From Italian ice to bookstores, here are updates on 28 businesses near Cedar Park, Leander and far Northwest Austin.

Now open

Wayback Burgers

Owned by local Francisco Gonzalez, fast-casual chain Wayback Burgers offers made-to-order burgers, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes and more. Gonzalez said one of the best-selling menu items is the Cheeeesy Burger—one "e" for each slice of cheese—served on an inverted, grilled bun with two beef patties.Paper Bark Birch Children’s Bookstore

Stephanie Robertson held a grand opening in early December for her new child-focused bookstore. Paper Bark Birch offers a diverse selection of books for babies through young adults, with an emphasis on a variety of cultural books. The bookshop also has a collaboration room where children can explore digital and traditional media, a playspace, and freshly brewed coffee.Shake Shack


Shake Shack opened in Cedar Park in early December, offering its classic menu with items such as the ShackBurger made with Angus beef and drizzled with ShackSauce on a toasted potato bun; crinkle-cut fries; and shakes in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and more.Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

The shop offers a variety of flavored frozen treats, including gelati, Italian ice and soft-serve ice cream. The franchise has more than 50 locations across the country, including Central Texas shops in Cedar Park, Killeen and Temple.Affinity Dance Unlimited

Owners Kristina and Taylor Trotti of Austin began offering training to those age 18 months through adults in late August. Available classes include ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, pointe, prepointe, hip-hop, acrobatic and conditioning as well as adult fitness classes, such as yoga and dance.Instill Coffee Co.

Founded by Michelle and Ryan Bell in 2021, the Leander-based coffee truck opened in its first brick-and-mortar location in Cedar Park in mid-September. Instill Coffee serves coffee with add-ins, such as ghee and turmeric, in addition to specialty toasts, such as avocado, cinnamon sugar and more.The Little Gym of Cedar Park


A gym geared toward children between the ages of 4 months and 12 years opened in Cedar Park in early December. The Little Gym of Cedar Park offers classes such as gymnastics, dance, sports skills and karate. This marks the third Little Gym in the Austin area.Jamba and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

A dual-brand Jamba/Auntie Anne’s Pretzels will open later this year. Owned by locals Bradley Davis and Amanda Lorimer, the location will offer smoothies, various pretzels, pretzel nuggets and pretzel dogs. This marks the second location in the area, with another at 401 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park.Obsidian Brewery

Obsidian Brewery opened in mid-November in Leander. The brewery offers a variety of craft beers, cocktails and wine, plus a food menu featuring pizza and bratwurst.TrueCore Fitness

The fitness center offers a variety of classes, including Pilates, barre, yoga and cycling. Owner Holly McDaniel founded TrueCore in 2015, and there are two other locations in Temple and Georgetown.Trippiez Smoke Shop


The business offers a variety of vapes, THC pens, and CBD and delta-8 products as well as water pipes, ashtrays, grinders, hookahs, lighters and backpacks. This is the brand’s fifth Austin-area location.Mutts Canine Cantina

Co-owners and twin sisters Lisa Ladewig and Laura Ladewig Landers opened the first Austin-area Mutts Canine Cantina in mid-November. The 1.6-acre facility includes a K-9 Splash Pad, large- and small-dog parks, self-wash dog stations, covered patios, fire pits, private cabanas, and more. Mutts also offers food menus for both people and pets as well as alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage options.The Happy Cat Hotel & Spa

The Happy Cat Hotel & Spa opened in its first Texas location in Austin, offering short- and long-term overnight boarding for cats. The facility features 27 themed suites ranging from 30-60 square feet with bedding, windows, climbing equipment, toys and more. Luxury suites include TVs. The “Kitty Concierge” team offers daily room service and playtime along with text message and email updates to owners. The facility also offers spa and grooming services, such as nail trims, baths and blow drys.Dr. Golf Studio

The indoor golf facility opened by Sukjoon "SJ" Yoon offers a studio that caters to golfers with skill levels from amateur to professional. Inside are six bays with technology, such as Trackman and GC Quad, to help achieve a thorough practice environment, according to the website. Guests should make an appointment ahead of time for individual practice and premium golf lessons.Lazeez Mediterranean Food


