DTX-GCS: Impact 9/30/2025

During the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce luncheon Sept. 25, Joe Szymaszek announced some upcoming changes at Grapevine Mills.

The general manager of the Simon Property Group-owned mall talked about new stores, attractions and renovations.

“We always like to keep things fresh,” he said. “We always like to give the shopper a reason to come back.”

What’s happening: Syzmaszek said the mall underwent interior renovations in 2016 and the food court renovation was completed in 2019.

Now, he said, the focus is on the exterior. Faded parking signs have been replaced, exterior walls have been repainted and landscaping improvements have been done near Saks Off 5th and Primark, a store that will be opening in November.

Major takeaways: He also mentioned new stores coming: Primark, Pop Art and Puffy Cotton Candy.
 

What started as artwork has turned into a wine business for Nicole Heere.

She is planning to open Housewife Rebellion, a wine tasting room and art gallery, in Grapevine in late 2025. The business will move into an 1888 Victorian house that once housed Homestead Winery.

In a nutshell: Heere has been an artist since 2010 and in 2014, she introduced housewife paintings. The work focused on the lighthearted protest of the daily life of a mother and wife, he said. She started showing the work in galleries and art fairs around the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

In her own words: “If you look at the artwork, this particular genre of artwork, or this particular collection, they're all housewives from the past, but they are not your happy, go-lucky, perfect mom or perfect grandma types,” Heere said. “They're setting laundry on fire. They are drinking wine instead of vacuuming. They are destroying their husband's things and stuff like that."

Several Fort Worth entities are preparing for the 2026 World Cup as it comes to North Texas.

During a Fort Worth City Council work session on Sept. 23, Mitch Whitten, Visit Fort Worth chief operating officer; Mike Crum, city of Fort Worth public events director; and Sonny Saxton, city of Fort Worth emergency management and communications director, all talked about various projects in the works.

Current situation: Whitten announced Visit Fort Worth has launched a soccer-specific website to promote tourism to the city as the World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in North America. AT&T Stadium in Arlington will host nine games, but Fort Worth plans to have a role in the events surrounding the soccer tournament.

“It is a once-in-a-generation event to really showcase the city and showcase the engaged businesses here and abroad,” he said.

Context: Whitten said the World Cup is expected to have a $1.5 billion regional economic impact and have more than 100,000 visitors a day in North Texas.

Looking for fun ways to spend a weekend this fall? Here are a round up of 5K races and fun runs around the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

1. Double Trouble race in Grapevine: Join the 25th annual Double Trouble 5K and 10K race around Lake Grapevine. Attendees can run both races together or sign up individually.

• Oct. 11, 8 a.m.
• $40-$50 (registration)
• 2615 Dove Loop Road, Grapevine

• Oct. 25, 8 a.m.
• $42.42 (registration)
• 1405 Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney