“Everybody who’s been working in this business has the dream to open your own restaurant and that was mine from the beginning,” explained Nafar.

He began cooking at the age of 15 and took to it immediately, as he enjoyed making food for others to enjoy. This rewarding feeling is the same reason he aimed to start his own business.

“[I] just wanted to have people eat good food, [like I cook] for my wife, my family,” said Nafar.

Despite knowing his goal in 1990, the process took time. He first began as a dishwasher, until he worked his way up to the chef position at several restaurants over time. From there, his wife was continuously on the lookout for the perfect spot, when she found a building on Main Street.  The family purchased the property in 2018 and with support from the city of Buda and the Buda Economic Development Corporation, were able to construct a new building for the restaurant. Now, nearly three decades later, the family-owned business finally opened its doors.

The food, explained the chef, is simple, but good, with options such as chicken tortilla soup, a BLT sandwich, hamburgers and more. Specifically, Chip’s Ruben is Nafar’s current favorite and honors the building’s architect, who helped the family tremendously: “We asked him what his favorite sandwich is [and implemented it]. We owe him a lot.”

Since its opening Sept. 26, Nafar shared that many customers have praised the sandwich shop, as there weren’t many options before. However, the type of food is not only what makes the restaurant stand out, he said, sharing that fresh ingredients enhance the flavor and are important to him and his wife.

Nafar has been working each day in the restaurant, cooking, while his wife runs the day-to-day operations. Although it’s difficult, he admits, it’s worth it after all these years.

"I’ve been dreaming [about this] for all these years and finally, I got it. And that feels good," said Nafar. "We built this place as a family, for families, and we can't wait to welcome our neighbors and share good food with everyone in Buda.”

Treze is located at 318 Main St. in downtown Buda. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.For more information, visit www.trezebuda.com.

Milam Raemsch, DPM, leads the Kyle location and is board-certified in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, according to a news release. He specializes in foot and ankle reconstruction, sports-related injuries and arthritis and treats a wide range of conditions, including foot and ankle pain, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, calluses and bunions, sports injuries, fractures and ankle sprains, diabetic foot and wound care and more. 

“We know that foot and ankle problems don’t always happen at a convenient time,” said Raemsch. “Our goal with the Monday walk-in clinic is to give families in Kyle and the surrounding communities another convenient option to get the care they need and get back on their feet.”

The doctor emphasizes communication and transparency when developing treatment plans, the release continued, offering patients a comprehensive approach that may include conservative or surgical treatment options.

No appointment is necessary and the clinic welcomes both adult and pediatric patients, with most insurance plans accepted. The clinic is located at 1180 Seton Parkway, Suite 300, Kyle, TX 78640.

For more information about the walk-in clinic or other foot and ankle services, call 737-286-9009 or visit www.ATXFootCare.com.

Founded by Dr. Tom Wolfe, PT, DPT, CSCS, a Dripping Springs native and former Dripping Springs High School football captain, Wolfe Physical Therapy has grown over the past three years from a locally-owned practice into a team of five full-time physical therapists serving Dripping Springs and the surrounding communities.

Wolfe attended elementary, middle and high school in Dripping Springs before earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in Kinesiology from Tarleton State University, where he was also a member of two Lone Star Conference championship baseball teams. He later earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and, ultimately, returned home to serve the community that helped shape him, according to a news release.

Today, Wolfe Physical Therapy's team includes doctors of physical therapy with experience ranging from newer clinicians to providers with more than 15 years in the profession. The practice specializes in orthopedic rehabilitation, sports injuries, pre- and post-surgical care, pelvic floor physical therapy and helping patients of all ages return to the activities they love. All physical therapy treatment is provided by doctors of physical therapy in a collaborative, patient-centered environment, the release said. Wolfe Physical Therapy was also named Best Physical Therapist in the Best of Dripping Springs 2026 awards.

Wolfe Physical Therapy is located at 400 W. US 290, Suite A102, Dripping Springs. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (512) 964-1844.

Co-founded by Amanda Mossaro, MS, CCC-SLP, and her husband and managing partner, Michael Mossaro, Therapy Adventures has served Dripping Springs and surrounding communities since January 2022. The ceremony recognized the clinic’s continued growth and its commitment to making pediatric therapy services more accessible to local families.

