Central Austin Impacts — June 2009

Central Austin Impacts — June 2009

Friday, 12 June 2009

1. Powell architects turn 10

Owner Craig Powell marked the 10th anniversary of Powell Landscape Architecture, 1214 W. Sixth St., Ste. 208, in May by announcing the completion of a multimillion dollar renovation of Westwood Country Club. The club’s pool area was completely remodeled, with the addition of a large dining area, outdoor fireplace and children’s pool. Visit www.powelllandscapedesign.com.

2. El Chile opens downtown

Owner Carlos Rivero announced in May that Mexican food restaurant El Chile Café y Cantina has opened a new location downtown. Nicknamed “El Centro,” the restaurant is located in the space formerly inhabited by sister restaurant El Chilito, 918 Congress Ave. Rivero said he hopes to reopen El Chilito in the fall at a new location, possibly on Sixth Street. El Chile has two other locations, one at 1917 Manor Road and the other at 3435 Greystone Drive. Visit www.elchilecafe.com.

3. The yoga life

Yoga Vida owners Dean Mahan, Vic McWherter and Sarah Lemos celebrated the opening of Yoga Vida 707, 707 W. Seventh St., on May 1. The 3,200-sq. ft. studio has separate changing areas and showers for women and men. It is the second Yoga Vida studio, with the first having opened at 3620 Bee Cave Road in 1999. The Baptiste Power Yoga-affiliated studios offer classes in an environment heated to 90 degrees. Call 482-0800 or visit www.yogavida.net.

4. Local bakers and coffee

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has chosen five local bakers to provide breads, pastries and desserts to its 221 S. Lamar Blvd. location, which is set to open in mid-June. The bakers are: Mary Louise Butter’s Brownies, Austinuts, Bakerman’s Bakery, Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams and Round Rock Donuts. The South Lamar location will be the first Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Texas. Franchise owners also plan to open a second cafe on North Lamar Boulevard. Visit www.coffeebeanaustin.com.

5. Black Orchid blooms

Owner Meshelle Fradrich held a grand opening on June 6 for Black Orchid Salon, 3801 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 105. Fradrich is also co-owner of Wild Orchid Salon, 800 W. Third St. Black Orchid is a Davinous multi-space salon, featuring all-natural hair products made in Italy. “We don’t think about the bottom line. We think about the craft and quality of our work,” Fradrich said. Call 326-1010 or visit www.blackorchidsalon.com.

6. The tree

El Arbol restaurant is scheduled to open by September at the corner of Glenview Avenue and West 35th Street. The restaurant serves South American cuisine and has indoor and outdoor dining. Visit www.elarbolrestaurant.com

7. Construction update

The first phase of Star Riverside condos, located at 1300 E. Riverside Drive at the northeast corner of Riverside Drive and IH 35, is expected to be complete in the first part of 2010. The second phase of construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2010 and be finished in late 2011. When complete, the $150-million development will feature 204 residential units priced between $375,000 and $975,000. Visit www.starriversideaustin.com.

8. Compound it

Dorinda and Jim Martin, the new owners of Lamar Plaza Drug Store, 1132 S. Lamar Blvd., opened a compounding center on June 2. In early March, the Martins took ownership of the pharmacy, which has been in continuous operation since the late ’40s or early ’50s. The compounding center is set up to tailor medications for specific patients (humans and pets). The Martins are also expanding the drug store’s immunization offerings to include vaccines for shingles, HPV and yellow fever. Call 442-6777.

9. Chicken and waffles

Lucky J’s Chicken & Waffles opened April 4 in a trailer at 5703 Burnet Road, and took over the building next door on May 1 to provide indoor seating and public restrooms. Owner Jason Umlas plans to open more trailers featuring other food concepts at the same location. Local artist Federico Archuleta painted the Lucky J’s trailer. Call 296-9914 or visit www.luckyjs.com.

