January: True Test expands wellness services in Leander community
Leander business True Test creates treatment plans for a variety of health and wellness concerns, including helping individuals in need of hormone replacement and weight loss management.
Co-owner Tyler Parsons founded True Test with three partners in 2021 with the vision to open multiple locations across the country. Parsons and his wife, Cara Parsons, opened the Leander clinic after she experienced benefits from hormone therapy firsthand.
“I remember going to Tyler one day and I said, ‘We are doing this. We have to start opening clinics,’” Cara Parsons said. “It improved my life in literally every facet and I wanted to do this for other people.”
True Test offers hormone therapy, which is paid for in a monthly membership format. It also offers peptides and weight loss services that are paid for a la carte. The business offers free consultations, which begin with blood work before discussing a treatment plan.
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Since 2019, Children’s Lighthouse of Cedar Park-Brushy Creek has provided hands-on, play-based learning opportunities for children ages six weeks to 12 years old.
The private day care center and preschool has implemented new forms of technology to aid students’ learning and enhance safety over the last year.
At the end of last year, Children’s Lighthouse began partnering with PBS Kids to provide iPads for children to play games on for limited time periods, owner Noor Attia said. Students in the after-school program, known as xSTREAM Quest, can play games through a new interactive TV board.
The day care installed a security system that uses artificial intelligence to detect and notify authorities of a potential threat.
Additionally, Children’s Lighthouse offers parents access to a livestream video of their children’s classroom. The system provides a sense of security to parents who are new to sending their children to day care, Attia said.
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March: NextGen Academy uses esports, artificial intelligence to provide accelerated learning opportunities
New private school NextGen Academy is aiming to accelerate students’ academic growth by motivating them through playing esports.
In August, the esports academy by Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price opened to four fifth- through eighth-grade students in Northwest Austin. Students complete their academic instruction using an artificial intelligence platform, known as 2 Hour Learning, and learn life skills by competing in esports and developing video games.
“Our goal here at this school is that kids that are not typically motivated by the traditional school system absolutely love walking into these doors every day, so that they're crushing it academically, because they've got the coolest environment to work hard,” said Beau Sydes, head of school for NextGen Academy.
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April: Bricks & Minifigs helps LEGO fans find their missing piece
Since the company was founded in Denmark in 1958, LEGO has attracted a loyal and passionate fanbase, thanks to its blend of imagination, education and boundless play. Bricks & Minifigs, a retailer of new and used LEGO sets located in the Homestead Shopping Center in far Northwest Austin, is helping connect a community of builders of all ages in the Austin area.
Customers can purchase either new or used LEGO sets, and the store features many vintage sets that have gone out of circulation.
Patrons can also sell their unwanted kits, and Friedman said the store pays extra for sets that are traded in fully-built, so his team can confirm all necessary pieces are included. Customers can then purchase the sets pre-built or have a staff member disassemble them.
The shop also offers a large bin of loose bricks, so builders can locate that elusive missing piece to complete their masterwork.
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Since September 2023, Petbar in Cedar Park has shaped a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for pet owners to find washing and grooming services all under one roof. Owned by Garrett Dewan, the business has grown to serve 250 monthly members.
The business offers services for pets of all sizes ranging from small to huge. Services include full-service washes, self-service washes and grooming.
The full service bath and brush includes a bath, drying, blow out, ear cleaning, nail trim and a light brush out. Owners can purchase add-ons to their service such as teeth brushing, oatmeal baths, blueberry facials, usage of high quality shampoos and paw and elbow balm.
In addition to one-time payments, pet owners can purchase monthly memberships to get services at a more affordable price if they plan to visit at least once a month.
The location also hosts an affordable vaccination clinic in collaboration with Pop Up Pet Vax once a month to provide low cost resources to the Cedar Park community. The events typically feature vaccinations, microchips and preventatives.
