Today’s Forecast

55º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 5:36 p.m.

Business

A local love story: Fort Worth + small businesses

FTW-Martin House Brewing and Best Maid Pickles

Pickles and beer — an iconic flavor combination. | Photo by Martin House Brewing Company

Encouraging, open-minded, inspiring, and diverse: Those are just a few ways local business owners, artists, and filmmakers have described the Fort Worth community. And, new data backs those findings.

A recent study by WalletHub found that Cowtown is the best city in Texas to start a new business + the ninth best in the US. The survey evaluated the business environment, costs, and access to entrepreneurial resources.

Here are a few ways local businesses and organizations are supporting each other through partnerships and collaborations.

Melt Ice Creams

The ice cream shop has partnered with a wide range of local brands to create unique flavors like Margarita Sorbet with La Pulga Spirits, Peach Rosé with The Holly Wine Bar, and Peach Whiskey with TX Whiskey.

The creamery also collaborated with local blogger and chef Scotty Scott to create sweet potato-inspired ice cream from his cookbook, “Fix Me a Plate: Traditional and New School Soul Food Recipes.”
The bike share service recently launched the Bikesy series highlighting artwork from local artist Gerald Bell. Known for his pop-art style, Bell collaborated with Fort Worth Bike Sharing to create a collection of 13 bikes covered in original artwork.

And that’s not all, through a partnership with the Blue Zones Project and Texas Health Resources, the bike share service offers free rides on the first Friday of the month.

Martin House Brewing Company

If there’s a flavor you’re craving, Martin House probably has it. The brewery releases a new beer every week, often collaborating with local businesses like Best Maid Pickles, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, Dusty Biscuit Beignets, and Melt Ice Creams to name a few.

Stir Crazy Baked Goods

The Magnolia Avenue bakery serves specialty cakes, pies, and cookies with a side of inspiration from local businesses. Customers can find cupcakes with flavors from Martin House Brewery ales and coffee from the award-winning cafe, Black Coffee.

2 more local collabs

Asked

🤝 What local businesses do you think should collaborate?

Now that we’ve got your creative juices flowing, we want to know what local brands, celebrities, and organizations you think should get together for a collaboration.

Click the button to drop your suggestion + we’ll feature some of our favorites in a future newsletter.

Share your inspiration

Events

Friday, May 19

The Amigo Party | Friday, May 19 | 6-10 p.m. | Heim Barbecue on the River, 5333 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth | $100 | The annual fundraiser for the Cuatro Hermanos Foundation includes a golf tournament + party with live music and good eats.
Fort Worth Foto Fest | Friday, May 19 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth | $20 | Stroll through the garden with your camera to capture the vibrant, summer flowers.

Saturday, May 20

Tacos & Tequila Festival | Saturday, May 20 | 2 p.m. | Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth | $69-$149 | Don’t miss live performances from hip-hop artists, taco vendors, handcrafted margaritas, a chihuahua beauty pageant, and art installations.
Kid’s Connect2Glass Workshop | Saturday, May 20 | Times vary | SiNaCa Studios, 1013 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth | $45 | Let the kiddos get creative in this hands-on educational workshop in the Kiln Forming Studio.
Spring Yoga Series | Saturday, May 20 | 9-10 a.m. | The Shops at Clearfork, 5188 Monahans Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Yogis of all skill levels are invited to bring their own mat for this morning yoga flow on the lawn.
Zumba | Saturday, May 20 | 9:45-11 a.m. | Sundance Square Plaza, 420 Main St., Fort Worth | Free | Get your body moving and grooving with a fun dancing workout in the heart of downtown.

Sunday, May 21

Fort Worth Eatz Food Festival | Sunday, May 21 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Hulen Mall, 4800 S. Hulen St., Fort Worth | Free | Bring the whole family for live music, bounce houses, face painting + some of the best food vendors in town.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Tigers, hyenas, and leopards, oh my. The Fort Worth Zoo will open its newest habitat Predators of Asia & Africa on Thursday, June 22. The habitat will feature cascading waterfalls, pools, and lush terrain for animals to wander including a Samaritan tiger, a pack of African dogs, and a clouded leopard.

Development

Fort Worth Housing Solutions will break ground on Hughes House in the Stop Six Neighborhood on Thursday, June 15 at 8:30 a.m. The mixed-use development will bring 210 residential units, commercial space, and a community pool along East Rosedale Street and Amanda Avenue.

Community

An estate sale deemed a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” is happening today and tomorrow in Graham, ~1.5-hour drive northwest. The sale will include extravagant items like a 7.07-carat emerald-cut diamond ring, designer clothes and handbags, home goods, and artwork.

Tech

Have you noticed more cameras around the city? The Fort Worth Police Department installed 170 Flock cameras in various neighborhoods to monitor for stolen or wanted vehicles. The cameras capture license plates and check them against a database from law enforcement. (Community Impact)

Plan Ahead

Panther Island Pavilion will hold the annual Fort Worth’s Fourth celebration on Tuesday, July 4. The party will feature festival food, cold drinks, kid-friendly activities, and live music + conclude with a fireworks show. Admission is free.

Open

Can you solve the puzzle? Sherlock’s Escape Rooms opened earlier this week with six unique rooms in far North Fort Worth at 12465 Timberland Blvd. The former doctor’s office was transformed to feature themed escape rooms suited for both adults + kids ages 6-12.

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Drink

Delicious craft cocktails in a book-themed cocktail lounge and speakeasy? Yes, please. Thompson’s Bookstore just launched its new spring and summer menu — safe to say that we’re drooling.*

Shop

Quick, who’s the next person you’ll buy a gift for? We’ve got 25 gift ideas that will spark joy + are perfect for every budget. One of our favorites? A heated back and neck massager to relieve pressure and tension.

Read

📚 Honey, I shrunk the library

Where to find Little Free Libraries in Fort Worth

Where are our bookworms at? | Photo by FTWtoday

Are you looking for a new, free read? Little Free Libraries (LFL) are exactly what they sound like – little book nooks located in people’s yards, local businesses + parks, full of free books for all ages.

The libraries function on the honor system, when you take a book, you leave a book. Here are a few around the city:

TCC’s Trinity River Campus, 300 Trinity Campus Cir.
Leaves Book and Tea Shop, 120 St. Louis Ave.
Stir Crazy Baked Goods, 1251 W. Magnolia Ave.

🔨 Make your own library

If you want to start your own LFL, you can make one yourself or order a kit online – just make sure to register your location.

If you know of an area that is in need of an LFL, but the initial cost of set-up is a barrier, read about the Impact Program Library, which allows underserved communities to have a Little Free Library placed in their neighborhood for free.

Find a little library near you

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rebecca

From the editor

Speaking of collaborations, two iconic Texas brands are teaming up for a delicious summer pairing.

Blue Bell Ice Cream + Dr. Pepper paired up to create the Dr. Pepper Float ice cream with creamy vanilla swirled together with a Dr. Pepper-flavored sherbet. It will be available until 2024.

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