Lori Hawkins
Austin American-Statesman
Austin, TX, United States
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Recent articles by Lori:
Austin developer continues buying spree with apartment complex deal
Real estate investment firm Rastegar Property is continuing its buying spree with the purchase of a 70-unit apartment complex near the mixed-use Mueller → Read More
CORONAVIRUS IN AUSTIN: Fairmont, other hotels begin reopening
When the coronavirus all but froze the hospitality and travel industries this spring, many Austin hotels temporarily closed their doors.While some -- such → Read More
Coronavirus in Austin: Armbrust American raises $5M to make millions of surgical masks
Austin-based Armbrust American says it has raised $5 million to ramp up a facility the startup says will produce more than a million surgical masks a day. → Read More
Coronavirus in Austin: Some gyms, fitness studios reopen, others hold off for now
After two months of using Zoom to conduct its yoga, barre and spin classes, fitness studio Define Austin South Lamar is again teaching in-person classes. → Read More
Decluttering during the pandemic? Goodwill is accepting donations again
If you’ve been decluttering closets and shelves while sheltering in place, Goodwill is now ready for your donations.Goodwill Central Texas has reopened its 35 Austin-area retail stores after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic and is accepting items at its drop-off sites.“We have a backlog of donations from when the stores were closed, and we’re going through those now,” said Valerie Swift,… → Read More
Coronavirus in Austin: Whole Foods opens in East Austin, but online only for now
A long-awaited Whole Foods in East Austin has opened, but amid the coronavirus pandemic it is operating only as a fulfillment center for now.The store in → Read More
Coronavirus in Austin: How Vital Farms is doing business and giving back
Many businesses in Central Texas are adjusting and responding to new challenges created by the coronavirus-spawned economic downturn.These local companies → Read More
Coronavirus in Austin: Gas prices still falling, but for how long?
As Austin businesses begin to reopen and more drivers venture out, gasoline prices have continued to fall.But that’s likely to change as demand increases, analysts said.Austin gas prices have fallen 4 cents per gallon in the past week, and currently average $1.46 for regular unleaded gasoline, according to industry website GasBuddy.com, which tracks fuel prices nationwide.GasBuddy, which surveys… → Read More
Coronavirus in Texas: How retail stores are keeping safe as they reopen
Gov. Greg Abbott this week announced that all retailers, restaurants, movie theaters and malls can start reopening Friday at 25% of their licensed capacity.Abbott’s plan to restart the state’s economy in a tentative, gradual rollout follows the March closure of all businesses deemed nonessential in an effort to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.ALSO READ: Some stores in Central Texas… → Read More
Coronavirus in Central Texas: Some stores reopen, but shoppers scarce
Some stores reopen, but shoppers scarceFriday was a day Justine Gonzalez said she has been eagerly waiting for: to be able to leave the confines of her → Read More
After receiving loan, Austin Pets Alive delays reopening stores
After planning to reopen its thrift stores on Friday, Austin Pets Alive said Thursday that it has received a small business loan and will postpone the → Read More
Coronavirus in Texas: Businesses can reopen Friday, but will they?
Austin retailers, restaurants and other businesses late Monday were just beginning to process what Gov. Greg Abbott’s reopening plan means to their → Read More
Coronavirus in Austin: What you need to know about retail-to-go
Gov. Greg Abbott last week announced the start of retail to-go service for businesses as part of a plan to begin reactivating the Texas economy following → Read More
Coronavirus impact: Austin-based Chuy’s expects sales decline, furloughs workers
Preliminary first-quarter sales figures from Chuy’s Holdings Inc. show the blow the coronavirus has dealt to its finances and its workforce.The Austin-based Tex-Mex restaurant chain on Tuesday said it expects a first-quarter same-store sales decline of 9.7%.Same-store sales increased 3.1% for the first 10 weeks of the 13-week quarter, but fell 16.8%, 67% and 63.5%, respectively, for the final… → Read More
Coronavirus in Austin: Downturn started hitting local job market in March
Just two months ago, Austin’s unemployment rate was near a 20-year low at 2.6%.We know the employment market looks far different now, following the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. But it’s too soon for the data to reflect the true level of job destruction that the virus has caused.The unemployment rate in the Austin metro area rose to 3.5% in March, up from 2.6% in February, the Texas… → Read More
ESSENTIAL CHALLENGES: Even for ‘essential’ Austin companies, the outbreak is causing strains, forcing changes.
Jason Frick was relieved when he learned his dry cleaning business was deemed an essential service under Austin’s shelter-in-place order amid the coronavirus pandemic.The city’s order allows businesses and trades that provide essential services to continue to operate. Along with key retail outlets like supermarkets, hardware stores and pharmacies, the list also includes plumbing, auto repair,… → Read More
Coronavirus fallout: Texas Workforce Commission boosts hours, adds staff
With a record number of Texans filing for unemployment benefits amid the coronavirus pandemic, many have found the process to be frustrating and time- → Read More
Austin emergency communications firm AlertMedia lands $15M as coronavirus spurs demand
Austin-base emergency communications firm AlertMedia has raised $15 million as the coronavirus pandemic has created an urgent need for companies to reach → Read More
Tracking coronavirus layoffs: Find out which companies have cut Austin jobs
The ripple effects of the coronavirus on Austin’s job market has resulted in hundreds of layoffs.The first wave of job cuts were seen in the hospitality, restaurant and retail sector, but technology companies and a wide range of other businesses are also feeling the pain.The American-Statesman is tracking layoffs at Austin-area businesses by compiling this list, which will be updated with new… → Read More
Tracking coronovirus layoffs: Find out which companies have cut Austin jobs
The ripple effects of the coronavirus on Austin’s job market has resulted in hundreds of layoffs.The first wave of job cuts were seen in the hospitality, restaurant and retail sector, but technology companies and a wide range of other businesses are also feeling the pain.The American-Statesman is tracking layoffs at Austin-area businesses by compiling this list, which will be updated with new… → Read More