14 New & Noteworthy Business Updates in Denton, TX — August 2026
Denton has been busy.
There are enough restaurants, businesses and new concepts opening around town lately that it's pretty easy to miss something—even if you live here.
So instead of making you hunt through announcements, here's a quick rundown of 14 recent Denton business updates, what's opening, what's coming next and where to find them.
NOW OPEN
1. Red: Italian — Downtown Denton
One of the newest additions near the Square, Red: Italian opened August 20 with a much more intimate concept than your typical Italian restaurant.
The restaurant seats just 50 guests and combines Italian comfort food with a speakeasy-style atmosphere. The menu includes dishes such as lasagna, gnocchi, chicken piccata, steak and sea bass.
And Denton apparently liked the idea—the restaurant's entire opening weekend sold out.
📍 122 N. Locust St., Suite 100
2. The Pony — Food, Pottery & Live Music
This might be the most Denton concept on the entire list.
The Pony combines a restaurant, cocktail bar, pottery studio and live-music stage under one roof.
The food side includes pizzas, sandwiches and smaller bites, while the venue is designed just as much around art, music and hanging out as eating. It soft-opened August 23, with its grand opening scheduled for August 28.
📍 314 E. Hickory St., Suite 121
3. Third Bend Studio — Preschool + After-School Activities
Families have another childcare option near downtown.
Third Bend Studio opened August 17 and operates as a preschool during the day, followed by after-school programming for children ages 3–10.
Inside are spaces for reading, drawing and hands-on activities, along with an outdoor play area. The business was started by three former early-childhood teachers.
📍 516 N. Locust St.
4. The Muse Nail & Lashes
The Muse opened in July on Loop 288 and offers manicures, pedicures, gel and dip polish, nail design, eyelash extensions, waxing and permanent makeup.
There's also a children's service menu, which could make this one particularly useful for parents looking for a mom-and-daughter outing.
📍 1719 S. Loop 288, Suite 160
COMING SOON
5. Launch Family Entertainment
This is probably the one families should put on their radar.
Launch Family Entertainment is targeting an October 30 opening in Denton.
Plans include trampoline courts, dodgeball, an air-basketball arena, bouldering wall, soft-play area and interactive games, along with food including pizza, wings and nachos.
📍 2201 S. I-35
6. Bezos Academy — Tuition-Free Preschool
A new tuition-free preschool is scheduled to open September 9 on land owned by Texas Woman's University.
Bezos Academy Denton will use a Montessori-inspired curriculum and serve 120 children ages 3–5 across six classrooms. Meals and educational materials are included without tuition.
📍 1820 Frame St.
Bezos Academy Denton
7. Dogtopia — Denton's First Location
Dog owners are getting another option this fall.
Dogtopia plans to open its first Denton location on Colorado Boulevard with dog daycare, boarding, grooming and spa services.
The facility is also expected to have live playroom webcams, specialized flooring and air-filtration systems designed around dogs spending the day playing indoors.
📍 2311 Colorado Blvd., Suite 103
8. The Altar
The Altar is a little different.
The planned Bryan Street gathering space is being designed for wellness-oriented services and events, including counseling and therapy, massage, meditation, breathwork and other practitioners.
An opening date hasn't been announced yet.
📍 527 Bryan St.
The Altar Denton
PROJECTS TO WATCH
These aren't open yet, but filings indicate they're in various stages of planning or construction.
9. Panda Express
Another Panda Express location is planned for Randall Street.
Construction is currently projected to begin in June 2027, with completion expected in 2028, so don't expect orange chicken tomorrow—but it's officially one to watch.
📍 201 Randall St.
10. James Avery Artisan Jewelry
James Avery is also planning a Denton location.
Construction filings call for work on the space to begin September 28, with completion targeted for January 2027.
📍 1732 S. Loop 288, Suite 100
11. Action Behavior Centers
Action Behavior Centers provides applied behavior analysis therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
The company is preparing a roughly 4,600-square-foot Denton location, with construction currently expected to wrap up by the end of the year.
📍 2817 S. Mayhill Road, Suite 105
12. Bank OZK
Bank OZK plans to open a Denton branch in the former Lone Spur Cafe location along I-35E.
The bank offers checking and savings accounts, lending and other financial services. Construction is currently expected to be completed in December 2027.
📍 2217 S. I-35E
A LOCAL BUSINESS HAS A NEW HOME
13. The Brown Thumb
This isn't a new Denton business—but it does have a new location.
The Brown Thumb moved from Cedar Street into the former Black Fox Brewing Company space in early August.
The shop combines plants with matcha and coffee, and celebrated its fifth anniversary after making the move.
📍 205 N. Cedar St.
AND ONE HAS A NEW NAME
14. Club 13 Pickleball
Formerly ATP Pickleball Club, the Denton facility became Club 13 Pickleball in July following an ownership change earlier this year.
The courts have been upgraded, additional fencing has been installed and a dedicated event and party area has been added.
📍 719 S. I-35
What's New in Denton?
That's 14 Denton business updates, and it's a pretty good mix.
We've got a tiny Italian restaurant, a pottery-pizza-live-music concept, new options for kids, a massive family entertainment center, dog daycare, pickleball and even a plant shop serving matcha.
In other words: very Denton.
I'm going to start keeping a closer eye on new businesses opening around Denton County and sharing the ones I think are actually worth knowing about.
Did I miss a new Denton business that deserves some attention? Send it my way. I'd love to check it out.
— Andrew
For more information about living in Denton, click here: Living in Denton
