A sign from The Board Room's opening in Tyler welcomed customers to the community's go-to spot for board games. (Contributed Photo) 

As 2025 begins, Tyler has seen a blend of new ventures and the closures of long-standing businesses.

Among them:

The Sundown

The Sundown, located on an 80-acre ranch in Lindale, overlooks East Texas’ rolling hills, and offers a peaceful setting 20 minutes from Tyler. With three event spaces—a barn, pavilion and pergola—guests can host gatherings of all sizes, using each space individually or in combination.

Co-director Lily Scarborough and her sister had the opportunity to take over an event venue this past year, rebranding it as The Sundown. Although the venue was previously under a different name, the sisters have been involved in the event space since they were in middle school.

They’ve spent the past year remodeling, focusing on refreshing the space. While they’ve made updates such as painting and enhancing the deck, their main priority has been highlighting the natural beauty of the venue, working to bring out the best of the surroundings.

“It’s probably the greatest thing about doing this, in my opinion, is I get to do it with my sisters. I think they would agree it’s just a really special thing to be able to do something you’re passionate about with who you consider your best friends,” Scarborough said.

After recent renovations, The Sundown is now open and ready to host events. For more information, email thesundowntx@gmail.com, or call 903-520-3402.

Gotta Graze

Gotta Graze, a locally owned charcuterie company, will hold the grand opening of its first storefront in Tyler on Jan. 25 at 123 E. 8th Street. With Howdy Jo Hat Co. and Charm Bar and ETX Lemonade on site for the occasion, the first 20 drinks will be available free of charge.

The business specializes in charcuterie boxes, boards, and grazing tables, offering arrangements for various occasions. Gotta Graze provides local pickup and delivery throughout East Texas, bringing custom-made selections to homes and events.

For more information, visit GottaGraze.com or call 903-952-1003.

Tyler Indoor Pickleball

Construction has begun on a new facility in Tyler that will feature 12 indoor pickleball courts at5908 Rhones Quarter Road.

Tyler Indoor Pickleball held a groundbreaking ceremony in September at the site, located at 5908 Rhones Quarter Road. The facility is slated to open in 2025.

Offering various membership packages, from individual to family memberships. In addition to the courts, the facility will include amenities such as an ice bath, sauna, and health room. Organizers aim to attract pickleball enthusiasts from Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

JTB Events

JTB Events, a trusted name in Denver’s event planning for 23 years, is expanding to Texas under Justin Blankennagel’s leadership. Driven by his love for Tyler, Blankennagel has relocated the company’s main office to Downtown Tyler’s Austin Bank building.

Now serving Tyler, Longview, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston, alongside Denver, JTB Events specializes in corporate events, fundraisers, weddings, and more. Known for creativity and attention to detail, the company is ready to make every occasion unforgettable.

“As part of our Texas expansion, we’re excited to bring the same level of creativity and meticulous attention to detail that has made us successful in Denver to Tyler’s vibrant community,” Blankennagel said in an announcement.

For more information, contact JTB Event at info@jtbevents.com or call 888-581-5519.

For more information, call 903-316-1322 or visit tylerindoorpickleball.com.

The Board Room

The Board Room, a board game shop in Tyler, will close on Jan. 31.

The store announced the closure on Facebook on Wednesday, stating that it will continue operating as usual until the end of the month. Gift cards, IOUs, special orders and other commitments will be honored through January.

Customers are encouraged to stop by before the store closes. Updates about hours and operations for the remainder of the month will be shared on the shop’s Facebook page. The store also noted that some fixtures, equipment and miscellaneous items will be available for purchase.

Parkside Development

The Genecov Group has announced the acquisition of a development site in Tyler, set to become a hub for a variety of businesses in the future.

The project, named Parkside Development, is located at 8851 S. Broadway Ave. and will feature over 600,000 square feet of space. Plans include high-profile retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, walking trails, and green spaces.

The northern half of the property will host a retail center, while the southern half is designed to include entertainment, dining options, and additional retail. Pad sites with S. Broadway frontage will also be available.

Furever Pets

Furever Pets, a pet store located at 4601 S. Broadway Ave. in Tyler, closed its doors earlier this week.

The shop, which offered a range of pet supplies and services, quietly ended operations after serving the community. No additional details about the closure have been provided at this time.