Roy Pope Grocery, the Merrick Street corner store that has served west Fort Worth since 1943, is changing again. In May 2026, Westland Hospitality, the group behind Margie's Italian Gardens and Pulido's Kitchen, announced it will run the space as a full-service restaurant that keeps the Roy Pope name. PaperCity listed it among Fort Worth's most anticipated fall openings on October 26, 2026.
For the neighborhoods that surround it, including Westover Hills, Rivercrest and the streets off Camp Bowie, Roy Pope is more than a place to eat. It is one of those small institutions that people mention when they explain why they live on this side of town. Here is what we know about the change and what it means for the homes nearby.
What is happening to Roy Pope Grocery?
According to CultureMap Fort Worth's May 15, 2026 report, Westland Hospitality is partnering with the current ownership to take over the space at 2300 Merrick St. Westland plans to keep the Roy Pope name and serve lunch, dinner and casual gatherings with what it describes as Southern Americana flavor. Hoodline reported that the store made its last grocery sale after 83 years and that the new concept will be a full-service restaurant.
The kitchen team is drawn from Westland's existing restaurants:
- Gigi Howell, Westland's operating partner, and Juan Rodriguez, a partner who has cooked at Reata and Magdalena's, will develop the menu.
- Levi Gardner, executive chef of Margie's Italian Gardens, joins them. CultureMap reported he was named Rising Star Chef of the Year at its 2026 Tastemaker Awards.
- Bourke Harvey is Westland's managing partner, and Mark Harris is described as the developer and owner of Roy Pope.
As of PaperCity's October 26 roundup, no opening date or menu details had been announced.
How did Roy Pope get here?
The store's recent history has been eventful. CultureMap's timeline lays it out:
- 1943: Roy and Rose Pope open a grocery and meat market.
- April 2020: The store closes after about 77 years.
- 2021: A new ownership group reopens it with a renovated kitchen, a coffee and wine bar and a patio.
- 2024: Hospitality veterans Ben and Lauren Klipfel take over operations.
- End of December 2025: The Klipfels leave their roles.
- May 15, 2026: Westland's partnership is announced.
Hoodline noted that the store struggled with grocery sales after reopening, which helps explain the shift from a market to a restaurant.
Why does a single restaurant matter to west Fort Worth homeowners?
West Fort Worth's most established neighborhoods are mostly residential, with few walkable commercial corners. A place like Roy Pope works as a neighborhood anchor: somewhere to meet a friend, pick up dinner or take a visiting relative. When an anchor closes, buyers notice. When it comes back with a respected local operator, the neighborhood story gets stronger.
Westland's track record matters here. Margie's Italian Gardens and Pulido's are long-running Fort Worth names, and the group has framed this project as honoring local roots. That is a different approach from a national chain moving into a historic building, and it is the kind of detail that resonates with people who choose this part of town for its character.
Which neighborhoods are closest to Roy Pope?
The Merrick Street location sits just off Camp Bowie Boulevard on the west side. It is a short drive from Westover Hills, Rivercrest, Crestline and Monticello, and close to the Cultural District's museums. Buyers who value having a few dependable, locally owned spots nearby tend to look hard at these streets.
Crestline in particular is tied to this corridor. CandysDirt has noted that Crestline is technically the formal name for much of the area most people call Rivercrest, and the city's planned water main work covers several residential streets between Camp Bowie and Crestline Road. For owners in that pocket, Camp Bowie functions as the main street, so the restaurants and road projects along it shape daily life.
What else is changing nearby on Camp Bowie?
Roy Pope is not the only change in the area. The City of Fort Worth has several projects underway or planned along the Camp Bowie corridor:
- Brick repairs: The Camp Bowie Brick Improvements project between Ashland and Thomas avenues finished Phase 1 in December 2025, with Phase 2 expected to wrap up in summer 2026, according to the city's project page.
- Camp Bowie at Bryant Irvin: A $3.7 million intersection project funded by the 2022 bond is in final design and scheduled for completion in spring 2028, adding left-turn lanes and accessible ramps.
- Water mains: A roughly $27.4 million water and sewer main replacement covering Camp Bowie between Hulen and University, plus several nearby residential streets, is in final design with completion expected in March 2028.
Our agents at The Agency Dallas who cover west Fort Worth keep these schedules in mind when advising sellers, since a street under construction can affect showings, and buyers want to know what is coming before they commit.
What does this mean for buyers and sellers?
For sellers near Merrick Street, the reopening gives a timely, positive talking point. For buyers, it is a reminder that west Fort Worth's character comes partly from long-running local businesses, and that those businesses can change hands. A few considerations:
- Neighborhood amenities that are under renovation or not yet open should not be counted on as part of a home's value. Treat them as a bonus once they are open.
- Street and utility projects along Camp Bowie may affect traffic and access for a time. Check city project pages for the latest schedule.
- Historic corners like Roy Pope often face parking and traffic questions as concepts change. Buyers on adjacent blocks should visit at dinner hour once the restaurant opens.
The Agency Dallas works across North Texas, and our neighborhoods page covers many of the areas we serve. Owners who are curious about how local changes might show up in value can start with a home valuation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Roy Pope Grocery still a grocery store?
No. Hoodline reported that the store made its final grocery sale after 83 years, and Westland Hospitality plans to operate the space as a full-service restaurant. The group says it will keep the Roy Pope name and serve lunch, dinner and casual gatherings with Southern Americana flavor. Menu details and an opening date had not been announced as of late October 2026.
Who is Westland Hospitality?
Westland Hospitality is the Fort Worth group behind Margie's Italian Gardens, Pulido's Kitchen and Cantina, and West Side Cafe, according to CultureMap. Bourke Harvey is managing partner and Gigi Howell is operating partner. The group also plans to reopen Flora House, the cafe inside the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, which PaperCity expected by the end of 2026.
Where is Roy Pope located?
Roy Pope is at 2300 Merrick St., just off Camp Bowie Boulevard in west Fort Worth. The store sits within a short drive of Westover Hills, Rivercrest, Crestline, Monticello and the Cultural District. It has served the area since Roy and Rose Pope opened it as a grocery and meat market in 1943.
When will the new Roy Pope open?
Westland Hospitality has not announced an opening date. CultureMap's May 2026 report said the timeline and menu would be shared later, and PaperCity's October 26, 2026 list of anticipated fall openings still listed no date. We recommend following the restaurant's own channels for the official announcement rather than relying on rumors.
Sources
- CultureMap Fort Worth, Westland Hospitality and Roy Pope Grocery (May 15, 2026)
- Hoodline, Beloved Roy Pope Grocery Shutters After 83 Years on Camp Bowie
- Fort Worth Magazine, Roy Pope Grocery Announces Grand Opening Date
- PaperCity, Fort Worth's 14 Most Anticipated New Restaurant Openings This Fall (Oct. 26, 2026)
- City of Fort Worth, Camp Bowie Brick Improvements
- City of Fort Worth, Camp Bowie Blvd at Bryant Irvin Rd Project
- City of Fort Worth, Camp Bowie Hulen to Montgomery Water Main Replacement
