• Update September 2024: According to the City, The District's Cork and Pig restaurant is opening in 2025, without the benefit of a Chapter 380 financial agreement with the City, discussed during the Spring.
• Summary: "The District at Willow Park will be home to the latest location of Cork & Pig Tavern; it will open in summer 2025, joining a lineup of dining concepts that includes Melt Ice Creams, The District Butcher, Lone Star Dry Goods, and The Lumen Room."
Latest Update: updated 12 September 2024; posted 30 July, 2024
Tags:#DevelopmentNorth
Fort Worth favorite Cork & Pig Tavern to open summer 2025 in Willow Park.
Update September 2024: According to the City, The District's Cork and Pig restaurant is opening in 2025, without the benefit of a Chapter 380 financial agreement with the City, discussed during the Spring. To date, the Chapter 380 agreement has not been returned by the Cork and Pig to the City.
• Coming to The District!, City of Willow Park Facebook, 25 July 2024
The secret is out! 🎉 We're thrilled to announce that Cork & Pig Tavern is expanding to The District in 2025!
• New, Cork and Pig Tavern courted with City Chapter 380 financing. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 05 March 2024
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Fort Worth favorite Cork & Pig Tavern to open summer 2025 in Willow Park.
"The District at Willow Park, an entertainment and restaurant complex in Parker County, will be home to the latest location of Cork & Pig Tavern, the restaurant concept known for delicacies like West Texas biscuits and gravy, enchiladas, and pork ribs, spearheaded by chef and Fort Worth favorite Felipe Armenta." [1]
"Cork & Pig Tavern will open in summer 2025, joining a lineup of dining concepts that includes Melt Ice Creams, The District Butcher, Lone Star Dry Goods, and The Lumen Room." [1]
During the Spring of 2024, the City of Willow Park considered a Chapter 380 agreement with Cork & Pig Tavern's owners Far Out Hospitality [2], however, to date, the financial agreement has not been discussed again or approved by the City.
Sources and Resources
[1] Fort Worth fave Cork & Pig Tavern to open location in Parker County, Culture Map Fort Worth, 26 July 2024, Excerpts
The District at Willow Park, an entertainment and restaurant complex in Parker County, will be home to the latest location of Cork & Pig Tavern, the restaurant concept known for delicacies like West Texas biscuits and gravy, enchiladas, and pork ribs, spearheaded by chef and Fort Worth favorite Felipe Armenta.
According to a release, Cork & Pig Tavern will open in summer 2025, joining a lineup of dining concepts that includes Melt Ice Creams, The District Butcher, Lone Star Dry Goods, and The Lumen Room.
Cork & Pig is led by Armenta with partners John Nestor, Virginia Dalbeck, and Ed Buenaventura. Willow Park will be their seventh location, including two in the DFW area in Southlake and Las Colinas, with a menu of salads, artisan sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, and weekend brunch.
Buenaventura says in a statement that they are "incredibly excited to join The District at Willow Park and be part of this dynamic community. The District’s vision of creating a top-tier entertainment and dining destination aligns perfectly with our goals, and we can’t wait to bring our unique flavors and hospitality to Willow Park and Parker County.”
Located at 460 Shops Blvd. in Willow Park, the District at Willow Park is from Wilks Development whose CEO Kyle Wilks predicts it will become "the heart of entertainment and dining in Parker County." He's probably biased but it still sounds pretty good.
It'll have a 1,500-2,000-person capacity amphitheater which already has sponsors!: Wintergreen Synthetic Grass and a Lucchese-sponsored concert-grade stage. The event will be supported by food trucks and local vendors as finish-out construction continues on tenant spaces.
Live music and events are expected to kick off on August 2, with a free event featuring DFW acts Straight Tequila Night, Rob Brooks Band, and DJ VidaReal.
[2] New, Cork and Pig Tavern courted with City Chapter 380 financing. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 05 March 2024
The City is negotiating with Far Out Hospitality to bring a new Cork and Pig Tavern to Willow Park. And the City is bringing Chapter 380 sales tax rebates to the table.
New, Cork and Pig Restaurant courted with City Chapter 380 financing.
[source]
The City is negotiating with Far Out Hospitality, FOH, to bring a new restaurant to Willow Park. And the City is bringing Chapter 380 [source 1] sales tax rebates to the table. [2]
With six (6) other locations,"Cork & Pig Tavern is a unique, chef driven blend of signature entrees, gourmet salads, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and mouth watering apps and sides. Complimented by our expansive wine selections, craft beers, and specialty cocktails, you’re sure to find the Cork & Pig Tavern to be an exciting environment for friends and family to relax, laugh, and dine." Southlake, Texas Cork and Pig Restaurant [3]
The new Cork and Pig Tavern will "likely be located in The District," [1] in the Shops at Willow Park [4] where the City is planning a trailhead for the EPCoT Trail System [1] to the trails that runs along the Trinity Clear Fork River, that separate the residential north side and the retail south side of the Wilks Development.
Interestingly, FOH, with nine (9) brands of restaurants, has another restaurant at a trailhead, "Press Cafe is a modern, yet casual mix of fresh salads, classic sandwiches, wine, spirits, and great coffee! Located next to Bike Mart at The Trailhead in Clearfork.
Willow Park Civics Research and Sources
[1] • Willow Park Civics Blog > "The District" Index
Willow Park Civics Resources > Glossary Plus
"Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code authorizes municipalities to offer incentives designed to promote economic development such as commercial and retail projects. Specifically, it provides for offering loans and grants of city funds or services at little or no cost to promote state and local economic development and to stimulate business and commercial activity."
• Executive Session, Agenda Item 14. Section 551.071 - Consultation with Attorney
• B. Chapter 380 Agreement between the City and Far Out Hospitality for the development of a Cork and Pig Restaurant offering sales tax rebates.
• Willow Park Civics Notes: Motion passed to "Authorize City Staff to negotiate a 380 agreement with Far Out Hospitality to open and develop a Cork and Pig Restaurant with sales tax potential rebates.
[3] Willow Park Civics Research:
• Southlake, Texas "Cork & Pig Tavern is a unique, chef driven blend of signature entrees, gourmet salads, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and mouth watering apps and sides. Complimented by our expansive wine selections, craft beers, and specialty cocktails, you’re sure to find the Cork & Pig Tavern to be an exciting environment for friends and family to relax, laugh, and dine."
[4] Council approves zoning change for church property, New restaurant being courted, The Community News, 01 March 2024
