Dallas Business Journal articles from July 1999

Dallas Business Journal archives from July 1999

Eagle National flies to Allen to expand.(Eagle National Bank to open a new facility in Allen retail center, Stone Creek Village, Texas)
July 2, 1999... Growth-mirrors success of many independent banks ALLEN - Reflecting the recent surge among independent banks in the Metroplex, Eagle National Bank is preparing to establish its first branch location since receiving its charter in 1997. ...

Chicago law firm leaping into D-FW.(Rudnick and Wolfe signs a 10-year lease contract with Bank One Center building; Dallas-Forth Worth Metropolitan Area)
July 2, 1999... Rudnick leases CBD space, snatches attorneys away from Jenkens & Gilchrist DOWNTOWN DALLAS - Chicago-based law firm Rudnick & Wolfe is making a major push into the Metroplex, hoping to establish a stronghold here for one of the biggest law...

New Hilton will target business travelers.(Hilton Hotel Corp opens a new branch in Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas)
July 2, 1999... PRESTON CENTER - Hilton Hotels Corp. will again have a presence south of LBJ Freeway when construction is completed on its new hotel in the busy Preston Center area. Dallas-based RM Crowe Co. has broken ground on the 224-room, full-service...

HeliFlite operations to take flight.(HeliFlite Shares L.L.C. to expand in key states)
July 2, 1999... Company adds space at Alliance, prepares to expand to other states ALLIANCE - HeliFlite Shares L.L.C., which offers fractional ownership in corporate helicopters, has moved its operations into more space and is preparing to receive its...

Waters Ridge attracts two big industrial leases.(USCO Distribution Services signs a 135,000-sq.ft-lease at Waters Ridge Distribution Center)
July 2, 1999... USCO to hire 75 employees at new space in Lewisville LEWISVILLE - USCO Distribution Services is expanding its local operations with a 135,000-square-foot lease at Waters Ridge Distribution Center. The Kentucky-based provider of...

ILD Telecommunications to table public stock offering.
July 2, 1999... Company receives private funding for acquisitions NORTH DALLAS - ILD Telecommunications Inc. has become the latest Metroplex company to kill a public stock offering. The Dallas-based provider of prepaid phone services first filed to...

Read all about it....(Texas-based newsdealers jockey for more expansive customer base)
July 2, 1999... Newsstand stores open new locations, vie for loyal readership FAR NORTH DALLAS - Call it a tale of two newsstands. Both are hoping to tap into customers' love of magazines and newspapers, offering a broad selection of U.S. and foreign...

Restating earnings hits Dynamex on Wall Street.
July 2, 1999... String of concerns plague Irving company IRVING - Dynamex, one of the country's largest consolidators of courier services, has discovered "potentially unsupportable accounting entries" that boosted earnings in the third of quarter of...

Too much of a good thing?(excessive bandwidth might trigger the downfall of telecommunication companies)
July 2, 1999... Opinion divided on how a glut of bandwidth might affect telecommunications industry STEMMONS CORRIDOR - How times change. About nine years ago, Royce Holland was tearing up the streets of Dallas to lay thin fiber-optic cables for carrying...

Easy chairs on the Internet thanks to EZshop.com.(marketing home furnishing appliances online)
July 2, 1999... Startup takes a bite out of billion-dollar furniture industry by putting goods online NORTH DALLAS - Stan Gritz had merchandising experience, connections in the retail world and a yen to do Something entrepreneurial. But instead of...

RPS facility aims at UPS; aggressive, fast-growing package carrier has giant rival 'sweating bullets.'.(United Parcel Service)
July 9, 1999... Aggressive, fast-growing package carrier has giant rival 'sweating bullets' IRVING - Pittsburgh-based RPS Inc. hopes to gain ground on its giant competitor, United Parcel Service, by expanding its Metroplex operations into an $8 million,...

Commission returns hotels to previous zoning.(Lewisville, TX's planning and zoning commission)
July 9, 1999... LEWISVILLE - The city of Lewisville's planning and zoning commission put hotels and motels back under its general business zoning Tuesday, but tabled consideration of hotel development standards until its Aug. 3 meeting. Several months...

Realtor Robbie Briggs: Mr. Nice Guy.(Profile)(chairman of Briggs-Freeman Real Estate Brokerage)
July 9, 1999... UNIVERSITY PARK - Who says nice guys finish last? Certainly not anyone who knows Robbie Briggs, chairman of Briggs-Freeman Real Estate Brokerage. In fact, several people who know him say he's so nice, it's disgusting. The comment elicits a...

