Wheatsville Co-op announced it would not follow through on the purchase of two smaller grocery stores in near North Austin, and instead would operate just its South Austin store at 4001 S. Lamar Blvd when the 3101 Guadalupe store closes at the end of 2026.
Jet’s Pizza opened at 7301 Burnet Rd in the same shopping center as Tumble 22, and offers a variety of crusts: Detroit style deep dish, hand tossed round, thin, New York style, seasoned cauliflower, and gluten free. And you can “flavorize” the crusts: garlic, butter, Cajun, romano, sesame seed. Buffalo Ranch Chicken, BLT, Aloha BBQ Chicken, All Meaty, and Ultimate Pepperoni sample a few of the trademark pizzas – or create your own. Salads, calzones, dipping sauces, everything you need – and a vegetarian menu as well. See jetspizza.com
Neon Belly Coffee and Bakery has opened at 8312 Burnet Rd, just north of Steck Ave with its small batch, big flavor, always fresh, c’mon in vibe. Lattes, matchas, local roasted coffees, drip, pour over, and a rotating playground of a bakery case, fresh, surprising – sourdough bites, biscotti, energy bites, quiche, cookies, lemon bars, jammy muffins, sweet or savory scones. At neonbellycoffee.com
La La Land Kind Cafe will go into the old Stinson’s at 45th St and Burnet Rd early in 2026. Stinson’s at 4416 Burnet Rd closed several months ago. With locations in Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, and South Austin, this will be La La Land’s first Austin store north of the river. Offerings include a robust menu of coffee and chai drinks, including a Puppucino for your dog!, paninis, a raft of signature toasts, pastries, grab and go items, a kids’ menu, and breakfast sandwiches.
Rosedale School, at 2117 W. 49th St just off Burnet Rd, is being sold to a developer whose plan is to build a six-story apartment building with a parking garage on the site. Rosedale neighborhood residents’ pushback on the OHT Partners’ plan includes no direct access to Burnet Rd for the development, increased noise in a quiet neighborhood, increased traffic in the normally peaceful area, and the danger of 500 to 700 cars from the development on the residential streets. If the development plan is approved, construction could start in 2027.
Folklore Spa has opened at Camp Lucy, a luxury wine country getaway at 3509 Creek Road in Dripping Springs. Owners Kim and Whit Hanks offer a pre-soft opening through Jan 10. Schedule at 512-829-8005 with booking code FOLKLORETEAM and mention Whit’s name when you book for 50 percent off one spa treatment. Whit and Kim see this pre-soft opening as an opportunity to relax, unwind, and preview the spa as their team fine tunes every detail of their guest experience. See folklorespa.com
Terrazos Branch Library, at 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St, is the first library in Texas to house a Narcan vending machine, taking the machine that had been at Cenote’s across the street before it relocated to 7th Street. The machine is part of the N.I.C.E. Project to eliminate barriers to Narcan and overdose harm reduction supplies through vending machines.
Mozart’s Coffee’s Festival of Lights runs through Jan 8 with its light displays, food and drink booths, boat rides, water show, and holiday merriment. An Austin tradition at 2025 Lake Austin Blvd. Tickets at Mozartscofee.com
Francois et Bar Rouge has opened for dinner at 401 W. 3rd St with its French-American menu and side by side sophisticated cocktail bar. Open seven days from 5 pm with valet parking and reservations at Resy and 512-641-0355. See restaurantfrancois.com
Foxtail, billed as Your Everyday Groovy Neighborhood Escape, has opened at 7001 Burnet Road, and is open from 3 pm till midnight Sunday through Thursday and 1 am Friday and Saturday. Crafted cocktails, thoughtful bites, Foxtail style – an elevated yet approachable cocktail bar on vibey Burnet Rd. See foxtailaustin.com or 512-222-4406
