Howdy, Hutto. After the relentless heat late last week, this past weekend felt like a much-needed break. It was still Texas in August, of course, but anyone who had been putting off yard work because of the triple-digit temperatures finally got a little breathing room.

This week, there are a few important dates to keep on your radar. The City is hosting an August 5 open house about the proposed Justice Center bond, and Hutto ISD families are entering the final countdown before school starts August 12. Even for those of us without students at home, that means busier mornings and more traffic on the roads very soon.

We’re also stepping just outside Hutto for this week’s newsletter. Coupland Dancehall is only a short drive away, and its history, near-closure, and recent second act felt worth sharing, especially for newer residents who may not realize such a storied Texas music venue is right down the road.

All of that, plus local events, business updates, and more. As always, thanks for stopping by.

Latest News

Quick local updates from around town.

Justice Center Open House | Hutto residents can learn more about the proposed $42 million Justice Center bond and ask questions at an August 5 open house from 6–8 p.m. at the Hutto Police Department.

School Starts Soon | Hutto ISD families are heading into the final stretch before the August 12 first day, with Meet the Teacher events and other back-to-school preparations happening in the days ahead.

Phone Scam Warning | Hutto police are warning residents about scammers impersonating law enforcement and public officials to demand money or personal information over fake warrants.

Intersection Improvements | The City of Hutto says upgrades are coming to the FM 1660 South and US 79 intersection as part of its ongoing capital improvement projects.

Alcohol Rules Review | Hutto Mayor Mike Snyder says the city is exploring a petition and possible election to expand mixed-drink sales in areas annexed after 2006, a restriction he says has complicated efforts to attract some restaurants.

Kickball Registration | Hutto Parks and Recreation has opened registration for its coed kickball league, with limited space available for teams looking for a fun and competitive way to get back on the field.

Softball Registration | Hutto Parks and Recreation has opened fall adult softball registration, with limited team spots available for the upcoming season.

Oktoberfest Returns | Cottonwood Creek Brewery has announced its second annual Oktoberfest for September 19, with beer, food and live music planned throughout the day.

Events This Week

Things to do around town from Wednesday through Sunday.

Fiber Friends
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Tuesday, August 4 • 5:30 PM
Bring a knitting, crochet, embroidery or other portable craft project for a free, all-ages evening of casual crafting and conversation.

Hutto Farmers Market
350 Ed Schmidt Blvd.
Wednesday, August 5 • 3:00–7:00 PM
Local farmers, ranchers, artisans, food vendors, coffee, handmade goods, and more.

Free Pool Wednesday
The Downtown Hall of Fame
Wednesday, August 5 • 4:00–10:00 PM
Stop by for free pool throughout the evening at The Downtown Hall of Fame.

Pokémon Trivia Night
Cottonwood Creek Brewery
Wednesday, August 5 • 7:00 PM
Test your Pokémon knowledge, browse themed merchandise and check out live Pokémon flash tattoos during this special trivia night.

True Crime Book Club
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Thursday, August 6 • 5:30 PM
Discuss Kathleen Barber’s psychological suspense novel Are You Sleeping, which blends family drama, true crime and the influence of investigative podcasts.

Margarita Mixology Class
Grapes & Rye
Thursday, August 6 • 7:00 PM
Learn how to shake, stir and muddle while making three cocktails in this hands-on margarita class; tickets are $60 per person.

International Beer Day
Cottonwood Creek Brewery
Friday, August 7 • All Day
Celebrate International Beer Day with $10 beer flights and sample what’s new on tap.

Paint & Pour Night
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Friday, August 7 • 6:00 PM
Enjoy a relaxed, beginner-friendly painting session with all supplies included, plus one glass of wine for guests 21 and older; tickets are $30.

Free Pickleball Lessons
Riverwalk Pickleball Courts
Saturday, August 8 • 9:00 AM
Hutto Parks & Recreation free youth and family pickleball lessons for ages 10 and up, with beginner-friendly instruction and some equipment available.

International Cat Day Celebration
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Saturday, August 8 • 10:00 AM
Celebrate with cat-themed books, an 11:00 a.m. kids craft, café specials, discounts, stuffed-cat adoptions and activities supporting local cats.

StarMan Stained Glass Workshop
Cumberland Road Art Studio
Saturday, August 8 • 10:00 AM
Create a UFO-themed stained glass suncatcher in this beginner-friendly workshop, with all tools and materials included; registration is $100.

Cocktail Brunch
Grapes & Rye
Saturday, August 8 • 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Enjoy cocktails and brunch during Grapes & Rye's weekly Saturday brunch.

Crochet for Beginners
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Saturday, August 8 • 12:00 PM
Learn the basics of crochet in a beginner-friendly class with materials included; first-time students receive a take-home kit, and registration is $20.

StarMan Stained Glass Workshop
Cumberland Road Art Studio
Saturday, August 22 • 3:00 PM
Learn the full stained glass process while making a UFO abduction scene to take home, with all tools and materials included; registration is $100.

Summer Flower Wind Chime Craft
Hutto Public Library
Saturday, August 8 • 3:00 PM
Kids ages 9 and up can make a summer flower wind chime during this free Craft Squad session, with no registration required and supplies available while they last.

Hot Rod Night
Top Notch Hamburgers
Saturday, August 8 • 5:30 PM
Check out classic cars and hot rods, enjoy live music and grab dinner during this free, family-friendly monthly event.

Margarita Mixology Class
Grapes & Rye
Saturday, August 8 • 7:00 PM
Learn how to shake, stir and muddle while making three cocktails in this hands-on margarita class; tickets are $60 per person.

Back-to-School Clothing Swap
Cottonwood Creek Brewery
Sunday, August 9 • 12:00 PM
Bring gently used clothing to swap and browse for back-to-school finds during this casual patio event.

