Shopping
Antiques/Thrift
Cash for Jeans (C78) 800 Congress, 472-2133. Turn that denim into dollars in no time flat.
Danforth's Antiques & Gifts (N10) 1612 Lavaca, 478-7808. Cute collectibles in the mustard yellow building.
Dreyfus Antiques -- Brocante (S45) 719-721 E. Sixth, 473-2191. Lots o' antique furniture with little France-shaped tags.
Durham Trading & Design Co. (L16) 1009 W. Sixth, 476-1216. Complete design shop offers custom iron, wood, and upholstered furniture, an entire zoo of taxidermied animals, and such masculine antiques as ship wheels, wooden canoes, and vintage sporting goods.
Hurt's Hunting Grounds (E60) 712 Red River, 472-7680. One of the last "old-time used-to-be" antique stores, Hurt's Hunting Grounds is stuffed to the rafters with all sorts of elegant junk -- from maple rolltop desks to ceramic beagles to weathered scrubboards. Now run by Brian and Brenda Hurt, Hurt's has been a family business for over 70 years.
Miguel's Imports (L38) 524 N. Lamar, 481-0815. Pottery, hand-blown glass, furniture, and those wonderful copper hanging lamps that scatter dappled lighting -- all imported from Central Mexico.
Old Time Teenie's Vintage Clothing & Antiques (L8) 1126 1/2 W. Sixth, 477-2022. A bit startling in its authenticity -- we forget that before the green movement women didn't hesitate to carry their wallets inside small alligators or wear a whole fox draped around their shoulders.
Old Time Teenie's Vintage
photograph by Kenny BraunWhit Hanks Antiques & Decorative Arts (L16) 1009 W. Sixth, 478-2101. Antique extravaganza! Large warehouse hosts nearly 75 dealers of varying specialties and interests, creating an amazing shopping or browsing experience.
Zanzibar (L16) 1009 W. Sixth, 472-9234. Imports from over 25 countries range from exquisite shell lamps to simple handmade tools.
Zoom (L88) 812 W. 12th, 472-3316. Imagine yourself in a neon velour bathrobe, gazing lovingly at the pink and black prom dress you're about to put on... you then see your paisly shirt and corduroy bellbottoms sitting in the corner and think, "Thank God for thrift shops!" Yes, Zoom can make all of your nostalgic dreams come true.
Audio/Music
Bookwoman (L73) 918 W. 12th, 472-2785. The most comprehensive and varied selection of women's music this side of Lilith.
Local Flavor (S106) 305-B E. Fifth, 472-7773. Retailing the richness of Austin's creative community, Local Flavor is the first place to go when searching out the CD of that great local band you just heard, or the works of area writers and cartoonists, or signed portraits of your local heroes. http://www.austin.metro.com
Strait Music Co. (W35) 805 W. Fifth, 476-6927. Perennial winner of "Best Instrument/Equipment Store" in the Chronicle's annual music poll.
Waterloo Records (L41) 600 N. Lamar, 474-2500. Been in business 15 years. Won Chronicle poll's "Best Local Record Store" for the last 14 years. So what was wrong the first year? Category didn't exist...
WD Auto Sound & Accessories (L25) 407 Baylor, 474-6364. Boom, boom, boom. You like your music, so should everyone else.
Auto
Austin Foreign Car Center (E38) 84 East Ave., 479-6112.
Austin Sports Cars (L51) 724-B N. Lamar, 473-2300.
Bell Auto Sales (W34) 817 W. Fifth, 474-0882.
Capitol Chevrolet (L34) 501 N. Lamar, 476-6641.
Covert GM Used Cars (W67) 501 W. Fifth, 476-4761.
Don Chapman Motor Sales (W59) 611 W Fifth, 476-5304.
Harvey Bell Auto Sales (L33) 817 W. Fifth, 474-0882.
Saturn of Austin (W57) 610 W. Fifth, 476-7979.
Shearer Motor Cars (W36) 810 W. Fifth.
Team Motorsport (L51) 706 N. Lamar, 482-0604.
Vera Motors (L50) 725 N. Lamar, 472-1600.
Washington Motors (E32) 602 Davis, 476-6648.
Books, etc.
12th Street Books/Jake's Coffee (L82) 827 W. 12th, 499-8828. This place is a veritable three-ring circus with coffee, used books, and massage therapy all in one. Cuddle up with a good book, a cup of cafe mocha, and a backrub in
12th Street's comfy climate.ACC Bookstore (L83) 817 W. 12th, 474-7528. Textbooks and supplies.
Adventures in Crime & Space (W54) 609-A W. Sixth, 473-2665. Down-to-earth locale for finding adventures that are out of this world.
Bevo's ACC Bookstore (L90) 1202 West, 477-2992. Textbooks and supplies.
