The Open
Morning, Georgetown. 👋
Friday's Art Stroll was a hit. The Square was full of people touring old houses, painting outside, and following a sousaphone down 8th Street. This week, we've got a comeback story, a brand new place to grab a cold one downtown, a big Saturday on the plaza, and the start of Halloween week. Let's go.
A Little Good News: Frankie's beat the fire
In 2024, a fire tore through a strip of businesses on Leander Road and forced Frankie's New York Style Pizza & Pasta to close. It hit at the worst possible moment. Owner Frank Nikshiqi had just spent heavily on renovations, and he told Community Impact the family was out of work, with some staff driving for Uber to get by.
They came back. Frankie's reopened in January at 1211 Leander Road, and the Georgetown Chamber celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 29. Frank has about 35 years in the business, starting in a high-end Manhattan restaurant, and everything is made from scratch. That includes the dough and a secret-recipe sauce. Regulars swear by the lasagna and the spinach and cheese cannelloni.
His take on the customers who waited two years for him: "They don't forget about us." If you haven't been back yet, this is your sign.
Plus: Renee Hewett walked away from Friday's Art Stroll with one of the painted rain barrels from the city's auction. The Sun has great photos from the night, including tours of the Shotgun House Museum, which was built in the 1920s.
The Week Ahead
Wed 10/21 · "Clue" at the Georgetown Public Library, 6:30 p.m. It's free, with popcorn, and part of the Spooky Film Fest.
Fri 10/23 · Southwestern breaks ground on its 560 acre development east of campus.
Fri 10/23 through Sun 10/25 · Community Ofrenda at the Georgetown Art Center, 816 S. Main St. Bring a photo or a written message for a loved one. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Sat 10/24 · Dia de los Muertos, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Light and Water Works Plaza, 809 Martin Luther King St. It's free, with live music, cultural performances, crafts for all ages, and food and artisan vendors.
Fri 10/23 and Sat 10/24 · Ghost tours and fireworks. Ghosts of the Georgetown Square tours start at the Williamson Museum, and the Sweet Eats Fall Festival does fireworks both nights.
Wed 10/28 · "Murder on the Orient Express" closes out the library's Spooky Film Fest, 6:30 p.m., free.
Thu 10/29 · Trick or Treat Trail, 5 to 7 p.m. at San Gabriel Park. It's free, with candy, games, crafts, Touch-A-Truck, and food trucks. Costume contests are at 5:30 (ages 0 to 3), 6 (ages 4 to 6), and 6:30 p.m. (ages 7 to 10).
Through Fri 10/30 · Early voting. Election Day is Nov. 3. More in the Roundup.
Through Sun 11/1 · "Oklahoma!" at the Palace, in the brand new seats.
Looking ahead: The 10th annual Field of Honor fills the San Gabriel Park lawn with flags Nov. 7 to 15.
Something we missed? Hit reply. The tip line is always open.
Eat and Drink: A beer garden on the Square
Monument Cafe has a beer garden now. The Georgetown favorite at 500 S. Austin Ave. opened a beer garden and market on Oct. 8, after a soft opening on Oct. 5. The garden has outdoor seating and craft beer on tap. The market handles grab-and-go and pickup orders from the full menu, so you can skip the wait on a busy Saturday. Now that the mornings finally feel like fall, this one has good timing.
Coming in January: Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard plans to open at 1208 Williams Dr., in the old Frozen Flamingo building. Frozen treats are coming back to that corner.
Still planned for November: The Junction and Texas Roadhouse. I'll tell you once each one is confirmed open.
The Big Thing: Georgetown just locked in $46 million for its water future
This one isn't flashy, but it's about what comes out of your tap for decades. On Oct. 13, City Council approved $46 million in low-cost state bonds for the Georgetown Regional Water Initiative.
What it pays for: buying new water supplies and getting them to Georgetown. That includes a new transmission line from Circleville, in eastern Williamson County, to north Georgetown. The goal is simple: as the city grows, make sure there's enough water to go around.
Why the financing matters: the money comes through the Texas Water Development Board's SWIFT program, which offers cheaper financing than the city could get on its own. One part is a $29 million loan at 4.29 percent, which the city says will save about $3.44 million in interest. The other is $17 million at 3.75 percent, with interest payments deferred until 2031.
What it means for your bill: the bonds will be repaid with the utility rates the city recently approved. Deferring part of the cost lets those rates rise gradually instead of all at once. So if you've noticed your water bill creeping up, this is a big part of where that money is going: making sure the water keeps coming as Georgetown keeps growing.
Local Spotlight: The Story Tree needs a hand
If you've ever taken graduation photos at Southwestern University, there's a good chance you took them by the Story Tree. It's a live oak about 100 years old, and generations of students and families have gathered under it.
This month, a major branch broke off. It's the branch so many people sat on for photos and celebrations. The tree has been struggling with age and infection for a while, and a smaller branch fell last November.
Here's the good part: several local groups are working together to raise money to help save the rest of the tree. The fallen branch won't go to waste either. It's being cut up, dried, and milled into boards that people will be able to buy and turn into charcuterie boards, bowls, and even tables. Katy Ford of Roots that Bind Us was photographed helping move the pieces.
So someday you may be able to own a piece of a Georgetown landmark, and help keep the rest of it standing. I'll share how to get a board or donate as soon as the details are public.
Know a Georgetown person or group doing quiet, great work? Hit reply and nominate them.
The Roundup
Early voting runs through Oct. 30, and Election Day is Nov. 3. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Friday, Oct. 23. The Sun has a full election guide with candidate Q&As and polling locations. For a plain explainer of the GISD measure, here's our Prop A breakdown from August.
Watch your mailbox: Williamson County property tax statements started mailing this week. Some school district rates are still waiting on voter approval.
Two big plans at once: the city is writing its next Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Plan at the same time. These shape how Georgetown grows, so watch for chances to weigh in.
First Friday's last song: the rained-out First Friday concert made it to the courthouse lawn on Oct. 16, with Last of the Petty Cash. The final concert of the year is in November.
A goodbye: Pink Poppy Artisans Boutique has closed. Thanks for the years on the Square.
Your Turn
Thanks for sharing your favorite fall traditions! [ADD TWO OR THREE REAL REPLIES HERE]
Halloween is a week from Saturday, so this week's question: Which Georgetown neighborhood goes all out for trick-or-treating? Big decorations, full-size candy bars, a street that throws a party? Hit reply with the neighborhood and why. I'll share the best ones next week, just in time.
The Sign-off
That's the Buzz. If you're heading to Dia de los Muertos Saturday or the Trick or Treat Trail next Thursday, forward this to the friend you're bringing. That's genuinely how this thing grows. If someone sent it to you, you can subscribe free at gtownbuzz.com.
See you on the Square, Armand
GTown Buzz, your weekly buzz on Georgetown, TX Got a tip? Just hit reply.