Located in Grand Prairie, Texas, LoranoCarter is one of the newest businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Founded by Mike Lorano, the business is a restaurant that aims to offer customers the best brisket in town. With a menu that includes both breakfast and lunch options, the eatery offers a great deal of variety.
Featured in Dallas Business Journal’s Class of 2022 40 Under 40
Those selected as the 40 Under 40 honorees for the Dallas Business Journal’s Class of 2022 have made a name for themselves in the Dallas-Fort Worth business community. The 40 Under 40 list is comprised of leaders in several different industries. These professionals are recognized for their achievements in the workplace and for their contributions to organizations and communities. The judges of the “40 Under 40” program have evaluated hundreds of nominations over the past several weeks and have chosen a group of individuals that are making significant impacts in their industries.
The Dallas Business Journal recognizes professionals in the following categories: Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate M&A, Leadership in Diversity, and Middle Market 50. The judging panel is comprised of 40 Under 40 alumni and includes leaders in the North Texas business community. The class of 2022 was honored on July 21 at the Marriott Dallas Uptown. The honorees include 20 women and 20 men. Those nominated were chosen from a pool of over 500 submissions.
David Gail has been recognized by Texas Lawyer as a “Lawyer on the Rise” in 2017. He is a member of the Dallas Business Journal’s “Dealmakers” list for the first time in 2018. He was also awarded the M&A Deal of the Year award at the 2019 Texas Legal Excellence Awards.
Heath McLaughlin is a Texas top trial lawyer. He has been recognized by his peers and other leaders in the industry as a “Legal Leader on the Rise.” He has been named as a Rising Star by Texas Lawyer and Benchmark Litigation. His expertise in commercial finance and asset-based lending has garnered him numerous awards. He is co-chair of the Asset-Based Lending Practice at Winston. He is a member of the Dallas Bar Association, the Texas Bar Association, and the Real Estate Section of the Dallas Bar Association.
Amber Law Firm has been recognized as a “Trailblazer South” by ALM Media and “On the Rise” by American Lawyer. She has been named to Law360’s Employment Rising Stars and listed in Bloomberg Law’s 40 Under 40.
New restaurant concept aims to serve prime brisket
Located in the EpicCentral entertainment center, a new restaurant concept is aiming to serve prime brisket in Grand Prairie. Founded by Larry Lavine and his wife Ann, this barbecue restaurant features connoisseur-level barbecued meats and a homemade pie shop.
Aside from smoked brisket, the menu at Loop 9 BBQ will include bacon, sausage, authentic Texas sausages and more. The owner said all of the food is sourced from local vendors. There will also be a homemade pie shop, serving banana cream pudding. In addition, the restaurant will also feature a craft beer selection and a full-service bar with 24 taps. The owners are also offering catering services.
One of the restaurant’s surprise all-stars is its smoked meat sandwich. The sandwich is made with a smoked meat, green leaf lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, and a cherry-jalapeno sauce. The sandwich is topped with a toasted rustic bread and finished with a brisket.
Another surprise is the low-key beer-battered fried okra. The menu will also feature green chile mac ‘n’ cheese, pork shoulder steaks, and fresh pies. The restaurant will also offer pit beans and salads.
The chef behind the new Loop 9 BBQ, Judith Covarrubias, is an El Paso native and has worked at the Uchi Dallas. She has also spent a considerable amount of time at home smoking meats. She is in charge of the Asian-inspired meats at the restaurant.
The new restaurant concept, which is owned by former professional baseball player, Travis and Emma Heim, has two other brick and mortar locations. The first is located on Magnolia Avenue, and the second is in West Fort Worth’s River District. Both restaurants are also known for their award-winning smoked Prime brisket. This is the restaurant’s latest endeavor, and the couple has been developing a cult following for the past three years. Their lines can be up to three hours long.
There are still no word on an exact opening date for the restaurant. However, the chefs at Loop 9 BBQ are already working with local vendors to bring their connoisseur-level barbecued meats to the table.
Grand Prairie is building two connecting hotels with a shared conference center
Located midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, Grand Prairie is a family-friendly town that hosts a variety of entertainment options. The city is currently working on two hotels and a conference center that will connect to one another. The new hotels will be designed to attract families, and business travelers from nearby companies. They will also be part of the EpicCentral mixed-use development. This development will include a water park, a recreation center, and a boardwalk.
The upcoming project is estimated to cost $50 million, and it will take 12-18 months to complete. It will also be a significant boon to the city’s economy, as the hotel will draw visitors from around the area. The hotel will be a dual-branded Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites, and it will feature 276 rooms.
The hotel will also include a swimming pool, an executive lounge, and a fitness center. The Hilton Garden Inn will have a restaurant, and the Homewood Suites will offer 147 spacious suites. The conference center will have a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. The complex will also include six restaurant shell spaces, an outdoor lawn, and a swanky parking garage.
The EpicCentral project is also home to five lakes, a water park, a boardwalk, and a recreational center. This project is a collaboration between the city of Grand Prairie, a private developer, and an interactive design company called 900lbs. It will feature six new restaurants, interactive technology experiences, and a water/light show on the lakes.
The EpicCentral Hotel and Conference Center will be managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises, and will include a 19,680-square-foot conference center. The hotel is expected to open in 2023, and will be the first of its kind in the state of Texas. It will be the first dual-branded hotel in the state, and it will feature a plethora of modern amenities.
The EpicCentral Hotel and Conference Center is part of a 172-acre mixed-use development that includes the aforementioned water park and other attractions. It is also home to the City of Grand Prairie’s public safety complex, which is already complete. The project is scheduled to break ground later this year, and construction will begin in earnest.
