ATX-CTA: Impact 8/20/2026

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Top Story

Amazon picks East Austin for multi-billion dollar robotics facility

Amazon is bringing a multi-billion dollar advanced robotics manufacturing facility to East Austin, the company announced Aug. 19. The project will be an anchor development in the newly annexed Dog's Head, and was first detailed by city officials during recent planning and financing reviews for that district.

The details: The new manufacturing site will be located off Hergotz and Dalton lanes in the center of the more than 2,600-acre Dog's Head area. The roughly 300-acre development first started moving through city reviews earlier this year as the unidentified "Project Toaster," and was revealed as the first potential tenant in the Dog's Head in July.

The facility will produce robotics systems that'll work with Amazon's employees "to handle repetitive tasks and heavy lifting," according to the release. The development will create between 300-500 manufacturing and engineering jobs, adding to Amazon's more than 17,000 employees in the city today.

Market Story

Bagels, burgers and Ben and Jerry’s: 24 Austin business and dining updates

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

Moment of Tea
Owner Tran Nguyen launched Moment of Tea on the second floor of Casa de Luz Village. The Japanese-inspired tea house serves caffeinated and non-caffeinated teas including Matcha Otome, Sobacha Aiji and Jasmine Green. Teas are served three ways: hot loose leaf, blended warm with milk or cold brewed.

Opened July 1

Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hopdoddy Burger Bar launched its latest location in Mueller on Aug. 5, bringing burgers, sides and breakfast, according to a news release. Hopdoddy offers specialty burgers, salads, fried chicken sides and shakes. For beverages, the restaurant serves shakes, specialty cocktails, beer and wine.

Opened Aug. 5

Feel Free IV
The studio offers proactive, personalized care through IV therapy, comprehensive blood testing, weight loss and metabolic health programs, hormone optimization, and wellness consultations

Opened Aug. 8

Discover more.

From Capitol to classroom: How state policy decisions and budget strains shape Austin-area public schools

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In Your Community

The Farm Fresh Network brings locally grown food to Texas schools

As parents prepare to send students back to school, the Texas Department of Agriculture is focusing on how to feed them with locally grown food.

Dig deeper: The department, led by Commissioner Sid Miller, established the Farm Fresh Network in 2010 to bring ingredients from local producers to school cafeterias across the state. The network is a digital database of Texas farmers, ranchers, distributors and producers who are interested in selling to schools, child and adult care facilities and summer feeding programs.

Zooming in: From the Panhandle to the Texas coast, farms and wholesalers are selling beef, nuts, beans, berries and more. In the Austin area, local companies like Round Rock Honey Company partner with schools and other facilities statewide, the network’s interactive map.

Who it’s for: Austin ISD is one of the school systems that utilizes the Farm Fresh Network as a resource, Lindsey Bradley, marketing manager at Austin ISD Food Service, said.

Dive deeper.

Now Open

Fresh Monkee now blending protein shakes in downtown

Fresh Monkee is now open in downtown Austin, blending up high-fiber, low sugar protein shakes. The shake shop is located beneath The Shoal, an Austin apartment complex.

Check it out: Fresh Monkee launched its soft opening on Aug. 17. The business is open 7 a.m.-5 p.m., according to the brand’s social media.

On the menu: Shakes include the Banana Split, made with milk, vanilla protein, unsweetened coconut shreds, banana, pineapple, strawberries and topped with unsweetened coconut shreds.
For a light bite, patrons can order the Monkee Balls, made with natural peanut butter, oat flour, chocolate whey protein, maple syrup, vanilla extract and rolled in semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil.

The backstory: Judy Flynn founded Fresh Monkee in Connecticut in 2014. Flynn hoped to bring a new beverage to the market, one loaded with high-quality fiber, carbs, healthy fats and simple ingredients, according to the brand’s website.