Work is progressing inside and out at the future South 4th Street home of Bird Creek Burgers & Brew Pub. Most of the immediate area is under construction or being renovated with projects that include Central Plaza Apartments; City Centre street and landscaping projects; renovations at the Hawn, former Sears building and Arcadia Theatre; a parking garage; and construction on at least four new businesses going into the immediate area. Most of the projects will be complete by summer 2023. David Stone photo

DAVID STONE | June 3, 2022

When Bird Creek Burgers makes the move two blocks east next summer, the name won’t be the only thing to change.

Bird Creek Burgers & Brew Pub will still feature great hamburgers and appetizers, but the food will be served in a huge renovated building that features an outdoor area with a performing arts stage and beer brewed onsite.

“The new location on South 4th Street will be three times as big as our existing restaurant,” said Bo Harvey, a partner in Tanglefoot Restaurants along with Jacob Bates and Bruce Bates. Tanglefoot owns Bird Creek and Treno’s Pizzeria & Taproom in Downtown Temple, and it is a partner in a future grocery market coming to Main Street.

“The current Bird Creek is 3,330 square feet,” Harvey said. “The new location will be 6,600 square feet indoors, plus a 3,600-square-foot beer garden. It will be a place where families can come and have a good time.”

“Right now, the capacity at Bird Creek Burgers is 95. That will jump to 300 — 200 inside and another hundred in the beer garden.”

Harvey said the renovation of an old auto parts store at 8 South 4th is well under way.

“Right now, we’re knee deep in construction,” he said.

While construction on the new Bird Creek is progressing, Harvey said opening day will likely coincide with the completion of nearby projects at the former Hawn Hotel, Arcadia Theatre and the building that housed Sears decades ago.

“There’s a lot of construction going on with renovations and the City Centre street project,” Harvey said. “We’re hoping we can open when the road work is finished and most of the construction is complete.”

“We already have received our brewing equipment,” he said. “Once the roads are clear, we will start kegging and selling our beer at Trenos and the existing Bird Creek Burgers.”

Harvey said Tanglefoot expects to keep seven to 10 varieties of house beer on tap.

“There’s no need to brew 30 or 40 styles of beer,” he said. “We would rather do a few really well.”

Across 4th Street at the current Bell County Annex, future plans are in the works to convert the existing annex parking lot into green space and a pocket park.

Bell County has struck a deal with the city that will give Temple ownership of the annex building by Sept. 30, 2026.  The county will build a new annex at a yet-to-be-finalized location elsewhere in Temple, and once it is built, the city will pay $1 for the existing facility.

While the city hasn’t determined a use for the Annex Building, Temple City Manager Brynn Myers has said the facility’s parking lot off Central Avenue likely will be converted to green space.

“There’s another parking lot behind the annex,” she said. “We would consider moving the main entrance to face the police station on Avenue A.”

Harvey said the new Bird Creek will be able to utilize the pocket park as a play area for children.

“We will have music on a regular basis at the Beer Garden, and while the adults are enjoying a cold beer and music, kids can safely play in the pocket park across the street.”

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Bird Creed Burgers & Brew Pub will essentially keep the same menu that has delighted burger-lovers for years.

“It’s a popular menu, and it doesn’t need big changes,” Harvey said. “But this is an opportunity to expand. I’d like to see a good beer pretzel and maybe some appetizer options. Nothing is set, but I think the menu will look very familiar. We will still have your favorite burgers.”

Harvey’s eyes lit up at the mention of Bird Creek’s Frito Pie Burger.

“You should try ordering it without the bun,” he said. “It’s like a big Frito pie with a burger patty inside. It’s pretty great. I get it with caramelized onions.”

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Downtown Temple is transforming into a vibrant community — dozens of loft apartments are either under construction or on drawing boards. The old business district is booming with shops, bars and restaurants on just about every street and more are on the way.

The Professional Building soon will become Central Plaza apartments, and smaller residential projects are scattered throughout the area.

Construction has started on one Downtown garage and will begin within days at a location on 1st Street. And, that Main Street grocery, bakery and meat market also is in the works.

As announced last week, the market will be a joint venture between Westphalia Market and Tanglefoot Restaurants, and the design phase of the project is nearing completion. Construction on the new business — it has not been officially named — will begin this fall and it will likely open in spring or summer 2023.

The market will be located at 13 S. Main in the old “In the Mood” ballroom. While the store will occupy the first floor, the second story will be home to Downtown residents.

“We are putting in eight apartments above the market,” Harvey said. “These will range from one bedroom to three, and there will be a separate entrance from the market. We’re trying to provide more living options for those who want to call Downtown home.”

Harvey said the existing Bird Creek Burger Co. eventually may be home to another Downtown restaurant.

“Nothing has been decided, but we do have a couple prospects lined up,” he said.