 The new clinic space, located at 2440 E. US 290, Building C, Suite B in Dripping Springs, encompasses nearly 3,000 square feet and includes a welcoming reception area, seven individual treatment rooms and a large sensory gym, according to a news release. Individual treatment spaces have been thoughtfully designed to facilitate a variety of therapies with children ranging in age from birth through 18 years.

 Therapy Adventures offers speech and occupational therapy provided by a growing team of pediatric therapists. The larger location has allowed the practice to serve more families, expand its team and provide therapy in environments tailored to each child’s age, needs and goals.

 
Therapy Adventures is a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming practice that works collaboratively with families to identify goals that are meaningful to them, the release said. Its mission is to help children participate in daily life to the best of their abilities, while recognizing and building upon each child’s individual strengths.

 The clinic is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. To learn more or inquire about services, contact Therapy Adventures at (512) 759-8011 or visit www.therapy-adventures.com.

Rick's is a family-owned business serving Texas since 1987 and offers dry-cleaning pricing starting at $5.99 for button-up shirts, pants and blouses and $4.29 for laundry, according to a news release.

A 16-time "Best of Austin" winner, Rick's has built its reputation on quality garment care and dependable service, offering dry cleaning, laundry and wash-and-fold services to the community, continued the release. The new Dripping Springs location continues that standard, giving residents in the area a local option for their cleaning needs. Rick’s can also service commercial accounts.

Whether it’s a favorite shirt, a week’s worth of laundry or something that needs a little extra care, Rick’s is ready to make laundry day easier and cheaper for Dripping Springs, said the release.

Rick's Dry Cleaners is located at 333 E. US 290, Suite 417, Dripping Springs. To learn more, visit the new store from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday or online at www.rickscleaners.com.

Forty years ago, a dream and vision took root in a 1986 Dripping Springs High School graduate working for Thomas Bronson at the local Dripping Springs Texaco, read a news release. The dream was put on hold, but never left his heart.

Lifelong fourth generation Dripping Springs resident Tim Montgomery revived that dream, teaming up with son-in-law Bobby Robichaud and veteran Dewey Hartman to merge visions and bring Texas Hill Country Diesel & Automotive to fruition. Together with technician Pablo Estrella, they comprise a multidisciplinary team of seasoned ASE certified specialists, independent and backed by Federated Car Care.

The team is committed to providing quality, efficient craftmanship, while cultivating a relationship clients can rely on, continued the relase. They are dedicated to creating working relationships with other local shops and businesses in order to meet the needs of and better serve our community.

Texas Hill Country Diesel and Automotive offers diesel and automotive diagnostics, maintenance and repair, as well as upgrade solutions tailored to specific vehicles and driving needs.

For scheduling maintenance and repairs visit the business at 16299 Fitzhugh Road, Suite E in Dripping Springs.

Held at Canyonwood Ridge, the sold-out celebration brought together women from all walks of life for an afternoon of music, shopping, connection, laughter, inspiration and recognition, culminating in the presentation of the first-ever WOW Awards.

The WOW Awards grew out of a simple idea: extraordinary women aren't always the ones with the biggest titles, businesses or platforms. Sometimes they're the women quietly doing the work, bringing people together, helping a neighbor, starting something new, lifting others up or simply showing what it looks like to live with courage and heart, according to a news release.

More than 85 nominations were submitted for the eight award categories. An independent panel of women from outside Dripping Springs and Texas reviewed the nominations and selected three finalists in each category based on the stories submitted.

The 2026 Women of Worth Award recipients are:

Watch Her Soar Award – Rising Star: Valerie Hemming, Salt & Light

Fearless Founder Award – Trailblazer: Michelle Lewis, Mallett & Michelle Podcast

Girl Boss Energy Award – Woman Business Owner: Meredith Kapchinski, Fortis Therapy Center

Pillar of Power Award – Leadership Legacy: Michelle Fischer, City of Dripping Springs

Ripple Effect Award – Community Impact: Nel Rossouw, The Rescue House, and Chrystal Smith, Foster Village, who tied for the honor

She Brings Us Together Award – Connector: Susan Kimball, Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce

Hometown Heroine Award – Heart of Dripping Springs: Liz Kryznesfki, Springs Family YMCA

Adorable Badass Award – Inspiration: Anne Brown, Head to Toe Dance

But the heart of WOW was never meant to be only about the women whose names were called.