Book People (L46) 601 N. Lamar, 472-5050. "Best of Austin" category sweeper. The big book chains have nothing on our local heros.
Bookwoman (L73) 918 W. 12th, 472-2785. Feminist Ground Zero. Post-feminist juggernaut.
Congress Avenue Booksellers (C73) 716 Congress, 478-1157. Magazines, books, and more.
Folk Tales (N116) 1806 Nueces, 472-5657. Exquisite collection of African-American books, posters, T-shirts, and cards. Folk Tales hosts occasional readings and author signings as well.
Rother's College Bookstore (L86) 801 W. 12th, 472-1137. Textbooks, supplies, and software.
Cards/Gifts
Atomic City (N28) 1700 San Antonio, 477-0293. Perhaps the most eclectic gift items in town: robots! dinosaurs! moonmen! Hawaiian shirts! Look in the back for the funky shoes.
Bydee Arts and Gifts
photograph by Kenny BraunBelding Flowers (C20) 111 E. Fifth, 478-6444.
Bookwoman (L73) 918 W. 12th, 472-2785. We challenge you to find one woman who wouldn't dig something from this cool store.
Bydee Arts & Gifts (S24) 412 E. Sixth, 474-4343. Caribbean and multiculturally themed art by Brian and Ainfley Joseph.
Capitol Gift Shop (N99) 112 E. 11th, 305-8408. No tour of the Capitol is complete without picking up some trinkets for the folks.
Ceramic Mug (W70) 520 W. Sixth, 472-6840. Make your own damn mug. Enjoy some joe or try your hand at homemade ceramics.
Coffee Exchange (L10) 1200 W. Sixth, 474-5300. They don't serve just joe here, they've created their own micro-roast. Charming shop also carries chocolates, truffles, pastries, teas, and coffee paraphernalia.
Congress Avenue Card & Gift Shop (C29) 615 Congress, 478-1663. Fridge magnets! T-shirts! Everything made of cedar! Cowboy novelties! You get the picture (postcard, that is....)
Crystal Works (L76) 908 W. 12th, 462-5597. A pleasant rock and mineral shop with jewelry, cards, candles, and therapeutic stones.
ec-lec-tic (L73) 916 W. 12th, 477-1816. Furniture, rugs, jewelry, folk art, gifts, and trinkets from around the globe.
Emerald's (L43) 624 N. Lamar, 476-4496. Follow the yellow brick road to Emerald's city of hip girlie fashions. The place for Betsy Johnson dresses, cards, and candles.
Glass Menagerie (S41) 616 E. Sixth, 499-0582. Hand-blown glass gifts.
Imports by Mark (W28) 303 W. Fifth, 320-0603. Gorgeous local consigned art for sale.
Lammes Candies (C66) One American Center, 478-0855. Local confectioner which has been satisfying Austin's sweet tooth for over 100 years.
Museum Store (C43) 823 Congress, 477-0766. Always colorful collection of creative gifts with special items to correspond with current exhibit. Now showing in the store: bookmarks, pendants, posters, etc., of American superstars: Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Edward Hopper. All profits go to the Austin Museum of Art.
Necessities & Temptations (L11) 1202-A W. Sixth, 473-8334. We're not sure jewelry, candles, or UT gifts count as necessities, but you can find them here.
Old Bakery & Emporium (C88) 1006 Congress, 477-5961. Part tourist souvenir-stand, part lunch counter.
Omni Hotel Austin Gift Shop (N54) 701 Brazos, Suite 130, 320-5950.
Pecan Square Emporium (L6) 1122 W. Sixth, 477-4900. Cutesie collectibles, baubles, goo-gas, and doo-dads.
Positive Images (L4) 1118 W. Sixth, 472-1831. Fun, 3-D work by over 275 artists and craftspeople. Check out their collection of one-of-a-kind silver and gold jewelry, and don't miss the Republican vs. Democrat chess set.
Sabia (L47) 605 Henderson, 469-0447. This message is for the scraping handful of people left in Austin who have not yet experienced the aromapathic prowess of Sabia: Let your nostrils do the walking.
Shoppe de Nyle (W28) 303 W. Fifth, 320-0603. Gay-pride and Guy-town outfitters flocked with rainbow everything and one of the most... ahem... "well-hung" displays of fridge magnets in Central Texas.
Sparks (L39) 1014 W. Sixth, 477-2757. They've won the Chronicle's "Best Card Shop" two years running. Check out their collection of pop-up and
3-D cards.Tesoros Trading Company (C6) 209 Congress, 479-8377. Excavate authentic cultural gems at this goldmine of folk art and other treasures from Latin America.
Vertigo (S86) 411 E. Sixth, 476-1203. T-shirts. Neon signs. Cards. Just a bizarre assortment of stuff.
