The Junction, a new entertainment venture by Georgetown-based Cooley Capital Companies, broke ground at 210 Blue Springs Blvd. on Nov. 13.

What is it?: The Junction will bring dining, event and work space across nearly 60,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor facilities, Cooley Capital partner Matt Marshall said at the Nov. 13 ceremony.

Scheduled to open in late summer 2026, Marshall said the development will include five restaurants, three full-service bars and three pickleball courts. The development also includes 30,000 square feet of flexible office space. 

What they’re saying: “[I] can’t wait to see all these businesses out here thriving,” Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “As the mayor who really likes to look at the budget numbers, I can’t wait to see all the sales tax dollars off these businesses.”

The Georgetown Palace Theatre will close the Palace Playhouse on Rock Street at the end of the year, according to a news release. Dashing Through the Snow, which will open on Nov. 28, will be the last program at this location.

The details: The Palace Playhouse is a black box-style performance facility showcasing live plays.

Following the Playhouse closure, the Palace Theatre will move its Playhouse productions to the Doug Smith Performance Center on Second Street. This facility currently houses the Palace's education program.

"We’re making this proactive and strategic choice to allow us to plan for the long-term, sustainable growth of the Playhouse and the Palace as a whole," the news release states.

What's next: The Georgetown Palace Theatre plans to search for a new facility to house the Playhouse permanently, per the news release.

• 216 W. Eighth St., Georgetown

Here are the top Community Impact stories in the Austin area from Nov. 10-14.

1. Johnson Development planning 1,900-home community in Liberty Hill

2. Georgie’s restaurant in Georgetown serves up fresh seafood and cocktails

3. CI Foodie: Coffee, barbecue and more dining updates in Austin and nearby

4. Georgetown scraps Berry Creek Trail project due to resident feedback

5. Three Round Rock businesses slated for southwest corner of A.W. Grimes, E. Palm Valley boulevards

6. Proposed Skybox data center moves forward in Round Rock

The Austin Empty Bowl Project is returning Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 to raise funds to support Central Texans facing food insecurity.

What to know: Since 1997, the project has hosted annual events where attendees purchase handcrafted bowls to enjoy soup in and proceeds benefit neighbors needing nourishing meals. The nonprofit has raised over $1.4 million since its launch, as stated in a news release.

Interested participants will have two chances to get involved with this year’s event:

Austin Empty Bowl Project Preview Party
Attendees can select a bowl of their choice, hors d’oeuvres, soup, bread, drinks and door prizes.

• Nov. 22, 6–9 p.m.
• $125 per person
• Central Texas Food Bank, 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin

• Nov. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• $30 donation per person
• Central Texas Food Bank, 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin