While still in need of some funding, in.gredients, the first package-free, zero-waste grocery store in Austin (and the nation), has announced it will set up shop in Central/East Austin. The spot they've chosen is 2610 Manor Rd. "Being close to Austin’s food desert - where corner stores selling highly-processed food are sometimes used as grocery stores - helped determine our location," their announcement post states. For more information on the upcoming store, check out our interview with co-founder Christian Lane, posted earlier this week. more ›

Yesterday, we mentioned a Dallas Morning News article that claimed Trader Joe's was headed to Texas. They confirmed that the popular grocer was planning ten stores total between Dallas, Houston and Austin. They even quoted the spokesperson as saying that they were actively looking for sites and employees. The story broke all over town yesterday (we got hundreds of emails suggesting locations, the story was shared over 800 times - and that's just us), but Community Impact is revealing that some of this good news might have been taken out of context. Apparently Austin is still not within a two year plan for the company, and the complete statement from the spokesperson doesn't mention Austin at all, though it does indicate that Texas stores are on the radar. We'll keep you posted on any further developments. more ›

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that Trader Joe's, the popular grocer based out of California, will finally open three chains in Texas. The first is expected to be in Dallas, and ten more stores will follow. According to spokesperson Alison Mochizuki, Joe's is “actively looking for sites, and we’re anxious to identify some great locations and begin hiring." So where in Austin should Trader Joe's open a store? In an abandoned Borders? East of I-35, perhaps in one of the neglected storefronts on E. 7th Street? Let us know the spots you'd choose in the comments. more ›

With gas at $4 per gallon and experts fighting over whether the country is suffering from an economic downturn, a recession, or an extremely good opportunity for economic growth, Austin's Whole Foods Market, like many retailers, is now getting out in front of the game by offering "value tours" to shoppers who might suffer from the pricing concerns that helped the natural foods store gain its unofficial moniker: Whole Paycheck. more ›