Fort Worth Public Market’s new restaurant and cocktail bar will open this fall
Three new dining concepts are coming to the historic Fort Worth Public Market, which is being refurbished by Wilks Development along Henderson Street near downtown.
A fine dining restaurant, a craft cocktail bar and a cafe will open in the fall inside the 15,000-square-foot building, which has an iconic 85-foot tower that overlooks the corner of West Lancaster Avenue. Wilks Development is also building a five-story, 199-unit senior apartment community, The Harden, behind the market.
The restaurant, Madrone, will have a “refined Texas flair” and focus on locally-sourced ingredients. It will offer chef’s tasting menus and private dining.
Willow, a cocktail bar and lounge, will have craft beverages and offer a VIP experience, and premium liquor locker program. The third concept, Public Market Café & Goods, will serve baked goods and coffee and sell other locally made products.
Fort Worth chef Jenna Kinard and her husband, Micah Kinard, are collaborating with Kansas City restaurateur Christian Moscoso on the dining and drinking concepts. The Kinards plan to grow hydroponic produce like microgreens, herbs and tomatoes at the market.
“We see this not just as a culinary venture but as a calling — to bring people together through exceptional food, drinks, and hospitality while honoring the legacy of Fort Worth’s Public Market,” Jenna Kinard said.
Kinard has been executive chef at a number of local restaurants, including Max’s Wine Dive, 97 West at Hotel Drover and Jellico’s at the Westin Southlake.
Wilks Development began a $45 million renovation of the market in June 2023. The building first opened in 1930 for farmers and merchants to sell their goods. The market closed in 1941, and various manufacturers leased the building over the years. The building sat empty for the past two decades.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the Mediterranean-style building with a terra-cotta roof and three corner towers was included on Historic Fort Worth’s most-endangered places list in 2008 and 2011.
“The Kinard’s deep appreciation for the Public Market’s history and thoughtful approach to honoring its legacy made them the perfect fit. We can’t wait to see their concepts breathe new life into this iconic Fort Worth landmark,” said Jess Green, senior vice president at Wilks Development.
This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 4:36 PM.
