Franchise Opportunities in Austin, TX

Walmart is joining a wave of tech employers making cuts in Austin, as the retail giant shuts down its Central Texas technology office.

The closure comes as the wider tech industry undergoes layoffs and downsizes real estate including in Austin. Walmart is also closing tech offices in Portland, Oregon, and Carlsbad, California. The company on Tuesday said that the closure of the three offices is a location strategy and it hopes people choose to relocate.

"The unique culture and values of Walmart are at the core of who we are — to our customers, members, associates and partners," Walmart said in a statement. "With this in mind, we’ve made the decision to focus our tech team’s presence within select locations. We hope to relocate or allow for remote work for all affected associates."

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, hundreds of workers who are affected will have to move to keep their jobs and will be required to come into the office at least two days a week. The report, which cites a memo to Walmart Staff from Walmart's global chief technology officer Suresh Kumar, said the company hopes to relocate most of its workers and will pay for location transfers. Some will be allowed to become full-time remote workers, and those who leave will be given severance pay, the report said.

How many employees will be affected?

It's not clear how many employees may be affected by the closure. As of late 2018, the office had about 50 employees with plans to grow to 60. It also had plans to add a team of 30 technologists at the same site through a partnership with Microsoft. Walmart declined to share an updated Austin headcount and said it does not disclose the number of employees by office location.

When did Walmart open its Austin tech hub?

The corporate giant first opened up the engineering hub in 2018 in a renovated 8,000-square-foot space at the site of a former Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at Fourth and Colorado streets. The office, called Walmart ATX was opened to develop emerging technology such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, blockchain and Internet of Things technology to be used by the company globally.

At the time, the company said it was investing in Austin as part of a strategy to recruit skilled technology workers where they already were. The office was the first office outside of Walmart's Bentonville headquarters focused on emerging technology for the company's Global Business division including developing technology for the company's enterprise operations such as finance, governance, human relations, employee training and manufacturing.

Later that year, Walmart also said it would be expanding the technology hub by opening a joint office with Microsoft. The company said it would have a team of 30 workers between the two companies to collaborate on technology development including work on artificial intelligence. The joint team was expected to be called 4.co for the office's location at Fourth and Colorado streets. The office was expected to open in early 2019.

Who else has tech offices in Austin?

Walmart, the world's largest employer, is one of several corporations that had opened technology offices in Austin, including USAA, General Motors, and H-E-B.

The Walmart ATX closure comes as the tech industry is hit with widespread layoffs. Industry experts have said it's certain Austin has been affected by the cuts from a number of major technology companies, though it's unclear the exact number of local jobs lot. Tech giants with large Austin presences including Google, Meta, Austin-based Tesla, and Round Rock-based Dell Technologies have all laid off employees since late last year. Meta also said last year it would no longer be using an office space it had long-planned to expand into in downtown Austin and would instead sublease the space.

More:Dell Technologies to lay off 6,650 workers, about 5% of global workforce

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following the city’s announcement last year the Waller Creek Boathouse would relocate across the river ahead of Project Connect’s light rail buildout, officials have provided an update on those relocation efforts.

The Waller Creek Boathouse is a city-run facility that includes the Austin Rowing Club, a 40-year nonprofit specialized in providing outdoor recreation. Last year, city officials approved the boathouse relocating to 222 S. Lakeshore Blvd., the location of the vacated former youth hostel site.

As part of a resolution by council last year, the city manager was directed to return with a financial plan to cover improvements to the facility’s new home. It also allowed city leaders to “negotiate and execute agreements necessary for the operation of these organization,” including groups that run out of the former youth hostel site.

In a Feb. 17 memo, city officials noted the Parks and Recreation Department is coordinating with the Austin Transit Partnership and the city’s Project Connect Office on the relocation effort.

“We are currently waiting on direction from Austin Transit Partnership on the future use of the parkland where the current Waller Creek Boathouse is located,” the memo read in part. “Until such direction is provided by the Project Connect Team, and funding is secured for a Feasibility Study for the Youth Hostel site, the Parks and Recreation Department will not have any information to report.”

February 17 Waller Creek Boathouse City MemoDownload

In the meantime, PARD will request Austin City Council approve an amendment to the contract “for continued management and operation of a boathouse on Lady Bird Lake with Austin Rowing Club” at its Feb. 23 meeting. That amendment will include an extension of the term by an “estimated period of three years or until the current Boathouse is demolished.”

PARD anticipates another progress report will be available by June 1, per the memo.

