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Photo by Renee Dominguez

When it comes to expanding the influence of coffee connoisseurs in Austin, there's room for everyone on the East Side.

One East Austin coffee shop just changed hands for a fancy rebrand, and another recently expanded out of the area into Buda. Cosmic Coffee, a South Austin staple, blew everyone out of the water with a gorgeous, sprawling industrial complex on East 4th Street, and now another neighboring coffee and beer combo is following suit.

Radio/East, a second location spun off from the original music-loving Radio Coffee & Beer, will open its doors at 3504 Montopolis Dr. in East Austin on Wednesday, October 18.

The new family- and dog-friendly space sprawls across two acres, which is divvied up among a 1,200-square-foot indoor coffee shop, indoor and outdoor live music stages, and a food truck park. Guests will be able to order their favorite drinks from the indoor counter, or they can choose to order from either of the two outdoor windows that open to the grand shaded backyard. And we can't forget one of the more rare features: plenty of parking for customers.

Radio's founding father-son duo Jack and Greg Wilson brought on two new partners — Trey Hudson and Nine Mile Records owner Rick Pierik — in the hopes of developing and maintaining this new spot as a community-focused space, much like the beloved original.

“With the new space, we’ve been able to create a through line to the existing concept of Radio,” said Hudson in a release. “With Radio/East we tried to listen to what the Montopolis community needed and we hope that we can be as central to this neighborhood as we have been to the area around Menchaca.”

Pierik will be the driving force behind Radio/East's musical events. Local musicians and touring bands will all get their chance to take the stage with four nights of performances planned indoors and outdoors beginning on Thursdays.

With Austin's wide-ranging music taste, Pierik will seek to reflect the city's musical diversity with every show.

"Jack Wilson and I are looking to bring together diverse programing from every corner of the music industry, booking up-and-coming national and international acts alongside all of the amazing Austin talent we've known and admired for years," said Pierik. "We're especially committed to helping local artists develop their fanbases through quality concert experiences and eclectic bills."

A list of events following Radio/East's grand opening is as follows:

  • October 19 – Sunrosa with Guma and Feeling Small
  • October 20 – Redbud with Mockjaw, Tearjerk, and Creekbed Carter Hogan
  • October 21 – Peachfuzz 10th Anniversary Party featuring The Texas Gentleman, Brown Burlesque, Lady Dan, and a to-be-announced special guest
  • October 28 – First Annual Radio/East Chili Cook Off and the Austin Flea, featuring Mother Neff, The Push & Shove, and Sour Bridges
  • October 31 – A Rocky Horror Halloween featuring A Giant Dog with Trouble in the Streets
  • November 11 – A Free Lunch Benefit featuring Caroline Rose and BRUCE
  • November 17 – Money Chicha with The Tiarras

Tickets for the upcoming shows can be purchased online beginning Friday, September 29.

In addition to keeping Radio/East music-focused, visitors can expect to see some classic beverages on the menu, with a few new twists to keep customers coming back. The new location will have two tap towers with eight craft beer taps, four rotating specialty draft cocktails, and plenty of wine to go around.

Radio/EastGet a local favorite beer on draft, or try a new specialty draft cocktail.Photo by Renee Dominguez

Bar Manager Jacob Biggie has been hard at work to develop new creative cocktails for the new location, including Phantom Mood (Still Austin Gin, hibiscus, lime, and cucumber with soda) and Sensitive Artist (Senza Maeso hybrid spirit, Aperol, St. Germain, lime juice). Guests can also try the new seasonal non-alcoholic highball, dubbed the Chai-ball.

The lineup of food vendors at the new East Austin digs include Veracruz All Natural with its binge-worthy tacos; organic pizza slices from Side Eye Slice (a sister concept to Side Eye Pie); and Radio's own food truck – Shortwave Diner – offering classic American diner fare and comfort food such as smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken and waffles, and more.

Following the grand opening at 7 am on October 18, Radio/East's operating hours will be 7 am to 1 am Monday through Saturday, and 7 am to 10 pm on Sundays.

Photo courtesy of Circle Brewing Co

One of the oldest breweries in North Austin shuts down after 15-year run

cherish the memories

The Austin beer community will surely miss this brewer. Circle Brewing Company, one of the oldest breweries in North Austin, is shutting down operations at its longtime Braker Lane location and its 23-acre property in Elgin.

Although a statement on the Circle Brewing website doesn't give a clear reason for its closing, founders Ben Sabel and Judson Mulherin alluded to ongoing financial troubles since the company's inception at the beginning of the 2008 financial crisis.