“The awards are wonderful, but WOW was created around a much bigger idea: that every woman is worthy of being seen, celebrated and reminded of the difference she makes,” said WOW founder Lisa Sullivan. “There are so many women doing extraordinary things every day who may never receive an award or even realize how much they matter to someone else. I wanted to create a day that celebrated them, too.”

KXAN meteorologist Kristen Currie served as emcee for the celebration, which also featured live music by The Lockhearts, the Adorable Badass Bazaar, featuring local businesses, artists and organizations, and a surprise all-women drum circle led by Soul Shine Rhythm Experience.

The inaugural WOW Celebration was made possible through the support of local businesses and community organizations that believed in the vision of creating something specifically designed to recognize and celebrate the women of Dripping Springs.

Sullivan said the response to the first event has already sparked ideas for what comes next.

“This started as an idea for an awards luncheon and somewhere along the way, it became something much bigger,” Sullivan said. “Watching that room full of women cheering for one another was everything I hoped WOW could be. And we're just getting started.”

The business was founded in 2008 in Alabama and has since opened locations throughout the nation. Visitors have several chicken salads to choose from, including Fancy Nancy, which features apples, grapes and pecans, Sassy Scotty for a bacon cheddar ranch taste and more.

Founded by Dripping Springs native Lisa Hargraves and her husband, Gary, the company is committed to delivering dependable, high-quality service, while giving back to the community they call home.

The Clean Home Crew has been honored as Best of Dripping Springs for Housekeeping in 2025 and 2026 and Best of Dripping Springs for Commercial Cleaning in 2026. As the only cleaning company that is a member of the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, the team is proud to support local businesses and help strengthen the community where Lisa grew up, stated a news release.

The company offers residential and commercial cleaning, Airbnb and short-term rental turnovers, post-construction cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, recurring cleaning, power washing, junk haul-offs and light handyman and maintenance services throughout Central Texas. Clients appreciate the same trusted cleaners, fully insured service, supplies included with eco-friendly options available, upfront pricing, easy online scheduling, and same-day or last-minute availability whenever possible, the release continued.

Learn more by visiting www.TheCleanHomeCrew.com or calling/texting 512-994-5631.

SunScout was founded in New Zealand, with existing operations in New Zealand, Asia and Massachusetts. The Buda facility will mark the company's newest manufacturing operation, expanding its United States footprint and supporting growing demand for its solar-powered, wire-free robotic mowing technology.

The company is projected to create approximately 50 jobs spanning technical, management and production roles, reinforcing the region's ability to attract advanced manufacturing companies, while strengthening the local economy, stated a news release. SunScout's arrival adds another innovative manufacturer to Central Texas, further establishing the region's growing profile in advanced and clean-technology manufacturing.

The project is supported through the Buda EDC RISE Workforce Incentive, a performance-based program that rewards job creation, competitive wage levels and employee retention. If all program benchmarks and retention milestones are achieved, the project could qualify for up to approximately $312,500 in total incentives, including additional incentives tied to hiring Buda-based employees.

"Buda offers the space, the workforce and the pro-business environment we need to grow our U.S. manufacturing footprint," said Edwin Cywinski, CEO and chairman of SunScout Holding Limited. "We're excited to bring SunScout's manufacturing to Central Texas and to grow alongside this community."

"SunScout's arrival adds an innovative clean-technology manufacturer to Buda's growing roster of advanced manufacturing companies, further establishing the region as a hub for forward-looking, sustainable industries,” said Brian Dyer, Buda EDC assistant director of recruitment and development. “Through tools like the RISE Workforce Incentive, we're able to support quality job creation, while welcoming companies that share our commitment to innovation and community growth."

From the very beginning, the business has been built on relationships. Friends, family, loyal customers, local schools, businesses and organizations believed in it long before there was a storefront, according to a news release.

“Through word of mouth, repeat customers and incredible community support, we've been able to grow into a space where creativity and personalization come together,” stated Walker. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped make this dream a reality.”

