Real Estate Photographer in Fredericksburg, TX

An upscale American craft brewery with a twist of Irish expertise is in the works for one of Texas' favorite drinking destinations. It will be another place to raise a glass and maybe even take up cycling.

Pour Choices Brewing Company — no relation to the Austin 6th Street bar — has filed plans for a $2.8 million microbrewery and tasting room at 1505 South Creek Street, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, adjacent to the city's first Chick-fil-A and a Walmart Supercenter.

According to a Texas Licensing and Regulation filing registered on October 15, the 8,649-square-foot project includes plans for a small bike repair shop, an outdoor stage and shade structure, a bar and more. Owner Rick LaPlante tells MySA that the brewery's plans also include a major outside seating project with space for 150 guests, a kids area, bocce ball and a sand volleyball court.

One of the more unique parts of the brewery's plans is the bike shop, where LaPlante and his team will cater to Fredericksburg's cycling culture and tourism.

"We want it to be a destination. Fredericksburg is actually quite famous for cycling teams," the brewery owner said.

LaPlante, whose wife, cyclist Judith LaPlante, trains for thousands of miles each year, said he wanted to build something that would welcome cycling teams and camps year-round. The bike shop will have tools, spare parts and other helpful assists for the avid cyclists who periodically flock to Fredericksburg's Hill Country highways for training.

The brewery itself will be headed up by brewer Tony Wickham, who LaPlante said started a successful American craft brewery in Ireland in 2016. Wickham scored two major accolades while there, winning the title of "Best Beer in Ireland" at the Irish Beer Festival two years in a row.

"He's very, very accomplished," LaPlante said. "He's brewed in the U.S., Europe, Ireland and shipped canned beers all over the European Union."

Construction on the brewery is expected to be complete by spring of 2026, though all construction plans are subject to change. Upon its opening, the bar will serve 16 of its own homemade ales, including IPAs, barrel-aged beers, stouts, brown ales and more.

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas – A Fredericksburg resident who won the Sept. 6 Powerball jackpot has received the largest payout in Texas Lottery History.

The unnamed player received $410 million before taxes from the $1.8 billion grand prize, according to a news release from the Texas Lottery.

They purchased the winning ticket at Big’s 103, a gas station located off U.S. Highway 290.

According to Texas Lottery, winning players had the options of a direct cash value option less than the total grand prize or an annuity option where payments are made over a 29-year period for the greater amount.

Seven Bridges Revocable Trust of Fredericksburg claimed the direct payout and said the winnings will be shared with the community.

A representative of the trust said, “This is a moment of gratitude for us, a blessing we plan to enjoy and share with those who are special to us and who serve our community.”

According to Texas Lottery, the winning Fredericksburg resident realized they’d won the jackpot the day after the drawing. The resident was driving to church when they realized they’d won.

“They pulled over to check their numbers a few more times, placed the ticket in the glovebox and went inside,” Texas Lottery said.

The grand prize was shared with a second jackpot winner in Missouri.

Big’s 103 will also receive a $250,000 bonus from the Texas Lottery for selling the winning ticket.

Powerball grand prizes typically start out at $20 million and increase until the jackpot is won. This jackpot was the culmination of 42 drawings, setting the record for the game’s longest jackpot run.

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Big things are coming to the city of Fredericksburg — and not everyone is happy about it.

News of the developments in the works for the Texas Hill Country hot spot, which includes the state's first Waldorf Astoria hotel, generated hundreds of reactions to a MySA Facebook post, many of which were concerns that Fredericksburg is losing its small-town charm.

"Californication!," said one Facebook user, cheekily named Tom Foolery.

"Fredericksburg has gone all corporate with its wineries," an Austinite Facebook user named Jason Luebbe said in the post. "They are all castles with water parks."

Another commenter joked that anyone from out of the state needs to submit an application first, and then "maybe we let them over here."

Others, though, were excited for the major amenities coming to Fredericksburg.

"All big cities were small towns not that long ago," said a Facebook user who goes by the name "San Braunfels."

