Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1344694
T he $175 million renovation of Mule Alley continues to kick up dust in the Fort Worth Stockyards, drawing F rench luxury company Hermès is nothing if not always on brand. An aside … A few months back, I received a gift card for my birthday with an undisclosed amount. As this was during COVID lockdown, I called customer service. A chic French voice shared that one of their operators would be with me shortly — followed not by muzak, but by the clippity-clop sound of horses hooves. In my mind's eye, they spent their time in isolation brainstorming new products, and sure enough, there's a new fragrance: H24, the first men's cologne since Terre d'Hermès debuted 15 years ago. The fresh green scent — blended from clary sage, narcissus, rosewood essence, and sclarene — SADDLE UP FOR MULE ALLEY TIMELESS MAN THE NAIL FILE a whole new crowd with fabulous new destinations for shopping and dining. Now a bona fide Western-fashion mecca, Mule Alley includes boutiques for iconic brands Wrangler, Lucchese, King Ranch, and Proper Supply Co. New dining and drinking venues are still rolling out, including Cowtown Winery's tasting room, which debuted last summer, and the spring openings of Sidesaddle Saloon, Second Rodeo Brewing, and Avoca Coffee Roasters. The long-awaited centerpiece of the Mule Alley redevelopment, Hotel Drover, opens as well on March 22, with 200 rustic-luxe rooms and suites, in addition to 12,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel's signature dining venue is the new 97 West Kitchen & Bar; hotel boutiques include The Lucchese Custom Collection and Little White Lies. Also coming to Mule Alley late this month is entrepreneur and chef Jason Boso's Second Rodeo Brewing Company. The backyard bar with chef-driven food, live music, and outdoor games for the family is the latest concept from Boso's restaurant management company Brain Storm Shelter (Twisted Root Burger Company, Truck Yard, Tacos & Avocados, Hart Hall on Main, Greenville Theater, By The Horns Brewing). He describes Second Rodeo as a brewpub meets live music hall, where his signature beer will be brewed in-house. Brain Storm's chief of staff, Amanda Boso, tells PaperCity, "Our focus will be on great drinks, live music, and a casual, welcoming environment. We have 11,000 square feet of temperature- controlled bar and an indoor/outdoor space with a retractable roof, plus an outdoor patio right on the creek." While a fully operational brewery occupies the space, a full bar will offer craft cocktails and wine. "As part of the Truck Yard family, Second Rodeo will feature Truck Yard's famous cheesesteaks, as well as a new chicken- wing menu from Jason," Amanda says. mulealleyfortworth.com; hoteldrover. com. Courtney Dabney veers from traditional men's eau de parfums, which rely on woodiness. Given the battle cry for sustainable fashion, Hermès has unveiled an eco- friendly refillable bottle for H24, designed by Philippe Mouquet and housed in a 100 percent recycled box. H24 travel spray $33, 50ml $80, 100ml $105, at the Hermès boutique, hermès.com. Billy Fong C herry, the app launched by rewardStyle founder Amber Venz Box in Dallas in 2017 to bring manicures and pedicures right to your door, has arrived in Fort Worth. Through the app, you can arrange for independent nail technicians to arrive at your home or place of business in as little as two hours. As a working mom herself, Box (the force behind rewardStyle, the LIKEtoKNOW.it shopping app, and The Local Chapter at Big Bend National Park) has always seen the need for the concept, but amid COVID concerns, demand for the app has soared. Cherry now services Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin, with Cherry Pro manicurists trained in the latest sanitization and disinfection practices. Services include classic, gel, and dip manicures and pedicures. downloadcherry.com. Courtney Dabney Hermès H24 Sneak peek at what's to come at Sidesaddle Saloon 22