Interstate 35 has picked up some major new stops in 2026. As Central Texas continues to grow between Austin and San Antonio, several nationally recognized retailers and restaurant chains have opened new locations along the busy corridor. Here are some of the biggest names that opened along the I-35 corridor this year.
The store at opened on January 23 at Creekside Crossing, a major shopping center just off I-35. The roughly 23,000-square-foot store offers fresh produce, natural and organic foods, bulk items, prepared foods and other specialty grocery products.
The opening also added dozens of jobs to the New Braunfels area. Sprouts said the store created 92 full- and part-time positions.
The 152,000-square-foot warehouse opened May 15 as part of the massive Mayfair development near I-35. The roughly $37 million project includes a 32-pump Costco fuel station and created about 240 jobs.
The store has also added another major retail anchor to a rapidly developing section of New Braunfels, where residential, retail and entertainment projects continue to expand around Mayfair.
Portillo’s opened its first area restaurant in Schertz at I-35 and Cibolo Valley Drive, bringing the chain’s Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers and famous chocolate cake to the region. The new dining option adds to the growing list of tenants in the growing portfolio of Schertz Station, a 72-acre mixed-use project.
The Schertz restaurant is part of the chain’s broader expansion into Texas and gives I-35 travelers another recognizable national restaurant option between San Antonio and New Braunfels. Portillo’s is also planning a second area location in New Braunfels, although that restaurant is not part of this year’s openings.
The 74,000-square-foot location at I-35 and Yarrington Road opened August 12 following a roughly $47 million investment. The store features 128 fueling positions and brought more than 200 jobs to the San Marcos area.