An expanded Bird Creek Burgers & Brew Pub will be located at 8 South Fourth Street in Downtown Temple. Developers say the transition from the current location will be complete by summer 2023. The new location will provide indoor seating as well as a massive beer garden complete with a stage for concerts and other shows.

Work has started on the old JC Penney building on Main Street to prepare the building for a new, yet undetermined life. Crews have removed a facade and exposed the building’s original appearance. The black is the result of a fire years ago on adjoining property. “Other building owners have made a lot of improvements to neighboring structures, and we don’t want it to look like a condemned building. We are cleaning it up, and we may have artists do some painting to make it more attractive. We haven’t decided, but we may divide it to house multiple tenants.” David Stone photo

First Friday: The sunshine edition

Our Town Temple | June 3, 2022

May seems to have evaporated during the warm days of spring, and it’s June — to be more specific, it’s the First Friday of June, and there’s a ton going on tonight in Downtown Temple.

The Hub will be open until 8 pm and will offer Fun in the Sun refreshments for First Friday shoppers. They will also feature exciting showcase deals from Glo Girl, Hazel Moon and the Lenna Lane Hat Bar.

Fire Base Brewing will put on a Fun-in-the-Sun block party featuring the Pizza PieRos food truck, music by Cade Baccus & The Sawdust Stompers for live music, the Rowdy Axe Co, the Rolling Stogies Mobile Cigar stand and lots of other cool vendors.

Ras Kitchen will celebrate their 2nd anniversary in business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. and a ‘Daddy-Daughter Dance’ later in the evening, featuring a Live Performance by Jinda Harris. Also, as always, Chef Ras will be serving up your favorite Jamaican foods downstairs in the dining room, so you won’t want to miss this evening.

Tour Temple & Corky’s Wine Bar will present a live show by guitarist-vocalist, Zechariah Grey. This show will provide a night of 1990s fun, cover tunes, sing-alongs, and some serious guitar strumming! The music kicks off at 8 p.m. but the fun will last all night!  Also, earlier in the evening, they’ll offer a beer and wine trail bus tour from 4-8 p.m.

The Smokehouse Restaurant will set up a pop-up eatery at the location of their future restaurant at 9 N Main Street with the Sticky Fingers food truck, the Black Axe throwing trailer, cold beer, and more

J& M’s Dogs & Paninis at 8 E Avenue A will offer a free beer with a purchase of a hot dog or panini.

Mexiko Cafe will offer Happy Hour prices all day and will stage a Fun in the Sun party with live music by the band  Astron+55!

EZ Pawn Will put on a Fun in the Sun party with a sidewalk sale, free snacks & drinks, and a 10 percent discount off all products in the store.

Total Elegance Creation will have a Juneteenth Flare by creating an Ol' Skool Fish Fry and creating a Juke Joint scene. The Fish Fry will be $12 and will include 2 pieces Fish, Fries, salad, drink and dessert. The Juke Joint will be BYOB while listening to ol' school music being played by DJ Dave.

Mo’s Railyard Saloon will offer red, white and blue frozen margaritas for $3 and strawberry daiquiris for $4 throughout the evening.

O'Briens Irish Pub will feature a live show by Megan Brucker and they will offer 20 percent off an appetizer when you mention First Friday.

Bird Creek Burger Co. will offer half-priced appetizers (excluding chili), and happy-hour prices all day with $2.50 domestics, $3 draft beer, and $4 select glasses of wine.

‘Artist 2 Artist Showcase’ will stage an art show and vendor sale at the Main Street Courtyard at 5 S. Main Street. This month, you’ll be able to cool off with the ‘Petey's Snowcones’ food truck and shop with cool local vendors like ‘Obscurely Wicked Oddities & Antiques’ and Rocky Gutter Soaps.

Artist Noel Johnson will hold an art sale on the sidewalk next door to O’Briens Irish Pub.

Green Door will offer 20 percent off an appetizer when you mention First Friday and will put on a live piano show by Russell Boyd.

The Yard Food Truck Plaza will offer tasty eats from several food trucks:

• The Taqueria Mi Lindo Nayarit food truck will offer a 10 percent discount to any guest who mentions First Friday.

• The Chock Full of Cheese food truck will offer a 10 percent discount to any guest who mentions First Friday.

• The 808 Island Grindz food truck will offer a 10 percent discount to any guest who mentions First Friday.

• The Mama Lama Mobile Kitchen food truck will offer a 10 percent discount to any guest who mentions First Friday.

Precious Memories Flower and Gift Shop will have a Jurassic-Park-themed Fun in the Sun open house with dinosaur treats so tasty that they’ll soon become extinct.

Cha Community will offer all First Friday guests one free topping and $1 off your order of Taiwanese cold noodles.

Darling Décor and More will offer a ‘Fun-in-the-Sun Clearance Sale’ with markdowns throughout both shops of 20-75 percent off select items. 

The Parlour Antiques & Oddities will hold a Fun in the Sun party with free snacks and drinks, and they'll also have their prize wheel out so customers can have a chance to win cool discounts and prizes.

