Mansfield resident Brooke Parks’ goal for her business is simple. Harness the power of high-end jewelry to serve a wider purpose.
Parks’ husband, Bobby, came up with the idea on a flight back from the Philippines. During his trip, he volunteered at a home for kids rescued from human trafficking. On the flight, he read the letters he received from those children and looked over the pearl jewelry he bought at a local market.
When he returned home, Bobby joined Brooke in launching Purity Pearls, their small business venture built on selling jewelry and donating a portion of proceeds to combating human trafficking.
Currently, the business operates online but also sells stock at select boutiques in the North Texas area.
The couple will open their first shop at Geyer Commons as officials cut the ribbon on the longstanding project Friday night.
If you go:
What: Geyer Commons Grand Opening
When: 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27
Where: 605 E. Broad St., Mansfield
Entertainment: Officials will cut the ribbon on the area, live music, food trucks, mini golf and more.
The multipurpose park and pavilion will serve as a gateway to the downtown area, Mayor Michael Evans said.
“We want developers from all around the state to look and see what we’re doing in Mansfield that is unique to the entire state of Texas,” Evans said.
The location’s significance can be traced back almost 70 years, when it was the city’s premier baseball field and meeting place, Evans said.
“We had former council members who used to play baseball over there,” Evans said. “But it had become a place that not many people really frequent.”
Evans said that the area around the field, named Geyer Field, fell dormant and, as the downtown continued to grow, the city identified it as space that could serve as a gateway.
“We knew that with the renaissance of the downtown area, we needed to have intentional gathering spots, gathering places for the community to come,” Evans said.
In 2023, the City Council and Mansfield ISD agreed to a land swap: The city got Mansfield ISD’s administrative buildings, Geyer Field and a shopping center off of East Broad Street while Mansfield ISD got the current city hall location, along with some adjoining property.
The redevelopment of the area near Geyer Field has been completed in phases.
During the first phase, completed throughout the early part of 2025 into the summer, cottage-style markets were erected, and the foundation for the pavilion, splash pad and utilities was laid.
The second phase of construction will include the relocation and restoration of historically
significant locations in the area, such as the original Mansfield High School, Cumberland Church and Mansfield Co-Ed College, according to the city’s site.
Evans said that keeping Mansfield’s history alive in the project was important for officials, as well as for the city.
“When I got to Mansfield in 1989, our population was 15,000 people,” Evans said. “Now, we’re at about 92,000, so there’s a part of what is vintage Mansfield that you want to hold on to that highlights the character of the community.”
Ann Beck, marketing and communications manager for Mansfield’s parks and recreation department, said the project is a culmination of work from multiple city programs, including economic development.
“We’ve got a little bit of everything coming together into one really exciting new space,” Beck said. “We’re always looking for ways that we can create new spaces for people to gather together.”
The vision for the area is that it will serve multiple functions, Beck said. With the cottage-style market, small businesses can grow. The new state-of-the-art splash pad will allow it to be a spot aimed at families. The pavilion area, along with open lawns, will allow it to be used as a space for events.
Beck pointed to Sundance Square in Fort Worth and Klyde Warren Park in Dallas as prototypes for what Geyer Commons could be for the city.
“It really helps activate a downtown and generate a lot of activity,” Beck said.
A place for small businesses to thrive
In the cottage market, a slew of small local businesses have spent the past week setting up shop.
R&B Dog Bakery is one of those local businesses. The bakery creates treats with all-natural ingredients for dogs, including those with dietary restrictions.
Aisha Byrd founded the shop in 2018 after years of baking healthy, nutritious treats for her dogs, Reese and Benjamin.
Her original shop was located in Arlington, off of Sublett Road. On Feb. 21, she closed the shop and spent the beginning of the week moving inventory to Geyer Commons.
Byrd said she first heard about the area from a customer, a fellow business owner who said her company would be perfect for it.
“I was familiar with the history of Mansfield and how the community really supports small businesses,” Byrd said. “I thought that it would be a great fit for us, and that’s where my application process began.”
Parks said she heard about the area through an open house session hosted by the city for small-business owners.
“I remember leaving that meeting with my head so full of a dream of how exciting this could be and what a great opportunity it could be,” Parks said.
Evans said including small businesses was important for the city, adding that when one boat rises, the others follow.
“You’re helping everybody,” Evans said. “You’re helping the school district, you’re helping the local vibe of the city, and that takes care of you.”
Beck added that the cottage market spaces are currently full but are on five-month contracts. Businesses will have the option to renew or leave the market, creating space for other businesses.
Chris Moss is a reporter for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@arlingtonreport.org.
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