De Nada Cantina is planning to open a second location at the former El Mercado restaurant in South Austin in January.

The gist: The East Austin Tex-Mex staple is known for its tacos and margaritas served in pink cups, including happy hour specials and a late night menu. The restaurant opened off East Cesar Chavez Street in 2021, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

The backstory: El Mercado closed its South Austin location on Dec. 17 after operating in the area for 40 years. The Tex-Mex restaurant has another location off Burnet Road in North Austin.

Under the new ownership of 2 Dine 4 Hospitality Group, De Nada Taco will feature aesthetic upgrades with new tables and chairs, plants and Mexican decor, according to El Mercado's Facebook page.

• 1302 S 1st St., Austin

Austin is dedicating nearly $300,000 to support a joint regional food system plan with Travis County, the initiative's first city funding since officials signed off on it last fall.

What's happening: The Austin/Travis County Food Plan, created with input from hundreds of area residents, is meant to tackle challenges with food access and production through dozens of strategies related to land use, climate response and community initiatives. City Council authorized a $282,000 contract with Woollard Nichols Torres Consulting in December to implement the plan.

The city's nearly three-year consulting contract will support one piece of that work, the creation of an "implementation collaborative" involving residents and other groups working toward food system goals. The collaborative is kicking off early next year and also expected to receive county funding.

The regional food planning effort was established as nearly 1 in 5 Austin households face food insecurity, or a lack of access to healthy and affordable food. That estimate is higher than the national average, and comes as local and federal funding for food support is dwindling.

North Austin community members now have an environment to enjoy working from home or ordering a drink while playing with adoptable cats at Sydney’s Cat Lounge.

The specifics: Launched by Quin Whiddon and Alex Whiddon, the space is part of the duo’s nonprofit, Sydney’s Sanctuary. The nonprofit was founded in 2024 with the mission to save cats in need.

While at the cat lounge, community members can book time slots to visit the lounge and play or co-work with the adoptable cats while enjoying one of the lounge's drinks. Drinks include water, coffee options, specialty sodas, wine, nonalcoholic cocktails and beer and herbal teas. The space is also available for private events.

• 3407 E. Seventh St., Austin