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.

Hays County Emergency Services districts No. 2 and No. 8 were named the Community Partnership of the Year. "Without their collaboration, [the H-E-B] project simply would not have come to fruition," said Monica Davidson, executive director of the chamber of commerce. 

“This was not an easy decision to make, nor did I make it lightly. Serving as CEO has been the most meaningful and rewarding role of my career and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve built together as a team. PEC is strong and I have full confidence that our board and leadership team will move forward with the vision, integrity and commitment that define PEC,” said Parsley.

Parsley joined PEC as its first female CEO in December 2017. Her more than eight-year tenure stands as one of the most consequential in the cooperative’s 87-year history, defined by extraordinary growth, operational resilience and national recognition, stated a PEC news release. She guided the cooperative through a period of remarkable transformation across every dimension of the membership, service territory and organization.

Under her leadership, PEC states it accomplished the following:

Grew from approximately 299,000 to more than 440,000 meters, cementing its standing as the nation’s largest electric distribution and transmission cooperative — serving more than one million Central Texans across a territory the size of the state of New Jersey.

Navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and February 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, maintaining operations under unprecedented conditions and implementing a rigorous after-action review to strengthen the cooperative’s long-term resilience. Subsequent extreme weather events — record heat in 2022 and 2023 and severe cold snaps — tested the improved system and PEC held firm each time.

Established its own transmission control center in 2024 — the first time in the cooperative’s history — giving PEC real-time operational visibility and direct dispatching access within Electric Reliability Council of Texas and strengthening reliability for members across the service territory.

Consistently held an AA- credit rating during her tenure, which is notable in the utility industry, particularly given COVID-19 and Winter Storm Uri.

Earned Top Workplace recognition multiple times during her tenure, including national awards for Cultural Excellence Among Women-Led Businesses and the Top Workplaces USA Today award in 2025.

Deployed advanced LiDAR and drone technology for transmission and distribution line inspections, completing reviews 23 times faster than manual methods across its 8,100-square-mile service territory.

Parsley championed the cooperative’s community investment programs, directing grants and capital credits back to the members and communities PEC serves.

“Julie has been a defining force for PEC and for the Central Texas communities we serve,” said PEC board president Emily Pataki. “She took on this role as a first in every sense of the word and led with the same excellence that has characterized her entire career. Her dedication to the membership has always been at the center of every decision she made. The team she has built and the foundation she leaves behind give us every reason for confidence in our path forward.”

The board of directors has initiated a structured CEO selection process to identify a leader who will build on Parsley’s legacy and guide PEC into its next phase of growth, starting with a focused group of candidates with deep knowledge of the business and its strategy. As the process progresses in the coming weeks, the board will assess the current slate of candidates and determine the appropriate next steps to ensure the best possible outcome for PEC and its membership.

In the coming weeks Parsley will work with the board and leadership team to ensure a smooth and stable transition to the new leadership.

Hosted in conjunction with the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, the ceremony honored the beginning of a business rooted in supporting the community’s well-being, offering a place to slow down, regulate the nervous system and care for both respiratory and overall health in a gentle, accessible way, according to a news release.

Salt & Light was created in response to the growing need for spaces that support deep rest in a fast-paced world. Through services, such as halotherapy (dry salt therapy), infrared and oxygen/mineral sauna sessions, sound therapy, somatic-based experiences and lymphatic support, the spa provides natural, non-invasive options that help clients breathe easier, release tension and restore balance, said owner Valerie Hemming. Halotherapy works by dispersing microscopic, medical-grade salt particles into the air, which are gently inhaled to help clear the respiratory system, reduce inflammation and support skin health. The environment is intentionally calm, welcoming individuals and families alike, with offerings designed to meet people where they are in their wellness journey.

“We wanted to create a space that holds people,” said Hemming. “A place where you can arrive as you are and leave with more of yourself. This is about supporting the body’s ability to reset, whether through the breath, the nervous system or simply giving yourself permission to pause. Salt & Light helps clients breathe easier, release tension and restore balance. Many clients also notice improved mental clarity and a deeper sense of calm as the body begins to unwind."

To celebrate its opening, Salt & Light is offering a limited number of complimentary 30-minute salt therapy sessions, giving the community an opportunity to experience the service firsthand.

Salt & Light is located at 701 W. US 290, Suite 102, Dripping Springs. For more information or to book a session, visit www.saltandlightatx.com or call or text 512-400-6067.

The shop opened in 2009, launching with just a notepad, card table and simple vision, to give the community a more cost-effective way to buy and sell their items and accessories. Never having owned her own business before, Amy Guynes is an occupational therapist by trade who wanted to bring her thrifting ideas to life.

Starting out with only having items for children, the shop moved to its current location, at 711 Farm to Market Road 2325, and has grown into offering something for the entire family. According to Guynes, there are approximately 1,000 consignors; some choose to save the money they collect from the sales, while others opt to never cash out, but continue to spend it locally.

It’s also been more than a place for people to come in to shop.

Guynes and her team have stepped up to support families through the devastation of floods, fires and other weather events over the years that have forced them to lose their entire home, where they are having to start from the ground up.

“We are blessed, so we say, ‘Blessed to be a blessing,’” she said, adding that they have donated several items to those in need, including the local thrift store, women’s center, Wimberley ISD students and more.

The owner said that she has also assisted foster parents who have welcomed children in their homes and they just need a little extra help.

“Several foster parents over the years have called me privately and said, ‘Hey, we have a newborn and we have nothing for them.’ I would tell them, ‘Hey, you want to meet me at the store? You can get what you need or want or whatever from clothing to toys, baby equipment, stroller, bouncers [or] bottles.’ Whatever we have that they may need. We've done that and it's midnight, sometimes, and I'm like, ‘I'll meet you there,’” she explained.

