Southwest Austin Impacts — June 2008

Southwest Austin Impacts — June 2008

Written by Staff Friday, 13 June 2008

1. Pack it away

A new self-storage facility is being built at 10220 W. Hwy. 290 near Baxter Lane between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs. Once complete in July, 1st Choice Storage will provide a 430-unit, multi-story building with climate and non-climate storage options. For more information, call 762-7822 or 288-0037.

2. Make that mockingbird sing

Giss’ Café changed management this spring when Kim Hawkins assumed ownership of the restaurant. Mockingbird Kitchen, 6001 W. William Cannon Drive, will still serve Giss’ “tried and true” menu, but Hawkins has added some instant favorites, such as lemonade pie and carrot cake, as well as Reuben and pot roast sandwiches. For more information, call 301-7771.

3. Back pain?

Synergy Chiropractic has opened at 5320 Manchaca Road, offering chiropractic, acupuncture and massage services. The clinic focuses on patient education, doctor/patient relationship and offers affordable options so insurance is not needed. For more information, call 947-7783.

4. The hill above the Y

A Starbucks is tentatively scheduled to open in late September on the south side of Hwy. 290 at the Y. Site work has also begun in the development on a new banking location for Washington Mutual, but an opening date is not yet scheduled.

5. Smile for the camera

The City of Austin’s “Keep Austin Safe,” red light camera program launched May 23 during Memorial Day weekend. The camera system takes photographs after a vehicle enters an intersection when the light is red. For more information, visit www.cityofaustin.org.

6. Spanish cuisine

Starting in June, a new Spanish restaurant at 7010 Hwy. 71, Ste. 180, in Oak Hill will serve tapas, entrées and sangria. Segovia, in the H-E-B shopping center at the Y, will also have live entertainment and a bar. For more information, call 579-0726 or visit their website.

7. New management

Apartment complex Hudson Miramont is now under new management by Greystar. Located at 8818 Travis Hills Drive, the 276-unit complex overlooks the Hill Country near Southwest Parkway and Hwy. 71. For more information, call 301-5200 or visit their website.

8. Hot eating

Flaming Jalapeno began serving Mexican food in the Parkway Oaks center at 4601 Southwest Parkway, Ste. 109 last month. The small restaurant also shares space with a Starbest Café and Coffee House. For more information, call 899-8899.

4. Get ready to dance

In Escarpment Village between Starbucks and Waterloo Ice House, the new Dance Xplosion dance studio is now accepting registration for its first summer classes and camps. Courses will begin July 7 at 9600 Escarpment Blvd., Ste. 750. Lifelong dancer and former elementary school teacher Amber Frishman opened the business with her husband Adam as a studio that will focus on technique, self-esteem, competition and creativity. For more information, call 301-9222 or visit their website.

10. Future campus

Austin Independent School District held its groundbreaking ceremony May 29 for the new Southwest Austin middle school at 7412 W. Slaughter Lane near FM 1826. A project of the 2004 Apple At Work Bond Program, the campus will open in August 2009, affecting the existing boundaries of Bailey and Small middle schools. It is the first middle school campus in the area to be under construction since Small opened in 1999. For more information or to get involved, call 414-BOND or visit their website.

11. Tech campus opens

After two years of construction, Advanced Micro Devices, founded in Sunnyvale, Calif., and one of Austin’s major high-tech companies, is celebrating its Lone Star campus’ grand opening June 16 at 7171 Southwest Parkway. AMD has more than 2,000 local employees. The new center sitting on 60 acres at the corner of Southwest Parkway and William Cannon Drive will house design and administrative functions.

12. Southpark Meadows

In the Southpark Meadows development at IH 35 and Slaughter Lane, several new stores are opening this summer. Bath & Body Works began selling its fragrance products May 26. Three new clothing stores including Maurices, Dress Barn and Rainbow will tentatively open the first week in August. Sports Authority is set to begin operations in mid-August. 16-Point Embroidery and Studio Nails are also planned to open, although no dates are scheduled.

13. More at MoPac

In Slaughter Crossing at 5000 W. Slaughter Lane at MoPac where Starbucks, Tip Top Cleaners and Which Wich? opened in April and May, Pro Nails is also planned to begin services by July. ATX Bikes, which offers sales and repairs, is in the permitting process before it can open. Another building in the development will include a Fantastic Sams. Quick & Company Commercial Realty Inc., responsible for the site, is seeking a sit-down restaurant for a tenant. Compass Bank will start construction on its facility in August. According to Jerry Quick of Quick & Company, Wal-Mart also purchased 35 acres behind Slaughter Crossing, donated 25 acres to the city for a nature preserve and has a site plan approved for a neighborhood market, although no construction is scheduled. For more information, visit www.quickco.com.

14. Fresh produce

A grocery store chain, Sunflower Farmers Market, is opening its first Austin location at William Cannon Drive and Manchaca Road. Starting in November, the store, which describes itself as selling “serious food” at “silly prices” will open in the former Hobby Lobby building. .