Spa Esoteric

We look warm and dry through Thursday. Rain on Friday and Saturday bring highs down several degrees. The 1st week of November looks quiet and comfortable, minus a couple of windy days!

🛍️ One of Frisco's busiest shopping destinations could be getting a major upgrade, and a development proposal that previously faced opposition is suddenly moving forward again. Stonebriar Centre is considering a plan that would bring three restaurant buildings and an elevated pedestrian skybridge connecting the area near Nordstrom to the main mall. The project, called The Bridges at Stonebriar Mall, is proposed for the north side of the shopping center near Ga***rd Parkway and Parkwood Boulevard. Earlier this month, city staff recommended denying the proposal because of concerns involving fire lanes, utilities, landscaping and parking documentation. The developer withdrew the application before the Oct. 12 meeting. But now, revised plans are back on the agenda for Tuesday, Oct. 27, and city staff is recommending approval. The updated proposal includes an existing two story building with approximately 40,900 square feet of restaurant space, plus two one story restaurant buildings measuring roughly 7,400 square feet each. One would also feature a 1,790 square foot outdoor patio. The plans include an upper level pedestrian bridge intended to improve connectivity between the buildings. For Frisco residents who regularly visit Stonebriar Centre, the project could eventually mean more dining options and a different experience around the mall's Nordstrom entrance. However, no restaurant tenants have been announced, and the project still needs additional reviews before construction. The Planning & Zoning Commission will consider the preliminary site plan at its Oct. 27 meeting at 6:30 p.m. With city staff now supporting the proposal, the biggest remaining questions are which restaurants might move in and how much the project could change one of Frisco's most recognizable shopping centers.

Right next to the Centre Pompidou in Paris is one of the city's most unusual fountains, filled with colorful moving sculptures that spray water in every direction.

The Stravinsky Fountain was inaugurated in 1983 and created by two celebrated artists, Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle. Its 16 sculptures were inspired by the music of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, whose groundbreaking compositions helped transform classical music in the early 20th century.

The fountain combines the artists' very different styles. Tinguely designed the black mechanical sculptures, while Saint Phalle created the whimsical figures, including a large pair of red lips. Together, their work creates a striking contrast between industrial machinery and abstract art.

The fountain's playful design makes it a perfect match for its neighbor, the Centre Pompidou. The museum is famous for its modern and contemporary art collections, but its architecture is just as distinctive, with exposed pipes and structural elements on the outside of the building rather than hidden within.

Although the Centre Pompidou is currently closed for a major renovation scheduled to last until 2030, the Stravinsky Fountain remains accessible to visitors, with its sculptures and water features still operating.

MCKINNEY: BEIGNETS AND BREW BRINGING NEW ORLEANS-STYLE TREATS TO ELDORADO PARKWAY

A popular Southeastern cafe franchise is making its debut in North Texas, bringing fresh, made-to-order beignets and specialty coffee to Collin County.

State filings reveal plans for a $300,000 commercial alteration project located at 8251 Eldorado Pkwy (Suite 100) in McKinney. The project involves a 1,598-square-foot interior tenant fit-out to build out a brand-new Beignets and Brew restaurant.

Originally founded in Destin, Florida, the franchise is known for its classic New Orleans-style beignets and extensive coffee menu, and this McKinney storefront marks one of their very first expansions into the state of Texas.

Construction on the new cafe is scheduled to begin late this year on December 15, 2026, targeting a quick build-out with completion expected by March 1, 2027.

📍 8251 Eldorado Pkwy, Suite 100, Mckinney, TX 75070