Imagine...the possibilities

Annual downtown tour focuses on new, upcoming and planned businesses

May 25, 2023

Amber Hinkson and Amber Hill, co-owners of Weird Doughs, share a moment while visiting with guests at the Sixth Street business during the Imagine the Possibilities Tour on Wednesday evening. The Weird Doughs had sweet treats and pink beverages for their guests. The tour featured stops at 23 locations that have been restored, are in the process of being restored or will be restored in the near future. A steady stream of local residents visited the businesses, many of which will open in the next few weeks. David Stone photo

Jacob Bates, Bo Harvey and Bruce Bates -- owners of the future Bird Creek Burgers & Brew -- don hard-hats to greet visitors during Wednesday's Imagine the Possibilities Tour in downtown Temple. Jacob's hard-hat has a Western look but is much, well, harder. Jacob said the trio hopes to open the new business in July. Brewing equipment has been installed and can be seen in the background. David Stone photo

Temple artist Rena Cotti looks at paintings on display at Weird Doughs Bakery & Cafe during Wednesday's Imagine the Possibilities Tour in downtown Temple. The eatery features artwork by local artists such as Cotti. David Stone photo

Workers check a counter at the future Bird Creek Burgers & Brew during Wednesday's Imagine the Possibilities Tour in downtown Temple. Jacob Bates, who owns the coming business along with Bo Harvey and Bruce Bates, said the trio hopes to open the new business in July. Brewing equipment has been installed and can be seen in the background. David Stone photo

Lea and Brent Goates, along with their kids, wave to visitors at a double-stop on the Imagine the Possibilities Tour on Wednesday night. The Goates are opening two businesses on South Fourth Street — The Art Dept. and The Wreck Center. The Art Dept. will offer classes, a gallery and serve as a gathering spot for local artists. The Wreck Center is much different. Customers will don protective eyewear and grab a baseball bat or sledgehammer, then destroy TVs, glassware, whatever is available to smash. David Stone photo

DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE

Temple-area residents were treated to a sneak-peak Wednesday of several new businesses under development in downtown Temple.

The 2023 Imagine the Possibilities Tour featured 23 buildings that have recently been restored, are being renovated or are available for future projects. Many of those buildings house businesses that are expected to open in the upcoming months — some in the upcoming days.

A popular stop on the tour was on South Fourth Street where three new businesses are going into historic buildings. One of these, Bird Creek Burgers & Brew, hopes to open this Summer.

“We’re getting there,” said co-owner Jacob Bates. “We hope to open the doors in July.”

Bates is part of Temple-based Tanglefoot Restaurants along with his dad, Bruce Bates, and partner Bo Harvey. Tanglefoot owns Treno Pizzeria and the current Bird Creek Burgers, and the existing Bird Creek will close when the brewpub opens.

Jacob, who gave a quick tour of the new establishment, pointed out that a huge, covered outdoor beer garden will feature a stage, an elevated VIP section and a window bar that allow patrons on the patio access to drinks without going inside.

Brewing equipment is already installed, and workers were busy with a table project during the tour.

Just a few doors down, from the new Bird Creek, Lea and Brent Goates were showing off their two upcoming businesses — The Art Dept. and The Wreck Center. While the Art Dept. will help aspiring and established artists create masterpieces, the purpose of The Wreck Center is quite the opposite.

“The Wreck Center will be the place to come for a good time, to let off some steam and to break stuff,” Brent said.

Instead of the paint brushes and easels found next door, visitors to The Wreck Center will brandish baseball bats, golf clubs, crow bars and sledge hammers for their creative escape.

Lea said The Art Dept. will host classes and be a gathering spot for Temple’s art community.

“The gallery will be out front, then we will have workshops and classrooms,” she said. “Our classes will offer a variety of media —water color, clay, drawing. We will offer several options.”

The Goates hope to have both businesses operational by the end of the year.

Another popular “Imagine” stop was Weird Doughs Bakery & Cafe on North Sixth Street. Weird Doughs, owned by Amanda Hinkson and Amber Hill, featured samples of its sweet treats, plus a look at the cafe’s art gallery. The gallery features local artists such as Rena Cotti of Rockin’ R Retreat.

“We’re getting close,” Amanda said during the tour. “We’re having a good turnout tonight. We’re excited about our possibilities.”

Jo and Ti Richards, owners of the Thai Cafe on Central Avenue, were welcoming guests to a peek at their new Bon Bon Market, an Asian grocery store that will feature packaged and freshly prepared foods, as well as organic produce. The Bon Bon doors are opening June 4.

A crowd was gathered at Central and Second to learn more about Hawn Plaza, and new retail, restaurant and residential development in the old Sears and Hawn Hotel buildings. The project will feature Union Crossing Food Hall, dozens of one- and two-bedroom apartments, retail space and offices. Sandwiched between the Hawn Towers and Hawn West — the new names for the buildings — will be a renovated Arcadia Theatre. The new Arcadia won’t be a movie house; instead it will be home to live music, theater and comedy.

Hawn Plaza developers say the projects should finish simultaneously this summer.

There were many other stops on this year’s Imagine the Possibilities Tour, including several other businesses in the development stage and some vacant buildings that are ripe for renovation.

Making progress

A worker unloads cut stones that are being used on the outside of the new First Street Parking Garage in Temple. The garage is one of three parking garages going up in Temple. The Fourth Street Parking Garage is nearing completion along Central Avenue between Fourth and Sixth streets, and a new garage also is being constructed at the Olin E. Teague Veterans Center. David Stone photo