Have an idea for a possible tenant or other uses at Renaissance Square in southeast Fort Worth?
Developer Lockard Development wants to know and is turning to the social media outlet Popularise to find out.Lockard, based in Cedar Falls, Iowa, is asking residents and businesses to tell it by logging onto www.popularise.com, a Washington, D.C.-based crowdsourcing and community engagement tool that it says is similar to Pinterest and Facebook. Users can log-in with their Facebook or Twitter accounts or register independently."Developers and retailers spend millions of dollars every year researching the ideal locations for stores, and the ideal tenant mix for a project," Lockard Vice President John Flint said in a statement. "Popularise allows us to add another voice to that research, the voice of the community. Utilizing Popularise, Renaissance Square is poised to discover and fill in the entire project with quality local tenants, where possible."Renaissance Square sits on 67 acres in the 170-acre Mason Heights development along U.S. 287 near East Berry Street, between Vaughn and Mitchell boulevards in southeast Fort Worth.The Shoppes at Renaissance Square include a Wal-Mart Supercenter, scheduled to open next year, as well as Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls, Shoe Carnival, Dots, rue21, Dollar Tree, Rainbow Fashion, McDonald's, 7-Eleven, Jack in the Box, GameStop, T-Mobile and RadioShack.Also planned are the Villages at Renaissance Square residential community and the Suites at Renaissance Square office center.Popularise was launched in December to give local residents and communities the power to help build their city and to give give developers a way to interact with residents.Craft brewing in CowtownA new craft brewery is gearing up in Fort Worth.Martin House Brewing Co. has leased 9,000 square feet at 220 S. Sylvania Ave., along the Trinity Trails, where it will set up shop to sell its craft beers starting in February.The company was founded last year by Cody and Anna Martin and David Wedemeier, according to its website.Real estate broker Will Martin, no relation to the company founders, who owns the building, said the brewery will have a patio for events.The 42,000-square-foot building is now leased to a dozen tenants, Will Martin said.Todd Hawpe of Transwestern represented Martin House.Business plan finalistsThree Tarrant County businesses were chosen from 25 participants as finalists in the second annual Fort Worth Business Plan Competition, a program of the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center.They are Elegant Nuptials & Events in Arlington, a provider of wedding and social event consulting, design, and planning; Fondren Forensics in Bedford, an independent company specializing in alcohol-related forensic analyses, consultation, testimony and training; and Technology Team in Fort Worth, which helps businesses assess and manage the risks of moving or reconfiguring mission-critical equipment.The finalists will be judged Nov. 15 on their business plans and presentations. The winner receives a cash and prize package worth about $35,000.Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727sabaker@star-telegram.comJim Fuquay, 817-390-7552jfuquay@star-telegram.comBarry Shlachter, 817-390-7718barry@star-telegram.comHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
