15 May 15-21, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Flip It B-Side Coffee gets new owners,rebrands as Little Joy BY SIMON PRUITT A t B-Side Coffee, each step in- side and sip of coffee was a confirmation: this place is here to stay. The Oak Cliff coffee shop was hip, cozy and appealed to the remote workers as much as it did to young families looking to get out of the house, with a play area for children in the back. Nestled comfortably in the Elmwood neighborhood next to Herby’s Burgers, B-Side opened just 16 months ago. One or both of the husband and wife ownership duo, Caleb and Whitney Marsh, could be found behind the counter almost every morning, serving up lattes, sandwiches and conversation. Two weeks ago, the Marshes announced they would be moving on from their coffee shop, and that their friends, Oak Cliff resi- dents and B-Side regulars Russell Tibbits and Allison Macalik would be purchasing it from them, a surprising announcement, not only at its abruptness but also at the quick turnaround from opening to selling. Until recently, Tibbits and Macalik were just consumers of coffee. The two have been married for 10 years, and recently learned the trade of opening a coffee shop through an investment in a friend’s Brooklyn shop. Opening one of their own in Dallas wasn’t on their radar, but the couple had toyed with the idea of creating an indoor play area busi- ness called Little Joy, inspired by their two children, Noah and Davie. Macalik says they went as far as to create a full business plan and logo, but the idea never materialized. When the couple heard that the Marshes were putting B-Side on the market, it was an easy sell, especially given that the shop al- ready had a designated play area. The cou- ple’s dream came true. Under Macalik and Tibbits, the shop will rebrand from B-Side to Little Joy, fulfilling the couple’s vision. Their two kids, aged 5 and 3, have already spent an entire formative year playing at B-Side. Now, it’s looking to become a lifelong memory. “When they first started it,” says Tibbits, referring to B-Side Coffee, “they were four and two, and they would just beeline directly for the play area. It’s kind of why we initially fell in love with it. We’re parents, so we really value any place that parents can enjoy them- selves in the same time that kids can.” “There are a couple of play places here in town,” adds Macalik. “But they’re all really hectic and kind of crazy. It’s not really fun for the adults to be at.” “The kids go and they love it,” Tibbits adds. “But the parents are just there because they have to be.” Macalik says that the coffee and food menu will remain the same, but that they’re planning to repaint some of the walls and expand the play area in the back. The shop’s staff is mostly remaining the same, with baristas working on new drink ideas. “This is like getting a facelift,” Macalik says. “It’s gonna be a little brighter, but we don’t want to change the magic that is this place.” In addition, the couple plans to empha- size collaborations with fellow Oak Cliff small businesses, including a free bookshelf from Activating Reading Communities Or- ganization (ARCO), a literary nonprofit from Oak Cliff-based bookstore, Whose Books. “It’s such a beautiful thing to take over something that’s so loved,” Macalik says. “You have to be really delicate and sensi- tive.” “It’s like we decided to have a third kid,” Tibbits adds. “At the end of the day, you’re so exhausted, but there’s nothing else you’d rather do.” ▼ FIRST LOOK SUMMER CRUSH: LAWNIE’S PATIO BAR THIS NEW SPOT ON KNOX- HENDERSON HAS AN OUTDOOR BAR WITH A LIVELY ATMOSPHERE. BY AAREN PRODY O n the cusp of fall last year, a new pa- tio bar opened in the Knox/Hender- son area and has been a hit ever since. Lawnie’s, situated near popular spots The Skellig and Mayer’s Garden, has given everyone a place to feel like they are hanging out at their best friend’s yard party. What’s refreshing about the new water- ing hole is that it’s not trying to be anything other than a place to get boozy with friends with the help of patio vibes and reasonably priced beverages. They’re giving the people what they want. It’s open seven days a week and has no kitchen, but outside food is welcome. And despite The Skellig (right across the street) gracing the top ten grossing bars in the city each month, you can still