Stay up to date with the latest Austin business news—a collection of newly opened, coming soon, relocations and closings.

This list is not comprehensive.

Now open
Somisomi
The Asian dessert shop is known for its Korean-style taiyaki, a fish-shaped waffle cake pastry. The pastry is filled with soft serve and a variety of flavored fillings and toppings. The shop also features a drink menu with cold brew, cold brew floats or strawberry milk.

• Opened April 10
• 6406 N. I-35 frontage road, Austin

• Opened in May
• 2214 S. First St., Austin

Austin City Council established the Irene Hill-Thompson House in East Austin as a city landmark at the May 28 council meeting, according to a news release from Preservation Austin. Marilynn Poole Webb, homeowner and Irene Hill-Thompson’s niece, partnered with Preservation Austin to prepare and present the nomination. 

The single-story mid-century modern residence, built in 1963 with a wood frame, represents a legacy of early architecture and civic leadership in Austin’s only historic district exclusively honoring Black heritage.

The history: The Irene Hill-Thompson House was designed by John S. Chase, the first Black student to enroll at The University of Texas at Austin, for Irene Hill-Thompson, a civic leader from the 1940s to the mid 2000s. She was active in local and state politics, known for opening her home to host political fundraisers, meetings and more. 

• 1906 Maple Ave., Austin

Downright Austin, a Renaissance hotel, is officially known as Renaissance Austin Downtown Hotel—marking its switch to Marriott International's Renaissance Hotels portfolio, according to a news release.

Marriott announced the change on June 4, with Renaissance Austin joining over 170 Renaissance hotels and resorts worldwide. The hotel’s offerings will grow throughout the year, including programing, design and additional partnerships, according to a news release. 

Learn more: The hotel features 367 guest rooms, more than 40,000-square-feet of event space and a food and drink program. Renaissance Austin Downtown Hotel has elements designed for work and play, including social programming, city navigation and planned gatherings. 

What’s new: The new programming is already slated to feature the new Rodeo Room Sessions, a live comedy, music and event series. Rodeo Room Sessions will kick off with a monthly comedy night open to guests and local residents; its first installment will be on June 25 with general admission tickets starting at $17.85. 

• 701 E. 11th St., Austin 

Check out six ongoing transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Rockride Lane
Project: This work will upgrade Rockride Lane in Georgetown to a two-lane collector roadway with a continuous center left-turn lane and a 10-foot-wide shared-use path along one side from SE Inner Loop to Sam Houston Avenue.
Update: As of February, the contractor had completed work on the west side of the road and began working on the east side. 

• Timeline: 2022-26

• Cost: $12 million

• Funding source: city of Georgetown

William Cannon Bridge
Project: The William Cannon Bridge over I-35 will be blocked off with lane reductions on the main lanes and frontage roads in both directions for the second weekend in a row as part of the I-35 Capital Express South Project. Once completed, the project will feature two high-occupancy-vehicle lanes and a southbound bypass lane. 
Update: The bridge will be blocked off from June 19 at 10 p.m. through June 22 at 5 a.m. 

• Timeline: 2022-28 (total project)

• Cost: $548 million (total project)

• Funding source: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, TxDOT