Company, shareholder wage court, public relations battle.(UICI; Richard Schappel)
July 9, 1999... Discord centers around UICI's 1996 agreement to invest in company FARMERS BRANCH - Dallas insurer UICI is waging a public-relations battle with a shareholder and former employee who is suing the firm. For the past year and a half, UICI...

Great Grains picks up Austin brewing contract.(Great Grains Brewery's contract with Hill Country Brewing and Bottling Co.)
July 9, 1999... NORTHWEST DALLAS - Bat's Breath Bock will still be an Austin-only microbrew, but now it's going to be brewed in Dallas. Hill Country Brewing and Bottling Co., makers of Bat's Breath, Balcones Fault Red Granite and Apple Ale since 1994, has...

Up, up and away: growth takes off at world's first industrial airport.(Alliance Growth Report: A Special Report)(Fort Worth Alliance Airport)
July 9, 1999... ALLIANCE - When Fort Worth Alliance Airport opened for business 10 years ago, some wondered if the idea of the world's first industrial airport would fly. Ross Perot Jr. thought it would. To convince others, he spent hundreds of days a...

Proximity to Alliance swells some town coffers.(Alliance Growth Report: A Special Report)(Alliance Airport)
July 9, 1999... As tax revenue grows, local tax rates decrease, public works costs climb ALLIANCE - A sweet and sour deal. That's how Haslet Mayor Gary Hulsey describes the growth around Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Sweet because the growth is...

Texas Motor Speedway spurs economic growth.(Alliance Growth Report: A Special Report)
July 9, 1999... Development includes Westin Hotel, golf course FORT WORTH - Less than four years ago, the intersection of Interstate 35W and State Highway 114 was a barren tract of grassy land scorched by the Texas sun. Today, the Texas Motor Speedway...

New homes dot landscape around Alliance.(Alliance Growth Report: A Special Report)(Alliance Airport)
July 9, 1999... Job opportunities, good land attracts residential developers, home buyers ALLIANCE - Dozens of residential developments have sprouted around the Alliance area over the last several years. A combination of good land and vast employment...

Alliance corridor amenities booming; retail, service companies thrive in bustling market.(Alliance Growth Report: A Special Report)(Alliance Airport)
July 9, 1999... Retail, service companies thrive in bustling market ALLIANCE CROSSING - Whether people work in the Alliance corridor or are just passing through, they want places to eat and convenient services. Hillwood's Alliance Crossing on Westport...

Big plans, changes on tap for Circle T Ranch; developer aims to guard natural beauty of the land.(Alliance Growth Report: A Special Report)(Hillwood Properties)
July 9, 1999... Developer aims to guard natural beauty of the land WESTLAKE - With its majestic old oaks, rolling hills, sprawling meadows and scenic ponds, the storied Circle T Ranch fosters Texas-sized dreams. "When you run across a piece like...

3,400-acre project takes off.(development project on the Chisholm Trail)
July 16, 1999... Chisholm development in Wise County capitalizes on Alliance WISE COUNTY - Johnny Vinson began buying ranch land in southern Wise County during the 1970s not knowing that some day his land would lie just minutes from a booming industrial...

Sierra, Humana among Texas NYLCare suitors.(Sierra Health Services Inc.; NYLCare Health Plans)
July 16, 1999... NORTH DALLAS - Sierra Health Services Inc. and Humana Inc. have both expressed interest in purchasing the Metroplex and Houston portions of NYLCare Health Plans. Aetna U.S. Healthcare is selling the Texas NYLCare operations to comply with...

Shrinking legal world.(Thompson and Knight P.C. and Brown, Parker and Leahy L.L.P.)(Statistical Data Included)
July 16, 1999... Thompson Knight merges with Brown Parker to strengthen its Houston ties DOWNTOWN DALLAS - The Dallas-based law firm of Thompson & Knight P.C. has finally gotten its wish for major expansion into the Houston market. On July 15, the...

Creditors line up for $568M from FirstPlus.(FirstPlus Financial Inc.)(Statistical Data Included)
July 16, 1999... STEMMONS CORRIDOR - Some of the top names on Wall Street and in pro sports are weighing in on the fate of FirstPlus Financial Inc., the beleaguered Dallas mortgage firm that filed for bankruptcy protection in March. From the financial...

