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Check out these six Austin-area stories trending July 6-9.
1. Luxury Italian apparel brand to open first Texas outlet location in San Marcos
A luxury apparel brand founded in Solomeo, Italy, in 1978, will open a location in the San Marcos Premium Outlets this summer.
Brunello Cucinelli, a retailer offering “Made in Italy” products, is set to open in the outlet mall this July, adding to the existing luxury retail store options, according to a San Marcos Premium Outlets news release.
Read the story by Reporter Michael Milliorn.
2. 35 sheltered, 334 tons of debris cleared in first month of Austin's renewed homeless encampment response
City crews conducted hundreds of site visits, cleared hundreds of thousands of pounds of debris and moved dozens of people into shelter over the first month of Austin's ramped-up homeless encampment management.
Earlier in the spring, Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations announced an expanded model for addressing the scores of known encampments in public places around the city.
Find out more from Reporter Ben Thompson.
3. ‘Years in the making’: 150-acre Zipp Family Sports Park opens in New Braunfels
After 20 years of planning and three years of construction, Zipp Family Sports Park is ready for some action.
The Zipp Family Sports Park can accommodate youth, recreational, competitive and tournament play across multiple sports. New Braunfels City Manager Robert Camareno said the park gives them the ability to hold regional and statewide tournaments while increasing visitor spending, benefiting local hotels, restaurants and businesses.
Check out the story by Reporter Amira Van Leeuwen.
4. Frozen Flamingo announces 2026 will be its final summer
Faith Thomas, the owner of Frozen Flamingo in Georgetown, announced that the cold treat shop located off Williams Drive is for sale.
The business is operating on the assumption that this will be its final summer, and is planning to permanently close Sept. 30.
Get the full story from Editor Claire Shoop.
5. $1.2M retail center planned along SH 71 in Cedar Creek
A convenience center is expected to begin taking shape this fall in Cedar Creek, across from Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Company.
Filed with the state as the Hwy 71 Retail Center, the project is tied to a 6.59-acre parcel, according to Bastrop County Appraisal District records.
Learn more from Editor Amanda Cutshall.
6. Lagoon-anchored Leander Springs development advances to Leander City Council
For the second time in just over a month, the Leander Planning and Zoning Commission voted to amend the Leander Springs planned unit development, voting 5-1 on June 25 to allow the project to move forward with fewer apartments and changes to the project's phasing.
“We believe that this will compete with the Kalahris of the world, that it will be a destination and the economic impact for the city is tremendous,” former Leander Mayor Troy Hill said.
