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As Dry January—a month-long endeavor some participate in to abstain from alcohol—comes to a close, diners in Georgetown can still enjoy mocktails and nonalcoholic drink options at several establishments in the downtown area.

Goodfolks
The restaurant launched its zero proof cocktail menu in mid-January, Operations Director Steven Kresena said. Made with Ritual Zero Proof spirits, the menu includes a nonalcoholic margarita, paloma, gimlet and other classics.

• 119 W. Seventh St., Georgetown
• www.goodfolksgtx.com

• 606 S. Church St., Georgetown
• www.goldenrulegtx.com

Georgetown officials are developing an urban forest master plan to preserve and plant trees in the city as well as create guidelines for tree planting to ensure they grow.

The details: An urban forest master plan would help form strategies and programs to preserve heritage trees, determine where and how to plant trees, maintain existing trees and integrate urban forest considerations into current city planning.

The plan will explore how to best use funding available in the tree mitigation fund, Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Garrett said at a Jan. 13 City Council workshop.

Why it matters: Trees have many ecosystem benefits, such as improving air quality, mitigating heat and absorbing stormwater, Garrett said. These benefits decline with the loss of urban forestry.

Development, decay and natural disasters can all contribute to urban forest loss, she said.

What’s next: The city hopes to secure a contractor to develop the plan by May and complete the urban forest master plan by the end of the year.

After 26 years in business, Houston-based clothing retail chain Francesca’s started the process of liquidating all merchandise and closing all stores in mid-January, according to a letter from company officials to the Texas Workforce Commission.

The company operates more than 450 stores in over 45 states, with 52 of those stores being in Texas, according to the company website.

What happened: In early January, the company received a notice of default from its lender that required the company to permanently shut down, according to the letter.

“After assessing options, the Company concluded, in its business judgment, that it had no alternative but to immediately cut costs, sell existing inventory, and ultimately cease operations,” the letter states.

• Began liquidating Jan. 14

From residential to retail, check out some of the most expensive permits filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

Donley Mixed Use: Construction of a mixed-use retail and residential development is slated to break ground in North Austin. A seven-story parking structure will be attached to the building.

• Location: 2101-2201 Donley Drive, Austin
• Estimated timeline: March 1-June 1
• Estimated cost: $70 million

• Location: 2300 E Second St., Austin
• Estimated timeline: April 1-Dec. 31, 2027
• Estimated cost: $16.3 million

In the upcoming March 3 primary, voters will select the Republican candidate in the race for Texas governor. Eleven Republicans are seeking the nomination.

The overview: Republican incumbent Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the governor's office. He is challenged by ten Republican candidates: R.F. "Bob" Achgill, Evelyn Brooks, Pete “Doc” Chambers, Charles Andrew Crouch, Arturo Espinosa, Mark V. Goloby, Kenneth Hyde, Stephen Samuelson, Ronnie Tullos and Nathaniel Welch.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Republican primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

In the upcoming March 3 primary, voters will select the Democratic candidate in the race for Texas governor. Nine Democrats are seeking the nomination.

The big picture: Patricia Abrego, Chris Bell, Bobby Cole, Carlton Hart, Gina Hinojosa, Jose Navarro Balbuena, Faizan Syed, Zach Vance and Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz will appear on the Democratic primary ballot for Texas governor.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Democratic primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November, and the winner of that race will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.