Craft Restaurant and Beer Market, a popular Canadian restaurant chain, will open its first location in the United States at Preston Center in early 2026.
The massive flagship location will be over 10,000 square feet and house a central 360-degree bar boasting over 100 beers on tap. It will also feature a massive 5,250 square-foot rooftop patio with a bar and games area.
Craft, which started in 2011, is based in Calgary, Alberta.
Dallas was selected as the chain’s first U.S. location outside of Canada due to the partnership between the chain’s founder, PJ L’Heureux, and the owner of the Dallas Stars, Tom Gaglardi.
Gaglardi’s Northland Properties Corp. is already familiar with Canadian restaurants. The company owns the popular Moxies chain which was similarly founded in Calgary. In 2016, Moxies opened its first Dallas location at the Crescent in Uptown and has since expanded to Southlake and Plano.
This history and the relationship between L’Heureux and Gaglardi made Dallas an obvious choice for the first U.S. Craft Restaurant and Beer Market location.
“Dallas is a natural fit for CRAFT. Our large restaurant footprint, commitment to local products, and dedication to community are what Texas is all about,” said L’Heureux in a press release from Craft.
“Texas and specifically the Preston area of Dallas, with its booming economy, diverse culture, and love for craft cocktails and beer, is the perfect place for us to begin this exciting new chapter.”
The restaurant at 5974 Northwest Hwy. will replace a former Medical City ER. Renovations will cost an estimated $4 million, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.
“What I love most about CRAFT is the opportunity to work with local food and beverage suppliers to create unique menus and partnerships in each of the communities we are in,” said Scott Frank, president of Craft.
L’Heureux echoed Frank’s sentiment.
“CRAFT has always been about bringing people together, and we’re thrilled to share our passion for craft beer, exceptional dining, and community building with our friends in the Texas market,” he said.