When MGHerring Group opened the Village at Allen in 2008 and its sister property, the Village at Fairview, in 2010, it was facing an uphill battle against a struggling economy.

Today, the plan to jump-start the 400-acre, 2M SF mixed-use center (it's marketed as one property) has come to fruition with lots of new deals. Earlier this week, Fairview City Council voted to bring Fairview Youth Theatre, a division of North Texas Performing Arts, to the Village.

A third nail salon, a children's play space, a salt therapy center, a Halloween pop-up shop and a dessert shop will also open over the next 18 months.

Construction around the center will bring in more visitors and residents. Overture Senior Living facility will house 200 units for active adults. Residence Inn by Marriott and Home2Suites by Hilton will both open in spring 2017, giving visitors to the 6,000-seat Allen Event Center more places to rest.