Wild Detectives has taken over the former Sketches of Spain.
Javier Garcia del Moral
Over the past two months, the former Sketches of Spain restaurant in Oak Cliff has been refreshed and renovated to make way for a second location of its sibling shop, The Wild Detectives. In July, we discussed the tapas-for-books transformation with owner Javier Garcia del Moral.
“The Wild Detectives will be expanding into the [Sketches of Spain] building, but rather than simply opening another location, we’re using the opportunity to rethink how we present books, culture, and community,” he said.
Last Friday, in what Garcia de Moral explained was a “last-minute” decision, the new store had a soft opening. An official-via-social-media debut followed on Sunday. The two locations now comprise a unique “Two bars. Two venues. One bookstore.” concept, including The Wild Detectives–Stories on 8th Street and The Wild Detectives–Ideas in the original shop on Zang Boulevard.
Wild Detectives part 2 has a nonfiction focus.
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The difference is written on the pages: Ideas on Zang Boulevard will focus on nonfiction (history, philosophy, journalism, culture), and Stories on 8th Street will showcase fiction (novels, poetry, Spanish-language literature, children’s books).
The Wild Detectives bar menu, many book clubs and events program will continue and expand to fill both venues. Chef Iñaki from Sketches, who will continue overseeing the menu, has plans to add breakfast and elevated seasonal dishes to the current selection of sandwiches and sweets. Hours of operation, such as they are, will remain the same for now: “If it isn’t Monday morning and your neighbors aren’t sleeping, we’re probably open.”
The Wild Detectives–Ideas (321 Zang Blvd.)
The Wild Detectives–Stories (314 8th St.)
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to midnight, and Mondays 2 p.m. to midnight. Visit on weekdays from 3-6 p.m. and get a free drink with a book purchase.