FORT WORTH, Texas — There is a serious makeover coming to a part of Fort Worth designed to make it a must-visit location in North Texas.
A real estate investor plans to pump millions of dollars into an area near the 7th Street entertainment district. He hopes to boost the area with about 25 local businesses for people to visit and enjoy.
One of them is Sandbox Virtual Reality located in the heart of the development, where Carley Jacobs started working a little more than a year ago.
"I think it's going to drive our sales and business just, you know, through the roof," said Jacobs.
She believes in the concept "build it and they will come". As general manager of Sandbox, Jacobs is hoping to get more customers as the economic development explodes around the Fort Worth location -- especially those curious about having their first VR experience.
"About 90% of our customers have never had a virtual reality experience," Jacobs said. "We specialize in the best in most immersive virtual reality experience around. It's to be enjoyed from like two guests to up to six guests at a time. We can grandparents, brothers and sisters, work teams, teenagers, children and even people having birthday parties."
While business has been steady, Jacobs knows it can be even better.
Moody Younger is co-manager at Younger Partners. The real estate agency is focusing on the Crockett Street entertainment area, which Younger believes is still trying to bounce back after the pandemic.
"We're bringing new life, new energy, new restaurants, new retailers," said Younger.
As developers, Younger and his team are not only investing millions into the Crocket Street area, but they are also meeting with Fort Worth city leaders to make sure they do it right. Public safety is at the top of the list, so they are also consulting with Fort Worth police on best practices as well.
Younger Partners has spared no expenses by adding additional security technology to the area and lighting.
"All new camera, all new security cameras completely being replaced with state-of-the-art technology and additional security cameras added. The cameras we have in the garages that are security cameras can take pictures of the license plates. That way we will know every car that's in the garage and where it's parked. The safety and security around here will be phenomenal," said Younger.
The plan is to make sure people in Fort Worth and visitors have the best experience on Crockett Row. But with the new development comes a new name for the district.
Younger said, "We've obviously renamed the center Artisan Circle, which is a big deal to us and to our tenants. And so it more closely aligns us with the cultural district."
The Artisan Circle business revival includes 25 businesses, like La Cabrona restaurant. And after a pandemic shutdown, the Terra Mediterranean Grill will now reopen too. It was one of the go-to spots in the area prior to the pandemic.
"They will be much larger," Younger said. "The amount of feedback we've gotten from the community, the Fort Worth community, over Tara coming back has been phenomenal."
The final touches are also being put on a new nail salon that looks like it belongs on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The decor is extremely elegant from floor to ceiling to the walls, all designed to give customers an incredible and unforgettable experience.
If Younger ever gets his way, the cars and traffic parked and driving on Crockett Street between Norwood and Currie streets will be stopped. That, too, is part of his plan to bring more life to the new Artisan Circle.
"We'll start closing down the street on weekends for art shows and farmer's markets and things like that. And long term, we'd like to have it more of a permanent system for the streets closed 24-7," Younger said. "Where it's just pedestrian only. That's our goal. It's going to take a little time and work to get that done."
Renderings for Artisan Circle showcase courtyards, landscaping and dining patios. Construction starts January 2024.
"I want this to be a place that Fort Worth is proud of," Younger said. "People want to bring their families... bring their children, their grandparents. You know, they can come down here and spend a day, half a day walking around, having a meal, looking at some shopping at some of our shops."
That is just what Jacobs wants at Sandbox VR too. But you don't have to wait until January to experience virtual reality. You can walk in or even book ahead online to reserve a VR spot. After all, Jacobs is counting on more visitors at the new Artisan Circle.
"I think that's what Fort Worth needs right now," said Jacobs.