hello to haraz

Yemeni coffee chain opens new location across from UT Austin campus

Haraz incorporates Mediterranean flavors, like in this saffron latte.

Haraz Coffee House, a United States franchise specializing in coffee from Yemen, has opened its first location in Austin proper at 500 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The new location is just across the street from the University of Texas at Austin campus.

Austinites may already have tried Haraz in Pflugerville, but this is the first location with an Austin address. It started its soft opening phase April 28, according to an Instagram post. Usually a soft opening means that the business is up and running in a limited capacity, or things are subject to change as staff find their footing.

Although Yemen is not a leading producer of coffee, its contributions to coffee are some of the oldest in the world. For Haraz founder Hamzah Nasser, serving Yemeni coffee is about culture and heritage.

The Austin menu according to online ordering platform Toast includes traditional Yemeni coffees with cream, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon in different combinations; standard coffee shop offerings like lattes, cappuccino, espresso, and frappes; and coffee brewed in the traditional Turkish and Saudi styles. The pistachio latte is one of the brand's signature drinks.

There are also some non-coffee "refreshers" made with fruit, dessert pastries, and bags of coffee to brew at home.

Haraz Coffee House's Austin hours, according to Google Maps, are

Sundays through Thursdays from 8 am to 10 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 11 pm.

coffee openings

OPENING ALERT

Topgolf tees up first New Braunfels location for December opening

Topgolf/Facebook

Topgolf will make its New Braunfels debut on December 5.

Rapidly growing New Braunfels is taking another big swing. Topgolf will open its newest golf venue at 427 Creekside Way on December 5, adding to a growing list of national chains settling in the once-sleepy Hill Country town.

The two-level complex marks a milestone 100th U.S. opening for the brand and the 112th worldwide. The 38,000 square foot location is a bit smaller than its big city counterparts, but will still offer the chain's signature blend of sports and entertainment.

The centerpiece is 62 outdoor, climate-controlled hitting bays across two levels. Golfers of all skill levels can play virtual courses or interactive games that test their swing or aim. To amp up the competitive spirit, each bay is outfitted with Toptracer technology, which traces each golf ball's flight path, distance, and other metrics guests can lord over their friends.

Less accomplished linksters can join Topgolf's exclusive golf club, The Sure Thing. The company says the program "is designed to make golf less hard for beginners or those whose game just isn't that great."

Those who don't know the difference between a birdie and an eagle can trash-talk their friends from lounge seating or high-tops scattered across the bays. Topgolf also offers a full-service bar and restaurant, fire pit areas, a nine-hole mini golf course, and 40 HDTVs — although the latter are more likely to be tuned into the latest Spurs game than a Vanderpump Rules reunion.

"Opening our 100th U.S. venue in New Braunfels is more than a milestone; it's a celebration of the fun, energy, and innovation that makes Topgolf unlike any other entertainment experience out there," boasted Erin Chamberlin, Topgolf Chief Operating Officer and Interim President, in a release.

The new Topgolf facility will be a centerpiece of the massive The Town Center at Creekside development, which will also bring a new outpost of budget-minded gym Eōs Fitness, Texas Roadhouse, Jeremiah's Ice, and a Chick-fil-A drive-thru.

"The grand opening of Topgolf is a significant milestone that we have eagerly anticipated for many years," said Austin Alvis, President & Chief Development Officer of developer NewQuest. "With this addition, Creekside's development is reaching its final development stages, and we are confident that it will greatly benefit our community for years to come."

Topgolf New Braunfels will be open from 9 am to midnight Sundays through Fridays, and 9 am to 1 am Saturdays. From December 5–19, any player who books and completes a one- or two-bay reservation will be automatically entered to win one year of free game play.

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