As more people push into the Hutto and Taylor area, the demand for quality-of-life activities and events has grown as well. Enter daiquiristo- go, a concept that combines spirited adult beverages with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Both Taylor and Hutto have seen daiquiri franchises open recently. Frosties, 117 East St. in downtown Hutto, opened on Dec.
5 while Daiquiris To-Go opened inside the Drip & Rip Vape shop at 206 N.
Main in downtown Taylor on Oct. 29. Both are located in communities that allow adults to stroll city sidewalks with alcoholic beverages in hand.
In both cities, adults can consume alcohol in open containers in all areas of town except for parks. In Taylor, Heritage Square and Pierce Park are offlimits for alcohol consumption, except for during an event that has an alcohol consumption permit. In Hutto, there is no alcohol consumption allowed in any city park or its adjacent parking lot, except for during permitted events.
Helping make these types of establishments popular is that, while classified as bars, they focus more on being family-oriented places to hang out. Children and youths under 21 are welcome and encouraged, as long as they are with a parent.
On a recent afternoon, sisters Madison (9) and Raegan (11) did cartwheels, played on the piano and watched part of a Christmas movie at Daiquiris To-Go, while parents Ryan and Heather McCracken bought vaping supplies and a daiquiri.
“I come in and play the guitar, play the piano. It’s a good vibe they’ve got going here,” Ryan McCracken said. “When we first moved to Taylor (2016) there was literally nothing fun to do here. I think it’s pretty cool how Taylor has come along.” Heather McCracken agreed, adding that the daiquiri shop is a new option to bars that have popped up in recent years.
“We have board games out for everybody, and I keep some candy in a bucket for the kids,” said Daiquiris To-Go manager Justice King. “We want families to come in here with their children. They can play the ukulele and watch a movie or sports. We have live music sometimes. I have not yet had a single person ask why a kid is in here.”
“I don’t consider it a bar or lounge, I consider it just a nice chill spot,” said Frosties owner Roshon Alfred. “We have things here for the kiddos outside on the patio. We have cornhole. We’ve got TVs for those who want to come in and watch sports. We have live DJs on Saturday nights. It’s a family lifestyle gettogether instead of a bar scene.”
Daquiris To-Go will soon offer a non-alcoholic option, and Frosties serves a virgin pina colada with bits of candy on top for kids. Both stores are exploring more ways of embracing families and providing a muchneeded service to their communities.
“We’re working on having a teen night because the teenagers don’t have anywhere to go,” Alfred said. “They don’t have a skating rink out here. They don’t have any fun place to be so we’re working with some of the parents from Hutto High and Hutto Middle School to have an age 14 and up night. We want to cater to every age group in the community.”
