The Last Word: Walmart Tech Leader On Data Lakes, Modernization in Retail’s New Frontier
by Quincy Preston | Jan 21, 2025
The signature Jam Vino gourmet wine-infused jam created by Keller-based Chef Lorius was one 92 brands to receive a Golden Ticket during the annual Walmart Open Call. Available online now at Walmart.com, it'll reach the discount giant's shelves in 2025. "Jam Vino combines the heart of the South with the elegance of wine country, and our partnership with Walmart allows us to fulfill our mission of providing Everyday Luxury for Everyday People," Chef Lorious (AKA Lori Rogers) said in a statement.
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by David Seeley |
Jan 16, 2025
At the University of North Texas' Willis Library in Denton, you can find lots of books. But something else is getting checked out: The Spark, one of three makerspaces operated by the university. Open to all UNT students, faculty, and staff, The Spark offers a long list of high-tech tools that can be accessed after training—including 3D printers, laser cutters, a computer numerical control mill, sewing and embroidery machines, tools for science and pottery projects, and more. Audio-visual gear and power tools at The Spark can be borrowed as well.
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by David Seeley |
Jan 15, 2025
Last week, Irving-based Caterpillar marked its 100th anniversary year with celebrations throughout the U.S. commemorating "a monumental moment" in the company's history. The company officially turns 100 on April 15, marking a century of "customer-centric innovation and industry-leading transformation"
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by Quincy Preston |
Jan 7, 2025
From tech and finance to fashion and food, "Dallas is becoming a melting pot of industries—and that diversity is a recipe for innovation," Healy says in D CEO. "Dallas is where dreams become reality, period."
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Kendra Scott has opened a Western-themed Yellow Rose retail store in Dallas' West Village. [Photo: Douglas Friedman]
The Last Word: Kendra Scott on the Launch of Yellow Rose in Dallas’ West Village
by David Seeley | Dec 17, 2024
After launching in Austin in 2023, the Western lifestyle brand Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott opened Friday in Dallas' West Village retail and multifamily development at 3699 McKinney Avenue. Dallas Innovates first wrote about the expansion last month, sharing how the brand reimagines Western style with new product categories including hats, footwear, home goods, and apparel.
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by Quincy Preston |
Dec 16, 2024
Fort Worth's “explosive growth”—nearly 6% population growth since 2020—isn't happening by accident. It takes what Economic Development Director Robert Sturns calls "full-contact local government," a term once coined by the city manager to describe Fort Worth's unique approach to progress.
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by David Seeley |
Dec 11, 2024
Fort Worth-based Ratliff is one of many North Texans who've weighed in on a recent Texas Monthly story titled In Defense of "Y'all," a Perfect Word. Writer Dan Solomon wrote the piece in response to a New York Times opinion column which pooh-poohed "y'all" as "much too slangy, regional or what you might even call ethnic to ever gain universal acceptance."
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by David Seeley |
Dec 10, 2024
A recent column in The Economist asks the question "Does Dallas offer a vision of America's future?" The answer in a nutshell: "In America Inc’s fever dreams, more cities turn Dallas-like in their pro-business temperament—and America as a whole transforms into a continent-size small-government Texas."
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Michael Gorton [Image sources: Courtesy photo, istockphoto, DI Studio]
The Last Word: Dallas Entrepreneur and Investor Michael Gorton on Moving Data Centers — to Space
by Quincy Preston | Dec 4, 2024
Dallas-based innovator Michael Gorton, a 15-time entrepreneur and investor, points to a growing challenge: AI, blockchain, and cloud computing are consuming massive amounts of energy in traditional data centers. The terrestrial facilities—often spanning 6 million square feet—can use more power than medium-sized towns. Over the next decade, he notes, nearly a trillion dollars will be invested in power infrastructure improvements just to meet data center demands.
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by David Seeley |
Dec 3, 2024
Pete Schenkel—who owned Dallas-based Schepps Dairy before its sale to Suiza Foods in 2000—led a long, accomplished life of leadership in Dallas before his death Wednesday at age 89. But the former board chair of the State Fair of Texas, DFW Airport, and the Methodist Health System Foundation may be best known for preserving something truly valuable: keeping the Texas-OU game at the Cotton Bowl at least through 2036.
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by Quincy Preston |
Nov 22, 2024
“It’s destined to happen somewhere. I’d rather it happen here first.”
Giovanni Capriglione
Texas State Representative
Chair, Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services Committee
…on the potential for Texas to create a Bitcoin strategic reserve ahead of federal initiatives, speaking at the Texas Blockchain Summit in Dallas this week....
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by David Seeley |
Nov 21, 2024
Earlier this week, Governor Abbott announced the release of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group’s final report on Texas’ plan to build "a world-leading advanced nuclear power industry to enhance electric reliability and energy security, promote economic development, and unleash new opportunities for the growing Texas workforce."
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