Longtime Buda resident Tim Dowling is leading the development of The Roundabout in Buda, a project created in partnership with the Buda Economic Development Corporation and city officials. The mixed-use center will feature a variety of locally owned restaurants, retail shops and community spaces—with room still available for more businesses to join in.
The overview
The Roundabout will bring approximately 65,000 square feet of retail space to an area of Buda that is currently underserved by commercial options. According to Dowling, the development sits along a roadway traveled by roughly 19,500 vehicles each day, making it a strategic location for local growth and visibility.
Dowling noted there’s still leasing space available, especially for medical providers. He’s actively seeking primary care practices, such as family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics, along with dental offices, specialty clinics and med spa services.
In addition to health care, Dowling is also looking to attract more retail businesses, including boutiques, specialty and textile shops, bookstores, along with fitness or wellness studios. Professional service offices are also welcomed. More information on target tenants is available here.
More details
Several locally owned businesses have already signed on to be part of The Roundabout in Buda, each bringing its own flavor and story to the community hub.
La Ola Pop Shop, a family-owned business based in Kyle, will open its first expansion at The Roundabout. Known for its handmade Mexican paletas and heladeros, the shop began in 2017 when the family started crafting frozen treats out of their garage, according to the La Ola Pop Shop website.
Gracie Humaita Buda will offer residents a place to practice Brazilian jiujitsu, continuing the martial arts school’s mission of discipline, fitness and community.
A number of dining options are also on the way. M. McCall’s Pub, operated by the team behind Kelly’s Irish Pub in South Austin, will serve authentic Irish cuisine. The concept was announced in a Facebook post from Dowling, who described the pub as a cozy, welcoming spot inspired by traditional Irish fare.
Amici Cucina Italiana is another restaurant expanding into The Roundabout. A third-generation, family-run business with recipes originating from Little Italy, Amici is making a return to Buda. The restaurant previously operated a food truck in the area before relocating to South Austin, according to past Community Impact reporting.
Also joining the lineup is Mercantile at Home, an offshoot of The Mercantile at Mill + Grain. The new location will offer curated home goods, artwork, furniture and decor, blending style and function with a locally rooted touch.
Digging deeper
The Roundabout is more than a retail development—it’s a place for connection. The project will include 1.2 miles of walking trails that will eventually be donated to the city, along with pickleball and volleyball courts, playgrounds for children, and patios designed to invite visitors to stay and socialize, according to Dowling and the Roundabout’s website.
In Dowling’s view, The Roundabout offers a space where residents can enjoy everything they love about Buda, right in their own neighborhood.
The Roundabout is backed by city collaboration and an incentive package to help bring the vision to life, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The Buda EDC has worked closely with Dowling throughout the project to ensure it aligns with what the community wants and needs.
“We then met with the City Council, and everybody has been 100% on board—this is what we need for the community,” developer Tim Dowling said. “Focus on continuing to do the right thing, and that's the absolute goal.”
“It’s been a really easy sell because it checks so many boxes for us,” Buda EDC CEO Jennifer Storm said.
The incentives are not unusual for Buda’s EDC. Each year, the EDC offers incentives to both small businesses and larger developments. More information on those programs is available on the Buda EDC website.
The development’s location is also near Persimmon, a new master-planned community that will feature 2,100 newly constructed homes, according to previous Community Impact reporting, signaling more growth and opportunity for Buda’s future.
The project hopes to break ground later this year.
