🍸 Local Bar Closure, A New Pizzeria & A Downtown Delay

January 28, 2026

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Happy Wednesday, New Braunfels! How has your week been going so far? You’re halfway to the weekend, so that’s always something to smile about!

From saying goodbye to a familiar local spot to welcoming new flavors and tracking what’s next for downtown, today’s email is loaded with some big stories.

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Tavern On Castell Officially Closes

Sad news for New Braunfels as Tavern On Castell has officially closed its doors. The owners shared a heartfelt message thanking the community for the years of support, memories, and friendships built along the way.

For many locals, Tavern On Castell was more than just a restaurant. It was a familiar gathering spot filled with regulars, celebrations, and good times. As the chapter comes to a close, the community sends well wishes to Chip and Michelle and gratitude for the space they created in downtown New Braunfels.

Sofia’s Pizzeria Announces New Braunfels Location

Pizza lovers have something new to look forward to. San Antonio favorite Sofia’s Pizzeria is opening a New Braunfels location at 508 Landa Street, taking over the former home of Big Bib BBQ.

Known for house-made recipes and attention to detail, Sofia’s plans to bring its popular pizzas, pastas, wings, and sandwiches to town, along with a highly requested addition: pizza by the slice for an easy lunch option. While an opening date hasn’t been announced yet, more details are expected soon and another strong food option is officially on the way.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN?

Here are some of the events we’re most excited about over the next few days:

WEDNESDAY
🎶 Lunchtime Live with Steven Vee at Phoenix Saloon (12:00 PM)
🍔 Burger Night at Happy Cow Bar (5:00 PM)
🎶 Yodel Blitz at Krause’s Cafe (6:00 PM)
🛍️ Humpday Market at Gruene Grove (6:00 PM)
🧀 Raclette Night at Otto’s Cheese Shop (6:30 PM)
🌻 In Love with Sunflowers at Painting With A Twist (6:30 PM)
🎤 Andrew Kreitz at Gruene Grove (7:00 PM)
🎲 Xtreme Music Bingo at Watering Hole Saloon & Dance Hall (7:00 PM)
🎵 Sideman Song Swap at The Redbird Listening Room (7:30 PM)
🎭 Stand Up Comedy at Wildside New Braunfels (8:00 PM)

THURSDAY
🌙 Enchanted Moonlight at Painting With A Twist (6:30 PM)
💃 Two Step Lessons at Gruene Hall (7:00 PM)
🎸 Gage Fontenot at Gruene Hall (7:00 PM)
🎶 Paul Bryant Logan Trio at The Gruene Grove (7:00 PM)
🎱 Pool Tournament at Happy Cow Bar (7:00 PM)
🎶 Music Bingo at The Villa (7:30 PM)
🥃 Mesquite Moonshine at Watering Hole Saloon & Dance Hall (8:00 PM)
🎸 The Davis Brothers at Gruene Hall (8:30 PM)

FRIDAY
 🪴 Propagation Frames Workshop at Plant Culture Potting Bar (2:30 PM)
🎶 Live Music at Gruene Grove (3:00 PM)
🎸 Colton’s Kin at The Grapevine (5:00 PM)
🎬 Family Movie Night at McKenna Events Center (5:30 PM)
🏛️ 107th Annual Chamber Banquet at New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center (6:00 PM)
🌙 Date Night — Celestial Moon at Painting With A Twist (7:00 PM)
🎤 Wade Bowen at Gruene Hall (8:00 PM)
🎸 Gary Glenn & 20X Band at Freiheit Country Store (8:30 PM)
🎸 Trey Gonzalez at Watering Hole Saloon & Dance Hall (8:30 PM)
🥃 Whiskey Rebellion at The Phoenix Saloon (9:00 PM)

🚀 GROW YOUR BUSINESS. REACH MILLIONS. MAKE AN IMPACT.

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CO-OP MARKETPLACE PROJECT REMAINS ON HOLD

Downtown Redevelopment Faces Ongoing Delays

The long-discussed Co-Op Marketplace continues to face delays, with visible construction yet to begin on the former New Braunfels Producers Co-Op site. The 2.5-acre mixed-use project is planned to become a community hub with dining, shopping, green space, and public gathering areas, including the adaptive reuse of the iconic grain silo.

Developers say the project is still in the city permitting phase, with plans being refined to improve layout, flow, and tenant experience. While the vision remains intact and city leaders continue to support the concept, timelines remain uncertain. For now, the project stands as a reminder of what could eventually reshape downtown, even as Castell Avenue continues to evolve on its own.

🐝 Buzz Around Town

Paintball Deals Are Popping at Texas Ski Ranch
Blaster Park at Texas Ski Ranch is running a limited-time Groupon deal on adrenaline-pumping paintball packages, including full gear rental, air, and 500 paintballs per person. With deep discounts available for individuals and groups, and the sale ending soon, this is an easy win for anyone craving a high-energy outing in New Braunfels. Click here to grab the deal.

Gourmet Hot Dogs Hit Downtown New Braunfels
Black Whale Pub has officially launched a lineup of gourmet hot dogs, featuring Chicago, Detroit, New York, and classic American styles. Guests can also order the “Parker Flight” to sample three different dogs, plus upgrade sides for a small fee. Downtown comfort food just leveled up.

Sprouts Farmers Market Opens Its Doors in New Braunfels
Sprouts Farmers Market has opened its first New Braunfels location at Creekside Crossing. The store offers organic produce, specialty diets like keto and gluten-free, and ready-to-eat options, giving locals another fresh grocery option.

Gruene Boutique Hotel Project Heads to Final City Vote
A proposed 150-room boutique hotel and revived tavern near Gruene could move forward pending final approval from New Braunfels City Council. The project, tentatively called Gruene Court, would redevelop the former Gruene Homestead Inn site, though concerns remain around traffic, trees, and neighborhood character.

NBISD Bus Involved in Highway 46 Accident
No injuries were reported after a pickup truck rear-ended a New Braunfels Independent School District bus on Highway 46 near FM 1863. The incident caused temporary traffic congestion, and authorities responded quickly to the scene.

City University Applications Due Soon
Applications for City of New Braunfels City University and Youth City University are due by Friday, February 6 at 5 PM. The free program offers residents and high school students a behind-the-scenes look at how city services operate.

Landa Park Golf Course Adjusts Hours Due to Cold Weather
Landa Park Golf Course has announced temporary closures and delayed openings this week as crews protect the greens from freezing temperatures. Normal operations are expected to resume as conditions improve.

WEATHER FORECAST 

Wednesday: High: 55º | Low: 28º | 0% chance of precipitation

Thursday: High: 64º | Low: 33º | 0% chance of precipitation

Friday: High: 55º | Low: 36º | 0% chance of precipitation

Burn Ban: ON

Water Restrictions: Stage 2

The STEM Solutions Showcase at the Science Mill is giving kids and teens ages 8–18 a chance to put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work on real challenges facing Central Texas — and Friday, January 30 is the final day to register. This hands-on showcase invites students to design, build, or propose STEM-based solutions that make a meaningful impact in their community.

Whether participating solo or as a team, students will explore engineering, technology, science, and math in a fun, real-world way. Entry fees are $25 for individuals or $40 for teams, and the first seven entries will receive a free trifold display board. If you’ve got a young innovator at home, now’s the time to sign them up and let those ideas shine.

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Thanks!

That wraps up today’s email. We hope you’re having a great week and that you found something useful and informative in this edition.

If you enjoyed it, consider passing it along to someone who enjoys staying in the know about New Braunfels.

Until next time,

— The New Braunfels Life Team

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