Imagine...
Tomorrow, half of Fry Street is being torn down. All of your favorite restaurants and bars are being replaced with an over sized corner store. No more Fry Street Crawls or Mean Green Pizza at Crooked Crust. Despite numerous petitions and protests, the demolition of Fry Street continues.
Crazy, right? But not too long ago, in 2007, this entire horror story was reality to the citizens of Denton. Fry street was a fraction of the attraction it is today but still an iconic and crucial piece to the community.
Walking down Fry Street Circa 1990's- Early 2000's
The population of hipsters was slim in comparison to the outbreak today. The typical Fry Street frequent buyer was "Goth" or "Emo."
Rather than your beloved Crooked Crust was another pizza joint. The Tomato was a two story pizza place on the corner of Hickory and Fry (kinda where Chipotle is now). The Tomato opened in 1984, it was known as the spot to be seen, but was infamously known for its graffiti decor throughout the shop.
Just a few steps away was Cool Beans. Fortunately, Cools Beans still lives, but was nearly twice the size of what it is today.
Fry Street had other beloved restaurants and shops that consumed Fry and Hickory. Fry Street was also known for its other festivities besides The Crawl, Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity hosted their Annual Fry Street Fair. The students of Denton would enjoy local bands and drinks while the fraternity would use the proceeds to give back to the community.
The Fry Street Fire of 2007
You may begin to ask yourself, "What ever happened to The Tomato and the other half of Cool Beans?"
Well, a CVS pharmacy and drive through was expected to replace majority of the treasured businesses. The owners of The Tomato were devastated just as the rest of the community was. A petition with more than 10,000 names was issued in an attempt to stop construction but it was no help. Finally, an unknown culprit set the building of The Tomato on fire.
The fire took part of Cool Beans along with it.
As for Sigma Alpha Mu, they hosted their final Fry Street Fair in 2007. Their chapter eventually fizzled out and they have become one of many distant memories of Denton. Soon after the fire, The Square became the new center of attention for Dentonytes. People who experienced The Tomato and The Fry Street Fair reference the new development on Fry as "Just not what it used to be."
The Fry Street we know.
Yes, Fry Street has gone through its ups and downs. We have watched many businesses either miserably fail, or tremendously succeed on the strip. Nonetheless, Fry Street will hold a special place in our hearts regardless of what past party goers will say about it now. It will always be the place to meet with friends or to make new ones.
