Grocery News

Trader Joe's opens first location in Austin suburb Bee Cave

Trader Joe's is a snack master.

Folks in Bee Cave should get ready for a lot of puns. Trader Joe's opened its first location in the Austin suburb at 12812 Shops Parkway, Ste. 300, on October 29.

The new location is not to be confused with the Rollingwood store (named after the tiny city it technically resides in) at 2805 Bee Cave Rd.

The Bee Cave store is located at the Shops at the Galleria; it's next to PetSmart and a few smaller businesses, and it's not the only grocery store in the development. Shoppers can also find H-E-B, Whole Foods Market, and Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods within a radius of three quarters of a mile.

It is, however, rare for suburban Austinites to shop at Trader Joe's, since all three existing stores in the metro are located within city limits.

Trader Joe's is widely known for its friendly branding, including a lot of playful names for proprietary products. But it's the grocery chain's freezer and refrigerator meals, unique snacks, and relatively low prices that inspire fervent shopper loyalty.

Ramsey Solutions ranked Trader Joe's as the 5th least expensive grocery store in 2025 thanks to its reliance on store brands — but that does mean shoppers can't be too picky about what goes in their carts. H-E-B was ninth on the list.

The store will also donate all of its unsold products to local nonprofits and other community organizations through its Neighborhood Shares Program.

Trader Joe's also announced October 29 that it plans to open a store in San Antonio at 1745 1-10 W. There is currently no opening date listed. San Antonio has three existing locations.

The Bee Cave Trader Joe's is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm.

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GAME ON

Beer, food, and fun garden Bouldin Acres expands to far South Austin

Photo courtesy of Bouldin Acres

Bouldin Acres South Austin opened its doors in time for the holidays

Bouldin Acres officially opened its third Austin location on December 6, taking over the former Lustre Pearl South space at 10400 Menchaca Rd. and adding another anchor to the growing entertainment district along far South Menchaca.

The new outpost brings the same family-friendly food-and-fun formula found at the brand’s South Lamar and Braker Lane locations. The Menchaca venue features two bars, an outdoor pickleball court, two outdoor shuffleboard courts, an indoor pool table, and arcade games, along with plenty of indoor-outdoor seating.

Bouldin Acres South Austin Bouldin Acres adds plenty of screens and a bingo night for football Photo courtesy of Bouldin Acres

Friends Matt Carter and Matt Davis opened the first Bouldin Acres on South Lamar in early 2020 just ahead of the pandemic, when the team transformed a former auto sales lot into an expansive indoor-outdoor bar and gathering space. The space takes its name from the nearby Bouldin Creek neighborhood. The Menchaca opening reflects how the concept has grown since then, joining nearby destinations like Moontower Saloon and Armadillo Den as part of far South Austin’s evolving entertainment corridor.

Like its other locations, Bouldin Acres Menchaca is designed as a casual, all-day hangout with food trucks, a full-service bar, free WiFi, and TVs for watching sporting events. CM Smokehouse, led by pitmaster Cade Mercer and an old friend at Bouldin Acres, will be on site. It will also offer to-go orders. The dog-friendly patio, lawn games, and playground make it welcoming for groups and families, with the space remaining kid-friendly until 8 pm.

Selena Silvas, the event and marketing manager for the South Austin location, says the community response has been good and growing. The Menchaca location has already hit the ground running since opening, Monday Night Football bingo, a bike night, and holiday vendor fairs on Saturday. Upcoming social events are posted on the South Austin Bouldin Acres calendar.

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