City officials told MySA that it has several policies designed to protect the town's character while managing growth responsibly.

"All development in the city limits goes through the City’s development review process, which includes multiple departments and looks at impacts, including traffic as well as how the project fits into any City Master Plans," said Sean Doerre, Fredericksburg's public information officer.

Gillespie County Economic Development Commission data shows that the county’s tax base has almost tripled over the last 10 years, climbing from $3.5 billion in 2015 to $10.4 billion in 2025. Earnings from sales tax in Fredericksburg have also jumped, from $4.6 million in 2014 to $9.3 million in 2024.

Doerre said Fredericksburg has used some of that money for grants that go toward local non-profits and offers thousands of dollars in hotel occupancy and historic preservation grants.

And, since 2011, Fredericksburg's tourism industry has added 3,287 jobs, a 37% increase compared to the first 11 years of the century.

City leaders have also adopted a number of historic preservation ordinances, design guidelines and standards, environmental rules, and short-term rental ordinances in hopes of preserving the city's identity and historic downtown district. The investment includes upgraded sidewalks, lighting, parking, trash cans and benches, according to Doerre.

The winning ticket was sold in Fredericksburg. The $410,000,000 cash value option is the largest prize ever paid out to a single Texas Lottery player.

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas — Do the numbers 11-23-44-61-62 mean anything to you? Well, they do for one lucky lottery player in Central Texas.

Those five numbers, along with a Powerball number of 17, led to a massive payday -- actually, the largest payday for any Texas Lottery player in history.

Those lucky numbers led to a $410,324,470.28 payday before taxes for a lottery player who bought their ticket in Fredericksburg last month.

They ended up splitting the $1.8 billion Powerball prize with another ticket sold in Missouri for the Sept. 6 drawing. It was the second-largest jackpot prize in both Powerball and United States lottery history.

The money was claimed by Seven Bridges Revocable Trust, and the winner pledged to share the money with those who "serve our community."

"We are Texas true to the state and its values. We believe in family, in faith, and in the blessings that come through both. This is a moment of gratitude for us, a blessing we plan to enjoy and share with those who are special to us and who serve our community. We ask for privacy as we look forward to enjoying our lives together as a family. God bless Texas," a representative of the trust said in a statement.

The winner hand-picked the numbers, but in a stroke of luck, they realized one of the numbers was different than the one they intended to choose. When they were driving to church on the morning after the drawing, they checked the ticket and realized they won. Once they figured it out, they put the ticket in the glovebox and headed in for the service.

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Chef behind three?Michelin?starred Atelier Crenn will bring her celebrated, ingredient?forward philosophy to one of the most anticipated luxury hotels in Texas expected to debut in 2027

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas – Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country and Waldorf Astoria Residences Texas Hill Country proudly announce a culinary collaboration with internationally acclaimed chef Dominique Crenn, who will develop and oversee the signature restaurant at the highly anticipated resort expected to open in 2027. Brought to life by a visionary partnership among Mark Harmon, Robert Radovan, and Tim Sparapani, the resort and residences mark Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts’ debut in Texas—and will also introduce a fresh, independent concept from one of America’s most lauded chefs.

“Chef Crenn is an extraordinary talent with a rare ability to draw out the essence of every ingredient, crafting a culinary experience unlike any other,” said Mark Harmon, developer of Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country. “We want Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country to be more than a destination; it will be place that honors the land, celebrates culture, and offers guests and residents moments of discovery. With Chef Crenn, we aim to further elevate Fredericksburg’s identity as a leading wine and culinary destination by creating experiences that feel local, inspired and enduring.”

“At Waldorf Astoria, our legacy is built on artistry, in design, in hospitality, and in the culinary experiences that connect guests to a true sense of place,” said Dino Michael, senior vice president and category head, luxury brands, Hilton. “Chef Crenn’s creative vision and deep respect for nature align beautifully with the Waldorf Astoria ethos. Together, we’re creating a destination that reflects the spirit of Texas Hill Country while advancing the next chapter of luxury dining.”

