Chocolate, balloons and neon lights: Check out 12 business updates in North Austin
Stay up to date with the latest North Austin business news—a collection of newly opened, coming soon, relocations and closings.
Now open Kesshō Craft Chocolate The small-batch chocolate company has kicked off the second anniversary of its Asian-inspired “bean-to-bar" chocolate shop in South Austin, with the opening of a second location on Burnet Road in North Austin. Co-owned by Liang Wang and Mark Huetsch, the chocolatier blends Asian ingredients into unique Western-style desserts.
6726 Burnet Road, Austin
International Balloon Museum International contemporary art company Balloon Museum opened a pop-up exhibition at the former Louis Shanks furniture store, The Let's Fly—art has no limits—exhibit features a variety of inflatable art pieces for patrons to interact with. The exhibit is inspired by concepts of freedom, flight and lightness, exploring air as a symbol of limitless travel and movement, according to Balloon Museum information. The Austin museum will run until Nov. 2, according to the company's website.
Property tax hike to boost health care services across Travis County
Travis County homeowners will see about $64 more on their property tax bills after commissioners approved a 9.3% rate increase for Central Health, the county’s taxpayer-funded hospital district. For the average home valued at $515,213, that amounts to roughly $608 in total Central Health taxes.
Funding priorities: Dubbed the “year of access,” the new budget directs additional funding toward expanding primary care, behavioral health, specialty services and diagnostics. Primary care funding will rise from $74 million to more than $103 million, largely supporting CommUnityCare Health Centers. Behavioral health services will also grow significantly, with funding for Integral Care increasing from $25.7 million to over $40 million.
The outlook: Central Health leaders say the investments aim to reduce wait times, improve access to specialists, curb avoidable ER visits, and expand insurance coverage for low-income residents.
Put in perspective: Central Health represents just over 5% of a property owner’s total tax bill.
Ronald McDonald House to open at Texas Children's Hospital North Austin
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas has announced the development of a new Ronald McDonald House for patients at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin.
What to know: Construction has begun at Austin’s latest Ronald McDonald House which sparks the start of the first phase of A Place Like Home, RMHC CTX’s capital campaign, a news release states.
The campaign is dedicated to increasing capacity while ensuring families have access to comfort, care and community throughout their child’s medical journey.
The space is expected to open in 2026 and will feature nine private family suites, a communal kitchen, a laundry room and a multipurpose family support space where families can have private conversations with doctors, learn about support resources and more.
20 years strong: Community Impact celebrates anniversary through state-wide company gathering
Since 2005, Community Impact has delivered trusted news and local information to communities across Texas. Privately owned by John and Jennifer Garrett of Round Rock, it now reaches 2.5 million mailboxes and 270,000 inboxes in 40 markets.
As it celebrates its 20th anniversary, Community Impact is looking back on two decades built on passion, integrity and innovation—while also focusing forward on deeper reader connections and future growth.
The framework: To recognize 20 years of success, Community Impact held a conference and celebration called The Gathering. The event united employees from across the company for two days of training, collaboration and connection.
“Our belief is that leadership from internal top performers and external experts helps us be the modern local news company we want to be,” Founder and CEO John Garrett said.
Eligible K-12 students receive free school meals after legislature approves funding
This school year, students who are eligible for reduced-price meals can receive free breakfast and lunch at public schools across Texas.
The overview: During the recent legislative session, state lawmakers approved $19.8 million to cover the cost of reduced-price meals for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
What parents should know: Eligibility for free school meals is determined based on a family’s income through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
Families can contact their school district to fill out an application for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Students who are deemed eligible for reduced-price meals will receive them at no cost through the 2026-27 school year.
What they're saying: “Kids who would have paid a small fee for meals will now receive them at no cost,” said Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of No Kid Hungry Texas. “[School] is where we know so many kids get their meals—it is a guaranteed place for kids to have access to free and nutritional meals.”