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June: Mobility City improves customers' quality of life, one product at a time
After searching for a business venture which would provide paths to helping others, Ginger and Gary Kral decided to become franchisees with Mobility City and open the Central Texas location in April 2022.
The couple was searching for a way to work for themselves during the height of the coronavirus pandemic but prioritized finding a business that gave them the opportunity to help others.
With personal experience as a customer in the mobility product realm, the duo found the perfect opportunity to own their own business while working in a space they connected with.
“We just saw what a need there was and it just seemed like that’s what we were supposed to do,” Ginger Kral said.
Customers can find mobility accessories, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, power chairs, lift chairs, hospital beds, rollators, walkers, canes, bath safety, stair lifts, vehicle lifts and mobility ramps.
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With 20 years of experience in the beer industry, Scott Smith decided to put his knowledge into practice by opening a bottle shop in Cedar Park. Since its opening in 2019, the business has become a hotspot for locals to expand their palettes while connecting with likeminded peers.
As customers walk into the space they will be met with eight pinball machines, a lounging area with a dart board, a foosball table and more than 175 varieties of single beers available to be consumed at the shop.
In addition to single beers, the shop offers ready-to-go packs, which customers can also customize.
Whether you’re interested in IPAs, pilsners, sours or something different, Smith said the business has something for everyone. The shop showcases 20 to 25 new beers each week, he said.
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August: Ranch Road Jewelry offers watch repair, engagement rings and more in Cedar Park
Ranch Road Jewelry owner George Poe opened the store in 2021, offering custom jewelry, engagement rings, watch repairs, appraisals and more.
Poe has been in the jewelry business for over 50 years. As a long-time entrepreneur, Poe said he began his career as a pawn shop owner in Pasadena, but later transitioned into owning a jewelry business.
Ranch Road Jewelry serves over 50 clients daily, according to Poe, with nearly 10 different services, from high end watch repair, traditional retail, pearl stringing, purchasing gold and more. The retail selection includes a range of natural diamonds, lab diamonds, wedding sets, earrings, necklaces, estate jewelry and watches. According to Poe, his favorite item to sell is a wedding ring.
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Kristen Fitzpatrick opened Amour Bridal in 2015 to serve the Austin metro and create memorable shopping experiences where brides could feel beautiful and comfortable. Ten years later, she still has her finger on the pulse of trends and customer service in Cedar Park.
The bridal store carries dresses from nine different designers including Justin Alexander, Lillian West and Sophia Tolli. Amour Bridal currently houses around 250 wedding dresses, including ceremony, reception and elopement options. Prices range from $199 for a discounted dress from the rack to $2,500 for special order dresses.
In addition to bridal options, the boutique has tux rentals, bridesmaid dress options, flower girl dresses and accessories.
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November: M.A. Dance Project brings the art of dance to Cedar Park
Marianne Hakanson has been dancing since she was three years old, with an interest in modern and contemporary styles. She has danced for most of her life, with the goal of telling stories through movement. Hakanson moved to Austin in the late 90’s and taught in Westlake before deciding to open her own brick and mortar studio. More than 20 years later, M.A. Dance Project is bringing storytelling and the art of dance to Cedar Park residents.
“After 22 years, I've seen so much growth in this community,” Hakanson said. “But we are still bringing the love of dance. I couldn't ask for anything more.”
Students can enroll in classes online. The studio offers evening and morning classes, which are available for drop-in or on a monthly payment schedule.
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The Austin Steam Train Association serves as a source of peace for riders to detach from ever-changing technology, one that executive director Alyssa Lopez hopes riders can find comfort and nostalgia in.
Austin Steam Train Association is a nonprofit railroad in Cedar Park with eight passenger cars, seven full-time staffers and a team of 100 annual volunteers that help restore, preserve and operate the vintage trains.
ASTA has a variety of routes year-round with seasonal themes that have become time-honored traditions. Set routes include the Hill Country Flyer with a layover in Burnet, Bertram Flyer with a layover in Bertram and the North Pole Flyer, which is the biggest event of the year.
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