GEO-2014-01-13-tIke and Jennifer Thorpe have focused on upgrades and variety since taking over Galaxy Bakery in 2013.

The couple has more than doubled the shops cupcake options and is also attempting to make the business known for more than just desserts.

Theres so much competition in cupcakes, Ike said. We dont want to just be known as the cupcake place.

After more than doubling the number of cupcake flavors offered in 2013, Ike said he and his wife plan to continue to reinvent the bakery with a new logo and website in 2014. They also plan to start using more organic ingredients in their cupcakes, pies and breakfast items, including scones.

Cupcakes are just one of the desserts we have, Ike said. We have the best scones this side of Mississippi.

107 E. Seventh St., 512-868-0996, www.galaxybakery.com

Zounds Hearing


When Paul Dicks opened a Zounds Hearing franchise in April, he said he did not expect referrals to become a major source of his customer base.

Dicks estimates about 30 percent of his customers are referrals from other customers, though he was told not to expect more than 10 percent referral traffic, and not to expect it before being in business a year.

Its been tremendous. Way above what I planned, Dicks said.

Dicks started hosting dine-and-learn events for the public by invitation in 2013 and said he hopes to host more events in 2014 to educate participants on the causes and effects of hearing loss.

The factory-direct hearing aid center offers customers devices made in Phoenix. Dicks said being a factory-direct center helps keep the cost of the aids affordable.

Business has been so well, Dicks said he is considering opening locations in Bee Caves and Austin.

105 Wildwood Drive, Ste. 212, 512-863-4333, www.zoundshearing.com

Cedar Breaks Centre


The 9,200-square-foot Cedar Breaks Centre, a retail/medical building at 4506 Williams Drive in front of the nearby H-E-B, will feature a Castle Dental office, set to open in mid-January, and a Great Clips salon, expected to open in February, Barry Hayden of Durhman & Bassett Realty Group Inc. said.

A third businesses is expected to be announced in early February, he said.

4506 Williams Drive, 512-833-6444, www.dbrealty.net

San Gabriel Court


San Gabriel Court, named for the former San Gabriel Motor Court motel, is located in front of Two Rivers Apartments and features about 7,500 square feet of office, retail and restaurant space.

The first tenants are expected to move into the space in February and will include a furniture store and art gallery, said Janelle Braun with the sites developer, Larry Peel & Co.

The site will have several buildings including a 2,300-square-foot building situated parallel to the San Gabriel River envisioned by developers as potential restaurant space, she said.

Braun said the site will also feature posts made from local cedar and barrel tile to mirror the old motel.

We have received significant interest since going vertical, and we are very excited to be part of this developing area of Georgetown, she said.

103 N. Austin Ave., 512-327-3333, www.tworiversgt.com/retail