Drip Swag Shop offers a unique mix of boutique gifts, local spirit wear, custom apparel, embroidery, hats, bags and personalized products. Whether shopping for game day, looking for the perfect gift or creating something custom for the family, business or team, its goal is to provide high-quality products with exceptional customer service. More than anything, the shop is geared to be a place that reflects the spirit of Dripping Springs — a community that values supporting local businesses and celebrating one another.

“We are honored to be a part of the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce and appreciate the warm welcome from the chamber and the community during our ribbon cutting celebration. Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey,” Walker said. “We look forward to continuing to serve our neighbors, building lasting relationships and being a small part of what makes Dripping Springs such a special place to call home.”

Drip Swag Shop is located at 11601 US 290, Suite B106, Austin.

GFiber began bringing its internet service to Kyle in 2025 and has since had crews installing the necessary infrastructure to neighborhoods throughout the city. Recently, the first residents in Waterleaf, Cool Springs and Silverado subdivisions  were able to join the service, which was celebrated with a ribbon cutting, pictured, Thursday, July 30 at Kyle City Hall, with the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re celebrating more than a new internet provider; we’re celebrating investment in our community,” said Kyle Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale at the ribbon cutting. GFiber offers several plans to customers, including Core 1 Gig, Home 3 Gig and Edge 8 Gig, according to the city of Kyle. To learn more, visit www.gfiber.com.

Co-founded by Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Anil Kashyap and his wife, COO Kristina Kashyap, Rêve was created to offer a concierge experience that prioritizes quality over quantity through longer consultations, surgeon-led follow-up care and a deliberately low-volume surgical schedule, according to a news release. The celebration recognizes the practice's commitment to bringing a new standard of aesthetic and reconstructive care to the Texas Hill Country, while welcoming the local community.

Rêve specializes in facial rejuvenation, breast surgery, body contouring and post-pregnancy procedures, in addition to a full range of non-surgical aesthetic treatments led by experienced nurse injector Ramzy Kirsch, BSN, RN. While Anil Kashyap oversees every consultation, surgery and follow-up appointment, Kristina Kashyap leads the patient experience, ensuring every touchpoint reflects the practice's concierge philosophy.

From private check-in and consultation spaces to optional black car transportation, in-home postoperative visits and customized recovery support, every detail is designed to provide discreet, highly personalized care.

The practice is located at 1055 Kibo Ridge, Suite 105, Dripping Springs. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit reveplasticsurgery.com, call (512) 649-9466 or follow @reveplasticsurgery on Instagram.

DRIPPING SPRINGS — What started out as Lani Derrick learning how to create her own vanilla extract to bring more intentional products into her home turned into a Dripping Springs-based handcrafted gift company, named Life Anchored Home.

“My daughter and I were making cookies and we had kind of gone down this path of trying to be more thoughtful with food dyes. We realized that our vanilla baking extract had food coloring in it and we were like, ‘Why?’ So, I was like, 'How do I make this myself? I am going to learn,’” Derrick recalled, after creating the business three years ago.

It became a “snowball effect” from there, said Derrick, where she and her family started looking at implementing other more conscious products in her home. After seeing what they have been doing, clients began asking for gift baskets under Life Anchored Home’s private label line of home goods.

Derrick said that they originally wanted to share their love for cleaner products and it’s turned into something that other people enjoy, as well, knowing that it’s “good for you [and] good for the environment around you.”

“We create in-house. We do cold-processed soaps, baking extracts, room and linen sprays. We pour our own candles and we create simmer pots, which are like a stovetop potpourri, as well as a drink infusion kit. Those products, especially the ones that include any kind of a dried good, we literally are sourcing the fruit fresh. We're slicing it; we're dehydrating it. There's no preservatives or dyes in any of those, since it's an all natural product completely across the board,” she explained. “Our soaps are made with a blend of oils that are great for your skin. They have a rich lather. We try to incorporate some fun colors into them [that] are all skin safe. We use the same fragrance line with our soaps as we do with our room and linen sprays and with our candles, so they're safe for you to breathe.”

Everything is also assembled locally with a focus on helping businesses build meaningful relationships through thoughtful gifting, Derrick said. Life Anchored Home is also fulfilling a need to allow businesses to represent their best self, take the burden off and give their clients an experience without having to do all the fine details themselves.

