Preston Center is congested. Invariably I find myself circling the area looking for a parking spot. So when the new Einstein Bros. Bagels opened in the tiny and awkward spot in Preston Royal Village, I was thrilled.

The problem is that the service is awful. I know it’s new, but after several months the service is not improving. Recently, I tried the Preston Center Einstein Bros. store just to see if I could figure out the problem. Maybe I could share my observations with the new Einstein’s management? Here is what I observed.

At Preston Center, you order and give your name. Then one of several people prepare your order and pass it to someone who calls your name and hands it over. Seems simple. At the new Einstein Bros., you order and give your name. Then, the first person behind the counter stands around reading the orders while the next person prepares all the orders and then a third person waits until the order is ready to call your name. The difference: Everyone at Preston Center is preparing orders, and at Preston Royal only one person is schmearing bagels. Maybe this is a nuance I need not worry about, but I just can’t figure out why buttering one toasted green chili toast bagel takes so long.

To the new Einstein Bros. Bagels management: please solve the service failures!

There’s a new Schlotzsky’s opening in Preston Center today, specifically at 6125 Berkshire Lane. To celebrate the opening, “Schlotzsky’s is inviting the local community to stop by today between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to enjoy free food,” per a press release. Said release offers no details on how much free food each member of the local community can expect to consume. The release also says this shop is the sandwich chain’s Highland Park location, but we all know better, right?

As I strolled up to the Scotland Yard for the Highland Park-Pearce baseball game last night, I happened upon a line of about 25 people standing in front of a truck.

Upon further review, it was the Sprinkles Cupcakes Mobile.

The Preston Center store is celebrating its fourth anniversary. On Tuesday, sales were donated to the Highland Park and Pearce baseball programs, as fans got to enjoy a little national pastime and tasty cupcakes.

Whether you’re a no-holds-bar, fancy-pants kind of couple, or a laid-back, dinner for two sort of pair, the Hollow has plenty of locales and products to suit your interests this Valentine’s Day.

Fancy Pants: Start things out right with a limo ride to Bailey’s Prime Plus on Park Lane. True, this does technically take you out of the confines of the Hollow, but what’s gas money to a jet-setting individual like yourself? After getting your fill of red meat and wine, take the little lady back in town for dessert at Creme de la Cookie in Preston Royal Village. This place, if you remember, boasts its own Cupcake bar, which is sure to earn you some serious brownie points.

Peace, Love, and Biodegrade: If spending money on killing flowers and animals won’t make your sweetheart smile, then perhaps a stroll through Thackery Park is a good place to start your green Valentine’s Day. Take advantage of the warmer weather to stop and smell the roses, without picking them, of course. After you’ve worked up an appetite, drive your Prius on over to Bliss Raw Cafe in Preston Center for delightfully fresh and healthy menu. For post-dinner entertainment, head to NorthPark Center, where Neiman Marcus is displaying 30 winning works of Valentine’s Day art by local students, including some from Parish Episcopal. It’s all part of the Love Lessons Art Competition hosted by Today Marks The Beginning. Intrigued? Pick up the Feb. 11 issue of Preston Hollow People for the full story.

Traditional Twosome: There’s something comforting in the old staple of dinner and a movie. It didn’t become a classic date choice by chance. So why mess with perfection? After dinner at Catina Laredo (or the Tex Mex joint of your choosing), hit up Inwood Theater for a showing of Just Go With It, a romantic comedy with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston.

Looking for family friendly Christmas outing today?  Santa is making a stop at Duxiana today before his trek across the globe on Christmas Eve.  Stop by between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. for a complimentary Polaroid photo and cookie decorating.

Hello, Friends!

We love it when you tell us about your favorite place to get a margarita, the best place to get your filet on, and the not-to-be-missed brunches in Preston Hollow. Now you can make sure your favorite place to slurp and nosh gets the recognition it deserves.

Go and vote in the very first ballot of this year’s People’s Choice Awards. You can vote on the food and drink ballot once a day until midnight on Thursday (Oct. 28). Winners will be announced in our Jan. 7 edition.

What are you waiting for?! GO MAKE YOUR CHOICE!

Tin Star Taco Bar at Preston Center will donate 15 percent of dinner sales (4 to 9 p.m.) today to benefit Hillcrest High School’s senior class. Of course, you have to pipe up and say you are there for Hillcrest to get credit.

To help kick off the Grand Re-Opening of Swoozie’s, Preston Hollow People is going to offer several chances to win a $25 gift card to the swanky store. Here’s the inaugural one! Be the first person to answer the following question correctly under comments, and you will win.

When did the Dallas Swoozie’s location originally open?

Best of luck!  And be on the lookout for other opportunities to win a gift card soon.  Until then, take advantage of Swoozie’s great Grand Re-Opening specials, and plan to stop by for the Open House and Happy Hour Friday and Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Swoozie’s is swinging its doors open in Preston Center Plaza, and your invited to indulge. To kick off their grand re-opening they will be offering irresistible specials such as $15 off purchases of $50 or more, free monogramming/ printing on the spot, and a free gift with purchase of $25 or more.

Need another reason to celebrate this grand re-opening? There will be an Open House and Happy Hour with food and drinks from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. See you there!

Uploaded by Chris309 to Wikimedia Commons

Way back in the city’s 2006 bond program, voters approved about $8 million for a brand shiny new Fire Station #27, better known to laypersons as the one on the southwest corner of Douglas Avenue and Northwest Highway right next to Preston Center. For the longest time, the project has been in the site selection phase, that part of any new city construction project where no one will tell you anything about anything. At one point, there was talk of putting the station somewhere along Walnut Hill Lane (I think roundabouts Hollow Way Road), but by the time I caught wind of that, the plan had already been given the kibosh, the result of some not-so-enthusiastic neighbors. But no new neighbors will have to raise a stink about the relocation of the firehouse because, well, there will be no new neighbors.

David Trevino, a project manager with the city, said the new 12,000-square-foot facility, will go exactly where the current 41-year-old, 6,000-square-foot one is. The decision is tentative, Trevino said, since it still remains to be seen whether the site can accomodate a design that meets the specs spelled out in the bond. But why stay in exactly the same place?

“Location, location, location,” Trevino said.

I do wonder how much of a consideration cost was. The city already owns the Preston Center land and who knows how much they would have to shell out for a similar parcel nearby.

The station won’t be built anytime soon. The design phase doesn’t begin for another 45 to 60 days and it will take six to eight months to get all the site evaluations, conceptual sketches, etc. finished. Only then will construction begin. But someday, Preston Center, you will get your new fire station.