SATX-NBF: Impact 10/8/2025

A new clothing company has set its roots in New Braunfels, owned and operated by a local resident.

In case you missed it: Juniper & James officially launched in July, Owner James Elledge told Community Impact.

The clothing line is being sold at Gruene Outfitters, at 1629 Hunter Road and Elledge said he plans to expand from there in the future.

The details: Named after his twin daughter and son, Juniper and James, Elledge said he wanted to create clothing that was both unique and useful for people in New Braunfels and throughout Texas.

“I learned a lot about breathable fabrics for being outdoors for a long amount of time,” he said. “It works perfectly with Texas’ hot climate.”

• Serving the New Braunfels area

A community organization formed in the 1800s in Comal County is recognizing its 150th anniversary this fall.

The context: Anhalt’s Germania Farmer Verein was established in 1875 by early German settlers in the area, the organization's current president, Max Engel, told Community Impact in an email.

Originally created as a community group to discuss the protection and preservation of livestock and agriculture in the Hill Country, Engel said it now focuses on celebrating and preserving German tradition and culture.

“We are thrilled to mark 150 years of our organization’s dedication to preserving German culture and community spirit,” Engel said in a news release.

The group’s headquarters, called Anhalt Halle, is located at 2390 Anhalt Road in Spring Branch, situated in western Comal County.

What’s happening: The organization is hosting Anhalt’s Annual Oktoberfest on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. to honor the milestone anniversary.

• 2390 Anhalt Road, Spring Branch

As the nationwide coffee chain plans to close locations across the country, several locations in San Antonio have already shut their doors.

In case you missed it: Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol released a statement on Sept. 25 detailing the company’s plans for the future.

“Our overall company-operated count in North America will decline by about 1% in fiscal year 2025 after accounting for both openings and closures,” Niccol said in the statement.

While the business did not specify the exact number of locations that will close, two in the San Antonio area have already shut down.

The location at 18154 Blanco Road in North San Antonio has permanently closed and no longer appears on the Starbucks store locator tool.

The context: Along with shop closures, Niccol also detailed plans to reduce staff numbers in the statement.

“This includes the difficult decision to eliminate approximately 900 current non-retail partner roles and close many open positions,” he said.

• 18154 Blanco Road, San Antonio

As the shortage of healthcare workers continues to affect medical centers across the United States, cities in Texas have already begun to feel its effects.

The local impact: According to data from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the number of Certified Nurse Aids, or CNAs, has declined by 37% over the last decade in Bexar County.

This is an issue that entrepreneur Barb Clapp said she wants to see disappear, as she launched Dwyer Workforce Development, or DWD, into the San Antonio area in July 2025.

About the organization: Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Clapp said she saw a need to expand across the country as the shortage of medical workers has increased.

“We’re really focusing on communities that need a boost,” Clapp said. “Mainly, these are areas that are low income with not much room for opportunity or growth.”

How it works: Clapp said DWD sticks out compared to other development programs because it includes wraparound services like emergency funds.

• Serving the San Antonio area