Lazeez Mediterranean Food restaurant opened in a second Austin-area location on West Parmer Lane in mid-December. Owned by Bilal AlJalam, the eatery serves a variety of Mediterranean dishes, such as falafel, dolma, kibbeh and more. The first location will remain open at 6812 RM 620, Austin.Bar-B-Q Boutique

The shop, locally owned by Rubul Das, sells ready-to-cook marinated meat. It will carry a large selection of over 100 raw, marinated meats, tofus, paneer and vegetables.Family Care Center

The mental and behavioral health center opened in Cedar Park mid-September. Family Care Center focuses on counseling and medication management services in addition to transcranial magnetic stimulation treatments for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and others. Other services include individual, children’s, couples and family therapy.Coming soon

Planet Fitness


A Planet Fitness gym will open in Cedar Park next to Spec’s at Ronald Reagan and Whitestone boulevards by the end of 2023. The gym boasts offering a judgement-free zone with low startup fees and no-commitment options available. Amenities will include fitness equipment, tanning beds, massage chairs, red and infrared light therapy, and more.Austin Texas Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will begin construction on a 30,000-square-foot temple in Cedar Park in June 2024, with plans to complete it in June 2026. The new temple, named Austin Texas Temple, will sit on a 10.6-acre lot adjacent to the existing meetinghouse on East Park Street, officials said. Upon completion, the temple will include two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms and one baptistry.Williamson County Bagel Co.

The Williamson County Bagel Co., a family-owned bagel shop, will open at Centro Plaza in summer 2024. Owners Alexandra and Scott Lawson said they plan to offer a variety of hand-rolled bagels as well as beer and wine selections.Cold Stone Creamery

Ice cream parlor chain Cold Stone Creamery is slated to open off Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park in June. Along with a variety of ice cream flavors, Cold Stone Creamery sells sorbets, cakes, shakes and smoothies.Hilton Tru/Home2 Suites by Hilton

A dual-brand Hilton Tru/Home2 Suites by Hilton is set to break ground in the second quarter of 2024, with an expected completion date of late 2025. The 95,000-square-foot, five-story hotel will house 179 rooms.Pain Specialists of America-Lakeline Ambulatory Surgery Center

The Texas-based pain management practice will open on Lakeline Boulevard in late 2024. The practice offers a multidisciplinary approach to pain management, including spine diagnostics, regenerative medication treatments, injections and more to treat a variety of conditions, according to the website.
  • Opening in late 2024
  • 2218 S. Lakeline Blvd., Bldg. 1, Ste. 101, Cedar Park
  • www.psadocs.com
Expansions

Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center

The nonprofit organization helping children who have experienced abuse or trauma expanded by adding a 15,000-square-foot facility to its existing location in Georgetown. The new building provides a space for crisis services, forensic interviews, family advocacy rooms, a multidisciplinary hub and an outdoor play area as well as tree motifs and natural lighting.In the news

Chick-fil-A

Chicken shop chain Chick-fil-A is slated to open off Anderson Mill Road and RM 620 in Austin by early 2025, per a permit registration with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

While representatives with Chick-fil-A did not confirm details of the project, the TDLR filing states construction will begin in September 2024 and be completed by March 2025.

Wash N’ Roll Express Carwash

According to project registration information from Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, construction on a Wash N’ Roll Express Carwash is set to be complete by early 2024 on West Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park. Wash ‘N Roll boasts the ability to complete an exterior carwash in five minutes or it’s free, in addition to rewashing a vehicle for no additional charge if the customer is not satisfied.
  • Construction complete by early 2024
  • 2861 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park
  • www.washroll.com
Closings

Cajun Skillet

New Orleans-style restaurant and food truck Cajun Skillet closed in October. The business served Cajun cuisine, such as gumbo, po’boys, jambalaya, etouffee and more.Smokin’ Oak Wood Fired Pizza and Taproom

The pizza and beer eatery focused on individually sized 10-inch pizzas made in a wood-fired oven with hand-cut vegetables, meats and cheeses.