A new fabric and quilt shop, Stitch Happens, recently opened in the Lakeway area.

The overview: The shop sells fabric, thread, sewing machines, and other tools and accessories. The business also offers a variety of quilting services, such as trimming, binding and hand-guided quilting. 

Those interested in learning to quilt can participate in classes hosted at Stitch Happens, including the six-part Prolific Quilter class, meant to help attendees become more confident and learn new skills.

• Opened Aug. 1

Construction on The Barton, a 402-unit multifamily housing development along West Hwy. 71, began Oct. 6.

The overview: The Barton will be located on over 60 acres near Southwest Parkway and West Hwy. 71, and is being developed by OHT Partners, an Austin-based multifamily developer and contractor.

The complex will feature a mix of three-story garden-style buildings and two-story townhomes, offering one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 702 to 1,584 square feet.

Community amenities will include two resort-style pools, a 9,000-square-foot clubhouse, a 1,500-square-foot fitness center, coworking spaces, two pickleball courts, a 1.4-acre dog park, a trail system and multiple community courtyards.

Over 40 acres of the 60-acre property will be designated green space, according to a press release from OHT Partners.

What's next: The first units are expected to be completed in early 2028, with the rest of the development finished at the end of 2028, per the press release.

Central Texas is hosting several local fall events across multiple cities, including Austin, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Buda, Elgin, Cedar Park and Georgetown. These seasonal activities feature pumpkin patches, festivals and Halloween celebrations.

Key events scheduled for the holiday season include:

• Pumpkin Nights in Austin, an immersive half-mile exhibition running from Sept. 17-Oct. 31.

• The 43rd annual Viva la Vida Festival & Parade celebrating Día de los Muertos in downtown Austin on Oct. 24.

• Boo Bash, a free Halloween celebration in downtown Bastrop on Oct. 31.

• A free Haunted Trail in Bee Cave from Oct. 22-23, recommended for ages 13 and up.

• The city of Buda's annual Booda Halloween on Oct. 24, featuring trick-or-treating and a kids costume contest.

• The Evergreen Farms Pumpkin Hunt in Elgin from Sept. 26-Oct. 31.

• The Sweet Eats Adventure Farm & Petting Zoo fall festival in Georgetown, running from Sept. 19-Nov. 8.