ATX-NNW: Impact 11/6/2025

Zara’s storefront at The Domain is expected to reopen soon following its closure for extensive renovations this summer.

The details: A representative with the shopping center confirmed the location will be reopening in November but was unable to share a specific date.

The store was closed for four months to increase from its previous size of 11,000 square feet to 35,000 square feet, as stated in previous Community Impact coverage.

• 3409 Esperanza Crossing, Ste. P-100, Austin

Austin leaders are readying to adopt a downsized budget with potentially cuts to city services, after voters rejected a 20% tax rate increase to fund various public programs.

The impact: The failure of Proposition Q automatically lowers Austin's tax rate to $0.524017 per $100 property valuation—5 cents below the higher tax rate that was on the ballot, but still a nearly 10% increase over last year's $0.4776 rate. The owner of a median-valued home in Austin can now expect to pay just over $100 more in property taxes.

What's next: With less revenue coming in, City Council will now be tasked with reducing a budget they expanded by about $110 million this summer. Austin's final spending plan will now likely resemble the original fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposed by City Manager T.C. Broadnax in July, although changes are possible.

One more thing: The taxing proposition's defeat also prompted calls for a broad audit of city spending and service outcomes from both sides of the election debate.

Owners Forrest Higdon and Jason Carrier opened Happy Slice Pizza in Austin on Oct. 29, serving specialty pizzas and more. 

On the menu: Menu items include pizzas like the Baracoa Betty, made with Mama Betty’s barbacoa, diced onions, cilantro, jalapeno crema and adobo sauce. The restaurant also serves baked fornatas, salads, garlic knots, meatballs, wings and desserts. All pizzas on the menu can be made on gluten-friendly crust, according to the website.

Happy Slice also has a bar with happy hour specials weekdays from 3-6 p.m.

Learn more: Carrier and Higdon are focused on providing the community with healthier pizza options, Carrier previously said to Community Impact. In addition to gluten-free crust, Happy Slice will also make pizza without cellulose and with unbromated flour. 

• Opened Oct. 29
• 9900 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 100, Austin