Cedar Park / Leander Impacts — November 2009

By Community Impact Newspaper Staff Friday, 20 November 2009

1. Get covered

CEDAR PARK — Austin Insurance Group, 13402 Anderson Mill Road, opened Nov. 1. The business, owned by Mike Torabi and Jennifer Boes, offers personal and business insurance, including vehicle, home, investor, property, life and health insurance. The firm also provides annuities and long-term care policies. Open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and by appointment after hours and on Saturday. Call 250-1660 or visit www.insuranceaustin.com.

2. Knead the dough

Panera Bread, 10900 Lakeline Mall Drive, Bldg. J, opened Oct. 26. The upscale bakery and café offers customers a coffee and espresso bar; breakfast items, such as bagels and breakfast sandwiches; as well as soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch. The bakery makes fresh bread daily. Open Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun. 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 996-8300 or visit www.panerabread.com.

3. Mail and more

Rob Strycker recently took over Pak Mail, 202 Walton Way, Ste. 192. The store offers shipping via U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS and commercial freighting companies. Other services include packing and moving supplies; local moves; custom packing and crating; mailbox rentals; and business services. Open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 260-7011 or visit www.pakmailcedarpark.com.

4. Spiritual help

Kirby Narine started Spirit Powered Living, 201 S. Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 201, in August to help people overcome challenges in relationships, marriage and health by giving them tools to gain freedom from bad habits and addictions. The free nonprofit Christian organization gives its clients practical steps to improve their life through prayer and counseling. Open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 355-1305 or visit www.spiritpoweredliving.org.

5. Tap your toes

Jennifer Gonzales opened Everything Dance!, 200 S. Bell Blvd., Ste. F2, on Oct. 30 so that moms like herself, whose children take dance classes, would have a convenient location to purchase dance shoes, attire and gifts. The store specializes in ballet, tap and jazz accessories. Open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 258-5005 or visit www.etddancewear.com.

6. Credit union opens

Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union opened a Cedar Park location at 1110 N. Bell Blvd. in late October, making the branch its sixth location in the Austin area. The bank offers savings and free checking accounts, as well as loans for cars and homes. The bank lobby is open Mon-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m and Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Drive-thru hours are Mon-Fri. 7 a.m.-6p.m., Fri. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 833-3300.

7. Chicago vs. New York

Business partners Sam West, originally from New York City, and Tony Carlson, born and raised in Chicago, opened Pisanos Pizzeria, 200 Buttercup Creek Blvd., Ste. 125, on Oct. 26. The duo offers sandwiches, salads, pasta, calzones and appetizers. The authentic Chicago-style pizza shop also serves New York-style pizza, can seat 30 people and delivers to an 8-mile radius. Open Tue.-Sun 11a.m.-midnight and Mon. 4 p.m.-midnight. Call 258-8100.

8. Money management

Primerica Financial Services, 1101 Arrow Point Dr., Ste 207, held a ribbon cutting Nov. 19 to celebrate the Sept. 1 opening of its newest office. The firm offers families and individuals programs to get out of debt, save for retirement and plan out education goals. The office also offers loans, investments and insurance, including auto, home and long-term care products. Call 986-4472 or visit www.primerica.com.

9. Holiday gifts accepted

A local chapter of Operation Christmas Child, an organization that distributes shoebox gifts to children in Third World countries, will accept presents through Nov. 23 at High Point Fellowship, 600 W. New Hope Drive. The boxes are filled with hygienic items, toys and religious messages. Created by Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, the project is a part of Samaritan Purse, a Christian humanitarian organization. The local chapter hopes to gather 3,001 shoebox gifts this year. Call 745-2300 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ.

10. New doctor’s office

After a six-month construction project, Dr. Susan King has moved her family practice from north Austin to 1907 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. 104. The office, which opened Oct. 26, offers patients a first line of defense for illnesses, including wellness exams, physicals, diabetes care, allergy treatment and help with behavioral problems, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder. Open Mon.-Thu. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fri. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call 346-7966 or visit www.susanckingmd.com.

Bring it on home

Tori Stallion-Tolbert and Michael Tolbert started Choice Express Delivery Service Nov. 2 to connect people with food, supplies and entertainment. The home-based business offers clients home delivery of groceries from H-E-B, DVD rentals and take-out food from participating restaurants. Customers can call, e-mail or fax orders for delivery. Open Mon.-Fri. 5-9 p.m. and Sat. 11 a.m-3 p.m. Call 983-8685 or visit www.choiceexpressdelivery.com.

Leander

11. Market opens

Leslie Castaneda, Janie Mote and Tina Reckart, co-owners of Good Earth Day School, have expanded their business to include a store. Sassy Pea Market, 10820 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, opened Oct. 24. The shop includes hand-crafted toys, clothes, gift items and homemade vegan body products. Breakfast tacos, baked goods, individual cuts of frozen, grass-fed Angus beef, coffee and juice are also available. Open Mon-Fri. 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call 259-4122.

12. Works of art

After spending years as an artist, Dianne Burkhalter decided to open Artful Things Consignment Shop, 106 W. Willis St. on Oct. 16. The shop offers unique and affordable art, including antiques, paintings, sculpture, hand-crafted rustic furniture, local photography and jewelry from various vendors. Open Tue.-Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 466-9360.

13. Pampered pets

Dogs and cats have a new place to get clipped and cleaned: All Pets Grooming, 300 Sonny Drive. Neva Kani opened the shop Oct. 13 and offers grooming and boarding for all breeds. Pet sitting services are also available; they include watering plants, checking mail and adjusting lights while owners are away. Open Mon.-Sat. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and by appointment. Call 260-2624.

14. New development

The former Aquatics Industries campus will soon be home to several businesses. Dallas-based real estate firm Jackson & Cooksey announced it will manage Business Park 2243, 11880 FM 2243. Renovations on the 80,000 sq. ft. development on 5 acres, which is owned by Cedar Park-based MPE Realty, started in October. The project includes an additional 10 acres of land for future development, loading docks and access from Bagdad Road and FM 2243. Tenants are expected to move in starting the first quarter of 2010. Call 972-934-9757.

15. Upscale community

Austin-based builder Grand Haven Homes will start taking site reservations in December for its exclusive gated community near Crystal Falls Golf Club. The Cap Rock neighborhood will consist of 120 wooded home sites inspired by Spanish and Tuscan architecture in a 5,000-acre master-planned community. About 60 home sites, ranging in size from 2,000 to 4,000 sq. ft., will be ready in January. Call 472-1105 or visit www.grandhavenhomes.net.

Labor adviser

After more than 25 years in the workforce and training industry, David Corbin opened home-based business Talent Strategy & Career Consultants. Corbin helps small-to medium-sized businesses hire and train workers and develop staff skills. Resume and interview coaching, as well job leads, are available by appointment. Call 986-7629 or visit www.talentstrategy.us.

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