Derrick’s favorite part is the community aspect: “It makes me happy when I see it out in our community and I know that others are enjoying it as much as I do. It's also something that I'm getting to let my family see in our community. We employ someone within the community; we're in retail space within the community and then, we're supporting our local, other businesses by providing those systems. We're really trying to share within the economy of Dripping Springs itself in multiple ways.”

Currently, Life Anchored Home products can be found on the shelves at Home Grown, located at 2001 U.S. 290, Dripping Springs, while also partnering with other local businesses and realtors to provide gifts for their clients.

While the company also works in-house, Derrick shared that the immediate goal is continued growth and recognition within the community, but with the potential of moving into its own retail space in the future.

To learn more and browse Life Anchored Home’s products, visit www.lifeanchoredhome.com.

Johnson first joined her beloved yarn community eight years ago, when she walked into The Sated Sheep on a whim and asked how to knit and crochet. From then on, she was a weekly customer to the classes available and, eventually, an employee.

Over the years, those visiting the store and the experiences knitting and crocheting were some of her favorite moments, especially teaching others, as her skills grew. This is why when former owner Allison Wilcox — who started the store in 2015 from a knitting passion — offered her the business amidst her budding retirement, the answer was easy for Johnson.

“I just hated to see it [go] because I was like, ‘If I don’t buy it and no one does, what will happen?’ And Allison said, ‘I guess I just close up.’ I’ve just seen how much that would affect a lot of the yarning community and I just couldn’t see that [happen],” she recalled

So, she purchased the company in August 2025 and moved it into its new location at 104 W. Mercer St., Suite D, in downtown Dripping Springs. It was here that she renovated the building to depict a home. Johnson stated that she hopes the big windows and cozy atmosphere is welcoming to visitors.

Those visiting the Sheep can find everything necessary to work on a project, including knitting needles and crochet hooks, stitch markers, buttons, scissors, darning needles and more, including a plethora of yarn.

With yarn originating from Vietnam to Whitefish, Mont., the options are endless, said Johnson. Specifically, she has made it a point to attend conventions, such as the Dallas Fiber Fest, and expand the United States-made yarn available in store by meeting the artists creating the hand-dyed material. These fibers are special, as no two are the same and Johnson has felt and verified the quality of the material herself, she said.

Taking on this new role has been a passion project for the fiber-artist, beginning with the renovations to the building and the recent expansion of its classroom area. Before, the area was going to be used for another business endeavor, but Johnson realized that her passion purely resided in the Sheep and opted to instead magnify the opportunities available to customers.

This area will be used in two different ways, she explained. The first will be for weekly ticketed classes, which range from level 0 to “1001,” said Johnson, where attendees can learn from the beginning on knitting and crocheting or bring in a project to receive help on. The classes are taught by the very woman who taught Johnson to crochet and knit years ago: Carrie Au. Au is incredibly talented and was part of the shop negation, said Johnson, laughing.

There will also be workshops focused on specific tips or needlework, such as Tunisian crochet — a type of crochet style that resembles knit — or the triangle loom.

“[People usually] think about the older population, but it’s not [just for them]. You can create anything with crochet. The blankets are beautiful, even some sweaters. There’s a new thing that’s coming in, where if you have a long sleeve shirt and if the sleeves aren’t very good, you can actually crochet new sleeves onto it. It’s a really popular thing right now, especially with hoodies. I was shocked when I saw them,” shared Johnson. “So, we may have a workshop in the near future, just to show that crochet is fun and young and hip.”

She is also considering a Ravelry 101 class, an online “Pinterest” of sorts for the yarning community, as many are unaware there are other benefits than simply finding patterns: “We do have a lot of workshops in mind for the future.”

Future plans for the shop also include expanding into needlepoint, embroidery and cross stitch.

Additionally, the area can be used as a calm gathering site, where community members can visit and lounge, while working on their respective hobbies. This is where the community thrives, shared Johnson. Visitors can drink beer, wine or tea and coffee and “come and relax and enjoy the space because basically, I created the space for the yarning community.”

These aspects of her shop are something that visitors can’t find at corporate stores, Johnson said.

“Shopping locally sustains the passion of the small business owner and part of that passion, in my opinion, that a business owner has is what they can bring to the community. For me, I get to watch everybody once they’re done with their project and they bring it in to show it off or [maybe] they’re wearing it. As a small business owner, [I know] I helped with that and I helped put that smile on their face,” she emphasized.

