ATX-SWA: Impact 8/29/2025

Good Morning, Southwest Austin & Dripping Springs!

TOP STORY
Bouldin Acres announces third location in South Austin

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

 
ON THE BUSINESS BEAT
Is Target headed to Dripping Springs? Here's what we know

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

 
LOCAL EATS
Local restaurants to fight food insecurity during Austin Restaurant Weeks

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

 

FOODIE FRIDAY
Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Austin area.

The chef duo behind Bill’s Oyster and Teddy’s Restaurant & Bar are opening VanHorn’s—a New York-inspired steakhouse—in Downtown Austin this fall.

The new concept will be led by chefs Daniel Berg and Dylan Salisbury, of the Austin-based Berg & Sons Hospitality. The company opened its first restaurant, Bill’s Oyster, in 2023 and opened Teddy’s Restaurant & Bar in 2024.

The menu blends fine dining with casual fare, featuring Pat LaFrieda steaks—sourced from the renowned East Coast butcher—alongside burgers, cocktails and wines at a range of price points, according to a news release.


Read more.

 

🌮 Horror-themed food truck Fright Bite opens in South Austin
(Read more)

🆕 Injera & Beyond brings Ethiopian eatery to Cedar Park
(Read more)

🦪 Austin Oyster Co. to open brick and mortar in East Austin
(Read more)

😋 Big Daddy Jay's Creole Kitchen serves fresh gumbo in Buda
(Read more)

 

Asian-barbecue fusion food truck Si Baby-Q relocated to Pink Flamingo Food Court in July. The menu features barbecue dishes with an Asian twist, such as brisket and ribs with an Indonesian pepper and spice rub.

Sides include smoked kimchi; queso noodles made with long peppers from India; street corn; roti, or an Indian bread; and a banana pudding dessert.

The food truck also sells smoked meats by the pound and features weekend specials such as smashburgers.


Read now.

AT THE CAPITOL
Amid Democratic criticism, Texas lawmakers vote to overhaul STAAR and launch new tests in 2027

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.

 

Your local team

Elle Bent
Editor

Judy LeBas
General Manager

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