Bowlers — rejoice! A bowling alley is expected to open for business in Wise County in 2025.
Work on a new bowling alley near Catfish O’Harlies on U.S. 287, just north of Decatur city limits, is nearing completion. Owner Alfred Fondren has eyed December for its potential opening. Whether the new entertainment venue is here in time for Christmas or later in 2025, every day brings us closer to the next 300 bowled in Wise County.
And that’s welcome news to those who have been waiting since Decatur Bowl closed decades ago (and especially old-timers who remember the lanes that used to be on the Decatur Square.)
We’ll let you know once more information is officially released on the alley, which should offer other attractions at its location, too.
Lean back and enjoy the show
Decatur’s proud little movie theater, Plaza Cinema 4, has upped its movie-viewing experience.
The theater recently debuted new recliners and rocker-style seats in two of its smaller theater rooms.
Plaza Cinema 4 will still retain the elements that have made it a fond destination for local movie goers, like its affordable concession prices and hometown feel. Now it will just have a similar seats to what you might find at chains like Alamo Drafthouse and AMC.
“People love the new seats and the new set-up,” said Chris Creswell of Plaza Cinema 4.
Theater 3 and 4, which are identical in size, have been outfitted with a new seating setup that’s emphasizing quality over quantity. The auditoriums have downsized from 118 seats to 67 as part of an effort to widen the aisles make way for the larger chairs. Both theaters have combinations of 50 rocker-style seats and 17 powered recliners on the first few rows.
“Now every seat is a good seat,” Creswell said.
Theater 4 opened last month. Theater 3 will open Thursday, with expected showings of Moana 2 in the afternoon for those who want to claim the honor of being the first to enjoy those new seats.
The investment into making the theater more luxurious was in the works about four years ago. But the project was delayed after absorbing the financial blow from Covid’s lockdowns and the lack of new movies coming out. While it’s a little later than initially planned, the offering has come just in time for the holiday box office boom.
Creswell said the eventual plan is to carry out the upgrade to all of its screens. But the roll out in Theater 3 and 4 is allowing some tinkering on their plans for a reserved-seating model that could come in 2025.
Bridgeport attracts new and old businesses
Two big chains and a cherished, West-Wise eatery are on their way to Bridgeport.
Tractor Supply and QuikTrip are coming to town. The Bridgeport City Council recently approved the final plat for a 50,000-square foot Tractor Supply on the westbound side of U.S. 380 near Lawdwin Avenue and 15th Street. The rural lifestyle retail box store is estimated to open in the summer of 2025.
The proposed QuikTrip, which is awaiting its final plat, would be located at the northwest corner of U.S. 380 and Texas 101, formerly occupied by the Bridgeport Truck Stop. The preliminary plat approved last week shows plans for a 5,312 square-foot convenience store with 16 auto fuel positions and four commercial truck fueling bays.
City officials said the civil plans for the QuikTrip were recently approved, and that the applicant would be bringing the final plat to the city council soon — an important development for people like me whose food pyramid is dominated by gas station breakfast sandwiches, taquitos and various caffeine delivery devices.
While QT and Tractor Supply will be a major boost to local sales tax revenue, the city is also courting fan favorite, Dasi Sushi, for a return to Bridgeport.
Dasi Sushi formerly operated at 1902 Chico Highway before leaving the location last spring after six years of serving Asian cuisine in Bridgeport. The plan is to return to town in the unoccupied Dairy Queen building.
In other Bridgeport business, work is underway to bring a different bar option to 1005 Halsell Street, which was formerly home to BlessedBru and Halsell Street Cocktails. The property owners’ idea for the spot is to model the success of the County Seat, a bar located on the Decatur Square, with plans to feature a back patio for live music and food trucks.
Tattoos in Downtown Decatur?
Downtown Decatur could be offering fresh ink soon.
The Decatur City Council is considering two specific use permits to bring a tattoo shop and a permanent makeup studio near the square.
A Living Canvas Tattoo is looking to expand into the downtown district at 104 N. Trinity Street. Inked By Paiz, a permanent makeup studio that also offers tattoos, is looking to rent a suite at 206 N. State Street, Suite 205.
Brendan Mitchell, the listed property owner and man behind The County Seat, and the owner of A Living Canvas Tattoos, Kory Walker, applied for the permit in November after some changes to the city’s ordinances that would allow the business type in Downtown Decatur.
In their letter, they said, “we aim to bring our passion for traditional tattooing, reflecting styles from the early 1900s, to Decatur. Our shop design will seamlessly integrate with the area’s historic charm.”
Inked By Paiz, owned by Paizlee Henry, specializes in permeant makeup, which I have found out traditionally involves permanent eye brows, eye liner, lip blushing and eye shadow. They also offer paramedical tattooing, which can help cover scars, stretch marks and skin discoloration.
The council held its first of two public hearings on both requests last week, with action expected following the second hearings at the council’s next meeting.
What is In Other Business?
“In other business” is a reporters’ go-to transitional phrases in meeting coverage for the other important things that happened that they can’t leave out of the paper. It felt like a suitable title for the new Messenger business column. If you’ve followed the Messenger for a little while, you likely remember Taking Care of Business, a column made famous by former publisher, Kristen Tribe, and her quest to bring Chick-Fil-A to Wise County.
Starting now, we’re going to try and bring a semblance of the monthly business column back to our readers with “In Other Business.”
The column will include local business happenings, new openings and closings, hiring events and anything else we can scrounge up in the Wise County business world. Also, if you’re a business that’s looking for some pub on big promotions or something you’re proud of, I think YOUR local paper’s business column is a perfect home for it.
So please send me business news tips to news@wcmessenger.com. The work on January’s column starts now.
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