Publisher: Tony Hearn
Commercial & Professional Directory Movies at Westgate Central Eleven
Purpose of the Westgate Gazette
The Westgate Gazette
&
thearn's occasional journal
"at the center of the whirl"
service to Westgate spanning two millennia
Westgate Shopping Center
Thursday, August 3, 2000 Update
Workmen are climbing over the former Westgate Discount Theater building across Westgate Boulevard in West Tower Village. Renovation of the building has begun. As your rover reported back during Spring, the building will be totally transformed into a "high class" restaurant, according to the unidentified architect who revealed only that much information. Keep checking back here for the identity of the restaurant.
Not much else is going on in Westgate and West Tower Village. Stride Rite Shoes next to Dr. Chocolate now sports a new sign out front: Kids Footworks. Same everything else. Cafe Monet also has a new sign up top its entrance. Very creative sign: palette, brushes, just what you would expect from the beautiful owner Jules Wilson and her partner, Charles Winson.
Speaking of renovations, someone definitely needs a renewing of the mind. While your rover was strolling early this morning, he encountered more than the usual litter. Just left out in the parking area way out front of Cavenders Boot City was a hefty truck or car battery. There it was providing an obstruction on the pavement. Some jerk or jerks expect someone else to pick up his, her, or their debris. Your rover had just stooped over several yards back to examine a card of pills laying on the pavement. He had to turned it over to check the identity of the medicine. Of course, having picked it up to have a better look, the piece of litter had now become "his." He had touched it; he could not put it back down. Such is his code of honor. That is the kind of conscience he developed as he grew up at another time even if this is the same place. It is another Austin. Too bad his generation is dying out. Unless things change for the better, Austin and even Westgate may soon be wading in debris. Due to his limitations, your rover was careful not to touch the battery. It remains the property of whomever left it behind.
As they say, "chill out!" The temperature will continue near or at 100 degrees for the next few days. Your rover will keep his cool indoors.
Report from your Rover for: Monday, July 24, 2000
Wonderful rain! Yes, that wet stuff came streaming down Sunday afternoon. It actually got dark for awhile and the temperature dropped a bit. Your rover got out and walked around in it. But the TV weatherman has predicted a return to 100 degree temperatures for this week. Your rover will continue to hide out, suspending his usual strolls around Westgate. He did notice that workmen had managed to complete the roof work on the soon-to-be finished Animal Specialty Hospital at Taos and Frontier Trail. Workmen have also finished paving the parking area. Look to see the old spectacular sign left over from Wolf's Nursery get some reworking within days. Nothing else has been observed around Westgate and West Tower Village this past week; nothing, that is, beyond the comings and goings of shoppers who continue to do their things in this heat. Now, that's consumer loyalty.
Report from your Rover for: Monday, July 10, 2000
You know, the nice thing about running an operation that is essentially "non profit" is that you don't have to worry about losing money if you stop doing it. Hence, your rover is going to "stop doing it" sans anxiety for a couple of weeks, unless, of course, something happens. Your rover doesn't know when the real "dog days" of summer occur, but if this week isn't part of them then he's going to call them the "snake days" of summer. It's HOT out there. Your rover will not be roving the walkways and the parking areas of Westgate and West Tower Village daily until it cools a bit -- probably like in mid-October. No, he will surely resume his news gathering strolls before then. He will be keeping his ears tuned to any momentous sounds, as in big trucks doing anything. He, of course, will continue to do his shopping at certain stores and will become aware of doings in that manner. Important news, then, will be added shortly after it occurs. Monitors of this site can also email any newstips. So, keep cool, and if you need to surf something substantial, you can always find heavy stuff at your rover's personal site. There he risks being opinionated, too much so for some of his readers. Try it; you may find something worth your while. The link is "thearn's occasional journal": Tony's personal & philosophical pages.
Report from your Rover for: Friday, July 7, 2000
It's hot out there! Your rover starts out fairly early (sometimes before sun up) to look for traces of new activity around Westgate and West Tower Village. He finds traces, but, unfortunately, they are of past activity: litter, and plenty of it at that! Your rover saw on television the other day where one community somewhere has levied a surcharge which consumers have to pay for take out food and beverage. Something like a 15 percent tax on take outs. The revenue is used to pick up the trash some of these eat-on-the-way consumers leave in their wake. Your rover is going to start tallying the litter he encounters. Brand names and the tally will be reported here as time goes on. See, the problem is most people aren't pedestrians like your rover. They are up in their cars, aloof from the litter. It just flurries in their vehicular wakes. Your rover often wades through the paper and plastics as he tours Westgate. He is going to take on the take outers!
Report from your Rover for: Thursday, July 6, 2000
Hope everyone had a pleasant Independence Day experience! Your rover avoided South Austin's vehicular traffic except in the aisles at Central Market and Borders Books, Music, & Cafe where he dodged some shopping carts and bumped into some old friends. He also dropped some diņero stocking up on delectables and a tape at Borders of marching band music. What's July 4th without a repetitive airing of the Washington Post and Stars & Stripes Forever! marches? Of course, one also has to play at least a dozen times The Battle Hymn of the Republic to keep the rebels at bay.
Writing of music, please note the following: Central Market's little purple weekly flyer lists only one performer for this coming weekend. It's Stephen Doster, songwriter & guitarist, for Friday, July 7, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Then there is the note: "please call 899-4300 for information of future performances." Hmmmmmm! Your rover, ever seeking the facts, just the plain facts, called that number. Well, the fact is "no performer has been scheduled yet for Saturday." Your rover was assured that someone would be booked. So, if you really need to know, call the number or check back here on Friday.
Your rover took his usual morning walk around Westgate and West Tower Village early yesterday and he just has to report that, quite frankly, other than the landscape crewmen assiduously doing their edging and cutting, not much was going on. All shops that were under construction have been completed and are now open for business. The only work going on at this time is the finishing up of the Specialty Animal Hospital over at Taos and Frontier Trail. Workmen were doing a beautiful job early today of preparing the front parking space for paving. Others will be up top of the handsome new edifice applying roofing while interior finish out is being completed. No opening date has yet been set, but it should be by late August or early September. The building is definitely world class! I figure there is one thing hotter than strolling around Westgate. It's got to be putting on that roof! Drink a lot of water, guys!
Report from your Rover for: before Monday, July 3, 2000
Whole Earth Provision Co. in Westgate located between Central Market and Bealls opened for the first day on June 28. "This was our 'soft opening'," reported Shannon Landa-Henderson, manager. Owner Jack Jones who started Whole Earth with his wife, Linda, some 30 years ago was on hand and actually greeted your rover as the first customer crossing the store's threshold. He was impressed with the variety and quality of merchandise available. A more impressive "grand opening" or whatever will come later. Shannon and her staff are quite helpful in showing customers around the store. Shannon learned retailing when she operated her own jewelry stall on "the drag" back when . . . .! Welcome to Westgate! (Phone is 899-0992. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 to 8, Saturday; and 12 noon to 6 p.m., Sunday.)
Actually, there are not that many empty spaces left in Westgate or West Tower Village! During an earlier than usual morning walk, your rover counted only two small spaces in West Tower Village and about six along the concourse in Westgate. "For Lease" signs sporting the well-known property management name of Trammell Crow Co. (phone 444-4442) have been placed around. Your rover is still hoping for a pharmacy; you know, a "corner drugs." Wouldn't it be great to have something akin to an Olmos Pharmacy over by Trinity University in San Antonio right here in Westgate. Maybe H.E.B. or Trammel Crow (two biggies) could swing that! Call 'em up, and let 'em know your needs and wants!
Newly open at Texaco Food Mart, corner of Westgate and South Lamar boulevards, is the StarFinish soft cloth car wash. Dollar off coupons are now being given away inside for this "closest clean to a hand wash." Here's a good opportunity to wash off all the mud from our recent rainy days.
Westgate's shopping center now has a stockbroker! Newly moved into Suite 113 in West Tower Village (across from Westgate) is Barney B. Barnes with Capitol Investments which also shares the suite with another new addition to our community: Reeves Insurance Agency. Agent for this member of the Farmers Insurance Group is Shelley L. Adam. Managers are Terry Reeves and Tom Williams. Main phone is 892-1020 and the voice behind it is receptionist Stephanie.
Travel needs? Westgate now offers the services of Capitol of Texas Travel Inc. The agency, which has been in business at 3006 Medical Arts in Austin since 1982, opened at the new location today in Suite 405 just down from Hollywood DVD and across from Cafe Monet. Owner is Malcolm Nelson who was on the scene this morning with his team of travel counselors. They are still moving desks, etc., but they are ready to lay out your travel arrangements. Phone remains the same: 478-2468. And, yes, it is Capitol with an "o." They know the difference! Welcome to Westgate!!!!
Fine seating for shoppers and other well-built items from wood will draw anyone's attention as she or he visits Whole Earth Provisions when it opens in Westgate on Wednesday, June 28. Maybe you've noticed when you shopped at either Bealls or Central Market the energetic and attractive workers in wood who have been doing carpentry out front of Whole Earth. There's craftsman Steven Ascherd of Red Dot Building Co. and Tim Hayes, an independent carpenter. They've been creating much of the furnishings to be used to either seat shoppers or hold the merchandise. Steven has constructed some very handsome benches, cabinets, and stands for display of the wares soon to be on display and for sale at Whole Earth. Steven has allowed your rover to sweep up some of the sawdust and wood shavings for use in the Western Trails community garden. Your rover has even built a trellis for his rose bushes from the scraps. Phone for Steven's Red Dot outfit is 658-6127. He's also into remodeling and renovations.
Hollywood DVD has opened! It's really a great "corner" store with DVD's --in case you're behind the times, a DVD is improved technology, using CD tech instead of videotape. You can get a DVD player for about $150. There goes my discretionary spending. Your rover stopped in for an application to rent from the wide selection of movies, etc. A splendid assortment of candy and sodas for the movies is also available. Manager is Sean McClure who has a background in bookstore as well as property management. Stop in and tell Sean "hello!" They also have a very useful website where you can shop online: Hollywood DVD. Phone for the store, now listed on the Westgate commercial and professional directory, is 892-7786 or 892-7845.
Stride Rite Shoes, or kids footworks, opened for business at Westgate this past weekend. The store is next to Dr. Chocolate down from Bath & Body Works. Welcome! Management is under Greg Davies at 4477 South Lamar, Suite 770. Phone is 899-0811 or 327-7030. Your rover during his morning rounds encountered a lovely lady, Sue, from London town polishing the front door.( Nothing like an English person to make glass sparkle!) Tentative store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Mothers (and fathers)! Stride right over and view the footwear which is being added daily to the attractive display area. Special orders are invited.
Aesthetica MedSpa is now receiving clients at 4534 Westgate Blvd., Suite 108, next to South Austin Family Practice and South Austin Orthopaedic Clinic. MedSpa's phone is 892-7091. What happens at MedSpa? This is their description: "Invest in cosmetic treatments that make a difference. Aesthetica Med Spa is a full service medical day spa owned and operated by physicians that care about your well-being." For instance, they offer laser treatment for spider and varicose veins, hair removal, skin rejuvenation (ahh- sounds good!), nutrition counseling and vitamin therapy, etc., etc. Readers can learn more about this new neighbor by clicking on Aesthetica MedSpa. The site is under construction but should contain information shortly. At any rate, MedSpa, welcome to West Tower Village and the Westgate community!
Your rover passed by Cafe Monet and viewed a bunch of persons doing artwork on ceramic objects. All intent on their creations. It's catching on. Cafe Monet, a recent addition to our Westgate community of shops and stores, is a "paint your own pottery" studio, with expert guidance from owner-manager Jules Wilson (with help from silent partner Charles Winson) at your elbow if requested. The "cafe" is next door to Great Clips, down a bit from Adventure Toys and Borders Books, Music & Cafe. Phone is 892-3200. Some specials to help you get started include "Monty Monday," 20 % off Monty's choice, each Monday Monty will choose a different piece of pottery; "Happiest of Hours," for Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., paint one hour and get one hour free; and "Monet by Moonlight, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m. paint all evening for a $10 studio fee. Creative Idea: bring a bottle of wine, cheese/crackers and friends. And for more information about classes and group "events," you may click Cafe Monet. Cafe hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. til 7 p.m.; on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. til 9 p.m.; and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Cafe Monet motto: "Doing the dishes has never been so much fun!"