She has also remained true to offering a fair and honest place for neighbors to shop and sell their items to where if there is someone who can not pay, she allows them to bring whatever they owe the next time.

Hill Country Consignment has been a meaningful place for many people in the community, including those like Dianne Pollard.

According to Pollard, it’s been an integral part of Wimberley for 16 years and it’s one of the reasons it is the community that it is.

“They have offered low cost clothing, shoes, toys, sporting goods and household essentials for the families of Wimberley, including those who live on a fixed income. They have been there for every hardship and emergency, generously providing for those in need,” she said. “It is a delight to shop there; the ladies are always friendly and welcoming … losing it will hurt.”

Another resident, Cheryl Eskridge, shared that she has shopped there when her grandchildren would come to visit, making her way back to sell the items later. Her loyalty stayed with Hill Country Consignment as she opted to always shop there before venturing elsewhere to purchase something new, as well as recommending it to locals and newcomers.

Others took to social media to share the same consensus that the shop’s closure feels like a “loss” in the community, following Guyne’s announcement last week that Hill Country Consignment’s lease for its current building is ending and its last day will be Aug. 22.

She has been looking for a year and half to see if the business could continue in another location in Wimberley, but has not been able to find anything.

Despite this, Guynes recognizes the community who became family and friends, supporting the business, over the last 16 years. This includes her dedicated, longtime staff: Donna Wyatt of 15 years, Wanda Martin of 14 years, Renee Buse of nine years and Brandy Woods of six years.

“Thank you. It’s such a small word for what means so much,” concluded Guynes, holding back tears.

THRIVE, or Targeted Help for Retention, Innovation, Ventures and Expansion, was created after local business owners began asking for revolving loans, said Jennifer Storm, executive director for the Buda EDC.

“To always be responsive to what the businesses are telling us they need is very important to us. If it’s something they say they need, we try to find a solution for that,” Storm said.

In researching, the team discovered that other cities, such as Lockhart and El Paso, have created loan services, as well.

Then, the team connected with LiftFund, a nonprofit community funder, that has created similar opportunities in other locations, and they knew it was a perfect match.

The Buda EDC was required to gain EDC board and city council approval to approve the budget amendment, said Storm.

“Because this was a new program to us, it was not in our previously approved annual budget, which means it needs a budget amendment,” she explained. “The dollars that we are allocating toward this is to buy down the interest rate. So, all of the other dollars are put up by the LiftFund. They are using their own dollars to invest in this project. We just pay the interest rate to LiftFund for them to manage it.”

She noted that THRIVE is in its pilot year, following its recent launch, and Buda EDC will reconsider the budget for it next year, based on demand.

Business owners apply through LiftFund and are approved based on qualifications, such as credit and background checks. Typically, the loans are for a year and can range from $500 to $100,000.

The program, she continued, can be used by an entrepreneur to start a business, but its primary goal is to aid established owners that may be struggling.

“Sometimes, they may have a high interest credit card or they may need support paying for, just a short period of time, payroll. This could help them meet their payroll obligations and then, they pay it back when times get better,” said Storm.

Additionally, the 0% interest rate allows for more money that the owners can instead reinvest in their business, further jobs they can support and, therefore, hire individuals in Buda.

“We’re really proud to stand with our local businesses and so, we want to hear from them and we want to know other ways that we can support them, to continue evolving and finding solutions to support them in this ever-changing environment,” Storm concluded.

Those interested in applying for THRIVE or learning more can visit www.budaedc.com, navigate to “Grow in Buda” and click on “Incentive Programs.”

In recognition of National Açaí Day, the business will offer $5 off all açaí bowls Monday, April 6.

At a young age, Will was enthusiastic about art, particularly in creating it. So, when a family member handed him a stack of comics at 8 years old and told him to study the style, he did.

“It was Spider-man and then, it was ‘X-Men.’ Then, it was a book called ‘Legion of Super-heroes,’ [which] is a group of young superheroes from the future,” Will said, recalling what art specifically stuck out to him. “It was this cool team led by Superboy. So, as an 8-year-old, I saw a bunch of basically teenagers fighting crime and flying around and doing cool stuff and that’s what I gravitated towards … It just stuck with me for the rest of my life.”

From then on, he became infatuated with the medium. He explained that there’s no other entertainment opportunity that both provides new art and storylines weekly, which is what makes it special.

His collection continued to grow, even throughout his eight-year stint in the United States Army, when he noticed that comic-lovers online frequently wanted copies that he had. This became his first interaction with selling comics in 2001.

Despite his initial foray into the business, he ended up stepping away from reading comics for a long period of time, until the world shut down in 2020 from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While sitting at the house during lockdown, he decided to Google, “What are the top 10 comic books I should pick up and read?” Instead of lists of recommendations, there were only the top-selling comics. Will wanted to find the books that were going to be big, not that already were. So, he created the list himself.

For five years, Will has put out a Top 10 Final Order, where he curates a list of upcoming comic books by doing research on publishers' upcoming releases and suggests titles that fans should preorder, prior to them becoming popular. The fans that have listened to him, he said, often find themselves snagging a comic before its marketplace rate skyrockets.

“‘D’Orc’ number one came out two weeks ago. On the cover, it says $3.99, [but] online it was selling for $50. If they had looked at my list, they would have saw that it came out and they could have got it before it hit the shelf,” he said.

Since then, his lists have cultivated a following on Instagram and, now, he noted that people swear by his lists.