This ability to help customers is something that is important to Johnson, who noted that residents will often come in with a project and ask for free and quick help, where she can diagnose the problem, whether that be a dropped stitch or difficulty reading a pattern.

Although expanding services and adding her twist to the shop, Johnson emphasized keeping Wilcox’s legacy by partaking in an annual Sidewalk Sale, where customers can bring their own yarn stash and sell it. Then, they will receive store credit.

The store will also be part of the 19th annual Best Little Yarn Crawl throughout the IH-35 corridor. Here, visitors can browse vendors and learn a pattern crafted by the store with its featured yarn.

For more information on The Sated Sheep, visit www.thesatedsheep.com.

TerraFirma Inc. relocated from Austin to a 40,000-square-foot facility at Tower Business Park, where the company hosted a grand opening for its new "Robot Ranch." The facility will serve as the company's headquarters and house research, design and testing operations for its construction robotics technology.

Founded in 2023 by Noah Schochet and Noah McGuinness, TerraFirma designs and manufactures robotics for construction applications, including excavation, site work and demolition. The company has said its long-term goal is to eventually adapt its technology for use on Mars.

The move to Buda follows the city's approval in March of an incentive package valued at $412,500 to attract the company. According to city documents, TerraFirma plans to hire hundreds of employees over the next several years.

"We are excited to officially welcome TerraFirma to their intergalactic headquarters, now located in Buda, Texas," said Jennifer Storm, CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation. "Locating in Buda will create high-quality, long-term jobs in engineering, skilled equipment operations, robotics maintenance and construction management. This move further demonstrates that Buda offers a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting advanced, high-paying technology jobs."

Storm said the relocation also strengthens Buda's emerging artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics industry.

"As these companies expand, they bring high-quality employment opportunities and increased disposable income, strengthening and supporting local businesses," she added.

The new headquarters brings TerraFirma's operations under one roof, while providing dedicated outdoor space to test its robotic and AI-powered construction equipment. Company officials said the expanded facility will help meet growing demand and fulfill recently secured contracts.

TerraFirma's technology is designed to address challenges facing the construction industry, including labor shortages, rising costs and increasing infrastructure demand, by combining robotics, software and field operations to improve productivity.

Schochet said, in a news release provided by Buda EDC, that the city offers the right environment for the company's continued growth.

"The region's strong workforce, proximity to major metropolitan markets and growing tech and AI community create the right environment for us to scale both our technology and our mission,” he said.

McGuinness added that he credits the Buda EDC with helping the company establish its new headquarters.

"We are focused on building tools that remove bottlenecks in construction and ultimately, make the industry faster, safer and more cost-effective," McGuinness  said.

In the release, Mayor Lee Urbanovsky said the relocation aligns with the city's long-term economic development goals.

"This project brings hundreds of high-tech, in-demand jobs to our community and directly supports our strategic plan. It is exactly the type of innovation-focused, high-wage employer we aim to recruit to Buda, strengthening our reputation as a location for advanced industrial and robotics-focused businesses and helping attract complementary employers and investment over time,” Urbanovsky said. “This move reinforces Buda's position as an emerging hub for technology and innovation."

Co-owners Jordan Patiño and Abby Arechiga, pictured above, began the idea for the business a year ago, when the two had a suite across from each other at another facility. From there, Patiño began researching properties and the pair joined the Buda HIVE Cohort and developed the idea of the Lola House Collective — a one-stop shop for visitors. There are six small businesses within, including: Hex & Glow, Frankie & June Hair Salon, Tell Me I’m Pretty Nail Co., The Girl’s Room Skin Club, Barber Addy and HALES | Hair & Men’s Grooming. 

According to Patiño, the name comes from wanting a cute, “cool girl” name and offering more than one service, instead opting to be a “collective” resource. She also stated that the business hopes to have items from small businesses sold in the foyer. For more information on Lola House Collective, located at 1155 FM 1626, Buda, visit www.lolahousecollective.com.

The shop has classic flavors, such as cookies and cream and vanilla, as well as original seasonal creations: bluebonnet — blueberry lavender —  Sunset on Main and more. The shop is located at 112 N. Main St., Suite A, in Buda.

