Highland Lakes & Hill Country Business Roundup: April 2026

It is an exciting time for commercial growth across the region! From highly anticipated retail centers to beloved local brands, here is your guide to the openings, relocations, and upcoming projects spotted in April 2026.

🎉 New Openings & Ribbon Cuttings

Burnet & Buchanan Dam

• Amil’s Taste of Chicago: 1000 RR 261, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609 — Authentic Chicago-style comfort food, featuring deep-dish vibes, Italian beef, and hot dogs.

• Excalibur Self Storage: 2350 S. Water St, Burnet, TX 78611 — A premium, secure self-storage facility offering climate-controlled units. Celebrated with a ribbon cutting on April 29

• Burnet Farmers' & Craft Market: Historic Burnet Square, 200 Main St, Burnet, TX 78611 — The local market officially kicked off its 2026 season on April 18. Local vendors will be selling seasonal produce, baked goods, and crafts every Saturday through November.
• BEDC Business Grant Program: Burnet, TX (City-Wide Program) — The Burnet EDC launched a brand-new Business Grant Program in April 2026 specifically designed to provide financial support and foster growth for existing local business owners.

Liberty Hill Area (Online/Cottage Industry & Surrounding)

• Cowboy Crumbs Cookies: Liberty Hill, TX (Online/Cottage Bakery) — Handcrafted, oversized gourmet cookies.
• Peak Play Bins: Liberty Hill, TX (Online/Local Delivery) — Custom sensory play kits for children.
• DELLO Pet Bakery: Liberty Hill, TX (Online/Local Delivery) — All-natural, small-batch treats and custom cakes for pets.
• PopStroke: 817 C-Bar Ranch Trl, Cedar Park, TX 78613 — Tiger Woods’ highly anticipated 13,000-square-foot mini-golf and entertainment venue is open for play!

• Toll Brothers at Santa Rita Ranch: 131 Modello Way, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 — The luxury homebuilder officially unveiled its brand-new model homes in the Eldorado village this spring. The new collections (Maravilla, Sierra, and Tesoro) expand the community's upscale living options.

Llano

• Stone & Story Design Co.: 804 Berry St, Llano, TX 78643 — A boutique interior design firm and curated home decor showroom. Grand opening set for May 1. On Facebook.

Marble Falls

• Arthouse: 218 Main St, Marble Falls, TX 78654 — A new cultural destination "where art, architecture, and community come together." Debuted April 25.

• Savory Alaska Seafood Market: 1008 US-281, Marble Falls, TX 78654 — Providing wild-caught, sustainable Alaskan seafood directly to Hill Country residents.

🚧 Coming Soon

Burnet

• HTeaO: 1450 S. Water St, Burnet, TX 78611 — The popular iced tea franchise is officially coming to Burnet. The Burnet EDC finalized an agreement to redevelop the town's former Burger King property.
• Sunset Ridge Apartments: 310 E. Third St, Burnet, TX 78611 — A 36-unit affordable housing complex to help remedy local workforce housing shortages, slated for a late 2027 completion.
• Office/Retail Space: CR 108 & N. Water St, Burnet, TX 78611 — The developers initially requested "C-2" (Medium Commercial) zoning to build a traditional convenience store and gas station. However, residents were concerned about traffic and its proximity to Burnet High School. The council denied the C-2 request and instead approved "C-1" (Light Commercial) zoning.This legally bars fuel sales and restricts the 5.8-acre property to basic neighborhood retail or office space.
• TownePlace Suites by Marriott: 1750 Cary Johnson Pkwy, Burnet, TX 78611 — The BEDC officially announced late this April that this 93-room extended-stay Marriott property is confirmed and currently on track to open its doors by Summer 2026.

Lampasas

• M&M Butcher Block Steakhouse: 502 S. Key Ave, Lampasas, TX 76550 — M & M Butcher Block and Deer Processing is taking over the former Eva’s location and changing it into a steakhouse.
• The Retreat on the Creek: Pecan St, Lampasas, TX 76550 — Multi-use wellness space, event venue, and Clean Eats cafe. The business held its groundbreaking in January 2026, with the fitness center scheduled to open in the summer of 2026 and healthy meal services planned for a later phase.

Liberty Hill & Surrounding Area

• Denny’s & Q-Mart: Hwy 29 & 183, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 — Major travel stop and 24-hour diner.
• La Tequila Jalisco: 13850 Hwy 29, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 — Authentic Mexican dining on the cusp of opening.
• Mackey’s Pizza: 719 Hwy 183, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 — Traditional pizza in the former Angela Ronzoni’s. Expected to open this summer.
• Marisol’s Mexican Restaurant: 15240 Hwy 29, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 — Family-owned eatery is moving into the former Bella Sera space.
• Target: Hwy 29 & Ronald Reagan Blvd, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 — New 148,000 sq. ft. retail anchor. It opening has moved to Fall 2026 due to supply chain issues.
• Other Pipeline Projects: Various Locations, Liberty Hill, TX — Bojangles, Hopdoddy, Popeyes, Sai Gon Cafe, Sai House of Desi, Scribble Land Studio, and T Liquor are all moving forward.

Marble Falls

• Shops at Flatrock Crossing: US-281 & FM 2147, Marble Falls, TX 78654 — Massive 350,000 sq. ft. retail center. Developers and the Planning & Zoning Commission re-approved plats on April 23, officially pushing the grand opening to Fall 2027 due to necessary infrastructure and environmental updates.
• The Ophelia Hotel: Main & Yett St, Marble Falls, TX 78654 — 127-room boutique hotel and conference center.
• Falls Creek Park Expansion: 900 Yett St, Marble Falls, TX 78654 — Parking and infrastructure expansion to support downtown growth.

🚚 Relocations & Ownership Changes

• Bluebonnet Veterinary Clinic (Burnet): 101 N. Hill St, Burnet, TX 78611 — Still locally owned, but former owner, Dr. DeFily, has retired.
• Burnet Auto Glass (Burnet): 700 S. Water St, Burnet, TX 78611 — Now operating as Safelite.
• Sonic (Burnet): 901 S. Water St, Burnet, TX 78611 — Moving to the former Captain D’s on Hwy, 281.
• Time Out Sports Bar (Liberty Hill): Liberty Hill, TX (TBD) — Currently relocating; check social media for the new address.

👋 Gone or Going

• Llames Candies (Austin) — Closing after years of sweet service.
• Bella Sera (Liberty Hill) — Closed to make way for Marisol’s Mexican Restaurant. The location in Marble Falls is still operating.
• Collier’s Sand Mining Operation (Llano) — Leaving the local operation after contract non-renewal.