Do you plan your road trips by rest stops or do you prefer to power through drives without stopping? If you're planning to make the two-and-a-half hour drive from Houston to Austin, we've got a way to make it a bit more fun: plan your drive according to restaurant stops.

Gas up your car and get ready to feed your soul (and fill your belly) with good eats at these seven stops on a Houston to Austin road trip.

Lyric Market in Houston

Feeling famished in Houston before you even set out, but can't decide what exactly you'd like to eat? (Hey, we've all been there). Give Lyric Market in Houston's historic Theater District a try before you start all that driving.

With nine food vendors, Lyric Market actually has something for everybody. You can grab vegan Middle Eastern street bites from Alenbi Falafel + Hummus, Belgian waffles from Press Waffle Co., fresh sushi from Horu Sushi Kitchen, Southern fried and Nashville hot chicken from Bad Chx Hot Chicken and more.

If you've got time the day before your road trip, hit happy hour between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and get an $8 featured cocktail from Lyric Market's Rhapsody Bar, which has cocktails divided into the following categories: Classical Music (classic cocktails everyone knows), Modern Music (house cocktails), and The Orchestra (cocktails that pair with each and every one of Lyric Market's restaurants).

Find it: 411 Smith St., Houston, TX 77002; 713-405-1391

Buc-ee's in Katy

This writer simply couldn't call herself a Texan if Buc-ee's wasn't included on this list. The iconic (and mandatory) road trip stop has so many snacks and food items it makes H-E-B feel jealous.

Here, you can fuel your car, mind, body and Buc-ee's soul, so buy yourself some beaver nuggets for the road, grab some Buc-ee's merch and don't forget to take advantage of the legendarily clean Buc-ee's bathrooms before you head off to your next pit stop.

Find it: 27700 Katy Freeway, Katy, TX 77494; 979-238-6390

Local Table in Katy

If you're all barbecued out or craving fare more along the lines of Mediterranean food, give Local Table a try. Katy is about a half hour drive away from Houston, so if you're attempting to save up your appetite for a big lunch or dinner in Austin but need something to nosh on, try Local Table's homemade Tuscan or jalapeño hummus with toasted pita bread. If you fancy something more hearty, the restaurant has plenty of options—from a kabob plate (you can opt for steak, chicken skewers or both), vegan options like a soba noodle bowl, burgers, honey-glazed salmon wraps and more.

Find it: 24033 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, TX 77494; 832-913-6150

Truth BBQ in Brenham

Craving protein? Can you handle the truth? That is, the reality of how good the brisket is at Truth BBQ in Brenham. Although Truth's Houston location was named the third best barbecue spot in the state (according to Texas Monthly's Top 50 Texas Barbecue Joints 2021 list), the Brenham location is actually where the magic first began back in 2015.

Pitmaster Leonard Botello IV started off humbly as a relative unknown in the Texas barbecue world. Now, seven years after he founded the first Truth BBQ location, he's been featured everywhere from an episode of Chopped: Grill Masters and The New York Times to GQ. So grab yourself a plate of classic 'cue or order "The Whole Truth," a sandwich filled with housemade sausage, pulled pork and chopped beef doused with sauce and pickled red onions. It'll get you fueled up real fast.

Find it: 2990 US-290, Brenham, TX 77833; 979-830-0392

BEST OF CHRON

Saddlehorn Winery in Burton

Tread off the beaten path if you're in no rush to get to Austin with a pit stop at Saddlehorn Winery (but only if you've got a designated driver). Located in Burton, this peaceful, award-winning winery has tasting options like its sweet First Rodeo red, a Happy Trails riesling, a semi-sweet blanc du bois (Saddlehorn has two acres of blanc du bois grapes) and classics like cabernet, merlot and chardonnay.

The winery also has snacks for purchase, a gift shop, a wine club and events if you want to plan a return trip or make your pit stop a bit longer.

Find it: 958 FM 1948 N., Burton, TX 77835; 979-289-3858

Hruska's Store & Bakery in Ellinger

Marking the halfway point between Austin and Houston is Hruska's Store & Bakery, tucked inside the Chevron gas station in Ellinger. Family-owned and operated since 1912, Hruska's isn't your run-of-the-mill gas station stop. The popular spot serves cheeseburgers that once made Texas Monthly's list of the greatest hamburgers in Texas; and baked goods and kolaches so fresh they have their own backstory. The original recipe was created by Adolphine Krenek in the 1960s. Her recipe was inspired by her own Czech roots and by fresh ingredients from her livestock, including cream and cheese, as well as poppy seeds that grew in her garden.