"As became a recurring motif for us, this was the first major example of our flawless business timing," the statement said. "With far too much optimism and not nearly enough money, we opened our doors with two draft beers (Blur Texas Hefe and Envy Amber) and barely a dozen draft accounts."

Sabel and Mulherin shared their story of the company's resilience despite financial setbacks, relying on the local community and other small Central Texas breweries.

"In our first two years of operation, we were so broke that we couldn't even afford to buy yeast," they wrote. "But the Austin brewing community and the real spirit of camaraderie was such that we just had to drive out to Blanco and fill up a few corny kegs from our friends at Real Ale. In the coming years, we'd come to owe countless other members of the local brewing community thanks for all the advice, friendships, and assistance."

Circle Brewing had only opened its Elgin location in May 2023, after six years of planning and three years of extended buildout due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's goal with the 23-acre property was to grow all the ingredients needed to use in their beers and develop a fully Texan-made, sustainable beer.

"Our biggest regret is not having the time to see our vision through and fulfilling the enormous potential we know would have paid off enormously," the website said. "It was so close to becoming reality. We're sorry we didn't have the time to see it to the end."

The Braker Lane location is fully closed, but Sabel and Mulherin said they are attempting to remain open at their Elgin facility for "at least another week." All of the company's remaining beer and merchandise will be sold at heavy discounts until Friday, September 22.

More information about the company shutdown can be found on circlebrewing.com.

Photo by Jane Yun

Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden plants new seeds in another Austin galaxy

groovy and boozy

Cosmic Coffee lovers who live north of the river can rejoice at not having to travel as far to get their favorite outdoorsy digs now. Cosmic Hospitality Group opened its second coffee shop and beer garden in East Austin (1300 E. 4th St.) on September 8.

The South Austin original is famous for its organic ambiance — shaded picnic tables and Adirondack chairs are dotted around the property, but the gardens and water features steal the show. There aren't many places that Austinites can work next to a waterfall, but at Cosmic, the common sight of laptops juxtapose the biodiverse pond and neighboring chicken coop.

Cosmic Saltillo is bigger and equally beautiful, with lots of industrial nooks and foliage-filled crannies. The otherworldly space looks abandoned and overgrown — in the most fanciful way — with lily pads, climbing vines, and rusty, unconventional exteriors. Plus, it wouldn't be New Austin without a bunch of graffiti murals.

Architect Clayton Korte headed the transformation of the former Historic Texaco Depot. Associate Sky Currie said in a release that the preservation of the sit allows Cosmic Saltillo to fully "embrace the spirit of East Austin."

"Our designs complement these existing structures by bringing a new harmonious ensemble of spaces and forms that will serve as an ever-changing platform for both nature and art," Currie said.

Cosmic Saltillo Austin exteriorEven though the buildings are old, the odd structures and reclaimed stylings give it a futuristic look.Photo by Jane Yun

Despite the new look, this location offers all of the signature beverages that regulars at the original South Austin cafe have come to love, such as the Cosmic Comet, Liquid Sunshine, boozy coffees, or classic cocktails. Plus, a new beverage program will offer a rotating on-tap beer selection and a wider variety of non-alcoholic beverages.

Another new feature is an all-day taqueria, Cosmic Tacos. Guests can take their pick between a Cosmic Taco, a breakfast taco, or build their own taco, torta, or greens bowl.

Cosmic Saltillo

Photo by Jane Yun

Cosmic Saltillo is the first expansion of the widely loved South Austin workspace and evening hang spot.

The new concept also continues Cosmic's legacy of sustainability through water reclamation, on-site composting, and more. The two buildings on the property were renovated using reclaimed materials, and considerable effort was made to retain the buildings' corrugated steel siding and metal roofing. A 30-foot tower that leads to a an illuminated rooftop deck is another restored central feature of the property.

Cosmic Saltillo Austin exteriorEat your hearts out, botanical gardens everywhere.Photo by Jane Yun

Cosmic was founded by Paul Oveisi and Patrick Dean in 2017 with the goal of being a sustainability-driven establishment for locals in South Austin. Their first cafe and beer garden, located at 121 Pickle Rd., became a certified wildlife habitat in 2020, and also boasts several organic food gardens on the premises.

Just like the South Austin location, Cosmic Saltillo will work towards becoming a certified wildlife habitat.

