ARLINGTON, Texas — This story was originally published by our content partners at the Dallas Business Journal. You can read the original version here.
Visitors catching a rugby or soccer match at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington could soon be able to purchase some new boots as part of a retail expansion at the stadium.
Lucchese Boot Co. plans to take about 3,600 square feet of space within the stadium's west concourse at 1051 Nolan Ryan Expressway in Arlington and could open by next September, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Lucchese will take about half of the $1.2 million retail space that's being constructed in Choctaw Stadium, which should be finished by the end of the year, said Rob Matwick, executive vice president of business operations for the Texas Rangers. Choctaw Stadium is owned by the City of Arlington and operated in part by the Rangers, although the Major League Baseball team now competes at nearby Globe Life Field.
The other half of the 7,000-square-foot retail space will be home to a location of Lone Star Dry Goods, a Abilene-based retailer that primarily sells men's apparel and accessories.
The new stores play a part in building out the Arlington Entertainment District. Choctaw Stadium is also home to a coworking space called SPARK Coworking as well as Hearsay Lounge and Restaurant. The stores would be across the street from the 888-room Loews Arlington Hotel and convention center, which opened in February.
Matwick said the Rangers had been looking to add retail in between the Starbucks and the new Tex-Mex restaurant, El Tiempo Cantina, which opened July 1 in the stadium.
"We thought [Lone Star Dry Goods] was a good mix with Lucchese and particularly [good] addition to the hotel where maybe you have conventioneers, or maybe people visiting from out of town that want something that's from Texas or Texas-themed," he said. "It gives them a nice option right across the street."
Lucchese is a Texas boot company known for high-quality, high-end boots — its website features men's boots running from a few hundred dollars a pair to more than $15,000. It has other DFW locations in Dallas, Frisco and Fort Worth.
More construction within the stadium could be on the way. The Arlington Economic Development Corp. has approved a $106,700 contract with Selbert Perkins Design Inc. for a conceptual design of a welcome center within Choctaw Stadium.
Marty Wieder, executive director of the Arlington Economic Development Corp., said he thinks the development arm of the Texas Rangers, REV Entertainment, is being smart about how they maximize the space. The Arlington EDC leased space within the four-story office tower built with the stadium, but is awaiting new space. The corporation approved a contract up to $497,164 with Irving-based Cowboys Roofing LLC for the corporation's relocation in June.
"Let's face it, for all of us, our car windshield is somewhat of our office," Wieder said. "We're taking people out to look at sites. That welcome center will play into that too, because it'll help us provide a way to show people the opportunities in Arlington and set the stage for hosting and deal closing right there in Choctaw Stadium."
Matwick said there is still unused space that could be fit for more retail in and near the stadium. He said there's an old storefront on Randol Mill adjacent to the center field office building that has development potential. On the east side of the stadium, what used to be the Jack Daniels Club could have potential for renovation and development into something else.
Choctaw Stadium is the home of the Dallas Jackals of Major League Rugby as well as North Texas SC, the reserve team for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer, and the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League.
The Arlington Entertainment District has developed into a premier destination for sports, tourism and recreation in North Texas. In addition to Choctaw Stadium and Globe Life Field, it's home to the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium and Texas Live, a restaurant and bar district. Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor are nearby.
Near Choctaw Stadium, a Texas Rangers-themed luxury apartment community called One Rangers Way is under construction. Down the road, the National Medal of Honor Museum is set to open next year.
