Market Monday: The Foundry District

Two weeks ago, we introduced you to the passionate and accomplished duo, Jessica and Susan, of M2G Ventures. We loved meeting them and immediately connected with their entrepreneurial spirits and love for Fort Worth. During our meeting, they told us about their plans for revitalizing an area of Fort Worth just a few blocks north of West 7th Street. This area will become The Foundry District, and after hearing the plans, that was it, we knew this was the perfect spot for our next market event. Although we are just getting started, this has been such a fun collaboration. We are honored to be connected to this cool, up and coming space and leave a mark in our own little way. The Foundry District concept and the eye-catching and edgy mural that is painted in the area, described below, has directly influenced the direction of our Holiday Market! We love that we get the chance to partner with M2G Ventures and share this space with you. Read on to see what the future holds for The Foundry![if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"></v:path> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"></o:lock> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_145" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Description: he-foundry-ground-level-rendering" style='width:768pt; height:385pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file://localhost/private/var/folders/cp/dm52pc5d5c75qy_kz7rl29rh0000gn/T/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.jpg" o:title="he-foundry-ground-level-rendering"></v:imagedata> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

The Foundry District, adjacent to 7th Street and the Museum District, is home to 27,000 square feet of creative office space, 11,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and 24,000 square feet of future event and market space. The redevelopment of The Foundry District will bring a much needed edge to Fort Worth’s Westside. Combining industrial, urban, and historic architectural details creates one of the most unique mixed-use settings in the city. Kicking off the renovation of the area is the completion of a renovation at 200 Carroll, which includes renovated facades, landscaping, lighting, public art, and new patio space. The mural “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” by Artist, Katie Murray, is one of our favorite parts about the 200 Carroll renovation. "Don't Quit your Daydream" (DQYD) is the second and edgiest of the three murals that exists within the Dreamer Series. DQYD highlights a strong, mod, female figure displayed against a black and white illustrative background composed of a wide variety of people from various walks of life. It highlights the community that coexists within The Foundry District as its being established. Daydreaming should not be limited to one culture, but should be expansive, and this mural in particular proves to justify that theory and the epitome of what we are creating this area to be – a community of dreamers. The area will also be home to “Mural Alley,” a community inspired art project featuring murals devoted to non-profits, such as Cowtown Marathon, and a new mural series featuring several new artists.

Current tenants of The Foundry District include M&O Burger, Leonard’s Department Store Museum, M2G Ventures, Tactical Services, Morris Capital Partners, Cowtown Marathon, and City Surf Fitness. Cowtown hosts Cowtown Marathon, the largest multi-event race group in the state (bigger than Houston, Dallas, Austin, etc.). City Surf Fitness and Cowtown Marathon are the two newest additions. For the Cowtown race alone, 80,000 people attend as spectators and participants. City Surf Fitness will bring a unique way for the community to get active, offering group fitness classes incorporating balance, yoga, barre, pilates, strength training, and cardio techniques.

The Foundry District is also thrilled to be a part of the Shop Small movement in Fort Worth, hosting the Shop Small Fort Worth Holiday Market on November 12 and 13, benefiting the Ronald McDonald House. “We couldn’t have found two better organizations to partner with and are looking forward to supporting the artists and bigger purpose these groups bring to our Fort Worth community,” says Jessica Worman, Co-President at M2G Ventures.

The Shop Small Fort Worth Holiday Market benefiting RMHFW will be held on November 12th and 13th, 2016 and we could not be more excited! This two-day event will feature amazing local artists, small businesses and craftsman as well as have entertainment, food, drinks and even a special visit from the North Pole. We are thrilled to be working alongside some phenomenal partners like the RMHFW and M2G Ventures to pull off a fabulous event. Look for more details on the event coming soon. Tickets on sale starting October 1st.