Coffee News

Coffee shop in north Fort Worth gets rescued on the brink of closure

Brunch

Photo courtesy of Native Coffee + Kitchen

A local brunch and coffee spot in north Fort Worth that was about to shutter has a rescuer in the wings: Native Coffee + Kitchen at 2725 Heritage Trace Pkwy. which closed April 20 after four years in business, will be taken over by a new concept called Harvest Coffee.

This is not to be confused with the Harvest Coffee that is based in Bryan, Texas, nor the small-batch coffee roaster in New Jersey. This is, according to Native founders Bart and Christina McClung, a new locally owned coffee concept opening in the same location soon.

The couple had already decided to close, blaming low sales and an increase in rent, stating that "the large increase in rent, interest rates, and inventory costs while sales have been slow the past year as everyone is feeling the tightness of our current economy" were the reason they "simply can not afford to continue."

But just like that, things changed, and according to their post, it was nothing less than a divine intervention.

"In a wild turn of events, that truly could’ve only been orchestrated by God, the heart of Native will continue under NEW OWNERSHIP as Harvest Coffee!" their post says. "We are thrilled to pass the baton to the new owners and excited to see their vision come to life!"

Even God needs his cappuccino.

Native originally opened in 2020, days before the pandemic was declared. Limited operations due to social distancing guidelines didn't stop them; the McClungs say the community “rallied” around them to support the restaurant opening and staying in business, pandemic or not.

“While we’ve always thought of ourselves as the underdog with grit and tenacity to keep fighting until we ultimately claimed victory, we now have to accept that maybe our story doesn’t end in the championship title but how to humbly resign while keeping your head held high,” the post says.

In addition to coffee, Native served various brunch dishes such as breakfast tacos, biscuits and gravy, and migas. The lunch and dinner menu included burgers, sandwiches, wings, salads, and tacos.

Native’s space was designed to have a rustic, Texas feel combined with upscale furniture and decor, according to Community Impact. The “Native” name was reflected in the ingredients used, as the restaurant sourced many of its products from local companies.

The couple was unavailable for comment, but vowed that "one day we will tell the amazing story."

According to their post, they aren't sure yet on what the menu will be - but the new shop will be "a combination of some familiar favorites [with previous staffers], along with some new things."

native coffee kitchen coffee closure fort worth closings

Tex-Mex News

Fort Worth restaurant Los Vaqueros spills dates on upcoming relocation

Courtesy rendering

Rendering of new dining room at Los Vaqueros.

There's an update on beloved Cisneros family Tex-Mex restaurant Los Vaqueros., which will be relocating to the historic Stockyards Exhibits Building at 2513 Rodeo Plaza in 2025.

According to a release, the big move for the restaurant will take place in the thick of the Christmas holiday:

The restaurant will remain open at its 2629 North Main St. location through December 22 at 3 pm. They've been in that space nearly 30 years.
The new location will open on December 26, just in time to ring in the New Year and welcome Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo visitors in January.

“This year has brought unexpected challenges, but also incredible opportunities,” says Cisneros Restaurants Inc. President Vicki Cisneros in a statement. “We are grateful to be able to celebrate one last Christmas season with our friends here before starting a new chapter two blocks down the road at Rodeo Plaza.”

Los Vaqueros Restaurant has brought Tex-Mex cuisine to the historic Stockyards neighborhood since 1982 and to Willow Park since 2008.

The original move was slated to take place in the summer, but they extended the timeline to ensure the space reflects the authentic essence of Los Vaqueros. That included collaborating with Bennett Partners Architecture and Design and IMGC, LLC, the family worked tirelessly to preserve the rich history of the Stockyards while incorporating modern restaurant amenities.

Cisneros says they wanted "to get it just right."

"This is likely the last restaurant my husband Johnny and I will personally oversee, so every detail mattered," she says. "From incorporating historic wood and barn doors from the original building to designing custom chairs, plates, and glassware, the space truly embodies the spirit of Los Vaqueros: it’s about cowboys, ranchers, and Tex-Mex cuisine.”

They also did not want to disrupt family transitions of dining at the restaurant during the Christmas holiday.

"We’re grateful to the building’s new owners for allowing us to stay through the season," Cisnerous says.

Fans can expect some fanfare between December 20–23, when they relocate the illuminated marquee sign to the new location in the 1910–12 Stockyards Exhibits Building — also a historic site, and home to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the John Wayne: An American Experience Museum.

Amenities in the new location will include a banquet room that seats 100, with an adjacent patio that seats 20 and a Fiesta Room that seats 50.

The restaurant will be open until midnight on New Year’s Eve, and will see the launch of “Los Vaqueros After Dark” on the weekends, an extended service that features a menu of enchiladas, tacos, nachos, and specialty breakfast items until 12:30 am, and bar service until 1 am.

Parking is free Sunday-Thursday at the nearby Billy Bob's lot (131 Stockyards Blvd.), excluding special events. On weekends, parking fees apply, but free parking options are available around the perimeter of the Stockyards, as well as separately managed parking lots that offer different rates and occasional coupons.

tex-mex openings