A new mixed-use restaurant and retail development called “SpiceQ” may be coming to Spicewood along the Hwy. 71 corridor, according to a filing from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The overview: The project is expected to be over 10,000 square feet and cost $1.8 million, per the filing from the TDLR.

Construction is expected to begin in January 2027 with completion in July 2028.

• Construction starting in January

• 5600 Hwy. 71, Spicewood

Kindred Social, a new cocktail bar and dining spot in Northwest Austin, held its soft opening this week.

The overview: Patrons will find rotating draft cocktails, beers on tap, wine and other drinks.

The menu includes a variety of small bites and food for the table, such as toasted sourdough with Texas honey butter and sea salt, pork belly cracklins, seared tuna, crispy wings and more.

For heartier options, Kindred Social also offers a chicken sandwich, double-patty smash burger and the ATX Melt, which comes with brie and gruyere, bacon, fig jam and caramelized onion on sourdough.

The new eatery also plans to unveil a brunch menu in the future.

• Opened Oct. 28

A guide to Austin-area Christmas tree farms highlights eight local options for harvesting or purchasing pre-cut trees in 2026:

• Elgin Christmas Tree Farm in Elgin offers choose-and-cut pine and Cypress, plus pre-cut Fraser Fir, starting Nov. 21.
• Pipe Creek Christmas Tree Farm in Pipe Creek features choose-and-cut Afghan Pine, Leyland Cypress and Arizona Cypress, alongside pre-cut and living trees, starting Nov. 23.
• Evergreen Farms in Elgin opens Nov. 27 with Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress, Arizona Cypress and pre-cut options.
• Jenschke Orchards in Fredericksburg sells choose-and-cut trees and pre-cut Noble, Nordmann and Douglas Firs starting Nov. 27.
• Lee County Christmas Trees in Lincoln offers choose-and-cut Virginia Pines and Murray Cypresses starting Nov. 27.
• Grigsby Farms in Salado provides fresh-cut Fraser Firs and handmade wreaths starting Nov. 27.
• Brungot Farms in Cedar Park supplies Fraser Fir wreaths, trees, stands, lights and delivery starting Nov. 22.
• Sweet Eats Farm in Georgetown offers choose-and-cut Murray Cypress and pre-cut Fraser and Douglas Firs starting Nov. 28.

Check out these stories trending in the Austin area Oct. 26-29.

1. UT Austin unveils academic health system rebrand with major healthcare expansion ahead

2. Round Rock subdivision approved for 72-acre expansion

3. Dog Haus reopens in Cedar Park under new ownership

4. TxDOT wraps up $677M Oak Hill Parkway expansion project

5. Budget, demographics and improvement plans: 3 Pflugerville ISD updates to know

6. Tractor Supply Co. planning second Georgetown store