Choice Hotels plans expansion.(Choice Hotels International)(Statistical Data Included)
July 16, 1999... Company has six hotels under construction and more are in the works MARKET CENTER - When Choice Hotels International opened The Clarion Inn Market Center recently, it marked the chain's 40th property in the Metroplex. But the Silver...

i2 Technologies settles sexual harassment claim.(computer software industry)
July 16, 1999... FARMERS BRANCH - Software maker i2 Technologies and one of its top executives have settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by one of the executive's former assistants. Terms of the settlement, which ended a nearly two-year legal battle...

Complex marked for demolition.(Preston Village Apartments, North Dallas, Texas)
July 16, 1999... Developers plan assisted-living center, apartments on Northwest Hwy. site NORTH DALLAS - Developers plan to demolish the majority of the buildings in the Preston Village Apartments to make way for an assisted-living center, three-story...

Interstate Trailers to build plant in Mansfield.(Texas)
July 16, 1999... Relocation will bring 65 jobs to city MANSFIELD -A trailer manufacturer will move its manufacturing plant to town, bringing with it 65 jobs, an economic development official said. Interstate Trailers, now located at 1100 Interstate 20...

Zoo's birthday, tourism boon worth celebrating.(Fort Worth Zoo)
July 16, 1999... Fort Worth park draws high attendance, plans $40 million project FORT WORTH - As the Fort Worth Zoo celebrates its 90th birthday this August and September, the region should also be celebrating the zoo's impact on tourism as exhibits...

Area builders clamor for West Frisco land.(Dalwestern Developments and other Texas real estate developers)
July 16, 1999... Choosing builders proves challenging for developers of 107-acre subdivision FRISCO - Dallas-based Dalwestern Developments Inc. plans a 385-home residential subdivision on 107 acres it recently purchased in West Frisco. But selecting...

New Leather Factory stores to grow sales program.
July 16, 1999... Each store will act as distribution point for retailers enrolled as authorized dealers FORT WORTH - The Leather Factory Inc.'s opening of four new company-owned sales and distribution stores this month may look like an expansion strategy....

Holigan in $30M race deal: Nascar tie-in will help Hicks-owned homebuilder grow national brand.(three-year sponsorship agreement between Hendrick Motorsports and Dallas-based homebuilder Michael Holigan promises to be one of the most lucrative in Winston Cup history)
July 23, 1999... Nascar tie-in will help Hicks-owned homebuilder grow national brand FAR NORTH DALLAS - A three-year sponsorship agreement between four-time defending Winston Cup championship team Hendrick Motorsports and Dallas-based homebuilder Michael...

Hutchinson, feds scrap over oil drilling fees.(US senator Kay Hutchinson)
July 23, 1999... WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is fighting to stop federal regulators from raising the prices that oil companies pay to drill on government land. The proposed charges would add an estimated $66 million to the $1.6...

Subdivision plans jolt 'quiet' Princeton.(Texas)
July 23, 1999... PRINCETON - When the huge, 3,200-home subdivision called Princeton Meadows is built out over the next 20 years, this small city just east of McKinney could see its population soar from 2,600 to more than 14,000. For at least 60 residents...

Road show to Latin America: developer makes effort to market Carter Industrial Park internationally.(Mereken Land and Production Co.)
July 23, 1999... Developer makes effort to market Carter Industrial Park internationally FORT WORTH - Mereken Land & Production Co., developer of Carter Industrial Park, bought 40 acres of land and has plans to market some of it to companies in Latin...

Restaurant firm ventures into the world of the Web: Cafe Odyssey Inc. buys two Dallas Internet firms.
July 23, 1999... Cafe Odyssey Inc. buys two Dallas Internet firms OAK LAWN - With two strokes of a pen, a Minnesota operator of travel-themed restaurants is becoming the king of e-mail in the Metroplex. Care Odyssey Inc. this week acquired Dallas-based...

Paging giants may have fairy tale ending: PageNet, Pagemart have advanced messaging services that large telecom players want to offer.
July 23, 1999... PageNet, Pagemart have advanced messaging services that large telecom players want to offer ADDISON - For years, investors have viewed Paging Network Inc. and Pagemart Inc. as the ugly ducklings that never quite turned into swans. ...

Wal-Mart center to bring 200 jobs to Terrell: new refrigerated food distribution facility to serve some Texas stores.(Terrell, TX)
July 23, 1999... TERRELL - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is building a $40 million food-distribution center here that will initially employ 200 people. The Bentonville, Ark., retailer's 413,000-square-foot building is going up on a 96-acre plot in Terrell's Metro...