Krenek's kolaches quickly became bestsellers at Hruska's, and today they still bake fresh kolaches inspired by her original recipe. In other words, if you're going to stop at Hruska's, save room for several Krenek originals before hitting the road again.

Find it: 109 W. State Highway 71, Ellinger, TX 78938; 979-378-2333

Crenshaw's Bar and Eatery in Austin

The Omni Barton Creek in Austin is a perfect hotel for business trips solely based on its views, its golf course and gym and its seven, yes, seven, signature restaurants and bars. If you're starving and want something filling after your long drive, but you can't wait for the Blind Salamander or Bob's Steak & Chop House to open up in the late evening, order the Barton burger from Crenshaw's Bar and Eatery.

The restaurant is named after legendary golfer and Austin native Ben Crenshaw. You can even swap out the beef patty in the Barton Burger for a vegan Beyond Burger, or try other menu options starting at 11 a.m. You can thank us later.

Find it: 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin, TX 78735; 512-329-4000

The sold-out gala, hosted by the Muny Conservancy Board of Directors, raises funds to save all 141 acres of Lions Municipal Golf Course.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Muny Conservancy hosted its Second Annual Imagine Muny Gala on Sunday at Austin City Limits (ACL) Live at The Moody Theater.

The sold-out fundraiser included a night of music and fellowship to celebrate the Lions Municipal Golf Course and raise funds to purchase the land from the University of Texas at Austin. The goal for the conservancy is to save all 141 acres of Lions Municipal Golf Course.

The event featured a "green" turf carpet, photo-ops, a live auction and musical performances by Asleep at the Wheel, along with special guests Lyle Lovett, Charley Crockett and Jack Ingram.

"It's really important that we hold on to our green spaces. Especially this one because it has it has African American history. It has Hispanic history. It has Austin history, it has west side, east side. And we need to hold on to that as much as we can," said Gigi Edwards Bryant, member of the board of directors for The Muny Conservancy.

For almost a century, the Lions Municipal Golf Course has leased the land on which it sits from UT. Now, the university is ready to determine a permanent use for the 141 acres.

The conservancy wants Muny to be the permanent use for UT. If the university selected Muny, it would allow for preservation of the historic 98-year-old golf course, the wildlife sanctuary sitting on a water recharge zone with hundreds of heritage oak and pecan trees, and celebrating the Civil Rights history that took place on the property - which allowed the racial desegregation of the first public golf course in the South.

"There are people in our wonderful city who don't know what's happening with the beauty with the golf course that's right in the heart of the town. We want people to know that we need to do everything we can to fight to save it because it's 141 acres of beautiful green space that offers people the opportunity to play golf, that might not otherwise have that opportunity," said Angela Garcia, former UT Austin golfer and member of the board of directors for The Muny Conservancy.

Last year’s first-ever Imagine Muny gala was The Muny Conservancy’s largest fundraiser to-date, successfully raising $800,000, as well as raising immense awareness for this important cause that has spanned the decades.

The Muny Conservancy was created in 2019 to raise funds and work with the City of Austin and UT to permanently preserve the course. Once the course is fully preserved, the conservancy has plans to restore and improve the 141-acre Lions Municipal Golf Course with award-winning golf course architecture firm Coore & Crenshaw and create a dynamic public facility for everyone.

The goal is to keep Muny as a place where families and children of all ages can learn and practice the core values that golf teaches honesty, integrity and good sportsmanship.

After rising from its grave in 2022, SXSW returns in one month, boasting big-time speakers like Tilda Swinton, all-world bands like New Order, and film premieres galore. I can't get you into any of those without you first selling an organ. But as a veteran badge-less individual, I can offer some tips on how to get the most out of the annual festival.

Here's how to do SXSW like a true cheapskate.

Start Following Everyone

The real trick to finding the "secret gems" at SXSW — nothing is truly a secret anymore, is it? — is following a bunch of accounts run by (probably) very young people who are plugged in and have the appetite to sort through the mess.

@ATXConcert has a handy festival guide, with a centralized calendar, recommendations, and even a hype level for each event, so one can figure out what will require some extra planning.

@SXSWMF is a good resource for show lists, event roundups, and more.

@Do512 is always current and exhaustive.

The Show List Austin site is already filling up with event listings for SXSW.

No one feed or site is going to have everything you're looking for. Follow as many as you can and start making a schedule as shows and events drop.