"My partners and I set out with the purpose to create an oasis from the day-to-day, and we are extremely grateful to the Austin community for embracing our first location in such a strong way and for now supporting us in the opening of Cosmic Saltillo,” said Paul Oveisi. “With this historic location, it was important to us and to the neighborhood that it would be preserved. I’m proud of our team and our partners on this project for making that happen in a really exceptional way.”

Following its opening weekend, Cosmic Saltillo will be Wednesday, September 13, with regular hours from 8 am to midnight. More information about the new location can be found on cosmichospitalitygroup.com.

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Brianna Caleri contributed to this article.

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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Opal Divine's closes last location after 23 years in Austin

divine denouement

Another Austin business is saying goodbye.

Opal Divine's announced in a social media post on Thursday, November 30, that its final location – Opal Divine's Austin Grill, located at the Best Western Hotel on the corner of South Interstate 35 and Oltorf Road – has "for all intents and purposes" ceased operations. Opal Divine's thanked the community for 23 years of patronage.

The restaurant said that a core of bar staff remains at the restaurant and is running the bar for the new tenants while they transition through a remodel. Opal Divine's did not state who is taking over the space.

The restaurant's website has also been wiped clean and features only its logo and the message, "We would like to thank Austin for 23 years of patronage. In the immortal words of Frank Zappa we say, 'Goodnight Austin, Texas wherever you are!'"

Patrons of Opal Divine's filled the announcement post's comments section with gratitude and memories.

"Sad to hear! You've been around for so long and it's been awesome," one commenter wrote. "Loved all the locations and the staff. Always made me smile and have a good time when I went to any one of them. Good luck out there!"

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Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

West Austin award winner among 10 most expensive Texas homes in November

texas' priciest purchases

Discerning Texas buyers only have one month left in the year to purchase that next dream home. Fortunately, the Lone Star State offers plenty of luxury, multi-million-dollar homes for savvy shoppers.

With that in mind, the Houston Association of Realtors has revealed the most expensive inventory (read: the 10 priciest properties) currently on the market from November onwards throughout Texas.

These posh properties range from new-build masterpieces and marvelously modern estates and astonishing abodes. Locals will want to check out the Jacobean-inspired mansion in River Oaks neighborhood and the a massive 10-acre, 40,000-square-foot retreat in Spring.

1. 319 Verna Trail N., Fort Worth
List price: $15.9 million

319 Verna Trail N., Fort Worth home for saleThe Lazy H ranch is located on 50 acres of land.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

The No. 1 most expensive home on the market in November was 319 Verna Trl. N. in western Fort Worth. Dubbed the Lazy H Ranch, this private property is located on 50 acres of sprawling land. Each of the four bedrooms in the main house have their own en-suites, with an additional two half baths elsewhere. The 6,500-square-foot main home also boasts a media room equipped with a 100-inch TV, and a state-of-the-art kitchen with Miele appliances. Outdoor features include a reverse osmosis pool, a gas fire pit, a climate-controlled patio (made possible by the home's GeoThermal system), and an infrared sauna in the pool bath.

Elsewhere on the property are two casitas, each boasting two bedrooms and two bathrooms with fenced patios and large backyards. The eight-stall stable barn contains a vet room with a commercial washer and dryer, refrigerator, office, a half bath, tack room, a separate saddle room, and two workshops. A stable caretaker's apartment is also located on the property. Additional amenities include a hay barn, equipment barn, eight pastures, and much more.

2. 862 Grape Creek Road, Fredericksburg
List price: $14.9 million

862 Grape Creek Road, Fredericksburg home for saleGrape Creek Estate is an ideal private compound for a family.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Privacy is the central idea behind Texas' second most expensive real estate listing in November. 862 Grape Creek Road in Fredericksburg contains two estate homes and a guest house across 116 acres of wooded Hill Country land.

"The property is fully fenced, gated, a paved road system connecting all improvements, under ground utilities and 3 wells with large cisterns," the listing says. "The property was designed for a family compound offering privacy between the two main homes and guest house."

3. 4625 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas
List price: $14.75 million

4625 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas home for saleThe ceilings on the first floor range from 12 to 22 feet high.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

2502 Oestrick Lane Austin home for sale

Photo courtesy of HAR.com

The tenth most expensive home listed for sale in Texas last month was 2502 Oestrick Ln. in Austin.

A modern home at 4625 Walnut Hill Ln. in Dallas is the first new construction home that made it on HAR's list of the most expensive Texas listings last month. The listing brags that the 11,858-square-foot home is "Preston Hollow modern living at its finest" while also being priced at the lowest cost-per-square-foot in Dallas.

