Meet the Merchant: Zen Sushi

Our “Meet The Merchant” series is written for you, our reader, to introduce you to the shops, restaurants, services + people that make the Bishop Arts District unique. This week, we’re talking to Michelle Carpenter, Head Chef and Owner of restaurant Zen Sushi.

What is your business all about? 

We offer contemporary Japanese-American cuisine.  Our menu marries Japanese training and technique with regional ingredients with the best quality seafood I can source.  We want our customers to feel relaxed and comfortable, as our staff offers friendly and helpful service.  

 Oak Cliff has a casual vibe.  That’s what we love about the neighborhood.  I’m a fan of eating high-quality food, made by professionals with good ingredients, without the pressures of a high-end restaurant (though I deeply respect chefs that offer that experience)  You should be enjoy great food without having to wear a suit.  

 Zen also serves a full vegetarian menu and plenty of cooked options.  We try to offer something for everyone. 

 When did you open your doors?

Located in the Bishop Arts District since 2007 – 12 years!

What is the mission behind Zen Sushi?

Thoughtfully-crafted Japanese-American cuisine.
Chef-driven, female-owned and operated. Our culinary team boasts 95+ years of Japanese cuisine experience.
Quality ingredients, responsibly-sourced. Made-to-order.
Friendly, helpful service in a casual setting.

 

 

Why did you choose the Bishop Arts District?

So many of my friends have called this neighborhood home for so long. Oak Cliff just felt like home, more than any other part of the city. Bishop Arts consists of independent businesses owned and operated by people I know, many of whom live in Oak Cliff.  They are not representatives of large, faceless corporations. Most of the owners and workers here care about where they work and where they live because it’s the same place.

What’s your favorite thing about the Bishop Arts District?

I feel a great sense of pride when I look out at the floor during Friday and Saturday night service. My customers are diverse. People of different ethnicities, orientations, and creeds feel welcome here. Zen is proud to serve every one. There are not many places in the world where you see integration and diversity like the BAD. 

Build a perfect date night or family day trip in the Bishop Arts District. Where would you go? What would you do?

I live in Oak Cliff, so there can’t be one perfect night. Maybe a perfect week would be easier! I have too many friends with too many businesses to pick favorites for one day.

 

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Meet the Merchant: Indigo 1745

Our “Meet The Merchant” series is written for you, our reader, to introduce you to the shops, restaurants, services + people that make the Bishop Arts District unique. This week, we’re talking to Denise with retail space Indigo 1745.

BAD: What is your business all about?

Denise: Indigo 1745 is a men’s and women’s boutique catering to individuals seeking the extraordinary. We believe a lifestyle that is cool, calm and collected will take you wherever you need to go. Since the beginning, we have been in the forefront of bringing new undiscovered brands and products to the marketplace.

BAD: When did you open your doors?

Denise: October 2006.

BAD: What is the mission behind your small business?

Denise: Our mission was and continues to demonstrate that we are a personal boutique that caters to individuals who are confident in their own skin and not interested in chasing trends. We strive to bring exciting and original finds to our clients that don’t follow trends, but start them.

BAD: Why did you choose the Bishop Arts District?

Denise: We chose Bishop Arts because of the incredible neighborhood of visionary artist that caters to the independent spirit in all of us.

BAD: What’s your favorite thing about the BAD?

Denise: We are able to deliver a unique experience that’s different from any other place in the city.

BAD: Build a perfect date night or family day trip in the Bishop Arts District. Where would you go? What would you do?

Denise: The dinner options are incredible, so it depends on the mood of the group. BAD has you covered. A stop at Indigo 1745 is a must for the welcoming atmosphere and unexpected merchandise presented to simulate your senses!

BAD: Anything else you’d like to share during your MTM takeover?

Denise: Mention “Eliza Pinckney” at the Indigo 1745 register to get 20% off any regularly priced item AND get an additional 5% if you can tell us what she did! (Promo ends Friday, April 5th)

You can meet the Indigo 1745 team and talk about Eliza P. while you sip-n-shop their store at the Bishop Arts Springtime Wine Walk on Thursday, April 4th from 6PM-9PM! Tickets via Prekindle.

370 W 7th Street, Dallas, TX 75208

Sun-Mon: 11- 5 // Tue-Wed: 11-7 // Thu: 11-8 // Fri-Sat: 11-10
http://www.indigo1745.com/
Follow us: @indigo1745

Meet The Merchant: All Good Things

Our “Meet The Merchant” series is written for you, our reader, to introduce you to the shops, restaurants, services + people that make the Bishop Arts District unique. This week, we’re talking to Kristen, with retail space All Good Things.

 

BAD: What is your business all about?

Kristen: All Good Things is a carefully curated stationery and gift shop whose offerings include contemporary jewelry, intentional home wares, thoughtful greeting cards and custom party goods. The shop also hosts workshops for the community to learn skills such as floral arrangement, modern calligraphy and brush pen lettering. All Good Things will quickly become your “go-to” gift shop!

 

BAD: When did you open your doors?

Kristen: All Good Things opened on July 10, 2017. We’re looking forward to our “year two” birthday celebration this summer!

BAD: What is the mission behind your small business?