Circle the Block

Less than 10 years ago, one could park for free — dodging errant cones and strategically placed trash bins — just east of I-35 near Cesar Chavez and simply hoof it across the highway or a few blocks north. Then the city installed parking meters (and residential parking signs, for the folks who should be able to park for free outside their homes) pretty much everywhere.

Last year, I covered a few film premieres for MySA and, before you ask, yes, Glen Powell is that charming in real life. But I made it to the red carpet in time — and without shelling out upward of $25 to park in a lot — by scoping out spaces near the Texas Capitol.

The caveat here is that the Legislative session is in right now, but it's hard to believe that all the spaces will be taken. It doesn't quite help if you're looking to party at Hotel Vegas, say, but if you're hitting up the Mohawk or something downtown, check near the Cloak Room. You may even find yourself upon a clandestine political meeting.

For those looking for East Sixth access — east of I-35, not Dirty Sixth — park early near the Texas State Cemetery. Take a stroll down the adjacent highway, the shortest one in the state of Texas.

Don't Wander (Unless You Have to)

There will be free shows all over the city, but bouncing around from Hotel San Jose to Lucy's Fried Chicken to Cheer Up Charlie's can be a trek, unless you're with the person who birthed and raised you, in which case it's a gift.

For those looking to park themselves at one spot and see the maximum amount of bands in one day, you can't go wrong with Hotel Vegas/the Volstead. Each day, the venues host simultaneous shows across three distinct stages, with three distinct types of musicians playing at all times.

Last year, I caught Thor and Friends, Jad Fair, and a ton of punk bands across multiple days inside and outside at Vegas and inside at the Volstead without really trying. And it was all free.

Another day, I posted up at C-Boy's Heart & Soul for the Chicha Summit, making it simple to enjoy a bunch of bands for free without the hassle of trying to find an affordable Lyft, finding parking multiple times, or missing shows while in transit.

Bouncing around can be great, but you can maximize the free music experience at SXSW by choosing one or two venues per day and staying for multiple bands. It's also how you discover new favorites.

Choose the Random Show

Another music tip? In this economy? Last year, some hotter bands, like Wet Leg and Yard Act, played high-profile shows that either required badges or a long wait in line (more on that later).

But Yard Act, for example, also played multiple shows each day, and sometimes at weird venues at off times. While it might seem intuitive to have caught Yard Act on Friday night at midnight amid a killer lineup, it was much easier to walk into, say, Lazarus Brewing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and see the same band that folks waited in line with their badges to catch just hours later.

Keep an eye out for unofficial shows at non-traditional venues — breweries, restaurants, hotel parking lots — if you have an inkling that you could wind up missing out.

Talk to People

This is an introvert's nightmare, but it's also how you find out about the truly good free stuff. Throughout the years, just chatting with folks in (short!) lines and in crowds has led to free drink tickets, free tacos and barbecue, and expedited entry to shows and events.

And don't overrate the relationships you can make with door people and bartenders. They are tired and bored and annoyed with SXSW and cannot wait for it to end. Show up early and often, be kind, tip well, and you'll find yourself among

As a bonus, if you're already here and know you'll be spending time on, say, Rainey Street (heaven help you), head over there in the weeks or days before SXSW begins. Arrive even a day early, if it makes sense to. Chat up the bartenders and door people and let them know you'll be around during SXSW and that you're normal and not a — gasp! — Californian. You might get some hot tips on private or secret events, and at the very least, someone might remember you when the crowds descend.

Don't Wait in Line

As a member of the lamestream media, I can cut the line at a lot of these events. But before I ever covered SXSW, back when I was a baby boy hitchhiking to an Ariel Pink show — 15 years pre-cancellation, mind you — the main rule was to forget about a line. That logic holds true today.

There are so many things happening at once during SXSW that to wait in line is anathema to having fun. Last year I witnessed dear friends curled around the Mohawk entrance waiting to catch a glimpse of some band or another, missing the entire set while one-in-one-out ground to a halt. There was a perfectly fine show with buzzy indie bands playing directly next door with zero line, but alas. They couldn't be convinced otherwise.

The real trick at SXSW — and really, in life — is performing a cost-benefit analysis at all times. Is it worth it to trek across town to stand around outside a venue when there are perfectly cromulent things to do and see literally everywhere in the city?

Sure, this piece is about not spending money, but any real cheapskate knows that there's only one non-renewable resource worth protecting: your time. Use it wisely.