ATX-SWA: Impact 8/29/2025

Bouldin Acres shared news in an Instagram post about the upcoming opening of its third location.

In a nutshell: The dining and entertainment space has moved into the building previously occupied by Lustre Pearl South which closed on Aug. 3. The space will feature TVs, two bars, shaded patio tables and bites from CM Smokehouse, a Texas barbecue-style food truck serving both traditional and inventive options.

Some background: The business has two additional locations on South Lamar Boulevard and West Braker Lane.

• 10400 Menchaca Road, Austin

A new retail development, called The Village at Dripping Springs, is headed to far Southwest Austin.

It is yet to be confirmed what retailers will take the spots planned for the site, though signs point to a Target. 

The details: Houston-based Property Commerce is working on the development located near Dripping Springs Racquet Club off Hwy. 290, according to an informational brochure posted on their website.

Property broker Josh Friedman said the property is expected to close in the next 90 to 120 days. He also said plans for a Target are not official, but “all signs are promising.”

The site sits on a 26.45 acre tract, with space for smaller shops and a parking lot. The biggest lot, however, includes 128,660 square feet for retail space. Target stores on average come in at about 125,000 square feet, according to their website. 

Additionally, Property Commerce has worked on various projects including builds for Target, Home Depot, H-E-B and more, the website states. 

• 13550 Hwy. 290, Austin

Dozens of Austin restaurants are teaming up from Aug. 29 to Sept. 14 to help combat food insecurity.

The details: Austin Restaurant Weeks is a two-week dining event that features specially-priced meals and cocktails at a variety of participating eateries. A portion of the proceeds from each meal will be donated to the Central Texas Food Bank.

Pricing options include a $25 lunch and brunch package, a $50 dinner package and a $75 dinner package. The resulting donations are $4, $7 and $10, respectively.

Participating restaurants include:

• Phoebe’s Diner
• Sour Duck Market
• French Quarter Grille
• Basil Thai
• Lazarus Brewing Co., Airport Blvd.
• Odd Duck
• Dovetail Pizza
• Via 313

Both chambers of the Texas Legislature have voted to overhaul the state’s standardized testing system, putting public school students one step closer to taking new exams in the 2027-28 school year.

The details: House Bill 8 would eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness and replace it with three shorter tests, which students would take at the beginning, middle and end of each school year.

Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said HB 8 would “reduce test anxiety, provide teachers with immediate feedback and create a pathway for trust in our system again." The majority of House Democrats and a few Republicans disagreed, arguing Aug. 26 that the bill would increase the amount of time students spend on exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the Texas Education Agency.

Next steps: After state senators passed HB 8 with a 21-7 vote Aug. 27, the bill returned to the House for consideration of a Senate amendment. If House lawmakers sign off on the changes, HB 8 will be sent to the governor.