Southwest Austin Impacts — February 2009

Southwest Austin Impacts — February 2009

Friday, 27 February 2009

1. Eco-friendly laundry

Louise Messano and Jamie Bishop plan to open Wash Day Laundry in March. Located at 7626 Hwy. 71 W., Ste. 103, the laundromat will offer card-operated machines and same-day wash and fold service with a focus on eco-friendly products and practices. Pressing services will also be available. Other perks include a massage chair and arcade table. Call 731-1754 or visit www.washdaylaundry.com.

2. Changing names

The Washington Mutual branch at 2110 Slaughter Lane moved to 9901 Brodie Lane Feb. 11. WaMu became a part of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Sept. 25 and will be changing its name at branches throughout the country this spring. Call 292-6010 or visit www.wamu.com.

3. Organic grocer

Newflower Farmers Market opened its second Texas location Feb. 11 at 6920 Manchaca Road. A full-service grocery store, the market offers all-natural meats, organic and conventional products. The store uses energy-efficient techniques in lighting and receipt printing. Outside of Texas, the company is known as Sunflower Farmers Market. Call 687-2204 or visit www.sfmarkets.com.

4. Fitness transformation

Texas Home Fitness, previously Hest Home Fitness, opened two months ago under new ownership. The fitness retail center, 5601 Brodie Lane, sells treadmills, ellipticals and other workout accessories. Call 892-0377 or visit www.mytexashomefitness.com.

5. Shake it up

Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries and Shakes held a grand opening Feb. 3 for the new location in Sunset Valley Village, 5601 Brodie Lane, Ste. 1300. The locally owned company also has a location at the Arborwalk and is planning a third for Round Rock. Call 735-2800 or visit www.mightyfineburgers.com.

6. Cheese and wine

Liquor and fine foods store SPEC’S opened its fifth Austin store Feb. 4 in Southpark Meadows. Food selections include specialty cheeses, caviar, custom-blended coffees, chocolates, sandwiches and salads. Call 280-7400 or visit www.specsonline.com.

7. New development

A new residential development, Morningside, by Armadillo Homes, has built 12 houses in what is planned to be a 110-lot neighborhood of single-family homes. Nine houses have been sold, and six more will be built in March. The development is on Manchaca Road near FM 1626. Call 287-6005 or visit www.armadillohomes.com/community/austin/morningside.

8. Gourmet grill

Trading Post Wine Bar & Grill opened in December at 12701 Hwy. 71 W. in Bee Cave. Owner Jaime Sudderth touts the restaurant’s hand-cut steaks, homemade desserts, live music on the patio and breakfast tacos made to order with options including goat cheese, chorizo and spinach. Call 428-5727.

9. Feeling groovy

Groovy Automotive will open a third Austin location at Slaughter Lane and S. First St. Groovy mechanics repair brakes, service air conditioners, conduct electrical and computer diagnostics, and provide safety inspections. Call 275-0533 or visit http://groovyautomotive.com.

10. Vintage rock

On Jan. 31 Jimmie Luckey and Michael Bailey opened Rock N Roll Lifestyle at 5322 Manchaca Road. The retail store sells vintage and used musical gear, music memorabilia, CDs and vinyl. Call 442-ROCK.

11. Custom jewels

DLC Designs opened under the ownership of Raymond De La Cruz and family Jan. 20 at 8103 Brodie Lane. The jewelry design, repair and retail store specializes in cad-cam technology, which enables the jeweler to replicate any logo or design using 3-D imaging. Call 292-8846 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

12. Shops coming soon

Construction is underway on the Brodie Park Shopping Center at the southeast corner of Brodie and Davis lanes. Three buildings are set for completion by early March, while a fourth pad site remains available for a future structure. New tenants include Broadway National Bank, Brodie Nails and Brodie Park Market, described by developer Scott Carr as a high-end convenience store. Carr Development is in charge of the project. Call 306-1771 or visit www.carrdevelopment.com.

13. Healthy eating

Sprouts Farmers Market recently filed for a permit to move into the old Comp USA at 5601 Brodie Lane, Ste. 800. The Arizona-based organic grocery store sells a selection of vitamins and supplements. Another location is scheduled to open later this year at 2805 Bee Caves Road. Visit www.sprouts.com.

14. Coffee at the “Y”

A new Starbucks location opened in December at 7015 Hwy. 290 W. The Seattle-based coffee shop features drive-through service and wireless internet access. Store hours are 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Call 288-0662 or visit www.starbucks.com.

Caretaker nominated for award

Nicole Perez, owner and operator of southwest Austin home daycare center The Pint-Size Playhouse, was recently nominated for Texas Child Care Provider of the Year 2009 by KLRU-TV/ PBS and was acknowledged as Outstanding Caregiver of Central Texas. An awards reception will be held March 11 at the state Capitol. The Pint-Size Playhouse earned the highest four-star rating through the Texas Workforce Commission. Call 282-6644 or visit www.pint-sizeplayhouse.com.

College scholarship

The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is now accepting Austin high school student applications for the groundwater essay contest. The winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship to the institution of his or her choice. Applications are due March 6. Call 282-8441 or visit www.bseacd.org