Community Impact wrote features about 13 businesses in the Leander, Liberty Hill and Cedar Park area in 2023. Revisit these articles, which ran in our print editions over the last year.
January: Hang Ups Picture Framing and Photo Printing offers high-quality, custom designs
Established in 2013, Hang Ups Picture Framing and Photo Printing in Cedar Park has been a staple in the community, specializing in several photo techniques, including imaging, restoration, printing and framing.
“I try to listen to the story of the customer—what do they want to express? Because a frame changes the expression of the artwork,” owner Ursula Overdiek said.
January: Southern Shutters to add new factory in 30th year of operation in Central Texas
For 30 years, Southern Shutters has been outfitting Central Texas homes with custom shutters.
Starting with two employees in 1993, the company now has about 30 employees and is planning to break ground on a new factory in 2023.
February: Turquoise Peacock Boutique specializes in women’s fashion, nears fifth anniversary
When Angela Huling established the Turquoise Peacock Boutique in March 2018, the then home-based business was the realization of Huling’s dreams.
“[It] had been a dream of mine for a long time,” she said. “I became a single mom, and I needed another job, and it was just something that I wanted to do, so I just went for it.”
Though Turquoise Peacock specializes in clothing, shoes and accessories for women of all ages, Huling said the shop’s target demographic is mothers. The boutique offers comfortable and casual clothes for moms on the go.
March: Southern Sugar and Brow pampers guests with skin care, hair removal services in Leander
After being exposed to sugaring hair removal in California, twin sisters Lee Anne Fry and Holly Middour wanted to bring those services to Central Texas, establishing Southern Sugar and Brow in August 2019.
Sugaring is a gentler hair removal form of waxing. Sugar wax is made of sugar, water and lemon juice, and it has longer-lasting, smoother effects, Fry and Middour said.
The studio also offers a variety of relaxing beauty services, such as facials, Botox and fillers, airbrush tanning, permanent makeup, lash and brow services, teeth whitening, tiny tattoos, and energy healing.
March: Anthogs Productions provides platform for others to spread happiness through art
Founded by father and son Alex and Tristan DeLeon in October, Anthogs Productions is an online art gallery that allows people from all backgrounds to showcase their work and talents.
Anthogs gives people from all over the country an opportunity to showcase or sell their artwork exhibits through an annual membership. The platform allows all types of art, including poetry, paintings, sculptures, handcrafts, music and more.
Members can have unlimited exhibits showcasing up to three pieces at a time, and if they are selling their work, they keep 90% of the profit, Alex DeLeon said.
April: Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co. continues to bring Cedar Park, Leander community together
During a fateful family road trip in 2014, Chad Misner and Jon Lamb found they shared an entrepreneurial spirit and a love for craft beer and specialty coffee.
Combining Misner’s experience teaching high school business classes and Lamb’s experience managing a coffee roaster, the two joined together to open Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co. in Cedar Park in March 2015. The business added a Leander location in June 2021.
Although Red Horn’s beers and coffee roasts can now be found in H-E-Bs and other local retailers throughout the Austin area, the team plans to add to its retail footprint with more locations, Misner said.
May: The Lounge Barber continues location's legacy of specializing in men's hair services
After undergoing two separate periods of rebranding and a change in ownership in the past seven years, a local Leander barber shop officially began operating as The Lounge Barber in January 2022.
April Brothers and Wisam Kobaissi took over the business and changed the name after previous owner Gus Gordon retired. Before, the barbershop was called Cappelliera’s Barber Salon.
At The Lounge Barber, customers can receive a range of services, including haircuts; straight-razor shaves; kids cuts; hair coloring; beard trims; waxing; facials; and highlights, coloring and deep conditioning for women.
May: Liberty Hill-based Fletcher's Florals curates custom flower arrangements
Located off Hwy. 29, Fletcher’s Florals specializes in fresh, custom-made flower arrangements for special occasions, events and holidays. Customers can get bouquets with their choice of flowers, colors, sizes and shapes as well as cards, party favors and decor.
Owner Shauna Wardlaw established Fletcher’s Florals in August 2021 after initially operating the business out of her home.
July: Cedar Park small business provides high-tech home solutions
Since October 2013, Mero Concepts has provided home automation technology solutions to the Greater Austin area from surveillance cameras and voice-automated lights, speakers and temperature controls to complete media room or outdoor entertainment retrofitting.
The company works with clients from the design consultation to delivering the end product, offering remote repair work, 24/7 support coverage and other service plans to ensure all of the systems are up to date and running smoothly.
August: Agave Veterinary Care & Exotic Animal Hospital makes debut in Leander
Animals from dogs to bearded dragons to hedgehogs can receive specialized medical treatment at Agave Veterinary Care & Exotic Animal Hospital in Leander.
“Myself and my staff are extremely experienced,” owner Sarah Miller said. “I’ve seen a lot of cases; I have a lot of knowledge. When you come in and work with me, you get the benefit of all those years of experience.”
September: Leander-based Stock Tank Love provides relief from hot summer days
Farmers have long known the summer salve of turning their livestock feeding tanks into swimming holes, and now the average Texas resident can too.
Stock Tank Love is an online pool vendor headquartered in Leander that sells and installs metal and poly plastic stock tanks for backyard swimming.
October: Leander clothing line repurposes old military uniforms to benefit veterans
Civvies is an online clothing brand that salvages fabric from U.S. military uniforms to create T-shirts and accessories for everyday wear.
Ten percent of all sales are donated to national veterans organizations, such as Freedom Jam USA, a charitable country concert series, or Oath of Action, a natural disaster relief organization.
November: Blinded by the Light brings hand-selected home decor to Liberty Hill
Blinded by the Light sells hand-selected home decor, furniture, artwork and window coverings that can't be found at big-box retailers.
Before owner Debra Lohman opened the store in 2020, she worked with home goods manufacturers who sold to stores such as Target.
"I've always had an eye for design. ... My dream has always been to be an interior designer, and finally I just decided it was time to pursue that," Lohman said.
