SATX-NBF: Impact 10/7/2025

A new childcare center has opened in New Braunfels for the year.

The details: Cactus Grove Learning Center opened on Sept. 2 at 177 E. Faust St., according to a Facebook post from the school. The center—owned by Valerie Garcia—offers pre-K curriculum and a hands-on, play-based learning system for children ages 4-5 years old.

• 177 E. Faust St., New Braunfels

An auto repair shop has expanded in the New Braunfels area, adding another location just off of I-35.

In case you missed it: Total True Automotive opened a second New Braunfels location at 1997 I-35 N. frontage road on Sept. 17, Manager Robert Tenorio told Community Impact.

The auto repair shop has another location at 551 Landa St. and two locations in Schertz. 

Diving in deeper: Total True Automotive offers vehicle maintenance and repairs along with wheel alignment, tire repair and more. 

• 1997 I-35 N. frontage road, New Braunfels

With the first three segments of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Loop 1604 North Expansion Project over 60% completed, District 9 council member Misty Spears said the expanded interstate will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for North San Antonians.

In a nutshell: The $1.4 billion, six-segment project began in 2021 and aims to upgrade the transit corridor from a four-lane expressway to a 10-lane expressway. Additional upgrades include reconfiguring the layout of auxiliary lanes and entrance and exit ramps, adding a HOV lane in each direction, building accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians, and water protections to protect commuters from flood roadways.

A closer look: Brett Finley, president and CEO of Metro SA Chamber of Commerce, said that construction has negatively affected existing businesses along the transit corridor.

All Texas retailers are barred from selling consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Department of State Health Services adopted two emergency rules Oct. 3.

The details: The new rules, which took effect immediately, state that businesses may lose their hemp licenses for selling THC products to minors.

Ten days earlier, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved emergency rules prohibiting bars, liquor stores and other alcohol retailers from selling THC products to anyone under 21. A TABC spokesperson told Community Impact the two state agencies are working together to enforce a Sept. 10 executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

More context: Approximately 8,000 businesses are licensed by the DSHS to sell consumable hemp products in Texas, including some retailers that also sell alcohol.

The emergency rules from both agencies will be in effect for 120 days and could be extended for an additional 60 days while permanent regulations are drafted.