Comics, once again, became a part of Will’s life after creating his lists, but while visiting storefronts throughout Austin, he noticed the lack of availability within Hays County.

In November 2025, Will turned to his wife, Jessica Johnson, and suggested creating a comic book store to sell some of the books they had been putting up online.

Currently, there is only one other comic book store, located in San Marcos, and while he praised the company on its tenure and kindness, he “didn’t like driving 20 minutes” to get there and the same with stores in Austin. So, Will decided that he would be the one to mend the gap.

“It feels like it needed to be done [and] I felt like I was the man to do it,” he stated.

The whole process was a whirlwind, said Will, as he secured funding, found the location and held his grand opening less than five months after the initial idea.

Will emphasized that, when curating the building's interior, he built the comic book store that he would like to see when he walked in. This includes an entire wall dedicated to new releases, with each cover variant available. Older editions are housed on the opposite wall and in the center, there are collections of comics, whether that be entire storylines sold as volumes, trade paperbacks, hardcovers, compendiums — a high-volume collection of stories — or graphic novels.

In addition to comics, the store has posters and will begin to stock Funko Pops and Pokémon cards, but Will stressed that the priority will always be the books.

“I really did a lot of research into: who has what, where is there a need to be filled and where is there going to be a niche. We figured it out [and] we just need a store that’s mostly just comic books,” he said.

On Wednesday, March 11, co-owners Jessica and Will cut the ribbon, alongside members of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate the first day of Grand Central Comics.

The turnout was great, he explained, noting that Wednesdays are release days for comics, so those that knew, were waiting. Besides being grateful, he was surprised at how many comic book fans were in the area, waiting for a storefront location. The number one comment he got was that comic-lovers were ecstatic to know that there was now a location so close to home.

While touring the new building, Will noted that, yes, they will be stocking Marvel and D.C. comics, but there are also independent publications that have good stories to tell.

For example, the store carries “D’Orc,” which Will said is the number one seller in the industry right now.

“It’s actually a comedy action adventure book, but it’s got some violence to it. It’s got some dark humor, so he’s got levels to it. He’s a half dwarf, half orc — that’s the comedy slant,” explained Will. “People love the style. They love the humor.”

Clearly in his element, he continued on, recommending his favorite comic at the moment: “Absolute Batman.”

“He basically took the entire ‘Batman’ mythos and just completely rewrote it. So, everyone knows Batman. His parents, Bruce Wayne’s, parents got shot. He inherited billions of dollars. Not this guy. This guy is just a regular Joe, a construction worker who lives with his mom. He decides one day that he’s going to become Batman and the rest is history,” he gushed. “It’s just a whole different, crazy storyline. It’s insane and people love it.”

There’s many things to love about comics, but Will shared that his favorite part is that there is a story for everyone, even his church-going mom, he said, laughing.

Customers of the store can subscribe to comics, to ensure that they never miss an edition, or get a “pull list” — where the store pulls the comic off of the shelf and holds it — by contacting the store either via email or on social media. A pull list must be done weekly or whenever a customer wants it done, while subscriptions are done automatically, explained Will.

He also encouraged customers to share the comics they want to see by leaving comments on social media or emailing the store.

In the future, Will hopes to have events throughout the year for big releases and national days, such as Free Comic Book Day, which happens the first weekend of May.

“Kyle [now] has its own comic store, so come on through,” he said.

Grand Central Comics can be reached at grandcentralcomics@yahoo.com or on Instagram — where visitors can find Will's Final Order list — at @GrandCentralComics.

The storefront is located at 175 N. Old Stagecoach Road, Suite 300, in Kyle and is open from: noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday; and noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit Grand Central Comics on Facebook.

The project began two years ago with a site plan, said Le, when one of the owners called her and asked for help marketing and leasing it to the right audience, which, for her, was small business owners, due to her own experience.

“The most challenging thing for a small business, not the large, is to find a place that has reasonable rent or to find a place of their own,” she said. “You have cash flow on the business, but then, you don’t own the real estate. … When I started in other businesses that I have run before, I rented it and then, I put money into it. Then, when I moved out or I sold the business, there was nothing else. You don’t get to capture the appreciation over time.”

The first time that Le was able to purchase a space for herself, she was later able to sell it for double the amount she paid, which is something many are unable to experience, as creating wealth for those leasing the business isn’t the goal for large developers. Instead, she explained that they aim to have clients rent their facility, so they’re essentially paying the rent of the property for them, while they have cash flow coming in every month.

Often in these leases, the building owner will adjust the rent to the market rate, which the client has no control over, but if they were to own property themselves, their monthly charge would be fixed.

The park, located at 3300 Dacy Lane in Kyle, is comprised of 13 buildings with more than 130,000 square feet of flexible and commercial space. Phase 1 was completed in 2025, but Phase 2 finished construction in February 2026, with options for purchasing now available. Additionally, two more phases are set for construction in the third quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027.

The reason for the separation in phases, explained Le, was to adhere to business needs. For example, after constructing the first phase, which consisted of a 19-foot ceiling, owners were asking for more opportunities for storage. So, Phase 2 has heightened the facilities to 24 feet, along with wider and taller garage doors.

Le shared that the easiest way to be approved for the property is to have leasing history, as they “just want to make sure the businesses that are going in [the park] have the capability to sustain. So, what I mean by that is, if you already currently have a business [and] you have income coming in already, we qualify them by looking to see how much income is coming in and how much they can afford for the rent, as a percentage within your income on your business plan.”