Launched in late 2025, Bel & Co. Embroidery blossomed, following the birth of Durkee’s third child. With her growing family, she wanted to step away from the dental field that she had been in for eight years and pour her heart into something that allowed her to be more present for her kids.

Embroidery was a natural idea for her home-based business, Durkee explained. Along with her kids — ages 18 months, 3 years and 6 years old — always having embroidered products, it’s also been a passion of hers for years.

“I wanted to find something where I actually enjoyed working, enjoyed doing and this was what I landed on. I've always been pretty creative in design, as well, because a lot of the embroidery is also digital design and setting up everything,” she said, adding that the name of the business comes from her children: Beau, Eleanor and Lucy.

What she loves most is being able to take what a client is envisioning, whether that be a name or an image, and transforming it into a finished product.

Initially, she foresaw the business would be a small side gig that would take up approximately an hour a day, but with the Dripping Springs having a need for local embroidery, Bel & Co. has kept her busy from the get-go.

“When I started the business, it was right into the holiday season and so, gift-giving and holiday things hit super heavy. I kind of was expecting a downward slope after the holidays and it just never happened,” she said. “It’s just evolved in the amount of what I could handle at a time.”

Durkee runs the business completely from her home, where people will contact her through the social media pages or website. She explained that most times, clients will reach out with items that they already own that they want to add embroidery to, but she also has a small collection on hand that she can provide.

Another component of the business is live embroidery, Durkee said, where she will show up with her machine to private events and do embroidery on-site tailored to the client.

Currently, because it’s based on the season, her most popular product has been towels — whether that is beach towels for the summer or bath towels for students getting ready to go to college. Durkee added that backpacks and custom birthday T-shirts are also popular year-round.

While she loves all the products that she gets to create, Durkee shared that her recent favorite is one from a couple of months ago for someone whose best friend lost their mother and they wanted a completely custom order on blank fabric with a Spanish design in mind.

“She ended up framing it and giving it to her friend, so it was a very special memento to her friend's mother,” Durkee said. “I think that was probably one of my favorite things just because I knew how cherished it would be and it was just completely out of nothing that we put all these images together to create it for her.”

Knowing that people have had to drive to Austin to get their items embroidered, Durkee explained that she wants to continue spreading the word of Bel & Co. Another goal that she has is to venture more into the live embroidery space for private events, baby showers, weddings, etc.

Bel & Co Embroidery is based in Dripping Springs, but welcomes orders from all over the United States. Learn more about the business at www.belcoembroidery.com.

The event will highlight leadership, workforce development, economic growth and community impact through a panel discussion, featuring women leaders from across the region.

Featured panelists include:

• Amber Schmeits, Deputy City Manager, City of Kyle
• Dr. Giao Phan, Dean, Austin Community College
• Chris Myers, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
• Ginny Tipton, Executive Director, Thistlewood Manor & Gardens

Panelists will share their professional journeys, discuss opportunities and challenges facing one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas and offer perspectives on building stronger businesses, organizations and communities.

"As our region continues to grow, strong leadership and meaningful collaboration are essential to ensuring long-term success," said Becca Hancock, president and CEO of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce. She Means Business provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding women leaders, while fostering conversations that inspire future generations and strengthen our community."

The luncheon serves as both a celebration of women's achievements and a forum for discussing the issues and opportunities shaping the future of the region. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, community stakeholders and local leaders while gaining insights from the panel discussion.

Event Details:

She Means Business
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Texas Old Town
1205 Roland Lane
Kyle, Texas 78640

Registration remains open and a limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available.

For additional information or to register, contact the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce at (512) 268-4220 or visit the chamber's website.

Before “and Soda Fountain” was added to its name, it was simply a pharmacy, which was started by Tammy Gray in 2006. She previously owned Western Trails Pharmacy and Lamar Plaza Drugstore in Austin, but after seeing a need in Buda and Kyle, she chose to sell her other business and open Buda Drug Store.

“There was no other pharmacy in Buda. There was no other pharmacy in Kyle. There was no Walgreens, no Walmart, no CVS — nothing, just H-E-B 20 years ago,” she recalled. “So, I decided that I wanted to open a pharmacy in the town where I live.”

While explaining her reasoning of selling, Gray noted that she is the type of small business owner that wants to focus on one business and actually work inside it — as she’s a pharmacist herself — rather than having a goal of owning multiple storefronts.

