Sushi, thrifting and romance books: 8 business updates in North Central Austin

The family-owned Japanese restaurant provides an all-you-can-eat dining experiencing, featuring more than 40 signature sushi rolls and fresh-cut sashimi. Handcrafted cocktails as well as hot and cold sakes are available.

• Opened Feb. 11
• 7020 Easy Wind Drive, Ste. 100, Austin
• www.hanamiatx.com

The romance-only bookstore is a LGBTQ, woman-owned business that celebrates all kinds of love stories and champions inclusivity, owner Cameron Lagrone said. Readers can participate in monthly book clubs.

• Opened in December
• 3823 Airport Blvd., Ste. D, Austin
• www.finneysbooks.com

The restaurant serves Vietnamese noodle soups, sides such as beef ribs and crab balls, Chinese donuts and Vietnamese milk coffee.

• Opened in December
• 10901 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. A101, Austin
• 512-745-4690

Texas French Bread

The Austin bakery is opening a new storefront at its original location, which closed following a fire in 2022. The bakery serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches as well as assortments of fresh bread, sweets and pastries.

• Opening in April
• 2900 Rio Grande Blvd., Austin
• www.texasfrenchbread.com

Ruiz Salon

The local hair salon is relocating from its Lamar Boulevard and Fifth Street location to the Hyde Park area. The luxury salon uses Aveda products and offers cuts and coloring services along with texture and deep conditioning treatments. The business is currently operating out of its Seaholm salon in Downtown Austin.

• Relocating this spring
• 4301 Guadalupe St., Austin
• www.ruizsalon.com

H-E-B Hancock Center

The Hancock Center grocery store in North Central Austin has been renovated and expanded to include more offerings for customers. The 125,000-square foot store now includes a 31,000-square feet addition, featuring a True Texas BBQ restaurant, larger Meal Simple section with more grab-and-go offerings, and expanded Sushiya sushi station.

• Reopened Feb. 20
• 1000 E. 41st St., Austin
• www.heb.com

Mandola’s Italian Kitchen

The locally owned restaurant from Damian and Trina Mandola first opened 20 years ago, in North Austin's The Triangle in 2006. Since then, it has expanded to three additional Austin-area locations and can be found in Florida.

• 4700 W. Guadalupe St., Ste. 12, Austin
• www.mandolas.com