MYLO SCRAPS PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN COFFEE SHOP
After months of preparation, Mylo Coffee Co. has decided to abandon its plans for a second location in the 200 block of West Capitol Avenue. Mylo owner Stephanos Mylonas had announced the plans earlier this year to bring his pastries and house-roasted coffee to a much larger location in the Sterling Annex. However, plans didn’t work out between Mylonas and the ownership group of the building, and the two parties mutually decided to part ways.
“We loved that The Southern Gourmasian was there; we loved the movement to rejuvenate that part of town; we loved that Main Street was just around the corner,” Mylonas says. “But in the end, it just didn’t work out.”
Mylonas says the renovation plans for the building didn’t fit Mylo’s needs. However, he stresses that there was no bad blood in the separation.
“It was very amicable with the landlord; there wasn’t any disagreement,” Mylonas says. “We just sat down and all agreed that the best plan of action was to go our separate ways. It’s still a great location; it just wasn’t something we could pursue actively.”
Mylonas says he is still looking for a site for a second Mylo Coffee Co. location and has heard from a few people who are interested in working with him. However, Mylonas says he will be selective about any possible partnership. In addition, Mylonas says he has big plans for the future of the Mylo coffee cart that was parked outside of the Sterling Annex. We’ll keep you posted on that. For now, you can still enjoy Mylo’s coffee and pastries at its Hillcrest location and every Saturday at the Hillcrest Farmers Market.
DAMGOODE PIES HILLCREST RENOVATION UNDERWAY
Speaking of Hillcrest restaurants, the Damgoode Pies location on Kavanaugh Boulevard has been shuttered for months now as part of a renovation plan. Within the past week, a flurry of activity has been evident to passers-by, and I checked with owner Jeff Trine to see what’s up.
“The building was in pretty rough shape,” Trine says. “We are replacing most of the electrical and all of the windows. We opened up the dining room a bit. [We] revealed more windows to provide more light and removed the drop ceiling.”
Trine says the biggest update is the removal of the location’s “beer closet” in favor of a bar and keg cooler. This will allow Damgoode to bring in kegs of its own Damgoode Brews beer line for the first time. Trine says he has his fingers crossed for a late September reopening date. For now, you can still enjoy Damgoode at its other locations on Cantrell and Rodney Parham roads, in the River Market and in Fayetteville and Rogers.
LOST FORTY BREWING TEAMS UP WITH THE TRAVS
Beer and baseball have always gone well together, and this event with Lost Forty Brewing and the Arkansas Travelers should be no exception. Saturday is Lost Forty Brewing Night at Dickey-Stephens Park. The event celebrates the addition of Love Honey Bock and Lost Forty Pale Ale to the park’s craft beer lineup. There is a host of giveaways planned, including tickets to the game on Lost Forty’s Facebook page, free koozies to the first 100 people in the gate and free food to three random rows, to be announced during the game. Get tickets at the park or through milb.com.
TRIO’S SET TO REOPEN AFTER FACE-LIFT
Trio’s Restaurant has been a Cantrell Road mainstay for 29 years, but in that time, the dining room has started to show its age a bit. For the past few days, Trio’s has been shut down for some updates, and the restaurant plans to be back in business Thursday. Trio’s owner and chef Capi Peck says upgrades include a new ceiling, a new indoor and outdoor sound system, updated lighting, fresh paint, custom banquettes in the foyer and some renovations for the bar area. Peck says the work won’t be completely done by Thursday, but the messiest work should be finished. Peck also says she is planning a special celebration for Trio’s 29th birthday, so keep your eyes on the Trio’s Facebook page for more information.
FORMER NATCHEZ LOCATION GETS NEW TENANT
As first reported in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Mohammed Qassas has leased the space that once belonged to Natchez Restaurant. Qassas is opening a Middle Eastern grill called Arbella, which he says will specialize in fast-service Mediterranean fare, such as gyros, falafels and hummus. Qassas says he is planning on lunch service Monday through Friday to start off. He has an ambitious goal of opening in the middle of September.
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