The store operated as a pharmacy for two years before the location next door was available for lease — and Gray knew exactly what she wanted to do with it.

“When I owned the Lamar Plaza Drugstore, part of its history when it opened in the 1950s was it had a soda fountain,” she shared. “Soda fountains probably started going away in the 1970s because they don’t generate a lot of revenue for the square footage required, but I’ve always been fascinated with the soda fountain and pharmacy together and the history there from the '20s and '30s. So, that was always my dream.”

Gray stated that back in the day, there was a push for soda fountains, due to the belief that carbonated water had health benefits, which is why they were initially installed in pharmacies.

The soda fountain area of the shop — accessible through its own door at the front of the building or through the drug store — features a diner-like atmosphere, where customers can order a multitude of goodies, said Gray, such as vanilla sodas, milkshakes, soups, sandwiches, coffee, ice cream and more.

The business is also a family affair, as Gray’s daughters — Hayley Gray and Mallory Barnett — work at the store, as well, as a pharmacist and chef and manager for the Soda Fountain, respectively.

As for celebrating 20 years, Gray said that it’s an achievement as her colleagues thought she was “crazy coming out here when there was already another pharmacy here: H-E-B, [but] my mentality was such that there’s a lot of people moving out here, obviously, and we have endured a lot of big-box pharmacies moving out here and we’re still continuing to grow.”

The store is available not only for residents to pick up regular prescriptions, but service long-term care facilities, veterinarians and more. They are also available 24 hours a day for hospice patients.

“The main thing is that we provide exceptional personal service. The product itself if you get it here, you [can] get it at H-E-B, so the only thing that we can offer that’s different is the experience,” the pharmacist emphasized. “We get to know our customers very well. We can call their name when they walk in the door. Most people don’t get that at another super busy big-box pharmacy.”

She shared that the community has been immensely supportive over the years and because of that, Buda Drug Store and Soda Fountain is excited to offer a week of specials, culminating with a party on Saturday, June 27:

• Monday, June 22: Free drip coffee

• Tuesday, June 23: 20% off milkshakes and a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. with the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce

• Wednesday, June 24: Free scoop of ice cream with a meal purchase

• Thursday, June 25: Free tea or lemonade with a meal purchase

• Friday, June 26: 20% off banana splits and sundaes

The party on Saturday will be from 4-6 p.m. and feature free ice cream, birthday cake and giveaways.

Buda Drug Store and Soda Fountain is located at 203 Railroad St. #2-B. For more information, visit www.budadrugstore.com.

Powell brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the cooperative and utility industry. He has served in multiple leadership positions during his eight-year tenure at PEC, most recently as chief compliance officer (CCO). As CCO, Powell leads several critical areas within the cooperative including regulatory affairs, compliance and ethics, policy management, risk management, cyber and physical security, human resources, safety and technical training and real estate.

Board president Emily Pataki said the appointment reflects confidence in both the organization’s future and the strength of its internal leadership.

“Christian Powell is a respected and proven leader who understands this organization from the inside out,” Pataki said. “He brings the experience, judgment and commitment needed to lead PEC into its next chapter.”

During his tenure, Powell has played a critical part in work across PEC’s operational, regulatory and infrastructure programs, helping to position the cooperative for the challenges of a rapidly evolving utility industry, stated a news release. Prior to joining PEC, he spent more than 18 years at the Lower Colorado River Authority, serving in regulatory and compliance roles supporting various operations and business functions.

“PEC has an exceptional team and a strong foundation,” Powell said. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with our employees, leadership team and board as we focus on serving our members and preparing for the future.”

In a note to PEC employees, Powell said he is honored to take on the role. He also thanked departing CEO Julie Parsley for her leadership during a period of significant growth and progress for the organization.

The Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Buda’s newest restaurant, Astra, Monday, May 18. Owned by Mattison Bills, the restaurant and bar soft launched in February, but is now open seven days a week. The business is located at 404 N. Main Street and features an all-day menu of locally sourced, 100% scratch-made cuisine.

Turner hopes to encourage imaginative play, which includes several “stores” for children to get creative and play pretend. The cafe is “where wonder, play and coffee meet,” according to its website.

The business has a dedicated toddler area near the cafe, while children from 18 months to 8 years old can enjoy the other playscapes.