DTX-GCS: Impact 10/31/2025

A Grapevine hotel is getting a refresh.

Grapevine Lodge Partners LP, which owns a SpringHill Suites by Marriott franchise, had a conditional use permit green-lit that will amend the previously approved site plan for the location near Grapevine Mills.

What you need to know: According to the presentation at the Oct. 21 Grapevine City Council meeting, the plan is to allow for a 1,387 square-foot expansion on the first floor of the SpringHill Suites for a relocated outdoor patio and change the outside appearance of the hotel, which is officially named SpringHill Suites by Marriott Dallas Airport North/Grapevine.

The background: The hotel celebrated its 20th anniversary in July and was a Generation 3 model by SpringHill Suites. The rebrand will bring it up to a Generation 5, according to the presentation. 

Planned renovations include:

• Removing one guest room, leaving 110 rooms available for booking
• Expanding the fitness center
• Relocating the patio from the rear of the property to the main entrance, with seating for nine
• Moving public restrooms in the lobby to a new location

Variosystems unveiled more than $10 million worth of reinvestment in its Southlake facility Sept. 9. The relaunch of the North American headquarters included a redesign of the 65,000-square-foot facility and it is becoming a hub for box build assembly capabilities, according to a news release.

Zooming in: The company offers circuit board assembly for products such as sensors, industrial machinery, automation devices and systems, drive technology, home care devices, ventilators, surgical robots, laser measuring instruments, night vision devices and radar equipment, according to the company's website.

The background: The Southlake location has been open since 1999. There are also locations in Fort Worth and Juarez, Mexico.

• 901 S. Kimball Ave., Southlake

United Defense Tactical of Grapevine has opened. 

The business offers a reality-based training system that is free of live firearms and focuses on situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, self-defense and understanding the laws surrounding violent encounters, according to its website.

The details: The business offers more than 50,000 pre-recorded video simulations from carjacking, muggings, home invasion and kidnapping, according to Scott Allegretto, UDT Tactical Grapevine COO. Most of the recordings will have the interactive bad guy shoot, which tests users' response in a dynamic situation, compared to a static motion that is in a shooting range.

However, the goal is to make shooting the last option, he said.

Zooming in: The instructors at the class have varied backgrounds that all intertwine with this business. There are military veterans, law enforcement officers and private sector security.

What else? Grapevine approved a conditional use permit for the business during an April 15 meeting. UDT moved into a space formerly occupied by Mattress Firm in the Grapevine Crossing shopping center.