ATX-NNW: Impact 9/30/2025

Potbelly Sandwich is set to open in Austin's EastVillage mixed-use development in the second quarter of 2026, according to a business representative. 

The details: Founded in Chicago, the chain sandwich shop is known for its toasted sandwiches such as the Cubano, meatball, chicken salad, grilled cheese, and peanut butter and jelly. Also on the menu are soups and salads, macaroni and cheese cups, cookies, and shakes.

Something to note: Potbelly will join other EastVillage restaurants such as Shake Shack, First Watch and Tora. The $1 billion mixed-use development is slated to be fully built out by 2032.

3500 E. Parmer Lane, Austin

Residents in Northwest Austin can check out a number of events this October, from food festivals to 5Ks with furry friends.

Taste of West Austin
Held by the West Austin Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature 20 locally owned restaurants for a night of food, live music and more. The purchase of a $50 wristband includes unlimited food and two drink tickets.

• Oct. 8, 6-9 p.m.
• $50 (per wristband)
• 12550 Country Trails Lane, Austin

• Oct. 25, noon-6 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Downtown Austin, Fourth Street and Congress Avenue

• Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• $150 and up
• Junior League of Austin Community Impact Center, 5330 Bluffstone Lane, Austin

Law enforcement and medical personnel will soon jointly respond to serious mental health emergency calls in Central Austin.

The details: The local management of such incidents has evolved over recent years, with notable updates like the addition of a mental health option for 911 callers. After City Council recently asked for a review of how Austin handles mental health response, the Austin Police Department, Austin/Travis County EMS and Integral Care are pooling resources for the new joint unit starting up this fall.

The "Austin FIRST" team will both patrol the downtown area and take 911 calls for the highest-acuity, or most severe and potentially dangerous, mental health crisis events. The new team is starting a pilot initiative that will likely be adjusted and potentially expanded after a six-month trial run.

Many Texas retailers can no longer sell consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved two emergency rules Sept. 23.

The overview: The new rules, which were drafted after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order requesting tighter THC regulations, apply only to retailers that sell alcohol. The rules state that businesses may not sell, serve or deliver consumable hemp products to minors and must check all customers' IDs before selling them THC products.

Zooming in: About 60,000 Texas businesses hold TABC licenses and will be prohibited from selling THC products to minors. Those businesses include bars, restaurants, liquor stores, grocery stores and some convenience stores.

However, the rule does not apply to THC retailers that do not sell alcohol or have a TABC license, such as smoke shops, gas stations or online sellers. The TABC and the Texas Department of State Health Services are working to determine how to best enforce age restrictions for THC retailers that do not sell alcohol, agency spokespeople said.