10. Topped out

SpawGlass and Austin Community College District celebrated the topping out of the ACC Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage, 824 W. 12th St., on May 27. A “topping out” is a celebration of the successful and safe completion of the main structure. The seven-level parking garage will provide more than 600 parking spaces and includes a 2,896-sq. ft. bookstore on the ground floor. The project is scheduled for completion by early August. Call 223-4222 or visit www.austincc.edu/rgc.

11. Bank on it

Frost Bank’s first LEED-certified bank building is scheduled to be completed the first or second week of August at 1200 Barbara Jordan Blvd. in the Mueller development. The 4,500-sq. ft. bank will offer banking, investment and financial services, as well drive-through banking and ATM services. Visit www.frostbank.com.

12. Chow down

Mark Bradley opened Chow Café at 6019 N. IH 35 in April. He said the restaurant serves “comfort lunch food,” like burgers, sandwiches and homestyle meals. Bradley opened Ciao Chow catering in 2002 and the Austin Event Center in 2007. His new cafe seats about 60. Place to-go orders by calling 419-7221 or visit www.chowcafeaustin.com.

13. Bollywood shake

Ruchika Dias started the Bollywood Shake dance company in May. Dias offers one-time workshops and regular classes in Indian dancing for adults. “The idea is to teach Bollywood dancing and have a fun cultural experience,” she said. Dias holds classes once per week at Tinka’s Dance Studios, 2013 Wells Branch Parkway, and at Galaxy Dance Studios, 1700 S. Lamar Blvd. She also has a professional performance group that dances at events. Call 432-5716 or visit www.bollywoodshake.weebly.com.

14. How suite it is

AustinSuites moved from 701 Brazos St. to 700 Lavaca St. on May 1, owner William Holms said. The 17-year-old company has about 19,000 sq. ft. of office space on the 14th floor of its newly remodeled building. The approximately 70 suites range in size from 100 to 300 sq. ft. and are available to lease by the hour, day, week, month or year. The building’s unobstructed views of the Capitol Building, Hill Country and downtown were significant factors in the company’s decision to relocate, Holms said. Call 334-6000 or visit www.austinsuites.com.

15. Getting to Lapuente

Atelier Hervé, a new boutique salon by Hervé Lapuente, held an official grand opening in April at 1411 W. Sixth St. Lapuente has 20 years experience in the industry. Atelier Hervé shares space with interior design studio The Home Spa & KK Bloom Couture Invitations. Call 769-8522 or visit www.atelierhair.com.

16. Midtown living

Midtown Commons, 810 W. St. John’s Ave., is ready for residents. The complex is accepting renters for the 316 apartments that constitute phase one of construction. Located on 73 acres, the complex has 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 30,000 sq. ft. of office space. The plan calls for sandwich shops, coffee shops, beauty salons and three or four flagship restaurants. Call 467-1800 or visit www.midtowncommons.com.

17. Garrido’s debuts in 360

Chef David Garrido opened his namesake restaurant Garrido’s June 1 at the 360 condo tower, 360 Nueces St. The upscale restaurant features neo-Mexican cuisine. Call 320-8226.

18. East Avenue/University Park

The East Avenue development, on the former site of Concordia University at IH 35 and 32nd Street, is now called University Park. Developers reached an agreement to locate an Aveda Institute and retail shop on the bottom two floors of University Park’s first building, which is under construction now. Also, Austin-based Onair Development plans to build a medical office building on the southwest corner of the development. Read more about the development at more.impactnews.com/2943. Visit www.universityparkaustin.com.

19. Photo finish

Gayle Velayos held a celebration May 28 to open Gayle Velayos Photography Studio, which was designed and built by locals Derek Barcinski of Atlantis Architects and Thad Avery of Woodside Development. Velayos specializes in portraits of families and children. She has practiced photography in Austin for eight years. Call 769-6503 or visit www.gaylevelayos.com.

Busted in Austin

Weekly newspaper Busted in Austin debuted May 1, featuring local mugshots and crime stories. The newspaper, published by Austinites J. Martin Ward and Kyle Prall, is available in various stores for $1 and has a circulation of about 4,000. Visit www.bustedinaustin.com.

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