Photos by Joe Lanane[/caption] Build it, and they will come—or so hopes Luis Castillo, owner of Plaza Guadalupe in Leander. The former IBM engineer stretched his money to construct the Sonny Drive retail center, which opened in 2009 after four years of construction. Castillo and his wife, Betty, operate the center's primary shop, La Canasta Market, a meat market and taqueria. Despite some difficult years in business, the couple has reason for optimism following the revival of Magnolia Creek, an incomplete subdivision in the heart of Leander that has failed to expand since the developer went bankrupt. Fortunately for Castillo, the project has since been revitalized. Leander City Council approved a revised development agreement Aug. 15 with residential builder D.R. Horton to finish construction on the subdivision. The completed neighborhood will bring in more potential customers for La Canasta, Castillo said, and result in increased exposure for the entire plaza. Even better, he said, the new developers intend on building a bridge that will connect the two portions of Sonny Drive—thus connecting Plaza Guadalupe to Bagdad Road and the rest of western Leander. The connection should be complete by the end of 2014, according to Tom Yantis, Leander director of development services. "Sales are already up this summer because many D.R. Horton workers are coming in," Castillo said, referring to a recent spike in business as construction crews discover La Canasta. He has responded by providing daily lunch specials. Castillo, a Leander resident since 1998, also anticipates an infusion in customers from Connelly's Crossing, a 51.89-acre mixed-use residential development located on Bagdad Road behind the Leander Public Library. The project's first phase, an apartment complex, is under construction and expected to begin welcoming new residents in early 2014. Castillo said customers new and old alike are drawn by the authentic food available at La Canasta. The traditional Mexican offerings are often difficult to find in Central Texas, he said. "Most customers are trying to find something they found near the [U.S.-Mexican] border or while staying in Mexico," Castillo said. He said customer demand will ultimately warrant what products to sell. "The people about to come [to Leander] will only make us stronger," Castillo said.