Bastrop County’s growth is not just showing up in subdivisions and traffic counts. It is showing up on Main Street, in shopping centers, at food courts, and in new family-owned businesses taking a chance on our community.
That matters. Local businesses create jobs, give residents more choices close to home, support chamber events, sponsor youth sports, and help keep our cities from becoming bedroom communities with no local identity.
Here are several new and noteworthy business updates from around Bastrop County.
MooseBelly BBQ Opens in Bastrop
MooseBelly BBQ opened April 1 at the Chestnut Grove Food Truck Court at 710 Chestnut St. in Bastrop.
Owners Alicia and Jackson Bolton are serving traditional barbecue with a twist, including blueberry-glazed ribs, apricot-rosemary glazed sausage, brisket macaroni and cheese with smoked Gouda and brie, and a signature Purple Sauce made with spicy blueberry-bourbon jam.
The food truck court model is a good fit for downtown Bastrop: low overhead, local ownership, and the kind of casual gathering place that helps small businesses test ideas before moving into larger spaces.
Frontier Cellars Brings Texas Wine to Smithville
Frontier Cellars opened March 7 at 157 Hector Road in Smithville.
The veteran-owned winery offers a tasting room overlooking a two-acre lake on a 73-acre property. Lance and Alysen Bondy focus on wines made from Texas-grown grapes, with indoor and outdoor seating and small bites available for guests.
For Smithville, this is the kind of destination business that can bring visitors into the area while still feeling rooted in local character.
Uptown Cards and Collectibles Adds a Hobby Shop in Bastrop
Uptown Cards and Collectibles opened March 13 at 489 Agnes St., Suite 104 in Bastrop.
The shop comes from Force of Will Gaming owners Billy and Dawn McFarland and focuses on sports cards, gaming collectibles, and specialty memorabilia. In an era when so much retail has moved online, hobby shops still matter because they create community around shared interests.
Parents looking for screen-light activities and collectors looking for a local stop now have another Bastrop option.
The Chateau Glow Opens in Elgin
The Chateau Glow opened March 23 at 191 Hwy. 290 in Elgin.
Owner Britney Williams offers beauty and wellness services including custom airbrush tans, face contouring, red light therapy, and teeth whitening.
Elgin’s growth has created demand for more service businesses close to home. Not every appointment should require a drive into Austin or Round Rock.
Sprouts and PetSmart Expand Options at Burleson Crossing East
Two national retailers have recently expanded shopping options in Bastrop.
Sprouts Farmers Market opened March 6 at 651 Hwy. 71 W., Suite 101, bringing more grocery competition and fresh food options to Burleson Crossing East.
PetSmart opened April 18 at 655 Hwy. 71 W., Suite 111, offering pet food, supplies, grooming, training, and related services.
National chains are not a substitute for local businesses, but they do reflect Bastrop’s changing role as a regional shopping hub. The key is making sure new retail growth strengthens the local economy without crowding out entrepreneurs.
Sage Well Wellness Cafe Celebrates New Ownership
The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Sage Well Wellness Cafe on March 18 at 702 Main St., Suite 103 in Bastrop.
The business is a new name and new ownership for the former Radiant Juice location. Sage Well describes itself as a gathering place built around wholesome ingredients, energizing drinks, and feel-good flavors.
Main Street needs active storefronts and local gathering places. Sage Well is one more reason for residents to spend time downtown instead of driving elsewhere.
Espadas de Brazil Coming to Former Stem & Stone Space
Espadas de Brazil is expected to bring a Brazilian steakhouse concept to 1507 Chestnut St. in Bastrop by late spring.
Owner Robinson Figueiredo already operates an Austin-area food truck and plans to continue food truck service at The Boring Bodega at 865 FM 1209. The restaurant menu had not been finalized at the time of public reporting, but the food truck menu has featured churrasco-style ribs, picanha plates, Brazilian lemonade, fried yuca, and other Brazilian favorites.
The former Stem & Stone space is a visible location, and a successful restaurant there would add another dining anchor on Chestnut Street.
More Openings to Watch
A few additional business updates are worth watching:
- Texas Roadhouse is expected in the Sendero area along the 900 block of Hwy. 71 W. in Bastrop.
- Aspen Dental opened in Burleson Crossing East at 661 Hwy. 71 W.
- Kung Fu Tea has been listed in filings for 663 W. Hwy. 71, Suite 111 in Bastrop.
- Hartwell Performance Automotive opened March 23 at 301 Industrial Blvd. in Bastrop.
- To The Point in Elgin recently celebrated 10 years in business at 25 N. Main St.
Those updates point to a local economy that is diversifying across food, retail, health, automotive, and personal services.
Why Local Business Growth Matters
Conservatives should care about local business growth because strong local economies reduce dependence on big government planning. A healthy business community creates jobs, builds civic networks, expands the tax base, and gives families more opportunity close to home.
But growth still has to be managed well. More businesses mean more traffic, more utility demand, more parking pressure, and more need for city and county officials to make practical decisions.
The best way residents can help is simple: spend locally when you can, show up for ribbon cuttings, leave fair reviews, and tell your friends about businesses doing good work.
Bastrop County’s future will be shaped not only by elected officials, but by the people willing to open a storefront, hire a neighbor, and serve the community one customer at a time.
Business information sourced from public reporting by Community Impact and event listings from the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce. Business hours, openings, and event details can change, so confirm directly before visiting.