Danny Mogle

1. Pinktoberfest events set for The Cannery Lindale, The Pink Pistol, Love and War in Texas

Developers of The Cannery project in downtown Lindale say they are committed to making it the new entertainment and recreation hot spot in the region.

The multimillion dollar development will have loft apartments, restaurants, retail shops, parks and venues, both indoors and outdoors, that can host special events and celebrations, said Chad Franke, owner of CS Franke Development, one of the key players.

Located along portions of Main and Industrial streets and encompassing nearby undeveloped land, the mixed-use center will be anchored by The Pink Pistol, the gift shop owned by the parents of country superstar Miranda Lambert, and Love & War in Texas, a restaurant known for Texas-inspired cuisine and live music.

Love & War restaurants are open in Plano and Grapevine.

“The concept (for the restaurant) was created to promote Texas, Texans, Texas food and Texas heritage,” according to information on its website. “You will not find any sushi or Alaskan snow crab on our menu – only fresh Texas Gulf seafood, Texas produce and Texas grown meats, all cooked into authentic Texas recipes.

“Live Texas music has become a tradition at L&W. Texas singers and songwriters from around the state are finding their way to what is quickly becoming a central gathering place for Texas music and musicians.”

Both of the restaurants feature live music almost every night. Among those who have played there are Kacey Musgraves, Eli Young Band, Collin Raye, Eddie Raven, Michael Martin Murphey and Pat Green.

Lindale’s own Miranda Lambert performed at Love & War when she first was starting out.

The 50-acre master plan calls for multiple venues that can host concerts, special events and as sites for musical festivals.

“We’ve created four music venues in the first phase of the downtown project,” states information in the plan.

The sites include Love & War; the existing Picker’s Pavilion to be renovated and enclosed; and two nearby natural amphitheaters, one which could accommodate a crowd of up to 15,000 people.

“We are setting ourselves up to be an event community, a destination center,” the plan states. “We will have the abilities to host concerts, host events and have movies in the park.”

Other possibilities for the development include new playgrounds, a splash pad, walking trails and a dog park.

Franke said he is excited about the potential for The Cannery. He believes, with commitments from Love & War, the Pink Pistol and the city of Lindale, as well as the interest being shown by other restaurants and specialty retailers, there will be nothing like The Cannery entertainment district anywhere in East Texas.