Little Ola’s Biscuits, the biscuit shop from Olamaie, will open a second location in Mueller at 1905 Aldrich Street, Suite 110 in early 2025, according to Eater Austin. The company also lists the future address on its site, along with menu details, confirming the expansion plan, per Little Ola’s Biscuits.
The plan for Mueller
The new cafe fills the former Halcyon space on Aldrich Street; the coffee-and-cocktail spot opened there in 2017 and closed in August 2024, as reported by Eater Austin. Little Ola’s will bring buttermilk biscuit sandwiches and a counter-service format. The team plans to launch in early 2025, a timeline noted by Eater Austin.
The concept grew out of Olamaie’s 2020 pivot to a biscuit operation when the restaurant paused dine-in service, and it opened a shop in Wells Branch the following year, according to Eater Austin. The cafe received an Eater Austin Award in 2022 recognizing that shift, per Eater Austin.
What diners will find
Menu items will include biscuit sandwiches such as honey-butter fried chicken, tomato-egg-cheese, peanut butter–raspberry jam, and peach jam–butter, according to Eater Austin. There will also be a la carte biscuits and cinnamon rolls made with biscuit dough, as reported by Eater Austin and listed by Little Ola’s Biscuits.
Drinks will cover house-made lemonades and Arnold Palmers, plus espresso and teas, according to Eater Austin. The Mueller cafe has a liquor license and will operate a full bar for brunch drinks, as reported by Eater Austin. Day-to-day operations and recipe development are led by managing partner and pastry chef Jules Stoddart, according to Eater Austin.
Little Ola’s operates under MaieB Hospitality, led by founder and executive chef Michael Fojtasek, whose portfolio includes Olamaie, Redbud Ice House, Gimme Burger, and Maie Day, according to Eater Austin.
Neighborhood context
Mueller is a master-planned district built on the former city airport site and is nearing completion after years of phased development, as reported by Community Impact. Data shows a resident base with higher educational attainment and income: about 59.9% hold a bachelor’s degree and 22.8% have advanced degrees; 53% of households earn $75,000 or more and 29% earn $150,000 or more, according to Rastegar Capital.
The area emphasizes walkability and park access, with trails and neighborhood green space integrated into daily routines, according to Speed Neuren Group and Homes. Those features support foot traffic for cafes and quick-service spots near Aldrich Street’s retail core, as shown by neighborhood overviews from Homes.
Industry backdrop
Austin’s dining calendar remains active, with anchor events such as the Hot Luck festival drawing chefs and diners each spring, according to Axios. Local operators and professionals also continue to receive national attention, including a recent James Beard award for Birdie’s co-owner Arjav Ezekiel in the beverage service category, as reported by Axios.
Little Ola’s launch story traces to the 2020 shutdown era, when many Austin restaurants closed or reworked service models. Between March and July of that year, at least 155 restaurants and 72 retail vendors in the metro area closed permanently, according to Wikipedia. Broader food-and-beverage pressures have persisted, including a 2024 decline in the Texas craft beer sector’s economic impact, as noted by Axios. Against that backdrop, expanding a biscuit cafe that started as a contingency reflects a bet on neighborhood demand and daytime traffic, as outlined by Eater Austin.
How it fits in Mueller
Resident income and education levels point to a market for breakfast and lunch options with beverage programs, according to data from Rastegar Capital. Walkable streets and nearby parks suggest potential for grab-and-go orders and family visits, based on neighborhood profiles from Homes and Speed Neuren Group. The available buildout from the prior bar-and-cafe tenant may also streamline opening steps for a concept with both coffee and a licensed bar, as reported by Eater Austin.
Practical notes for neighbors
Opening is slated for early 2025 at 1905 Aldrich Street, Suite 110, according to Eater Austin. The company’s site lists core biscuits, biscuit-based pastries, and beverage staples that will carry over to Mueller, per Little Ola’s Biscuits.
Industry observers point to a few priorities tied to the neighborhood and market data:
- Community touchpoints: Loyalty programs and soft-opening events can build routine visits in a master-planned district with active common spaces, according to neighborhood overviews from Homes.
- Beverage strategy: A liquor license enables a defined brunch cocktail lineup alongside nonalcoholic options, a draw in a market that has seen notable beverage recognition, as reported by Axios.
- Menu and pricing: A mix of premium sandwiches and value combos can meet a range of budgets in a neighborhood where a large share of households earn above $75,000, according to Rastegar Capital.
- Sustainability signals: Recyclable or compostable packaging aligns with local planning goals and trail use, according to Speed Neuren Group.
For now, neighbors can expect biscuits, coffee service, and a bar program in the former Halcyon address, with doors planned to open in early 2025, according to Eater Austin.
Read the press release on muelleraustin.com.