Over in West Tower Village, brand new occupants in the space where the Rex Electronics store used to be are the South Austin Family Practice Clinic, 4534 Westgate Blvd., Suite 108, phone 892-7076, which moved from former space on Western Trails, and the South Austin Orthopaedic Clinic, 4534 Westgate Blvd., Suite 110, phone 892-1220. Doctors in the sports medicine and family practice clinic include Gregory Marchand, M.D.; David L. Sneed, D.O., Darren Geyer, M.D., and John Kurt Frederick, M.D. Also in the practice are Shelley Lane DeCourtin, PA-C, Cheryl Chase, PA-C, and Sharon M. Sneed, Ph.D., R.D. In the orthopaedic clinic, physicians include Clark Race, M.D., Robert E. Blais, M.D., and David C. Savage, M.D..
Amy's Ice Creams is open and serving. Also there are nice tables outside where patrons can enjoy the rich, creamy ice cream or yogurt concoctions. Border's Books' Cafe Espresso also has inviting tables outside where visitors can enjoy the Spring weather. And, of course, Central Market's Patio Cafe is also a nice place to sit outside and enjoy the grackles vying for dropped morsels.
The property managers of Westgate Center should be complimented for their attention to landscaping. The greenspots in the parking areas are attractive. Too bad the managers of property on the north end of the shopping center are not as attentive, though their weeds are now flowering.
An architect driving a cute bright yellow VW bug convertible, was seen measuring the front entrance at the abandoned old Westgate Discount Theater. When your rover interviewed the friendly young man who chose not to disclose his name, he did admit, however, that an "upper scale" restaurant would be opening at the site once extensive renovations were completed by the end of the year. Your rover knew something was up when the tall grass in front of the boarded-up structure was mowed. This is good news! Another attractive spot for those of us who prefer Westgate!
Around the corner from Sir Speedy in West Tower Village, a temporary sign now covers Hair Images's permanent sign, no pun intended. The new sign at 4601 South Lamar, Ste. 99, reads Salon Prestigio. Welcome to the Westgate community! Probably the same phone: 892-2998.
The roofing is going on at Taos and Frontier Trail streets opposite Harrell Funeral Home and Austin Telco Credit Union. This is, of course, as has been reported earlier here, the expansive new home of the Emergency Animal Hospital which is now located on the west side of Lamar just south of Westgate. The construction of this building has been a revelation. Many new materials and techniques have been employed in this attractive edifice!!
Readers may wonder why The Gazette is so slow about starting up a hard-copy edition. The answer is simple. At the rate of business development so far in the shopping center, killing even a small tree to chronicle it could not be responsibly defended. When three quarters of the space is occupied, your Gazette will appear once a week on paper. Til then, sorry, readers will have to use the Internet.
The boundaries for the Gazette include property fronting on Western Trails Boulevard from Pack Saddle to Westgate Boulevard, Taos Boulevard, Frontier Trail, Windswept Cove, Westgate Boulevard from West 290 to Western Trails, and the Westgate and West Tower Village shopping centers.
Westgate and West Tower Village are served now by five Capital Metro routes: #16 and #38 with access to and from downtown; #31, with access to South Lamar, Oltorf, and ACC's East Riverside campus; #28, the east-west Ben White route with access to Barton Creek Square Mall; and #111, the east-west route running on Stassney from Bluff Springs to Westgate and then north to Western Trails. These buses can be obtained on Western Trails and Westgate Blvd., to the east and south of Westgate Shopping Center.
This on-line edition of The Westgate Gazette includes a free directory of all commercial and professional enterprises now in operation within the Westgate/West Tower Village shopping areas and their immediate neighborhoods. New businesses will be added as they become part of this special community. This directory includes addresses, phones, hours of business, a brief description of commercial or professional activity, and, when available, a link to url or email for these businesses. If your free listing in the directory is not complete, please email to The Westgate Gazette or call toll-free 1-877-751-4510.