Village Profile® Home Page | About our Company | Sales Opportunities | Community eStore | vpmobile.us®

Bishop Arts District

The lively Bishop Arts District has been an integral facet in the Oak Cliff community since 1903. The district was once regarded as the city’s busiest trolley stop, but lost its glimmer with the discontinuation of the trolley and the changing demographics of the 1960s and 1970s. For nearly 30 years, the area known as the Bishop Arts District was completely inactive, reflected in the numerous boarded up storefronts along its streets.

Jim Lake Companies, an innovative commercial real estate company that has strong ties within the Dallas community through its roles in urban redevelopment and revitalization projects, was the leading force behind the rejuvenation of the Bishop Arts District. At the beginning of 1985, Jim Lake, Sr., and Mike Morgan invested greatly in the future of the once active trolley stop. The two men began buying and redeveloping various properties with the intent of preserving the historic charm of the area, maintaining an eclectic mixture of occupants and ensuring it meets the ever-changing needs of the community it serves. Through the hard work of Lake and Morgan, the Bishop Arts District once again became a popular area for shopping, dining, entertainment and culture.

Today, more than 50 local merchants, restaurants, galleries and professional services call the dynamic Bishop Arts District home. Shoppers revel in the variety of products and services found within the historic neighborhood. Merchants are eager to meet the needs of shoppers, offering everything from books to vintage wares, antique furnishings and unique gift items to designer clothes and high-end décor—all of which are complemented by unmatched customer service. Merchants also regularly participate in a calendar year of special events such as trunk shows; farmers markets; holiday festivities; Movie Nights at the Belmont; and the popular First Thursday event, which features art openings, live music, wine tastings, and extended store and restaurant hours.

The arts are alive in the Bishop Arts District! Three galleries inspire creativity in this dynamic community through support of local, national and international talent. Exciting art shows, artist appearances and special events are frequently on the menu of entertainment at the Artisan’s Collective, DECORAZON gallery and Art Spirit Dallas. In addition to the galleries, the merchants within the Bishop Arts District teamed up with the Ice House Cultural Center and the Dallas Museum of Art on the Mural Arts Program. Instituted in 2003, the program brings the joy of public art to the historic neighborhood.

After perusing the various shops and galleries of the Bishop Arts District, be sure to stop in at one of more than a dozen delicious eateries and enjoy a gourmet meal, decadent dessert or simply a cocktail with friends. The area is home to some of the city’s finest dining destinations, notably the award-winning Café Brazil, Café Madrid—Dallas’ first Spanish restaurant and tapas bar—and ZEN Sushi—the newest restaurant to hit the Bishop Arts District and the sole sushi bar in Oak Cliff.

Relaxing health and beauty salons, massage therapists and fitness spaces, along with a range of professional services, fill in the spots between retailers and restaurants. Distinct businesses, focusing on such services as book restoration, advertising, freelance photography and more, complete the offerings of the Bishop Arts District..