Mueller families will get the first taste of a two-part Barbie takeover arriving in Austin, starting with free cookies in the neighborhood this week and culminating in a spring pop-up café with a roller-skating rink. The Sweet Loren’s cookie truck stops at H‑E‑B Mueller on Thursday, February 13, from 11 am to 2 pm, before Malibu Barbie Café opens April 4 at Wanderlust Wine Co. for a limited run through June 15. Both events lean into family-friendly fun while reflecting broader food and philanthropy trends shaping life in a fast-growing city.

Cookie truck hits the neighborhood

Sweet Loren’s, a brand built around avoiding common food allergens, is touring Austin February 11–13 with free beet-dyed, heart-shaped cookies at grocery stores across town. The company says it formulated its recipes to be free from the top 14 allergens, including gluten, dairy, eggs, and nuts. Founder Loren Castle created the brand after a Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in her early 20s prompted a major diet change; she wanted a ready-to-bake cookie dough she could still pick up at the grocery store. The truck is also promoting Sweet Loren’s pink, heart-shaped cookie dough now in stores, with a chance for fans to win a year of free cookies.

Here’s the day-by-day schedule from the organizers:

  • Tuesday, February 11 — 11 am to 2 pm at 9607 Research Blvd #300 (Whole Foods - Gateway store); 4-7 pm at 4301 W William Cannon Dr Bldg B Ste 800 (Whole Foods - Arbor Trails store)
  • Wednesday, February 12 — 11 am to 2 pm at 901 E 5th St. Ste 100 (Whole Foods - East Austin store); 4-7 pm at 11920 Domain Dr (Whole Foods - Domain store)
  • Thursday, February 13 — 11 am to 2 pm at 1801 E 51st St (H-E-B Mueller); 4-7 pm at 525 N Lamar Blvd (Whole Foods - Lamar store)

For Mueller residents, the H‑E‑B stop offers an easy midday errand add-on: a bright-pink, beet-tinted heart cookie that fits into many dietary needs.

A rink for a cause

After the warm-up, the Malibu Barbie Café rolls into Wanderlust Wine Co. (610 N. Interstate Hwy. 35) from April 4 to June 15. The pop-up will serve diner-style, all-day fare and install a temporary roller-skating “rink” with $1 skate rentals. Proceeds from rentals benefit Girls Inc., aligning the activation with Austin’s youth-focused philanthropy culture. Local giving groups are responding to increased needs: “Our nonprofit community is facing a once-in-a-generation shift requiring many to rethink missions, scale back programs, and weather deep funding cuts,” said Deanna DeHaven of Impact Austin. The organization’s Girls Giving Grants program also highlights teens’ growing role in philanthropy and recently funded services for local families, according to Impact Austin.

Café organizers say the experience is open to all ages, with a monthly 21-and-up skate night. Themed activities will include cupcake decorating classes and paint parties, plus staged photo ops designed to echo Barbie’s signature style. Mattel, which oversees the activation, said in a press statement the décor and menu were created to bring the Barbie experience to life — an effort led by the brand’s vice president of global location based entertainment, Julie Freeland.

Why the menu matters

Chef Becky Brown — a MasterChef finalist and Chopped champion — curated the fast-casual menu, which has included pancakes with sprinkles, cheeseburgers, and pita with hummus at other stops on the tour. Interest in allergen-friendly and “clean label” options continues to rise in the food world. Industry research from the Institute of Food Technologists points to growth in allergen-free formulations, recognizable ingredients, and reduced-sugar offerings as consumers prioritize health and simplicity. “There are significant opportunities for growth in the allergen free food industry. Expansion into new markets and segments, such as allergen-free snacks, baked goods, and beverages, presents lucrative opportunities for manufacturers to diversify their product portfolios,” said Nandini Roy Choudhury, Client Partner at Future Market Insights.

Austin context: pop-ups and population

Austin’s appetite for immersive dining has been building for years, from chef-driven experiments to concept-forward experiences. Local coverage underscores how pop-ups that blend food, story, and design keep drawing crowds, as reported by Eater Austin. Even chef-led restaurants such as Birdie’s have used recurring pop-up formats to showcase ideas, a pattern noted in coverage of Austin’s culinary scene on Wikipedia.

The events also arrive as the city grows and diversifies. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau estimates Austin’s population at 993,588 as of July 2024, up 3.3% from 2020. The City of Austin notes migration remains a key driver — even as the influx moderates — contributing to a youthful city with a median age around the mid-30s and relatively high household incomes. External demographic summaries place Austin’s median age near 34.5 and median household income around $91,000, with notable income disparities, according to Texas Demographics. Those dynamics help explain why family-centered, inclusive events — from allergen-aware treats to accessible, all-ages skating — resonate in neighborhoods like Mueller.

How to take part

  • Grab a cookie: The Sweet Loren’s truck is in Austin Tuesday through Thursday, with the Mueller stop on Feb. 13 from 11 am to 2 pm at H‑E‑B Mueller. Cookies are free; giveaways may include a year of free cookies.
  • Lace up: Malibu Barbie Café runs Apr. 4–Jun. 15 at Wanderlust Wine Co. Skate rentals are $1 and benefit Girls Inc. Tickets are $25 and go on sale Feb. 19; a waitlist is open now. Specific time slots will be posted with ticket release.

For neighbors planning ahead, mark Feb. 13 for the cookie drop-in and Feb. 19 for ticket sales. Spring will bring the rink, all-ages events, and a menu built for casual fun — with proceeds from those $1 skates supporting girls in the community. Read the press release on Austin CultureMap.

This content has been submitted by authors outside of this publisher and is not its editorial product. It could contain opinions, facts, and points of view that have not been reviewed or accepted by the publisher. The content may have been created, in whole or in part, using artificial intelligence tools. Original Source →