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Check out 15 Denton business updates

Several businesses have closed, relocated or opened around Denton.

The Plot Twist Book Bar
The Plot Twist Book Bar celebrated one year of bringing romance-based novels to Denton in January.
The Plot Twist hosts monthly events, including author book signings, reading hours, writers workshops and release parties. The events are for guests 18 and older.
A full bar is at the front of the bookstore and has crafted cocktails, mocktails, dirty sodas, wine and local craft beer.

  • 227 W. Oak St., Denton

Zio Al's

A Zio Al’s pizza location near the University of North Texas opened in early February, a company representative said. The location is the first Zio Al’s in Denton.
The restaurant offers pizza, wings, sandwiches and pasta, and the location is open from 11 a.m.-3 a.m., the company website states.
  • 1607 Eagle Drive, Ste.101, Denton

 
Coming Soon
Dogtopia to open dog boarding, grooming location in Denton

Denton will receive its first Dogtopia this year.

What’s happening? According to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the dog boarding and grooming center will open off Colorado Boulevard. The scope of the project includes $490,000 to retrofit the existing building for a day care and grooming space.

Construction is expected to begin May 4 and finish July 27.

Dogtopia offers day care services, where pet owners can drop their dogs off for the afternoon for socialization and play. According to the company website, Dogtopia will provide a report card for each day care visit.

What else? Dogtopia is a franchised company that has more than 270 dog day care centers throughout the United States and Canada, according to its website.

The company separates each dog by size and temperament after an evaluation is completed. 

 
Neighboring News
Argyle planning and zoning commission approves food-trailer concept on US 377

A new food trailer restaurant concept could make a residence in Argyle after the planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the site plan at its March 4 meeting.

The site plan was recommended for approval 4-2 with Commissioners David Snell and Marilyn Lewis in opposition.

“I don't think that US 377 is the proper place for food truck development,” Lewis said.

The overview: The food trailer and restaurant building, Akshya Foods, could be located at 606 US 377, Argyle, and would offer Indian-style foods, co-owner Pavan Damarapati said.

The site plan included constructing a parking lot beside an already existing building in Old Town Argyle, according to town documents.

“This parcel had been vacant for about 18 months prior to these new property owners acquiring the property,” Community Development Director Harrison Wicks said. “I've talked to many people interested in this property over the last 18 months before they bought it, and the single biggest thing that killed any deal was the parking because there [is] no parking on this site.”

 

FOODIE FRIDAY
Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Dallas - Fort Worth area.

Pepper Lunch sets opening date for Frisco location

Pepper Lunch is opening March 28 in Frisco, according to a social media post.

The Japanese fast-casual dining chain features a do-it-yourself teppanyaki concept with meals served on 500-degree Fahrenheit hot plates, allowing customers to cook their food to their preference at the table. The menu offers pepper rice dishes, teriyaki options, steaks, seafood, curry, pasta and vegetarian options.

Read now.

 

🥤 Fresh Monkee’s low sugar, high-protein shakes to arrive in April
(Read more)

🍜 MyLan Pho Express serves Vietnamese cuisine in Plano, near Richardson border
(Read more)

🍗 Bonchon offers Korean fried chicken in Flower Mound
(Read more)

😋 Bojangles serves up chicken, more in McKinney
(Read more)

 

Family-owned Venezia’s Pizza Cafe prioritizes hospitality in Richardson

As a family-owned and -operated business, the Krasniqi family places high priority on providing a family-friendly environment at Venezia’s Pizza Cafe.

Co-owner Mandy Krasniqi said their Chilean seabass, which is one of her favorite dishes, takes top ranking on the popularity chart at their Richardson restaurant. Other top-selling items include shrimp scallop diablo and Mandy’s Special featuring breaded chicken cooked in brandy cream sauce with basil, red peppers, tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, topped with feta and mozzarella cheese and served with fettuccine pasta.

Read now.

Latest Education News
Data: See where the most Texas students are applying for education savings accounts

More than 229,000 students have applied to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under Texas’ education savings account program, according to the state comptroller’s office.

By the numbers: State data indicates that the most applications have been submitted on behalf of students living in urban areas and the surrounding suburban communities. As of March 8, students living in Houston ISD’s boundaries led the pack with over 8,900 applications, followed by 6,700 applicants in Dallas ISD.

The data reflects how many students living in each district's boundaries have applied, including those not currently enrolled in a public school.

The background: State lawmakers created the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program in 2025.

Students accepted for the 2026-27 school year will receive $10,474 for private education or up to $2,000 for homeschool. Students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 each.

More details: Of the first 152,000 program applicants, nearly three-quarters were not enrolled in a public school during the 2025-26 school year, data obtained by the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency shows.

 

Your local team

Gabby Bailey
Editor

Arlin Gold
General Manager

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