The Crenn signature restaurant at Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country promises to be a destination in its own right where world-class design, inspired cuisine, and unforgettable experiences converge. Chef Crenn’s visionary approach—a harmonious blend of artistry, sustainability, and storytelling—will shape a chef-driven menu rooted in French technique, embracing global flavors, and celebrating the region’s rich terroir while elevating Texas Hill Country’s culinary reputation onto the world stage. Guests and residents can expect dishes that blend locally sourced ingredients with a mix of premium seafood and meats, elevated by avant-garde techniques, reflecting both Hill Country heritage and Crenn’s signature creativity. The second-story restaurant will offer a seamless flow between intimate private dining rooms, lively specialty bars, and expansive terraces overlooking the breathtaking Texas Hill Country vistas.

“The Texas Hill Country has a culinary rhythm all its own,” said Chef Dominique Crenn. “This collaboration is a chance to celebrate the land, the people, and the seasons through a new lens—one that’s deeply personal, rooted in nature, and elevated by imagination. I’m honored to bring this vision to life in Fredericksburg, and to be partnering with such an excellent team of hospitality legends to see it through.”

Dominique Crenn’s culinary journey began in France, inspired by her family’s passion for fine dining and early exposure to top regional restaurants. In 1988, she moved to San Francisco to train under legendary chef Jeremiah Tower at Stars, laying a strong foundation in modern gastronomy. She made history as the first female executive chef in Jakarta, leading the kitchen at the Intercontinental Hotel. Returning to San Francisco in 2008, Dominique earned a Michelin star at Luce before opening Atelier Crenn in 2011, where she became the first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars. She expanded her culinary empire with Petit Crenn and Bar Crenn. In addition to her restaurants, Dominique authored the bestselling cookbook Atelier Crenn: Metamorphosis of Taste and served as Chief Technical Consultant on the film The Menu. A James Beard Award winner, World’s 50 Best Icon, and TIME 100 honoree, Dominique is a pioneering force dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and equality in the culinary world.

Chef Dominique Crenn is the visionary behind Atelier Crenn in San Francisco. Atelier Crenn was recently ranked #46 on the prestigious North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Her acclaimed portfolio also includes Bar Crenn, a sophisticated cocktail bar adjacent to Atelier Crenn, and Café Dior by Dominique Crenn in Dallas, a thoughtful collaboration with Maison Dior that seamlessly blends art, fashion, and cuisine into a multisensory culinary experience. Chef Crenn will open her next venture in collaboration with Dior, Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, this fall, at the heart of House of Dior Beverly Hills. Celebrated for her innovative approach and global culinary leadership, Chef Crenn continues to shape and inspire the evolving gastronomic landscape.

Designed in collaboration between Studio CABAN, Paul Duesing Partners, FAB Studio, TIPLER Group and The Abernathy Group, Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country will offer an immersive resort experience. Once open, the property will encompass 60 hotel rooms, 37 resort villas, and 50 private branded residences. Guests and residents will have access to five food and beverage venues, ranging from fine dining to casual concepts, with Crenn’s signature restaurant anchoring the resort’s culinary identity. Additional amenities include an 11,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, two resort-style pools and more. The property is located less than one mile from downtown Fredericksburg and is easily accessible from Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas.

Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country’s partnership with Chef Crenn builds on the brand’s legacy of collaborating with world-class culinary talent to shape the future of fine dining. Across its portfolio, Waldorf Astoria has worked with celebrated chefs such as Michael Anthony (Waldorf Astoria New York), Michael Mina (Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach) along with Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud (Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch). Each brings a distinctive vision that reflects the culture and character of their destination. Chef Crenn’s addition to this global roster underscores the brand’s ongoing commitment to artistry, sustainability, and extraordinary dining experiences.

For more information on the hotel or residences, please visit waldorfastoriaresidencestexashillcountry.com.

For more information on Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, please visit stories.hilton.com/waldorfastoria.