Although the goal is to bring ownership to business owners, those that may not feel ready can still choose to participate in a leasing agreement until they want to proceed with purchasing a building.

Le shared that she has sat down with local municipal economic developers to begin creating more opportunities for small businesses and finding a space for them.

“[As a] small business owner, you don’t have the ability to play the bigger game, like the big developer or the bigger company does,” she stressed. “So, creating a vehicle to capture and keep the small businesses in our community, that’s what I’m passionate about and that’s what our team is passionate about.”

For more information on the Dacy Business Park, visit www.dacybusinesspark.com.

Teanookshop was created by Chris Valdez, Joe Valdez, Charlie Valdez and Avery Cox, who all have a background in the health and wellness industry. This began with another local business of theirs, Nature’s Choice Wellness, to help customers find options for stress, sleep, pain relief and overall balance. According to the owners, opening a tea shop is a natural extension of that mission, continuing their focus on plant-based, functional and wellness-driven products.

Specifically for Wimberley, this offers something different from the typical coffee and retail spots, the team stated.

“After helping customers with plant-based wellness solutions, we saw a need for every day, functional options, like loose leaf tea,” the owners continued. “Wimberley’s health-conscious, laid-back culture made it the perfect place to create a calming, community-focused space centered around wellness and intentional living.”

“There's been kind of a need for tea in Wimberley. There's a lot of coffee shops [and] there's a lot of boutiques, but there's nowhere that has loose leaf tea, so we are definitely wanting to provide some holistic options with the tea,” Cox said.

Being in the health and wellness industry for nearly seven years, the faces behind Teanookshop started educating themselves on different loose-leaf teas from around the world, along with their health benefits, and they wanted to share that knowledge with the community.

Tea is rich in antioxidants and supports overall wellness, with different types offering unique benefits, including:

Green tea: Boosts metabolism, supports heart health and improves focus

Black tea: Supports heart health, energy and gut health

Herbal tea: Caffeine-free and promotes relaxation, digestion or immune support, depending on the herb

Oolong tea: Supports metabolism and balanced energy

White tea: High in antioxidants with gentle caffeine and supports skin health

Cox said that the tea they carry is high quality for the people who are "connoisseurs,” as well as those who want to have a chamomile or Earl Grey. There is something for everybody, with the option to come in, sit down for a cup of tea with an open-table style seating arrangement and connect with other patrons.

Another component of the shop is that the owners have partnered with the Wimberley Valley Art League to dedicate wall space for local artists to display their work. In doing so, artists were able to submit and put their work up for free, as well as if someone is interested in purchasing it, 100% of the commission goes directly toward the artist.

“Our goal is to create more than just a shop. We hope to provide a welcoming space where locals and visitors can gather, connect and slow down,” the owners concluded. “We’re grateful to be part of this community and look forward to growing together.”

Teanookshop, located at 106 Wimberley Square, officially opened Sunday, March 15, and is planning to be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekdays, as well as 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekends, with hours subject to change.

To learn more, visit bit.ly/4saBP2N.

The project has been a long time coming, said Buda Economic Development director Jennifer Storm. She noted that, internally, H-E-B has recognized that its current storefront was quickly being outgrown.

“They knew that this store was undersized and so, we have worked with them to try to find a piece of property, where they could stay in Buda and be able to expand their store,” she explained.

After finding the land, which is located on the southbound access road of IH-35, north of Main Street, the biggest challenge has been the environmental factor. The site, which was a dormant landfill, is going to require significant remediation, said Storm. For this reason, potential developers have overlooked the area, due to the costs — estimated at $30 million — associated with bringing the land up to the standard it needs for a facility.

“A company like H-E-B is able to invest in the land and get it cleaned up and then, work with us to have an incentive over time to help offset some of those costs,” she said.

The state of this site has left little property tax revenues for the entities in which it lies, half in the Hays County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 8, Hays County and the city of Buda. Because of this, she noted that all three, including the Buda EDC, were eager to contribute in the form of tax incentives to ensure the project moves forward.

The incentive states that H-E-B will receive 50% of all sales and property tax generated from the project until either the maximum $20.1 — $12.1 million from the city and the Buda EDC, $4 million from ESD No. 8 and $4 million from Hays County — payout occurs or the timeline reaches 30 years.

The director clarified that this means the incentive will end prior to the 30 years, if H-E-B receives $20.1 million in less time and vice versa. So, the incentive will also end, even if H-E-B still has not reached $20.1 million in 30 years.

The taxing entities will also begin receiving a significant boost in property taxes, following the land’s development.

Under the agreement, according to a news release, H-E-B will invest in environmental remediation and roadway improvements — based on a traffic impact analysis — to ensure the site is safe and accessible.

Storm noted that because of the environmental factors, there may be limitations on what the store can do aesthetically, such as landscaping, but that the city has made requests for the store to fit in with Buda’s traditional style.

Looking to the future, the director emphasized that this store will not only bring a better shopping experience to residents, along with 50 full-time jobs, but other retail establishments.

“Activating that property will activate a lot of the other parcels near [the new store]. There’s still some vacant property to the north and the south of that parcel,” said Storm. “We have a pretty big gap in retail services in Buda. That’s something we’ve been working towards for a while and so … I think, ideally, it will likely be what you usually see around an H-E-B, which is more retail.”

This hope continues in what will be the former H-E-B location, following the opening of the new store, as she stated that H-E-B has agreed to “something retail-focused” to ensure that sales tax is still generated.

Despite H-E-B’s ownership of the land, Storm stated that the opportunity of what company builds on the land isn’t limited to H-E-B-branded stores.