Kristen: During the first few years that I lived in Dallas, I noticed there was a lack of gift shops and anytime I needed that perfect gift for a friend or my mom or whoever it was, I struggled. I figured I wasn’t the only one and thought that maybe it was something that other people in Dallas were looking for as well. So, anytime I had a bad day at work, I had always come back to my crazy dream – opening up my own shop. It seemed so unrealistic and to be honest, frightening. But after talking with some close friends and family, I decided to take a leap of faith and just do it. I spent every night researching, pinning to my “SHOP” board on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to turn this big dream into a small business. I quit my job in March of 2017 and started working from home for a friend while I did my research and thought that I would potentially open something within a year or so. Well – things escalated once I found the perfect space in the Bishop Arts District about one month after I had quit my job. I had the lease signed, got the keys on June 1st and opened the doors to All Good Things on July 10, 2017. The overall goal of the store has always been the same – to create a space in the community where people can come and find a unique and beautiful gifts at a reasonable price. Where they can come to our workshops and learn a new skill and be creative. Many of our products come from small makers across the United States so while our customers are supporting our shop, they are also supporting many other small businesses and their families.

BAD: Why did you choose the Bishop Arts District?

Kristen: The Bishop Arts District has a reputation for hosting events such as wine walks, fall festivals and the infamous Mardi Gras parade. In this day in age, retailers need to offer more than whats on their shelves or on their menus and the Bishop Arts District offers an energetic sense of community to neighbors – both local and not!

 

BAD: Build a perfect date night in the Bishop Arts District. Where would you go? What would you do?

Kristen: A perfect date night in the Bishop Arts District would be much like my boyfriend and I’s first date – start with a glass of wine at Neighborhood cellar before walking around and seeing what is new in shops like Oasis, Society, AJ Vagabonds and All Good Things, of course! Next up, dinner at one of our favorites like Eno’s, Lucia or Zen. The night would likely end with a nightcap at Ten Bells Tavern or The Local Oak!

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Visit All Good Things:

 

336 West Davis Street, Dallas, Texas 75208
Monday + Tuesday: 11-6, Wednesday + Thursday: 11-7, Friday + Saturday: 11-8, Sunday: 11-4
http://www.allgoodthingspaper.com
Follow us: @allgoodthingspaper

 

Meet The Merchant: Emporium Pies

Our “Meet The Merchant” series is written for you, our reader, to introduce you to the shops, restaurants, services + people that make the Bishop Arts District unique. This week, we’re talking to Emporium Pies.

Emporium Pies wants to make people happy and to create opportunities for friends and neighbors to spend time together over a delicious slice of pie.

BAD: What is your business all about?

EP: We are a local pie shop. We make our pies with love by hand, from scratch with our own recipes. Our menu is seasonal, but our smiles are always in season!  🙂

BAD: When did you open your doors?

EP: We opened in September 2012.

BAD: Why did you choose the Bishop Arts District?

EP: We chose Bishop Arts District because it is where our community lived and the folks in the neighborhood really understand the value of a hand made product without a bunch of hydrogenated oils, dyes and preservatives.

BAD: What’s your favorite thing about the Bishop Arts District?

EP: I love that I can walk down the street and see a bunch of people I know. Friends and neighbors, fellow business owners. It is a real community of people who look out for each other and genuinely care for each other.

BAD: Build a perfect date night in the Bishop Arts District. Where would you go? What would you do?

EP: My perfect family day would start with brunch at Boulevardier and then a walk down to Dirt Flowers to pick a flower out for each of my girls. We would stroll around for a bit to walk off breakfast and then grab a piece of pie before nap time.

BAD: Any fun news you’d like to share during your “Meet the Merchant” Tuesday Takeover?

EP: National Pi Day is coming up on March 14th (3.14) and our delicious Chickin Lickin pot pie will be in stores all day!

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Visit Emporium Pies in Bishop Arts:

314 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Sun-Th 11a-9p // F-Sat 11am-11pm
https://emporiumpies.com/
Follow us: @emporiumpies

Meet The Merchant: Mosaic Makers Co

Our “Meet The Merchant” series is written for you, our reader, to introduce you to the shops, restaurants, services + people that make the Bishop Arts District unique. This week, we’re talking to Katy, with retail space Mosaic Makers Collective.

Mosaic Makers Collective is a new retail concept in the renovated 410 Market on Bishop Avenue that touts some of Dallas’ very best female-designed, handmade goods. Mosaic sprouted from a need for an artisan community, and founder Katy Sensenig Schilthuis wanted to create a fun space where artists could get to know Dallas as a whole – and likewise, Dallas could get to know the artists and their work.

BAD: What is your business all about?

Katy: Mosaic Makers Collective is a co-op shop in the Bishop Arts District that sells high-quality paper goods and gifts from 11 local women: all designed in Dallas + handmade. I formed the collective in April of 2018 as a way to form community amongst local, female artisans. I knew there were women around Dallas with incredible talent, and wanted to celebrate that! At Mosaic, the artists make the items and work behind the counter – so the customer gets the chance to actually meet the artist while shopping.

BAD: When did you open your doors?

Katy: May 1, 2018. Just over 7 months ago!

BAD: Why did you choose the Bishop Arts District?

Katy: I’d call the Bishop Arts District the “hip Greenwich Village” of Dallas. Its chalk full of adorable local shops, eateries, and bars – all run by incredibly friendly and passionate people. Their passion spills over into the community, and that in combination with the hipster vibe and a plethora of fun events, keeps locals coming back for more.

BAD: Build a perfect date night in the Bishop Arts District. Where would you go? What would you do?

Katy: I’d start with a cocktail during happy hour at Tribal All Day Cafe, then head to Boulevardier for dinner. My favorite items on the menu? Crawfish beignets + steak frites. Then, I’d head to the Wild Detectives for a fun, quirky backyard show. Finish off the night with a piece of pie from Emporium Pies and viola! Fun night to be had by all.

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Visit Mosaic Makers Co:

410 N Bishop Ave #103, Dallas, TX 75208
M-Th: 11-6 // F-Sat: 11-10 // Sun: 11-5
http://www.mosaicmakers.co
Follow us: @mosaicmakersco