Plants of Texas moves from its Hwy 155 & Loop 323 tent location to its flagship store in Flint, offering a year-round garden center and expanded services. (Contributed Photo)

There have been several business openings, expansions and closures in the Tyler area over the last two weeks.

Among them:

Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops announced plans to celebrate the grand opening of its new retail location in Tyler with a special “Evening for Conservation” event on Wednesday, April 16. The event, open to the public, will feature live entertainment starting at 5 p.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m.

Country music singer Blaine Holcomb will perform, and attendees can expect appearances from conservation leaders, legendary anglers and popular figures like PAW Patrol characters.

Located on Market Square Boulevard near the Village at Cumberland Park, the new 77,000-square-foot store will be the 17th Bass Pro Shops location in Texas. As part of the company’s commitment to conservation, 20% of most purchases made during the Evening for Conservation will be donated to local conservation organizations.

The grand opening event will be followed by the store’s official opening for regular business hours on April 17. Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Plants of Texas

Plants of Texas, a family-owned garden center, has announced that its tent location at Highway 155 and Loop 323 is no longer open. The business is now focusing on its flagship store in Flint, located just a few miles down the road on Old Jacksonville Highway.

The Flint store, which is open year-round, offers a wide range of services and products, including a multi-acre garden center, educational classes, beekeeping supplies, home decor, chemicals, fertilizers and landscape design services. It’s designed to be a destination for both gardeners and families, offering locally-grown plants and home gardening goods.

The flagship store is located at 17470 FM 2493 in Flint.

For more information, call 903-316-3292 or visit plantsoftexas.com. They can also be found on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Pinterest and Facebook.

Tyler Indoor Pickleball

Tyler Indoor Pickleball is moving closer to its anticipated grand opening, though progress has been slower than expected. The facility, located at 5908 Rhones Quarter Road, is now targeting an April 25-30 soft opening, with a full opening planned for May 1.

Construction updates include the court area, which requires cleaning and the installation of floors and carpeted walls. Sheetrock work is expected to wrap up soon, followed by taping, bedding and painting. Flooring installation is scheduled for the following week.

The facility will feature 12 indoor pickleball courts and offer additional amenities, including an ice bath, sauna, and health room. Organizers hope to attract players from across Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

Memberships are limited and available for reservation at www.tylerindoorpickleball.com. The venue aims to provide the ultimate pickleball experience with top-tier facilities and service.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in September, celebrating the project’s launch. While construction has faced delays, organizers remain optimistic about the opening timeline.

Chick-fil-A

A new Chick-fil-A is set to open on the west side of Tyler, giving chicken lovers another option to satisfy their cravings.

The fast-food restaurant will be located at the northwest corner of Earl Campbell Parkway and Loop 323, according to the company’s website. This will be the fifth Chick-fil-A location in Tyler.

The $1.2 million project broke ground in October, with construction expected to wrap up by April, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation permit records.

The Understudy

The Understudy, a comedy venue in Tyler, announced it will be closing its doors after two and a half years of performances. The owners shared that an unexpected opportunity led to the decision, making it the right time to end this chapter on a high note.

Since its opening, The Understudy has served as a space for comedians to take risks, students to grow their skills and audiences to come together through laughter. The venue expressed gratitude to the performers, students and community members who contributed to its success.

The announcement, which gathered at least 100 reactions on social media, was met with disappointment. Many commenters lamented the closure, calling it “terrible news” and saying Tyler will be “a little more boring” without The Understudy.

Before the final curtain call, the venue invites its supporters to attend a series of farewell performances. Upcoming shows include “Roll for Initiative” on April 4 and stand-up comedy on April 5, both at 8 p.m. Farewell weekend performances will be held at 8 p.m. on April 11, followed by two shows on April 12 — a family-friendly performance at 7 p.m. and a late show at 9:30 p.m.

While the venue at 212 Old Grande Blvd. Suite C-102 will close, The Understudy’s team assured fans they will continue performing at other venues, with updates to come.

For more information, contact The Understudy at 903-920-9520 or theunderstudytyler@gmail.com.

The Treehouse

A team of Tyler entrepreneurs has acquired the historic Treehouse office building on Paluxy Drive, introducing a new chapter as “The Treehouse at Corporate Green.” Tech entrepreneur and developer Phil Burks, alongside partners Micheal Lavender and Alden Warr, will preserve the legacy of the Buford family, who founded The Treehouse, while reimagining the space for future innovation and leadership.

Constructed in 1980 by Bob and Jeff Buford as the headquarters of Buford Television, Inc., the Treehouse has served as a hub for creativity, community engagement and business innovation. The Buford brothers, sons of Lucille Buford — founder of KLTV in 1954 — played a significant role in shaping Tyler’s media landscape. To honor their contributions, a plaque commemorating Bob and Jeff Buford will be installed inside the building.

The revitalized space will house the headquarters of Lavender Warr, a local data analytics and financial consulting firm. The Burks family office, Corporate Green, will also be based there, along with long-time tenant Fred Smith, a close collaborator of the Bufords. A limited number of offices will be available to other professionals, maintaining the Treehouse’s tradition as a center for leadership and community.

Grandy’s

Grandy’s, a well-known chain restaurant in Tyler, has permanently closed its doors. The restaurant, popular for its classic country dishes like chicken fried steak, pot roast and homestyle breakfasts, shut down on March 23.

A sign posted by management announced the immediate closure, though no reason was provided. The news sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users said the closure had been anticipated due to a decline in food quality, others shared fond memories of dining at Grandy’s during its prime. Many recalled the restaurant’s signature comfort foods, including biscuits and gravy, pancakes, hashbrowns and sausage.

Despite recent criticism, others noted employees often worked to provide a friendly and welcoming experience.

Flor de Taco #2

Flor de Taxco #2, a Mexican restaurant in Tyler, has permanently closed its doors. The owners, after much consideration, made the difficult decision to shut down the second location.

In a heartfelt social media post, the family expressed gratitude for the memories made and thanked loyal customers who became like family. They also shared their appreciation for the community’s support throughout the years.

While Flor de Taxco #2 is now closed, the family’s original location, Taqueria Flor de Taxco at 2522 Shiloh Rd, Tyler, will remain open. Additionally, their food truck will continue serving customers.

The announcement garnered nearly 300 reactions, with sadness and care being the most common sentiments. Many commenters expressed disappointment over the closure, while others pledged to continue supporting the primary location.

The owners concluded their message with a quote from Proverbs 3:5-6, reflecting their faith in navigating this transition.

For more information, contact Taqueria Flor de Taxco at 469-565-5954 or email taqueriaflordetaxco@gmail.com.