Construction on the remediation is set to begin in 2026, but Storm shared that the task is a big undertaking, which most likely lengthens the timeline to grand opening day to 2028.

"This is a defining moment for our community,” said Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky. “By taking land that once symbolized limitation and turning it into a source of jobs, commerce and community pride, we are writing the next chapter of Buda’s story. This agreement reflects our commitment to smart growth, strong partnerships and a brighter future for our residents.”

Businesses open for three years or less vied for the Up & Coming Business award, including Dynamo Dusty’s Tree Service, Fire & Flow Pilates, The Girly Birds, Natkhat Flavors and Slice Street Pizza. “So many of you, and many of you who are in this room tonight, came week after week, day after day, despite the fact that we made your pizza wrong, despite the fact that we were 30 minutes or 40 minutes or three hours late to make your pizza,” said Slice Street Pizza owner Darius Aram, as he accepted the award. “I think that this would not be possible in any other community and this community is really something special.”

Prior to the awards, Chamber President Susan Kimball, left, was surprised to be recognized for her 10 years of service to the organization. “I wouldn't be standing up here today if it wasn't for Susan Kimball, as well as many people here wouldn't be so involved in the business community. And we are a very tight knit community. We are a special community and it is 100% because of this lady right here,” said chamber board chair Eustacio Lara.

The Dripping Springs Community Library was voted Non-Profit of the Year. Executive director Mindy Laird accepted the award and thanked attendees. “Looking out right now, I see friends. I see library volunteers; I see staff members. I see other nonprofits that support us; I see business supporters and sponsors. Everywhere I look is someone that has supported us. So, thank you so much,” she said.

For 2026, the Hometown Hero award was changed from an individual to an organization whose mission it is to support other organizations and nonprofits. The finalists were Dripping Springs Community Foundation, Dripping Springs Cook-Off Club, Dripping Springs Lions Club, Hill Country Rally for Kids and Rotary Club of Dripping Springs. “We thank each of you for giving of yourselves to serve this community. Tonight, your dedication does not go unnoticed,” said award presenter Stephanie Moody of Ally Medical. “The winner is Dripping Springs Cook-Off Club.” 

Outstanding Customer Service Award winner Acopon Brewing Co. founder Dave Niemeyer, right, poses for a photo with the 2025 winner, Dr. Chae Tracy of Curis Functional Health. “This is, no offense to the other awards, but this is the most important one. If you don't have it, you're going to suffer,” Niemeyer said.

Bill Warren and Michelle Matthews of Pig Pen BBQ jointly accepted the award for Business Person of the Year. “These individuals exemplify what it means to be a true leader in business and their contributions have not only elevated their organizations, but have also enriched the broader Dripping Springs community,” said Paul Fletcher, CEO of Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, when presenting the award.

In her welcome remarks, Becca Hancock, president and CEO of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, set the tone for the evening.

“On behalf of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to tonight’s awards gala,” Hancock said. “We are so honored to have our business leaders, entrepreneurs, community partners, volunteers and friends gathered together in one room to celebrate what makes Kyle such a remarkable place to live, work and grow.”

Hancock emphasized that while the evening is centered on recognition, it is equally about gratitude.

“We are here to celebrate businesses large and small, the innovators, the risk-takers, the job creators and the steady hands who show up every day committed to serving our community,” she said. “From startups chasing big dreams to established companies shaping our local economy, each of you plays a vital role in the success and spirit of Kyle.”

She also highlighted the critical role of volunteers in strengthening the chamber and the broader community.

“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of this chamber,” Hancock noted. “You give your time, your ideas and your energy not for recognition, but because you believe in building something bigger than yourselves. Tonight, we have the privilege of saying thank you.”

The gala recognized outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to the Kyle community. This year’s honorees included:

• Ambassador of the Year – Jessie Clayton

• Emerging Business of the Year – Primrose School of Kyle

• Business of the Year (under 50 employees) – UFCU - Kyle Branch

• Business of the Year (more than 50 employees) – City Limits Subaru

• Trailblazer of the Year – David Johnson

• Nonprofit of the Year – Hays CISD Education Foundation

• Spirit of Kyle Award – Tony Arredondo

• Citizen of the Year – Betty Conley

Hancock closed by underscoring the power of collaboration within the business community: “The strength of our chamber — and our city — comes from collaboration,” she said. “When businesses support one another, when leaders step forward and when neighbors invest in their community, incredible things happen. That spirit is what we celebrate this evening.”

The “Starlight & Spurs” Awards Gala continues to serve as a signature event highlighting excellence, dedication and the bright future ahead for Kyle.

The donation was presented by Kristen Rummel, chair of the DS Elite Charitable Giving Committee, alongside fellow committee and board members. Lisa Little, president of Project Connect, and Lisa Hargraves, second vice president, accepted the donation.

"We are honored to be chosen by DS Elite for this generous support,” Little said. “Project Connect is a small nonprofit focused on helping families in need within Dripping Springs ISD. Many in the community recognize our Tiger Santa program and we are especially grateful to DS Elite for sponsoring a family and for the individual members who stepped up to help last Christmas. This donation will make an immediate difference for families who may be struggling to pay a bill, put food on the table or cover a necessary expense, like a tire needing repair, so they can get to work. Every dollar stays right here in our community.”

Project Connect, founded in 2019, offers one-on-one mentorship, guidance and access to local resources for individuals navigating difficult life events, such as divorce, financial hardship, family loss or transition to single parenthood. The organization is powered by trained volunteer mentors and strategic community partnerships.

“As professionals rooted in Dripping Springs, we believe it’s our responsibility and our privilege to give back to the people and organizations who make this community so strong,” said Rummel. “Project Connect is a powerful example of local care in action.”

