PhoNatic Vietnamese restaurant closing Cedar Park, Round Rock locations in August, September
PhoNatic owners Pat and Sara Lee announced the closure of both their Cedar Park and Round Rock locations. The Cedar Park location closed on Aug. 27 and the Round Rock location is set to close on Sept. 14, according to the restaurant’s Facebook post.
More details: In the post, the couple stated that they are focusing on their family grocery business as their children get older and Pat Lee’s parents head towards retirement. The Lee family owns MT Supermarket in Austin, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Previously, there were three PhoNatic locations in the Austin-area, one in Cedar Park, one in Round Rock and one on W. Anderson Lane in Austin. The W. Anderson Lane location will remain open, serving pho, bánh mì sandwiches and sliders, street tacos, spring rolls and more.
One more thing: The couple also owns additional restaurants in Austin, Pho Saigon Noodle House and Lee’s Kitchen + Cocktails.
New Worlds Conference returns to Austin, taking attendees through the future of space
Austin locals and visitors alike can venture to space with EarthLight Foundation’s annual New Worlds Conference, combining all things science, exploration, technology, art, music and literature and their connection with space exploration.
What to know: From Oct. 23-25, community members can engage with a variety of interactive activities, speakers and more while learning about space exploration and connecting with like-minded individuals.
The three-day event will feature a mix of TED-style sessions showcasing topics from national space policy and space biomedicine to private space stations, cloud cities on Venus, farming on the moon and the ethics of artificial intelligence-human partnerships.
What else?: In addition to the conference’s presentations, attendees will have the chance to get to know 10 early-stage NewSpace startups as well as visionary university students competing in Space Tank, a showcase for emerging ventures to gain visibility, mentorship and community.
The finale: After two days of learning and building community, participants will enjoy an evening of ceremony, costume party, concert and fundraising at the conference’s Space Cowboy Ball.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Austin area.
Persian pop-up Roya is set to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in North Austin this fall.
Roya is owned and operated by chef Amir Hajimaleki, who also owns Austin restaurants District Kitchen + Cocktails, Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar, Keepers Coastal Kitchen and Daisy Lounge.
Hajimaleki has served Roya's Persian cuisine at exclusive pop-up dinners across the Austin area since 2018, and the new restaurant will take over the former Shortie's Pizza + Grinders space, located above Hajimaleki's District restaurant.
26 energizing updates to the coffee scene in Austin and surrounding areas
The Greater Austin area and beyond has seen a large growth in coffee-related businesses sprouting since May. Community members can check out a range of locally-owned, specialty shops and await the arrival of more options to come. This list is not comprehensive.
Lau Lau The family-run business is named after a Chinese family and is owned by long-time service industry workers including Hannah Foy. In addition to classic coffee drinks, customers can order specialty items including Fish Sauce Caramel Latte, Chinese Five Spice Cortado and Foy’s Old Fashioned Latte.
Opened Aug. 18
3701 Guadalupe St., Ste. 106, Austin
Arwa Yemeni Coffee The business serves Yemeni coffee, teas and pastries. Menu items include classic espresso-based beverages, including lattes, as well as traditional drinks like Sana'ani coffee and Adeni tea. Ice refreshers and smoothies are also available.
Opened June 2
12301 W. Parmer Lane, Bldg. 2, Unit 206, Cedar Park
Gov. Abbott issues executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order aimed at prohibiting hemp-derived THC products from being sold to minors, which he called “safety for kids, freedom for adults.” The order comes one week after a special legislative session ended without Abbott and state lawmakers agreeing on legislation to ban or restrict THC sales.
The details: Abbott’s order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to “immediately begin the rulemaking process” on new THC regulations, including:
Limiting THC sales to people 21 years and older
Requiring THC retailers to check all customers’ IDs
Expanding testing and labeling requirements for THC products
Raising manufacturer and retailer licensing fees to cover costs of enforcing the new rules
Enhancing monitoring by state and local law enforcement
What they're saying:“Governor Abbott has shown that Texas can protect children without turning back to prohibition,” Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said in a statement. “While we have some concerns, this is a win for safety, freedom and free markets.”