FoxDog will have the Lupita's Food Truck on-site, and as always they'll be serving up the finest coffee, craft beer, and wine from 4:30-10 pm. Guests can come to try over 2 dozen local Texas drink options!

Treno Pizzeria & Taproom will offer discounts on selected beers & wines, and Treno’s pizza chefs will be baking up tasty fresh hot pizza pies.

BJ’s Brewery and Tasting Room will be serving up cold craft brews on tap to First Friday guests.

Kowboy Wine Bar will be serving up great wines and beer all evening to First Friday guests.

Cheeves Brothers Steak House will have half-price appetizers from their menu from 5-7 p.m. in their bar and lounge. They will also offer half-priced specials on selected beers, wines by the glass, and call level liquors

La Dalat will offer 10 percent off appetizers and $3 for coffee or hot tea to anyone who mentions First Friday.

PJ’s Tabletop & Catering will be open all evening to serve First Friday Guests

Thai Cafe will be open all evening to serve First Friday Guests

Pignetti’s will feature Lobster Night and Osso Buco.

Nami Japanese Steak & Sushi will offer First Friday happy-hour specials on select appetizers and Sushi rolls.

Scholarships available to help adults earn certifications in truck driving, medical fields

Our Town Temple | June 3, 2022

Due to an urgent need for health care providers in the area, the Temple College Adult Education and Literacy program has scholarships available for training and certification to become a certified nursing aide, an electrocardiography technician, a phlebotomist and a truck driver.

Registration is open now until slots are filled. Select individuals who meet requirements will receive a scholarship that covers 100 perent of tuition and certification testing fees. Upon completion, graduates will participate in a job fair with prospective employers. The courses will be offered through Temple College’s Business and Continuing Education Division.

Certified Nursing Aides work in health care facilities, where they assist nurses in providing patient care. Nurse aides perform basic care functions such as bathing, grooming and feeding patients, assisting nurses with medical equipment and checking patients’ vital signs under the supervision of a licensed vocational nurse or a registered nurse. They work in many types of health care facilities, including hospitals, long‐term care facilities, home health agencies, community health clinics, hospices, and physicians’ offices. The addition of enhanced Telemetry training provides the basic knowledge needed to assist and specialize in Electrocardiography, a need identified by current healthcare employers.

Electrocardiography Technicians work in hospitals, physician offices and other health facilities and are key members of the medical team. Duties of a EKG technician include conducting electrocardiogram testing, preparing patients for various cardiovascular test, checking quality of recorded data, reporting findings to the attending physician and maintaining cardiography equipment in good working order.

Phlebotomy Technicians work in hospitals, physician offices and other health facilities, and are an important member of the clinical laboratory team. Duties of a phlebotomy technician may include drawing blood, preparing specimens for storage or testing, assembling equipment and verifying patients’ records. A phlebotomist may also conduct patient interviews and screen donors at a blood bank.

Commercial Drivers License holders work in various environments and are responsible for the transportation of goods from the manufacturing warehouse to specific store locations. CDL drivers’ duties include inspecting the items before and after the delivery to ensure that the orders are correct with the right quantity, providing proof of delivery from the receiving customers, following the delivery schedule and report any delays immediately, monitoring the vehicle’s engine for efficiency, and escalating concerns of incorrect deliveries and defective items.

The courses will be offered through Temple College’s Business and Continuing Education Division. Those who are selected for the program receive additional training in adult basic education contextualized to fit their core field, soft skills and workforce preparation training.

For more information, contact Marcia Temple at (254) 298-8626 or marcia.temple@templejc.edu or Javier Ruiz at (254) 298-8578 or javier.ruiz@templejc.edu.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

today’s best bets

• All Craft and Arts Retreat at Rockin’ R Retreat Center, 5650 Bottoms Road in Temple. Bring your own projects and come create! Retreats and classes are for ages 18 and up, but ages 14-17 may attend with an adult. Details and registration at www.renacotti.com

• Chad Prather & The Ragmufins live at Schoepf’s BBQ. 6 p.m. Get your tickets or tables her: https://www.outhousetickets.com/Event/19618-Chad_Prather

• Bold Republic Brewing Co. 4th Anniversary Party. Last anniversary at Belton location. 2 p.m. June 3, 11:30 p.m. June 4. We are brewing 2 special treats for this event. First, is the summer shandy an easy drinking light and citrusy beverage. Brewed with fresh lemon juice and honey, this low ABV beer is certain to be a crowd-pleaser. Second, we have a smooth and creamy Avocado Ale. Why? Because we like to push the limits of your taste buds and we are weird. This refreshing kolsch style ale is brewed with cilantro, crushed red pepper, honey and of coarse avocado. There will be live music from Martin Folk and other guests, and as always we will have music bingo Saturday night.

To include your events in What’s Happening and Today’s Best Bets, email information to OurTownTemple@gmail.com. Photos are welcome to for use in the publication as space permits!