This marks the first of four charitable donations planned by Dripping Springs Elite in 2026, as part of a commitment to support a different local nonprofit each quarter through both financial contributions and community engagement, according to the organization.

The idea sparked when Chambers and another owner were headed to Dallas to play in a tennis tournament: “It’s well known that this whole area, Hays County and Travis County, has just ballooned with people. While that’s happened, while the population’s almost doubled, no new tennis courts have been built,” he said. “So, we just said, ‘Why hasn’t anyone built another tennis facility?’ And then, that just led to, ‘Okay, let’s be the ones to do it.’”

Chambers has been playing tennis since he fell in love with the sport in middle school. The most interesting part, he said, is that tennis is for anyone at any age, with many adults playing well into their 80s and 90s. He also shared that there is a study that stated that the sport could add up to nine years to the lifespan of those participating.

In the six years since that conversation occurred, Buda was chosen as its homebase location, both due to the availability of property and the lack of amenities in the area. The name “Racfit” is a combination of racket sports and fitness.

Although the idea was initially for tennis, pickleball has exploded in popularity over the years, so Chambers felt that it was natural to include it in the design. This was only validated when 46% of those that initially responded to Racfit’s interest list stated that they wanted to play both tennis and pickleball.

The facility, located at 1390 Robert S. Light Blvd., Buda, is equipped with eight pickleball courts, eight tennis courts and two fitness rooms that will be designated to strengthen the physicality required to play both of the sports. Additionally, there will be a room with a 13-foot interactive screen to play virtual games — which could be used for children’s birthday parties — a Courtside Cantina, televisions and music throughout.

“Our goal is to bring more of an entertainment experience to tennis and pickleball,” said Chambers. “Tennis, historically, has been sort of this quiet sport. We want to change that. We have eight TVs. We have a bar right by the tennis courts. You’re going to hear music when you’re walking in — on the main walkway from the parking lot, we’ll have music hidden in the walkway. So, this is not your hush, hush country club tennis. This is the complete opposite of that. It’s more of family entertainment.”

The familial goal is important to the owners, as there will be an opportunity for onsite daycare and food trucks on a large, turf-filled patio outside, filled with games. He emphasized that they hope families will come to hang out and relax, even if they’re not participating in the sports.

Despite there being other options for facilities, Chambers stated that Racfit is unique in having designated courts for both tennis and pickleball, as many facilities are attempting to transfigure their current tennis courts into pickleball courts.

Furthermore, he stressed that Racfit’s homegrown nature is important. Many of the facilities popping up are owned by corporations that want to put up several locations throughout the nation, Chambers continued, but he and his co-owners are proud of the fact that they have used their hard-earned money to create something so close to home.

Those interested in memberships at Racfit would have early access and discounts, but residents who want to sign up for open play, classes or private lessons are welcome to do so for a fee. The courts are also available to rent for use.

“There’s a social, well-being component [to the sports], as well. A lot of people miss that point in these sports. There’s just great people in a great community around them. So, yes, you get a physical workout, but you’re also working on your mental well-being because you’re congregating with people, socializing with people. There’s a lot of great sports out there, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded one,” concluded Chambers.

In the future, the facility hopes to host tournaments, create teams and have other opportunities.

Racfit is set to host a soft opening March 1 and aims for a spring grand opening. For more information, visit www.goracfit.com.

Locally owned and operated by licensed massage therapist Jennifer Luo, the spa was founded with a clear mission — to support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the community through personalized, results-driven wellness care.

Soul Retreat Spa specializes in therapeutic massage, head spa treatments, lymphatic therapy and holistic wellness services, according to a news release. Each treatment is thoughtfully customized to address individual needs, whether clients are seeking pain relief, stress reduction, improved circulation or overall body balance.

By combining professional hands-on techniques with modern wellness approaches, Luo creates meaningful experiences that promote both immediate relaxation and long-term health benefits, the release continued.

Luo believes that wellness should not be viewed as a luxury reserved for special occasions, but rather as an essential part of maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle, she said. Her approach emphasizes attentive care, client comfort and treatment plans designed to support each guest’s personal wellness goals.

Soul Retreat Spa serves individuals, couples and families throughout Dripping Springs and surrounding Hill Country communities. Known for professionalism, cleanliness and exceptional client care, the spa has become a trusted destination for those seeking healing, relaxation and restoration, according to the release.

As an active member of the local business community, the owner values building meaningful relationships and contributing to the overall well-being of the area she calls home. Whether guests are managing chronic tension, recovering from physical strain or simply looking for a moment of peace, Luo is ready to help clients feel their best.

Soul Retreat Spa is located at 2400B U.S. 290, Suite 5, Dripping Springs, and appointments can be made by calling 512-846-6888.

Kyle Park will feature approximately 450,000–500,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, a strong lineup of nationally recognized tenants and a vibrant lifestyle district designed to serve residents and visitors alike.

“Today marks more than just the start of construction,” said Rosie Truelove, executive director of strategic development for the city of Kyle. “It represents our shared commitment to thoughtful growth, economic opportunity and creating places that serve our residents and strengthen our community for the long term.”

City manager Bryan Langley emphasized the project’s regional and fiscal impact: “This is the largest private investment in Kyle’s history,” Langley said. “At build-out, Kyle Park is expected to generate approximately $2.5 million annually in sales tax revenue and about $1 million in property tax revenue for the city. Over time, this development will keep retail dollars local, create jobs and establish Kyle as a regional destination.”

Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale reflected on the project’s roots and its future significance.