expect a full house here on the weekends. The green and white-patterned bar is de- signed like the nearby houses on Hender- son, complete with a white picket fence and 360-degree wrap-around patio. It has a vari- ety of seating throughout for small and large groups, but there is very limited space in the interior. Like the surrounding bars, the atmo- sphere is youthful. The music is played at a reasonable volume, and the latest sporting events are always live on the TVs. Every- thing is taken at face value here. The most interesting part of drinking here is ordering, which is pretty genius, we think. They partnered with the Union app, which says it’s built for the busiest bars in the city. Before you let out an audible sigh, you don’t have to download the app to order. Thank God. You scan a QR code, and it pulls up Lawnie’s menu on your phone. From there, you can place your orders, order a second round and close your tab from your phone. This is gold, especially for bars where you usually have to flag down a waiter to get the tab. This way, the bartenders are constantly making drinks rather than worrying about opening or closing tabs. Our drinks came out in less than five minutes. We tried the LIIT (Lawnie’s Long Island iced tea) and the Tejas margarita, a different way of saying spicy marg. Both drinks only cost $13 and $11, respectively, and while there’s no crazy mixology going on here, they’re quite good. The LIIT doesn’t taste like it has any al- cohol in it, but that just means it’ll sneak up on you later. The spicy marg had a hint of pineapple with a nice kick on the back end. A Tajin rim on it is a must. Other cocktails on the menu include a Ranchie, Double Cup Transfusion, Not RH’s Rose Spritz, Chilton, Double Deep Eddy Vodka Red Bull, an Express-O martini, mar- garitas and other classic drinks—prices for cocktails average below $12. Everything else is your standard bar fare like domestic and import cans, seltzers, shots, more spirits and even some NA bever- ages like Nada. They can make their Tejas marg and Transfusion cocktails alcohol-free and they only cost $5. Outside food is welcome, and there are plenty of great places nearby for a bite. However, if you get a hankerin’ or need to sober up, or both, there is usually a hot dog stand near the entrance. Despite being surrounded by successful sports bars, Lawnie’s holds its ground with its fun vibes and economically appropriate drink prices. Its Instagram page has updates on specials, sporting events and seasonal events they host on the lawn. Happy hour runs until 6 p.m. on week- days and features $2 domestics, wells and green tea shots. They also have $5 clockouts, which is one domestic beer that comes with a shot. Sundays, they have the same happy hour specials until 2 p.m., plus $10 beer buckets all day. In other words, Lawnie’s isn’t just read- ing the room — they’re buying it a drink. Lawnies, 2414 N Henderson Ave.; Monday - Wednesday, 3 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Thursday, 3 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Friday, 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 12 a.m. ▼ DRINKING CAVE DRINKING GRAPEVINE GETS AN ELUSIVE UNDERGROUND WINE BAR. BY AAREN PRODY C ave Society is a subterranean wine bar inside the Hotel Vin in Historic Downtown Grapevine. What was once closed to non-members is now open. It originally opened as a private wine club with a world-class wine selection and perks for cardholders, the main being access to this cave-like lounge. But with a member- ship, you can also get a 50% discount on bot- tled wines priced less than $250, invitations to exclusive events and many other perks. There are two kinds of cards: the Vinter, which costs $1,500, and the Founder, which costs $2,500 and includes a complimentary valet at Hotel Vin, a wine locker and a com- plimentary stay at the hotel. The wine destination still runs its mem- ber-only show, but now a few seats per eve- ning are open to the public by reservation only. You can secure reservations through OpenTable for up to four people. The menu starts with a collection of char- cuterie-inspired snacks. There’s a full char- cuterie board, a cheese plate and other Simon Pruitt Meet Allison Macalik and Russell Tibbits, the new owners of B-Side Coffee. | CITY OF ATE | ▼ Dish Aaren Prody The underground wine bar in Grapevine. >> p16
