New Braunfels ISD started Maria's Closet, a support service providing clothes, backpacks and toiletries to unhoused students in 2004. Now, the closet has grown into a larger resource, reaching more families and students in need.

What’s new: Maria's Closet is now operating inside the district's original Lamar building at 240 N. Central Ave. In addition to improved in-person services, Maria’s Closet also offers a mobile closet—a van that has all the resources of the permanent closet, but can now travel to those in need. The van will begin operating in September or October, Maria Alcala, NBISD's McKinney-Vento and foster care liaison, told Community Impact.

“The district is removing transportation and access barriers by bringing resources directly to campuses and neighborhoods,” Alcala said. “This expansion is expected to increase the number of students and families served throughout New Braunfels ISD in the coming school year.”

The van will travel to specific locations throughout New Braunfels, including the Crisis Center of Comal County, local food banks and other community events, Alcala said.

Popbelly’s Popcorn is celebrating 10 years of selling gourmet popcorn in New Braunfels. 

The business, located at 2327 Gruene Lake Dr., Ste. B, was founded in December 2016 by Kristi and Mike Vinzant. 

About the owners: In 2016, Kristi Vinzant was in an accident that injured her spinal cord and limited her mobility, Mike Vinzant told Community Impact. After the accident, she was no longer able to stay at her job as a registered nurse, so they took a chance, sold everything they had and opened Popbelly’s.  

“I knew I had to find something we could do to make a living, and gourmet popcorn entered my head again,” Mike Vinzant said. “Thinking this would be a lot easier on her, we made a big life decision to take the chance and open our own popcorn shop.”

What’s on the menu: Popbelly’s offers various popcorn flavors under five different categories: 

• Savory & Cheese

• Caramel

• Candied

• Drizzle

• Specialty

Some of the flavors in the categories are dill pickle, Gruene pop (sea salt caramel and extra butter), strawberry and birthday cake.

• 2327 Gruene Lake Dr., Ste. B, New Braunfels

Pier Sushi Fire & Raw, a Canyon Lake-based restaurant, opened in New Braunfels on Sept. 5, restaurant staff told Community Impact.

The details: The restaurant at 675 N. Business I-35, Ste. 201, is owned by locals Eric and Jessica Hyatt and their son, Mason Hyatt. The family decided to open a location in New Braunfels after their Canyon Lake location was damaged by a fire in 2025, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

What's on the menu: Pier Sushi Fire & Raw offers various sushi rolls, specialty rolls, chicken and steak entrees and more. The restaurant also serves Japanese beers and sake.

• 675 N. Business I-35, Ste. 201, New Braunfels

IKEA announced it will not renew its lease for its small-format store in San Marcos, marking the spot’s upcoming closure.

The overview: A statement on the company’s website announced that the furniture store's San Marcos location would not continue to operate.

The decision was influenced by the company's strategy to continue building its affordable, accessible and sustainable future, according to the website.

The background: The store opened on July 16, 2025, in the former Conn’s Home Plus within San Mar Plaza. The location offered over 2,000 products and a selection of Swedish Food Market items.

Looking ahead: Local customers can visit one of the remaining IKEA locations in the region, according to the website, including:

• IKEA Round Rock

• IKEA in Best Buy South Austin

• IKEA Live Oak

• IKEA in Best Buy Alamo Ranch

“We continue to test, explore, and develop new ways for customers to meet IKEA, while investing in home delivery, pick-up services and our online experience,” said the statement.

• Closing Nov. 1

• 917 Hwy. 80 N., San Marcos