ATX-LLH: Impact 3/19/2026

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Crave to bring cookies and customizable sodas to Leander

Utah-based brand, Crave, is setting up shop in Leander this May, said owner Arun Serikar. The new location will mark the company’s first Austin-area venture, and will be locally owned and operated by franchisees Serikar and Purna Durshanpalli.

On the menu: The business will offer loaded sodas with syrups, creams and fruit add-ons, as well as a range of rotating cookie flavors.
Drinks include the Coconut Crave, which is a Diet Coke Mix with fresh lime and coconut syrup. Signature cookie offerings include Nutella sea salt, snickerdoodle and chocolate chip.
The deep-dish cookie flavors are rotated regularly, with six new combinations launched weekly.

Quote of note: “With the rapid growth in Leander and North Austin, we’re excited to bring something fun and unique to the area,” Serikar said in an email to Community Impact. “Crave is about great desserts, but also about building connections within the community.”

19397 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 120, Leander

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Latest News

320-unit apartment complex coming to Liberty Hill, Georgetown line

A new apartment complex is coming to Liberty Hill near the intersection of Hwy. 29 and 183A Toll, next to Costco.

The site plan for a 320-unit multifamily housing development at 250 Gracie Lane was approved by Liberty Hill City Council at its Feb. 25 meeting.

Zooming in: The project falls under a larger planned unit development, or PUD, agreement tied to the larger 183 BLW development—an approximately 82-acre site that also includes Target, Costco and other nearby commercial properties, said Robyn Claridy-Miga, the city’s director of planning and development, in an email.

In addition to the 320 units, the plans include amenities such as a pool, fitness center and clubhouse, according to city documents. The planned development would span roughly 12.5 acres, the documents state.

Water utility service for the development will be provided by the city of Georgetown, and wastewater service will be provided by Liberty Hill.

What’s next: The developer still needs to obtain building permits before construction can begin, Claridy-Miga said.

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Travis County Coverage

Council looks to strengthen youth jobs programs in Austin, Travis County

City Council called to re-evaluate Austin and Travis County summer youth internship and jobs programs as officials seek to strengthen those offerings and their workforce development potential.

The details: Austin's Summer Internship Program and Travis County's Summer Youth Employment Program have been viewed as positive offerings for employment assistance and summer crime prevention. However, Austin's Economic Prosperity Commission recently highlighted the "underutilized workforce development tool" after finding most students applying to city and county programs didn't secure jobs, and that other structural issues may be creating barriers for those seeking to participate.

Austin council members on March 12 asked for a formal review of both the city and county initiatives, and for recommendations to strengthen the programming and potential employment opportunities. Council member Vanessa Fuentes, the measure's sponsor, said the action recognizes the important of investing in area youth and stems from discussions between Austin, Travis County and Austin ISD.

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