"The house is surrounded by over 70 evergreen trees coupled with a tall aluminum fence, establishing a very private sanctuary," the listing says. "[The fence's] automatic gates open to [the] granite driveway and leads to [a] five-car garage with aluminum doors featuring epoxy floors."

The house features five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, one half bath, high ceilings throughout the first floor, an open-concept living space, wood flooring, marble accents, and more.

4. 419 Lighthouse Drive, Horseshoe Bay
List price: $14.5 million

419 Lighthouse Drive, Horseshoe Bay home for saleThere are lake views from every room at 419 Lighthouse Dr. in Horseshoe Bay.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

While modernity has been a dominant design feature between the top three most expensive homes, 419 Lighthouse Dr. in Horseshoe Bay takes a much different approach. This grandiose Spanish Colonial lake home sits on two connected lots with waterfront access to Slickrock Creek which leads into the Colorado River.

The two-story home was built in 2015 with six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and three half baths. The house's exterior is constructed from solid, hand-cut limestone blocks that creates a distinguished appearance that also exhibits a timeless luxury. A few other defining characteristics of the home include multiple antiquely-carved 17th century doors, reclaimed ceiling beams, antique French limestone floors, French oak wood floors, and more.

5. 4231 W. Lawther Drive, Dallas
List price: $13.98 million

4231 W. Lawther Drive, Dallas home for salePhoto courtesy of HAR.com

Those who enjoy the coveted White Rock Lake area of Dallas will definitely covet this home on the sought-after Lawther Drive in Lakewood. Sitting more than 3.6+ acres of prime land along White Rock Lake, this property offers an unparalleled waterfront living experience. Five bedroom suites, 5 full baths, and 3 half bath soffers ample space and privacy; a gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry and top-of-the-line Viking, Subzero, and Wolf appliances, perfect for master home chefs.

Three living areas, three suites, and a game room with a wet bar make for ideal gathering places for family, friends, and guests. Ideal for a getaway or party space, an 2,775 square-foot basement makes for even more community space. Car collectors and large groups can park it in the13-car covered parking area.

For privacy, guests can crash in the 785 square-foot full guest quarters, while a three-stall barn, pool house, an 820 square-foot workshop bring the outdoorsy lake life home. Take in the scenery at the 2735 square-foot of exterior patios and porches, which offer majestic lake views.

6. 3217 Del Monte Drive, Houston
List price: $13.5 million

3217 Del Monte Drive, Houston home for saleDespite still being under construction, 3217 Del Monte Dr. in Houston is already proving to be a beautiful masterpiece.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

This resplendent new construction home in Houston's River Oaks neighborhood was the only property in Greater Houston to make it onto HAR's list of the most expensive homes for sale in November. The home 3217 Del Monte Dr. is inspired by English Jacobean manors and was designed by local luxury home builders Fifty Seventh + 7th.

While the home isn't completely finished yet, architect Robert Dame has a grand vision for the final product, which includes a two-floor entryway, a personal library, a dining area with a show-stopping steel and glass wine room, a catering kitchen, a bar and tasting room, and much more. Once finished, the home will have six bedrooms, which includes a second-floor primary suite that opens to a terrace.

7. 4020 Glenwick Lane, University Park
List price: $13.4 million

4020 Glenwick Lane, University Park home for saleThe second floor balcony overlooks the turfed yard and pool.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

As of December 1, the luxuriously modern home at 4020 Glenwick Lane in University Park is under contract, but it was the seventh most expensive Texas real estate listing in November. The property is located on a .59 acre lot in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Dallas.

The 10,111-square-foot home features five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, two half baths, and a three-car oversized garage. Additional highlights include Italian-imported travertine tile throughout the home, Sky Frame phantom doors that connect the indoor and outdoor spaces for a perfectly seamless look, a turfed back yard, a marble waterfall wet bar, pool, fountain, and spa.

8. 2449 Mountain View Court, Cedar Hill
List price: $12.9 million

2449 Mountain View Court, Cedar Hill home for saleIt costs a pretty penny to have views like this 24/7.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

While guests may not find mountain views at 2449 Mountain View Ct. in Cedar Hill, they'll definitely be satisfied with the stunning panoramic visuals of Joe Pool Lake from the comfort of the backyard resort-style pool. This Dallas-Fort Worth paradise property boasts a 13,739-square-foot mansion on more than four acres of land.

