NEW UPSCALE RESTAURANT COMING TO THE RESERVE
The Heath City Council approved an Economic Development Assistance Agreement and Ground Lease at its January 14 meeting for 1880 Kitchen, a new upscale destination restaurant that will be located in The Reserve, located along Hawk Drive and Chris Cuny Boulevard.
1880 Kitchen — named in recognition of the year Heath was established — is owned and operated by Heath resident and successful restaurant Agon Dika, whose other restaurants include Giovanni’s at The Harbor in Rockwall.
The Council’s action followed months of work on the project and approval of the agreement and ground lease by the Heath Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) and Heath Municipal Benefits Corporation (HMBC) Board.
“We’re very excited to welcome 1880 Kitchen to our community,” said Justin Saunders, president of the HEDC/HMBC. This is a unique and distinctive project that fits our vision for high quality commercial development in Heath and in The Reserve.
“Not only does Agron have a proven record of providing customers with an exceptional experience, but he loves this community as much as we do. We’re looking forward to an exceptional partnership,” Saunders said.
1880 Kitchen will be a full-service signature restaurant of at least 5,500 square feet with a spacious outdoor patio and open space adjacent to the trail connecting FM 740 to Chris Cuny Boulevard in The Reserve. Trails leading from Towne Center Park, now under renovation, also connect into The Reserve and 1880 Kitchen’s site.
The menu will offer a sophisticated blend of contemporary grill dishes with a focus on quality ingredients.
“1880 will be a community favorite where friends and family can gather locally over a really great meal in a welcoming atmosphere,” said Stan Britton, a Heath resident and real estate consultant who, as a friend, assisted Dika in securing the HEDC/HMBC partnership.
The restaurant is projected to provide a significant boost to the City’s annual sales tax base, as well as bring 70 to 80 new jobs with an emphasis on hiring local students, young adults and retirees who are not ready to slow down.
The Economic Development Assistance Agreement provides a $500,000 loan to be paid back through a quarterly payment of 2.5% of the gross sales. The Ground Lease terms include an annual lease of $2500 with the option to purchase the property at today’s market value of $500,000 within five years. If the purchase option is not exercised, the lease will revert to the current market value in year six.
“I am proud and grateful to President Justin Saunder, Vice President Mike Zilinskas and the rest of the HEDC/HMBC team for their hard work on this project,” said Mayor Jeremiah McClure. “A great deal of time and consideration was invested in crafting an agreement that made good sense for our City and the residents and guests who will enjoy an amenity of this caliber. It is a catalyst project for The Reserve, and our community.”
Serving on the Board with Saunders and Zilinskas are Cynthia Allen, Douglas Barkley, Glen Hettinger, Myles Hunter and Rich Koepke. Mayor McClure is the Ex Officio.
Learn more about the project:
Download the Council Presentation (pdf)
DESIGN CONCEPT
SITE PLAN
ABOUT THE HEDC/HMBC…
The mission of the HEDC/HMBC is to provide financial assistance for qualified projects in accordance with state guidelines that encourage quality commercial development that expands the City of Heath sales and property tax base and contributes to a higher quality of life without altering the City’s culture as a premier D/FW suburb.
ABOUT THE RESERVE…
The Reserve is a premier destination for exclusive, upscale, destination development. The wooded, 20-acres of land are owned by the HMBC and adjoin an additional 50 acres of city-owned land designated as open space. Trails within The Reserve connect the site to the City’s Towne Center Park and Downtown District.
