Check out the latest Northwest Austin business updates, from new and coming soon Asian restaurants to gyms, coffee shops and an ice cream trailer. 

Now open
Cafe Java
The cafe, which opened its third Austin-area location and first new location in 20 years, has a selection of coffees, teas and juices and a range of breakfast and lunch offerings.

• Opened Jan. 12
• 12129 RM 620, Ste. 120, Austin

• 8666 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin

• Opened in January
• 6519 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin

City officials are looking to crack down on excessive vehicle noise and unsafe driving, particularly along west Austin's RM 2222 corridor where reports of complaints and safety issues have been surging for years.

The details: A new city ordinance could be enacted this spring to address what officials deem to be unreasonable engine noise, caused either by intentional actions or faulty equipment. The policy would target vehicle noise above 85 decibels, and would apply only after potential offenders receive an initial warning from law enforcement officials. Violations would be Class C misdemeanors like speeding or vehicle registration infractions.

Quote of note: "This is reckless driving, it’s noise, it’s racing—which to my understanding is a felony. And these are all things we can't enforce well right now. And my hope is that this tool and the other things we’re working to implement can get us there," said council member Marc Duchen, who represents west Austin, including affected neighborhoods near RM 2222.

Check out some of the top trending news stories from the Austin area, Feb. 2-5.

1. Williamson County breaks ground on $132M Hero Way, RM 2243 expansion

2. Ridge Crossing retail project now under construction

3. New hotel, Big Air trampoline park to open off Hero Way

4. Georgetown Sleep Center closes permanently

5. PopStroke eyes spring opening for new Cedar Park venture

6. Major grocery chain to build convenience store in San Marcos

Funding for Austin's social service programs is in line for further cuts, and the city is now evaluating how to both save and reduce portions of its tens of millions of dollars in annual spending.

The details: Last year, City Council originally passed a fiscal year 2025-26 budget with significant investments in social services like homelessness response, public health programming, violence interruption and resident assistance. After the Proposition Q tax election failed, much of that spending was cut through required budget revisions and millions of dollars in social service cuts were outlined late last year.

Ongoing review of spending on various contracts is taking place this year to determine which programs are most critical to maintain, and which could be streamlined or reduced. Both council members and residents will have the chance to weigh in further as the process continues ahead of summer budgeting deliberations.