Barbecue, bingsu and balloons: 16 Northwest Austin business updates
Check out the latest Northwest Austin business updates, including food trucks, a South Korean dessert shop and a contemporary art pop-up exhibit.
Now open Wicked Snow The menu features bingsu, a Korean shaved ice dessert, with flavors such as strawberry matcha, coffee and taro. Also on the menu are croffles with flavors such as cinnamon, chocolate and strawberry Nutella; yogurt smoothies; and drinks such as lattes, teas, and sparkling ades.
Opened Aug. 14
11301 Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 113A, Austin
Relocations Si Baby-Q The fusion food truck serves barbecue dishes with an Asian twist, such as brisket and ribs with an Indonesian pepper and spice rub, smoked kimchi, queso noodles, and smoked meats by the pound.
Relocated in July
7221 McNeil Drive, Austin
Closings Natural Grocers The store, which is closing due to “unsuccessful lease negotiations” per business representatives, sells items such as meat, dairy, produce, beauty products, body care items and supplements. The three other Austin locations will remain open.
Austin Community College District expands student housing support with collaboration
Austin Community College District has introduced a new partnership with Housing Connector, a nonprofit organization focused on removing barriers to housing.
The impact: A recent survey conducted by the college found that 55% of students indicated they are housing-insecure, and 57% stated they would have difficulty finding $500 cash or credit in an emergency.
“Stable housing is essential to our students' success,” ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said. “Our mission is simple: help every student succeed. This partnership is about meeting students where they are, removing barriers and making sure they have the stability and support to keep moving toward their goals.”
The partnership will connect students with local property owners who are willing to offer accessible and affordable housing options.
The context: Housing Connecter has a partnership with the city of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, which provides funding to expand housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Austin-based Harbor Health grows Texas footprint with VillageMD acquisition
Harbor Health is expanding its presence in the Austin area, following acquisition of 10 Austin-area Village Medical clinics.
What happened: In a Sept. 18 news release, Harbor Health announced that through an acquisition of 32 total clinics from VillageMD, growing its local presence and entering the Dallas, El Paso and San Antonio markets.
Eligible K-12 students receive free school meals after legislature approves funding
This school year, students who are eligible for reduced-price meals can receive free breakfast and lunch at public schools across Texas.
The overview: During the recent legislative session, state lawmakers approved $19.8 million to cover the cost of reduced-price meals for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
What parents should know: Eligibility for free school meals is determined based on a family’s income through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
Families can contact their school district to fill out an application for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Students who are deemed eligible for reduced-price meals will receive them at no cost through the 2026-27 school year.
What they're saying: “Kids who would have paid a small fee for meals will now receive them at no cost,” said Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of No Kid Hungry Texas. “[School] is where we know so many kids get their meals—it is a guaranteed place for kids to have access to free and nutritional meals.”
