A new coffee shop is brewing specialty lattes with a nod to Texas history in Round Rock.

What you need to know: Waterloo Coffee Co. expanded into a brick-and mortar-location in February, bringing its Texas-centric coffee tradition to downtown Round Rock. 

About the business: The coffee company began as a drive-thru coffee trailer in Georgetown, which will remain open. Co-owner Amy Bresnan said the name comes from the history of the city of Austin, originally named Waterloo. 

In their own words: "We love Texas," Bresnan said. "We love the spirit of Texas, that people are proud to be from Texas."

The Capital Area Rural Transportation System will launch two new regional commuter bus routes March 2, offering express service to downtown Austin.

One route will serve Bastrop and Smithville, while the other will have stops in Georgetown and Round Rock.

Learn more: The rides will be free for a limited time, according to a city of Georgetown news release. The service is funded by Austin’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, supported by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The new routes are intended to relieve heavy traffic on Hwy. 7, Hwy. 290 and I-35, the news release states.

For full route maps and schedules, residents can visit www.ridecarts.com or call 512-478-7433.

What they’re saying: “These routes are about getting cars off the road and giving people a smarter way to commute,” CARTS General Manager Dave Marsh said. “One bus can replace dozens of single-occupancy vehicles. If you’re tired of sitting in traffic, this is your exit ramp.”

Private schools and charter schools in the Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto area offer a variety of specialized instruction. This noncomprehensive guide features schools with grade levels from pre-K through 12th grade.

Round Rock Private Schools
Challenger School - Avery Ranch

• Type: traditional
• Grades served: pre-K-8th

• Type: STEAM
• Grades served: pre-K-12th

• Type: traditional
• Grades served: pre-K-kindergarten