Wilks Development formed the mixed-use hub of restaurants, retail, and entertainment with the intent of not just “building buildings, but building community,” said Nicole Ellis, Wilks Development director of Marketing and Communication.
The concept came to fruition in 2024 at 460 Shops Blvd. in Willow Park to bring entertainment, community events, and big-city amenities to people in Willow Parka, Aledo and the surrounding areas, Ellis said. Now, the location is fully leased and home to Cork & Pig Tavern, Melt Ice Cream, 589 Hickory BBQ Co., Bandidas (opening winter 2026), Lucchese, Lone Star Dry Goods, Kings Gate, and The Lumen Room.
“Because we’re the community office, we do have the luxury of being a little more selective,” Ellis said. “It’s finding the right retailers, restaurateurs, and concepts that share that same perspective as us…We really wanted to make sure whoever we partnered with is helping us to create that family-friendly vibe.”
Planted in the eye of The District lies the open-air 2,000-person-capacity amphitheater with a concert-grade stage where events take place from the months of April to November. The free community events vary from game nights playing bingo or trivia to line-dancing classes, Sunday markets, movie nights, and live music every Friday and Saturday – bringing a lively atmosphere to most nights of the week. However, Tabitha Rodriguez, event coordinator, has the goal, beginning next spring, that The District will be “a dynamic space every single day of the week…We’ll do more next year, because I don’t like having empty days.”
The District utilizes partnerships and sponsors to help fund and expand free event programming for visitors – while also providing visibility to sponsorees.
“I think we’re building a reputation out here,” Ellis said. “I can say, honestly, that people want to be here. The musicians want to be here. The vendors want to be here. Everybody that we partner with wants to be here, and that’s really important to me,” Rodriguez said.
New developments are in store for The District, such as a playground area for children and an entrance with a monument sign heralding the property.
The family-oriented, event-packed community space: “It’s right here in your backyard,” Ellis said. “A space like this where you can come out and meet other people that live in your neighborhood. It helps to build that community, but keep that small town feeling. So, it’s the best of both worlds.”
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