Dog-gone it

Mutts Canine Cantina at Fort Worth's Clearfork suddenly closes

This poor doggy's losing his favorite hangout.

Mutts Canine Cantina Facebook

A favorite Fort Worth hangout for dogs and their owners is gone "fur-ever." The owners of Mutts Canine Cantina announced Monday, June 29 they're permanently closing all locations, including Fort Worth's Shops at Clearfork.

The unexpected announcement came via a social media post, catching patrons by surprise since the dog parks had just been open, as usual, the past weekend.

The post reads in part: “After many years of wagging tails, muddy paws, and friendships formed at the water bowl, today we’re permanently closing our Mutts Dallas and Clearfork locations, effective immediately. Mutts has been more than a dog park — it’s been a community, and we’re incredibly grateful to every member, guest, and pup who made it special.”

The company's website was updated with a similar message. Comments sharing memories, and expressing sadness, disappointment and dissatisfaction around the news were disabled shortly after the post went live.

The closure affects the flagship Uptown Dallas location, which opened in 2013, and the Fort Worth outpost, which followed in 2018. Additionally, the Allen location (opened in 2021) and the franchised Austin location (opened in 2022) are now listed as permanently closed. A planned franchise location in New Braunfels never opened.

Dallas-based FreeRange Concepts, which owns Mutts, told CultureMap the company closed Mutts to focus on their other concepts.

“After nearly 15 years, we’ve had a great run with Mutts in Dallas and Fort Worth, and it’s time to shift our focus to our other brands,” says Kyle Noonan, owner and CEO of FreeRange Concepts. “We still own the Mutts name and don’t know what’s next for it — but today we’re simply grateful. Thank you to our team, our guests, and every dog who made it special.”

FreeRange Concepts, which was founded in 2011 by Josh Sepkowitz and Kyle Noonan, has experienced a major expansion over the past decade. Its portfolio includes popular restaurants and bars such as Bowl & Barrel, in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio; The General Public in Houston; The Rustic in Dallas (and coming soon to The Colony) and Houston; and Joe Leo in Dallas.

The sudden loss of Mutts leaves a significant void in the communities where it had become a beloved neighborhood staple. Its vibrant yellow benches and bar served as a fun after-hours space where dogs and people alike could socialize.

Because Mutts operated on a membership model, the farewell post directed dog owners with active memberships to reach out to membership services at muttsmembers@freerangeconcepts.com for more information.

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Coming attraction

Upscale steakhouse to pair premium steaks with Chinese cuisine in Keller

A first look inside the upscale, moody design planned for Old Town Keller’s new HOPS Kitchen + Bar, slated to open in summer 2027.

Rendering courtesy of HOPS Kitchen + Bar.

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A new upscale steakhouse is in the works for Old Town Keller from the team behind a nearby restaurant favorite: Called Hops Kitchen + Bar, it will break ground in August and open in summer 2027 at 200 Keller Pkwy., the owners say.

Hops comes from Donny Wu and Tommy Zheng, who opened Hush Sushi + Bar in Keller in 2022.

Wu and Zheng are hospitality veterans who previously owned three restaurants in Marysville, Ohio, before relocating to North Texas during the pandemic after searching for a city with strong schools, warm weather, and a growing economy.

“It is fantastic. People are nice, the weather is amazing — the sky is the limit,” says Wu.

As Keller residents, they said they thought the area was missing an elevated dining experience that combined premium steaks, Chinese food, and a full bar.

To that end, Hops Kitchen + Bar will be an “East China meets steakhouse” concept, they say. The menu will include premium steaks, fresh seafood, traditional Chinese cuisine, and craft cocktails. While the menu is still under development, they promise prime cuts, Asian fusion dishes, and ocean-to-table plates.

However, they will not be serving sushi, Hush Sushi + Bar is just five minutes away.

The main bar area at Hops Kitchen + Bar combines rich wood tones and dramatic lighting.Rendering courtesy of HOPS Kitchen + Bar

Their 7,200-square-foot space will feature a dynamic layout divided into three areas: a main dining room; a sunroom with an enclosed, climate-controlled patio and panoramic windows that can open to enjoy the breeze; and a private "red room" that will offer a separate cocktail and food menu with a speakeasy vibe.

The restaurant will open in the midst of the neighborhood’s revitalization. The city's infrastructure and streetscape upgrades are transforming the corridor into a pedestrian-friendly business district, complete with on-street parking, pedestrian amenities, and upgraded utilities.

“We are really excited to bring Hops Kitchen + Bar to Keller. We spent years creating this concept, and we are happy to reinvest in our own community,” Wu says.

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