Building an Unforgettable Protagonist
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Sunday, August 9 • 2:00 PM
Writers ages 16 and up can explore character archetypes, motivations, flaws and emotional growth during this interactive workshop, with practical exercises and a live Q&A.

Just Down the Road from Hutto: Coupland Dancehall’s Second Act

The historic Texas music venue nearly closed last year. Now it’s back, and closer to Hutto than many residents may realize.

I usually keeps my focus inside Hutto city limits. This week, I’m bending that rule just a little for a place close enough to count as a neighbor.

Just down the road in the small Williamson County community of Coupland sits a red-brick property that has lived several lives. Built in 1904, it has housed a tavern, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, stores and even a newspaper. In 1989, 7,000 square feet of a former grocery store were converted into the Coupland Dancehall people know today.

Calling it a legendary Texas music venue is not much of a stretch.

Its wooden dance floor and well-worn surroundings have welcomed generations of dancers and musicians. The property has also appeared in Lonesome Dove and served as a backdrop for music videos involving Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pat Green, Hayes Carll, Kevin Fowler, Asleep at the Wheel, and others.

But last summer, it appeared the music was about to stop.

Then-owner Abbey Road announced that Coupland Dancehall would close in October 2025 after years of rising expenses, declining revenue and major changes in the live-music business. The building had been on the market, and without a buyer, the plan was to donate the property to a nonprofit.

Then came the last-minute rescue.

The attention surrounding the closure helped bring a buyer forward, while Central Texas promoter Lightstream Presents stepped in to oversee the live entertainment calendar. Coupland closed briefly for repairs and updates before reopening November 7 with Aaron Watson on stage.

Today, the dancehall is under new ownership, with updated sound and lighting but much of its old-school character still intact. More importantly, the calendar is full again.

For Hutto residents, that may be the best part of the story. Experiencing an old Texas dance hall does not require a weekend trip deep into the Hill Country. Coupland is a short drive from home, making it possible to catch a show, spend the evening on a historic wooden dance floor and still be back in Hutto that night.

Upcoming at Coupland Dancehall

Later This Fall

See the full Coupland Dancehall schedule and ticket details.

Whether you’re a longtime two-stepper or simply looking for a different kind of night out, August is a good excuse to see why so many people cared when Coupland Dancehall nearly went dark, and why its second act is worth celebrating.

City Hall Notes

A quick recap of what Hutto City Council covered last week.

At its June 18 meeting, Hutto City Council approved several road and sidewalk maintenance items, including nearly $1 million in Old Town street repairs for Live Oak, Hutto, West Metcalf, Liberty, and Church streets, while also discussing construction notices for residents and longer-term questions around fire station planning and funding.

Coming To Hutto

A running list of businesses, restaurants and developments headed our way.

Heritage Bloom Fiber Co. | 115 East St., Unit B • Soft opening planned for October 10

Jason’s Deli | Sprouts development at SH 130 and US 79 • Announced; opening date TBD

Buffalo Wild Wings | 2270 Muirfield Bend Drive • Buildout scheduled through September 2026; opening date TBD

7 Brew Coffee | 130 Chris Kelley Blvd. • Construction scheduled through September 2026; opening date TBD

Dollar Tree | 150 Alliance Blvd. • Building work scheduled through October 2026; opening date TBD

Petco | 150 Alliance Blvd. • Building work scheduled through October 2026; opening date TBD

Antioch Pizza | 199 Co-Op Blvd. • Listed by the restaurant as opening soon; opening date TBD.

El Pollo Rico | 901 Ed Schmidt Blvd. • Under construction; opening date TBD

HTeaO | Across from the KFC on Chris Kelley Blvd. • Announced; permitting and construction timeline TBD

Munch Munch Waffles & More | 170 Alliance Blvd., Suite 100 • Buildout planned through January 2027; opening date TBD

Everhome Suites | 2235 Limmer Loop • Hotel construction listed through June 2027, with an opening expected later in 2027.

Sprouts Farmers Market | SH 130 and US 79 development • Construction planned from September 2026 through February 2028; opening expected in 2028

LongHorn Steakhouse | Sprouts development at SH 130 and US 79 • Lease announced; opening date TBD

Residence Inn by Marriott | 328 Ed Schmidt Blvd. • Planned unit development approved; construction timeline TBD.

Crunch Fitness | 320 Ed Schmidt Blvd. • Construction listed November 2026–December 2027; opening date TBD

Pepper Lunch | Sprouts development at SH 130 and US 79 • Planned; opening timeline TBD

Cottonwood Marketplace | North of US 79 and west of CR 132 • 58-acre shopping, dining and entertainment project planned; tenants and timeline TBD

Weather This Week

Mostly accurate forecast until Texas decides otherwise.

The week starts with back-to-back 100-degree days before temperatures settle just slightly into the upper 90s. Rain chances stay very low, and mostly sunny skies should continue through the weekend.

☀️ Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100° and a low around 76°
🌤️ Wednesday: Partly cloudy, with another high near 100° and a low around 76°
☀️ Thursday–Friday: Mostly sunny, with highs near 99° and lows around 75–76°
☀️ Weekend: Mostly sunny and dry, with highs near 99° and lows in the mid-70s

👉 TL;DR: Hot and mostly sunny

Thanks for Reading

If you found something useful, forward this to a neighbor who’d want to know.

Got something we should include next week? Just reply and let us know.

Just Down the Road from Hutto: Coupland Dancehall’s Second Act

Latest News

Events This Week

Just Down the Road from Hutto: Coupland Dancehall’s Second Act

Upcoming at Coupland Dancehall

Later This Fall

City Hall Notes

Coming To Hutto

Weather This Week

Thanks for Reading

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