“This development brings approximately 450,000 square feet of commercial space to Kyle, including retailers, restaurants and services our residents have been asking for,” Flores-Cale said. “For years, Kyle residents had to leave the city for everyday shopping and dining. Kyle Park changes that. It gives people more reasons to stay local and invest in their own community.”

Announced retailers and tenants include: Dick’s Sporting Goods, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Barnes & Noble, Burlington, Boot Barn, Miniso, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, and others. Dining options will include Raising Cane’s, Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen, Chili’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Wine & Taco, Scooter’s Coffee and more. Fitness, wellness and service providers, such as EOS Fitness, Pacific Dental and Mister Car Wash are also planned.

In addition to retail and dining, Kyle Park will feature 426 multifamily residential units, green space, playgrounds and a walkable lifestyle district connected to Kyle’s trail and mobility network. A key infrastructure component includes the extension of Kohlers Crossing, improving east-west connectivity and linking to regional transportation improvements, including the future IH-35 underpass.

Development partners Steve Alvis and Andrew Alvis of NewQuest praised the city’s leadership and collaborative spirit.

“When growth comes to your door, you can either manage it or let it run you over,” said Steve. “Kyle’s leadership team chose to manage it thoughtfully and that’s why this project is here today.”

“This has been six years in the making,” added Andrew. “We’re excited to bring a lifestyle destination to Kyle, a place where families can spend the day, enjoy green space, shop, eat and truly connect with the community.”

City council member Marc McKinney noted the importance of honoring the site’s history, while building for the future.

“The Caraway family has been part of Kyle for generations and their legacy lives on in this land,” McKinney said. “Kyle Park reflects both our past and our future — balanced growth, quality development and opportunity for all parts of our city.”

Kyle Park is positioned to serve both residents and regional travelers along the IH-35 corridor, further establishing Kyle as a growing hub for commerce, lifestyle and community connection in Central Texas.

For more information, visit www.newquest.com/property/kyle-park/.

Located at 400 W. US 290, Suite C-102, Sculpt is a modern wellness and body contouring destination in Dripping Springs, designed for individuals seeking effective, non-invasive solutions to support their health, confidence and overall well-being, said co-owner Meggie Buenz. With a focus on science-backed technology and personalized care, Sculpt Wellness Spa prides itself on offering treatments that work with the body’s natural processes, rather than against them.

Specializing in U.S. Food and Drug Administration-cleared laser body slimming and red light laser therapy, Sculpt Wellness Spa provides advanced solutions that help reduce fat volume, support cellular energy and promote metabolic balance — without surgery or downtime, explained the co-owner.

Unlike aggressive fat-removal procedures, these treatments are designed to preserve the body’s natural structure, while supporting long-term wellness goals. Each service is selected to deliver results safely and comfortably.

At Sculpt Wellness Spa, no two treatment plans are the same. Every client receives a customized approach based on individual goals, lifestyle and body composition. Education is a core part of the experience, Buenz said, ensuring clients understand how treatments work and how to support their results through sustainable habits.

Rooted in a philosophy of root-cause wellness, Sculpt Wellness Spa blends technology, wellness and self-care into a supportive experience for both women and men. By combining cutting-edge treatments with a client-centered approach, Sculpt Wellness Spa aims to help individuals feel confident, empowered and aligned with their health goals —inside and out, Buenz concluded.

Sculpt Wellness Spa is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. For more information, call 512-318-3329, email info@sculptws.com or visit www.sculptws.com.

Owner Matti Bills got her start in the entrepreneurial side of the restaurant business in 2014 with farmers markets — stretching from Cedar Park, Buda, San Marcos, New Braunfels and more throughout the Central Texas corridor — when she founded her first business, Mum Foods, before selling it in 2019. It was then that she started Three Six General, a butcher shop in San Marcos.

Through participating in farmers markets with the butcher shop — alongside having the brick-and-mortar location — she also gained an opportunity of joining the Pearl Food Hall in San Antonio through a sandwich shop, called Howdy Child.

The latest venture that Bills has set her eyes on is opening Astra Restaurant & Bar in downtown Buda, where she will be living out her dreams of having a wood-fired oven concept. She shared that the name Astra comes from the Latin phrase, “per aspera ad astra,” meaning through hardships to the stars, as this star of a project has been in the works for a long time and is finally able to come to fruition.

“I had worked on wood fired ovens in the very beginning of my career. I got my very first restaurant gig when I was like 22 years old, I might have been 20,” she explained. “We were managing this place on Lake Travis and it had a wood burning oven. So, I got my first experience there and then, I traveled to Hawaii to collaborate with a friend on a wood burning oven pizza project in O’ahu. I’ve always wanted to have one in my concept and we're finally going to get to do that.”

Bills’ other projects and local partnerships will help Astra come to life, as Three Six General will produce the restaurant’s house-made cured meats, including mortadella, coppa ham, bacon and salami. They will also have scratch-made, locally-sourced food, such as sourdough pizza and sandwiches with bread that is made with organic grain from Barton Springs Mill in Dripping Springs, as well as vegetarian dishes and shared plates like crudo and carpaccio.

“The whole reason I got into the food world was to support local farmers and ranchers. It's definitely what drives us. But since then, I feel like it's become just as much about community, whether it's our staff or our customers, just the community aspect of it all,” Bills said.

Ingredients will also come from an urban farm that Bills has in San Antonio that is used to supply her different concepts: “It's really rare that restaurants are growing their own food, even if they're sourcing it locally. It just takes it to a whole other level for us to have our farm,” she said.