Eagle Postal Center tests new concept at Kroger's: 15-year-old company continues to expand services to grow outlets.
July 23, 1999... 15-year-old company continues to expand services to grow outlets RICHARDSON -- When Brandon Gale opened his first Eagle Postal Center, he had to educate customers on the services his business could provide. There weren't many mail and...

Some unhappy with Fort Worth apartment study.
July 23, 1999... FORT WORTH - Numbers aren't everything. At least that's what two Fort Worth development organizations believe. Members of Fort Worth South and Downtown Fort Worth Inc. are concerned that a recent construction inventory study gives a false...

Downtown project draws heavyweight: Geisler to direct Republic Center retail development.(real estate specialist John Geisler)
July 23, 1999... DOWNTOWN DALLAS - A big name in retail leasing has signed on to jump-start the retail/restaurant development in the massive Republic Center project. John Giesler has assisted on other high-profile projects including University Towne Centre...

Bedford eyes commercial revitalization plan: plan turn attention to enhancing city's existing commercial development.(Bedford, TX)
July 23, 1999... BEDFORD - City Council members praised a plan to revitalize 12 commercial corridors as one with foresight that will contribute to the city's vitality. "Business is absolutely critical to our success," said Mayor R.D. (Rick) Hurt. "Cities...

Inwood snapping up Provident.(Inwood National Bank; Provident Bank)
July 30, 1999... Deal weds state's most profitable community bank and local 'success story' NORTH DALLAS - Inwood National Bank has agreed to buy Provident Bank in a deal that would create the ninth-largest commercial bank with headquarters in the...

Eagle Supply Group is taking off.
July 30, 1999... Masonry, roofing supply company poised to be fifth largest nationally MANSFIELD - Eagle Supply Group Inc. just went public in March, but it's already taking the roofing and masonry supplies industry by storm. Since its incorporation...

Parkland, Texas Health re-enter leasing talks.(Parkland Health and Hospital System; Texas Health Resources)
July 30, 1999... Deal to lease St. Paul fell through once, but execs are trying again MEDICAL CENTER - Parkland Health & Hospital System has re-established preliminary talks with Texas Health Resources to lease neighboring St. Paul Medical Center. ...

Second Strasburger & Price merger goes bust.(law firm)
July 30, 1999... Split with San Antonio group could prove costly for Dallas-based law firm DOWNTOWN DALLAS - It appears there is trouble in paradise for the Dallas-based law firm of Strasburger & Price L.L.P. Although it just finalized its merger with San...

Cities play waiting game for large chip projects.(Texas)
July 30, 1999... Announced Dallas, Fort Worth facilities could take years to become reality RICHARDSON - On one level, things are looking up in the Metroplex chip industry. Dallas' own Texas Instruments Inc. recently reported an eightfold increase in...

MobileStar's Internet service targets travelers.(MobileStar Network Corp.)
July 30, 1999... Customers with laptops can get access at speeds up to 100 times faster than dial-up modems RICHARDSON - Backed by $20 million in equity financing and partnerships with heavyweights like American Airlines and Hilton Hotels, a Richardson...

Brothers buy 225 acres for residential project in Haslet.(Willow Springs Joint Venture L.L.C.)
July 30, 1999... FORT WORTH - Three partners plan to develop homes on 225 acres just west of Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Mike Wells and brothers Peter and Steve Paulsen bought the land for an undisclosed price last week under the entity Willow Springs...

Magnolia Hotel offers downtown lodging option.(Dallas, Texas)
July 30, 1999... Dallas historic site draws bookings before its Aug. 2 opening DOWNTOWN DALLAS - More than seven decades ago, British architect Sir Alfred Bossom designed a headquarters for Magnolia Petroleum Corp. Now, fellow countryman Guy Thornton is...

Demise of antique malls shock tenants.
July 30, 1999... Dealers scramble for new space with less than a day's notice from landlord PRESTON CENTER - Several hundred antique dealers found themselves out on the street earlier this month with the abrupt closing of antique malls in two of the area's...

Grand vision: Home Interiors makes a new deal, plans for future growth.(Growth Strategies)(Home Interiors & Gifts)
July 30, 1999... NORTH DALLAS - Joey Carter literally grew up with Home Interiors & Gifts. His grandmother, the late Mary Crowley, founded the company in 1957 along with her husband, Dave Crowley, and her son, Donald Carter, at a time when female business...