The Mediterranean-style abode boasts eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and two half baths. Three ornate floating stairways lead to the second floor, which showcases similar breathtaking views that reach hundreds of miles into Fort Worth and Las Colinas. The gourmet kitchen is equipped with quartz counters, Wolf and SubZero appliances, a butler's pantry, and a wine room. But the most impressive features of the property are located just outside the home.

"Designed for a luxurious lifestyle, the magnificent mansion features...a resort style pool featuring two grottos, waterfalls and water features, a sunken fire pit, fire sconces, and a cabana with outdoor kitchen and bath," the listing says.

9. 19525 Doerre Road, Spring
List price: $12.79 million

19525 Doerre Road, Spring home for sale19525 Doerre Rd. is perfectly suited to host retreats, vacation rentals, or can be turned into an assisted living center.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

November's penultimate priciest Texas real estate listing is none other than the gargantuan retreat center at 19525 Doerre Rd. in Spring. The property consists of one gargantuan main estate, and five separate estates on 10 perfectly-manicured acres of land.

Other features of the property include an attached five-car garage, a detached six-car garage with a garage apartment; a two-bay RV garage, a fitness center, resort-style pool, tennis court, and sand volleyball court. Huge families can look forward to a 40,000-plus-square-foot space offering anywhere from eight to 30 — yes, 30 — bedrooms.

10. 2502 Oestrick Lane, Austin
List price: $12.5 million

2502 Oestrick Lane, Austin home for saleFloor-to-ceiling windows display the entirety of the back yard, but ceiling curtain tracks surround the room to provide guests with the ultimate privacy.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

The final property that was among the most expensive Texas listings in November is a gorgeous award-winning home situated in the hills of West Austin. 2502 Oestrick Ln. is a five bedroom, five full bathroom and two half bath Hill Country paradise brimming with natural light and expertly-designed modernity. The home sits on a 3.7 acre estate and was originally built in 2014, according to the listing.

"The interior spaces are studies in the manipulation of natural light, achieved through the strategic placement of windows, skylights, and innovative ceiling geometries," the listing says. "The choice of warm, luminescent materials for cabinetry and walls juxtaposes the industrial simplicity of concrete floors, cultivating an atmosphere of calm sophistication."

With a list price of $12.5 million, it's no wonder how this innovative residence has earned its many accolades, including The 2018 Architecture Master Prize and the 2017 American Architecture Award.

Travel magazine names Texas Hill Country among the top 25 destinations in the world

to the hills

If you’re writing “travel more” on your list of New Year’s resolutions, you might not have to travel very far to visit one of the most sought-after travel spots across the globe: the Texas Hill Country.

Afar, a U.S.-based travel publication, just released its annual list of 25 recommended vacation spots around the world. It includes some of the obvious spots like Paris, Fiji, and Machu Picchu, as well as some more unexpected spots like Maldonado, Uruguay, and Brno, Czechia (as a Czech Texan, I’m adding this one to my list).

A few spots in the United States made the list: Philadelphia, Detroit, San Diego, Charleston, and a few others. But the Hill Country is the only Texas spot on the list, with Afar deeming it “arguably one of the prettiest places in Texas.” This isn’t exactly a secret: In 2022, the Hill Country saw more than 2.3 million visitors to its state parks. That's not even counting the many charming towns.

The main reason the Hill Country made the list? It’s in the path of totality for April’s solar eclipse. If you haven’t already made your eclipse travel plans, though, you might be out of luck.

Airbnbs in Fredericksburg, smack dab in the heart of the Hill Country, are listing for at least $1,000 a night on and around April 8. Some of the larger rental homes are going for as much as $2,700 a night.

But as Afar writes, there’s plenty of reason to stick around after the eclipse. There's the wine, for one thing; The Hill Country’s viticultural area spans 9 million square miles, the third-largest in the U.S. Then there's beer, with breweries like Jester King and Real Ale attracting visitors from far and wide.

Plus the unique lodging options are endless: yurts, shipping containers, treehouses and, yeah, you can even stay in a resort where giraffes will trot past your window. If the prices above are out of the question, you could always try camping or taking a road trip from an area with greater supply or less demand — both Austin and San Antonio are close enough for an easy day trip.

Afar’s article highlights some of the major locales – Fredericksburg and its peaches, of course – but also points out a few other less-trodden paths in the Hill Country, like Bandera (the Cowboy Capital of Texas) and Kerrville. But that barely scratches the surface.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Hill Country officially spans 25 Texas counties, though many Texans will tell you that the Hill Country is a state of mind (meaning, it’s west-ish of Austin and hilly). So the travel possibilities are endless.