In addition to the food, Lauren Beckam, cocktail director at Mixtli, will oversee the bar aspect, offering various cocktails, natural wine and craft beer.

The Buda Economic Development Corporation is excited to welcome Astra to the local family of restaurants, according to CEO Jennifer Storm, as Bills’ experience, reputation and food will add to the culinary destination of Main Street.

“We hope this restaurant helps energize the northern end of Main Street, bringing families and visitors to explore this restaurant and stay a while, to shop and dine in other establishments, as well,” she said. “Astra is capitalizing on the patio and lawn of the property, which should create more connectivity to the park, drawing folks into downtown.”

Astra Restaurant & Bar will be located at 404 Main St. in Buda, with an anticipated opening in February.

To stay up to date, visit www.instagram.com/astra.btx.

Before Buda was Buda, travelers on the International-Great Northern Railroad utilized a train depot in what is now the town’s center. The depot’s establishment drove the city’s population growth, but fell out of operation in 1961 and was removed in the 1980s. Last November, the historic building returned to downtown Buda, with restoration to follow.

Buda City Council held a special joint meeting with the Historic Preservation Commission, Main Street Advisory Board, Parks & Recreation Board and Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to review draft proposals to restore the depot and build out the surrounding area. Members of each board gave feedback on the drafts, taking the city’s best economic and environmental interests into consideration.

City manager Micah Grau opened the meeting, welcoming the body and detailing the project: “As you know, this has been fast moving. We were initially approached by the property owners a little over a year ago.”

According to a news release from the city last November, the Bryant family previously took care of the depot, but with the family now selling its property, the depot was at risk of being sold or destroyed. The family therefore decided to donate the property back to the city.

“This is a once-in-a-generation project and that’s why we’re all here… to make sure we’re all aligned in our shared vision of what the depot can be,” said Grau.

The project will be funded by the EDC, whose members were present at the special meeting. Given the set budget, Grau clarified that the board members present could give input on how the space around the depot is built, but that the building would not be moved again, due to the cost of relocation.

Representatives Chris Davis from Logic Builders and Luma Jaffar from the Lawrence Group, who collaborated on project design, then brought two draft proposals to the special joint meeting. The drafts shared key similarities, while differentiating on design specifics.

Site Concept A would incorporate 1,200 additional feet of lawn space than Site Concept B, allowing for more standing room and picnic space. Another key difference between the two plans regards the location of the gazebo. Concept A moves the structure off site and includes trees, while concept B rebuilds the gazebo on the event lawn. Jaffar noted that more tree coverage could block the view of the space from the street.

However, several board members argued for more flora and less concrete on the site.

“Anywhere we can extend our green space — that is our ultimate goal,” said Monica Mills, who has served on the Main Street Advisory Board since 2007.

She pointed to the heat absorption of concrete and preservation of critters, such as monarchs and bees, as driving factors for greenery.

Regarding other environmental factors, Jaffar ensured that lighting on the property would comply with Buda’s designation as an International Dark Sky Community, which requires the city to limit light pollution and energy consumption. Both site concepts also indicated an easement of 50 feet around a nearby well. This prevents water contamination in compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Both concepts include a fence running behind the property, which some board members shared concerns about. Susan Guerra of the Main Street Advisory Board noted, “We don’t have fencing anywhere else on Main Street.”

Mayor Lee Urbanowsky acknowledged the singularity, but pointed to the proximity of a rail line to the depot.

“We’re encouraging people to congregate here. With the trains coming, it could get dangerous without a fence,” he said.   

John H. Foster from the Historic Preservation Commission brought the 24 parking spaces included on site in both plans into question, stating this would “reduce use size significantly.”

Council member Monica Davidson replied, “Without parking here, it doesn’t work.” In a survey conducted by the city, “adding parking downtown came across very strongly,” as spots on Main Street are already limited.

At the end of the meeting, council member Evan Ture reaffirmed the council’s eagerness to restore the historic depot: “We are here in Buda because of that train depot and it’s really exciting.”

Going forward, the Lawrence Group and Logic Builders will take the favorable aspects of each site plan and bring an amended site concept to the city council for approval.

From the outset, the owners evaluated the property as a long-term investment opportunity and pursued a music venue concept consistent with existing zoning and permitted uses, stated a news release. Throughout the process, they remained open to discussions with interested parties regarding alternative outcomes for the site.

Ultimately, the decision to sell was based solely on the financial terms presented.

“This transaction reflects the value placed on the property by the buyer. The offer materially exceeded market expectations and represented an opportunity we could not responsibly decline. The sale was a business decision — not the result of protest activity,” said the property owners.

While community opposition to the proposed venue was widely publicized, the owners emphasized that the project remained legally viable throughout the process. No regulatory or permitting actions prevented development, nor were operations halted by protest efforts.

“The proposed venue complied with applicable regulations and could have proceeded. The determining factor was simply the willingness of the buyer to pay a premium that fundamentally changed the equation,” the owners said.

In connection with the sale, the owners also announced that $500,000 will be donated to nonprofit organizations, with a focus on causes that support community well-being and long-term positive impact.

“While this was a business-driven transaction, we also believe strongly in giving back. This contribution reflects our values and our desire to see meaningful benefit extend beyond the property itself,” said Bill Hirschman, developer and part owner of the property.

The owners expressed appreciation for the broader community dialogue and acknowledged the passion surrounding land use in the Fitzhugh corridor. They noted that the outcome demonstrates how market-based solutions, rather than pressure campaigns, ultimately drive decisions when parties engage constructively.

The transaction closes a chapter on the planned venue and transfers full control of the property to the new ownership group, who will determine its future use.