Wild About Music (C36) 721 Congress, 708-1700. Louis, Janis, Miles, and others provide the soundtrack to these groovy furnishings and art pieces.
Clothing/Accessories
Aaron's Rock-N-Roll (S80) 423 E. Sixth, 478-7923. T-shirts. Incense. Buttons. Pipes. Stickers. Posters. Whip-its?!? (Does anybody still do Whip-its??)
Angelo's on the Avenue (C42) 817 Congress, 474-6302. You don't have to be Cinderella to find glass slippers. Visit this boutique of designer women's shoes, purses, and accessories.
Blondie's (W58) 510 Nueces, 472-7343. If you don't know that "Sk-8" means wheely moving, then these young whippersnappers will hand you a primer on skate culture. Boards and bearings and boffo fashions.
california board underground (L52) 900 N. Lamar, 474-9830. Accessorizing the young and fearless.
Capitol Saddlery (N9) 1614 Lavaca, 478-9309. The truly Texan store with the huge boot as its welcome sign. In addition to boot repair, Capitol Saddlery repairs luggage.
E-Sensuals (S46) 713-A E. Sixth, 322-5171. Sexy boots and other interesting wares.
ec-lec-tic (L73) 916 W. 12th, 477-1816. Furniture, rugs, jewelry, folk art, gifts,and trinkets from around the globe.
Emerald's (L43) 624 N. Lamar, 476-4496. Follow the yellow brick road to Emerald's city of hip girlie fashions. The place for Betsy Johnson dresses, cards, and candles.
Fetish (L65) 1112-E N. Lamar, 457-1007. Funky fashions for far more than fetishists. Check out the Imelda club.
Forbidden Fruit (S61) 513 E. Sixth, 476-4596. Sister stop to the original around the corner, this local specializes in body piercing and tattoos. http://www.forbiddenfruit.com
Forbidden Fruit (S79) 512 Neches, 478-8358. A relaxed, comfortable, easygoing kinda sex toy store. Conveniently located for when your Sixth Street date stands you up.
Gem Jewelry Co. (C84) 912 Congress, 472-3627. Big to bitty baubles.
Hit or Miss (C38) 801 Congress, 479-6754. Affordable clothing for the professional woman.
Hollywood Rock-N-Roll (S58) 519 E. Sixth, 457-1227. Posters, Zippos, and bondage gear. They even have a lay-away plan for purchasing your hoods and harnesses.
J. Stern (N54) 701 Brazos, Suite 100, 478-4649. Fine & estate jewelry.
Joe Koen & Son Jewelers (C27) 611 Congress, 478-2595. The oldest jeweler in town is also one of the best. With two other locations and a dazzling selection of diamonds and other fine jewelery, this Austin-based jeweler is solid as a rock.
Joseph's Men's Shop (C26) 609 Congress, 472-1215. Tailored clothes and Stetson hats found here.
Kruger's Jewelers (C76) Eighth & Congress, 472-2485. Valentine's day is a-coming, and you-know-what is always a good idea.
Kruger's
photograph by Kenny BraunLeather Bench (E45) 600 E. Third, 474-4427. John Gioe takes pride in creating a product that's just for you, rather than marketing his own designs. He'll custom design whatever leather good your heart desires -- ceiling tiles, upholstery, briefcases, bags.
Legs Diamond (S86) 411 E. Sixth, 477-1559. Shoes. Plenty of interesting shoes. Oh, and leopard-skin backpacks.
Lush Life (L85) 807 W. 12th, 476-8381 Women's clothing en vogue.
Morning Star Trading Company (L18) 1117 W. Fifth, 476-1727. Austin's source for massage and aromatherapy accessories. Massage table and chairs for sale or rent, oils, lotions, candles, and incense. http://www.morningstarcompany.com
N8 (L62) 1014-B N. Lamar, 478-3446. Hey Y'all, no mallrags here. Clothing for them fancy mens steppin' out for a night out on the town. http://www.n8wear.com
Randolph Outfitters (N101) 1401 Lavaca, 472-5161. Best bet for the well-dressed outdoorsman. If you're looking for a silk tie decorated with handpainted ducks, this is the place.
Vertigo (S86) 411 E. Sixth, 476-1203. T-shirts. Neon signs. Cards. Just a bizarre assortment of stuff.
Whole Earth (L61) 1014 N. Lamar, 476-1414. Clothing and gear for the athletic and practical.
Yaring's (C62) 506 Congress, 478-7079. Casual to professional outfits for gals of all sizes.
Convenience/Variety
7-Eleven (N119) 408 W.15th, 474-1060.
7-Eleven (L56) 917 N. Lamar, 474-0851.
Eckerd's (C61) 500 Congress, 478-1091.
Joe's Fun Shop (S94) 313 1/2 E. Sixth, 478-1041. You can buy smokes or you can buy an 8-ball. (You know... ask it a question, shake it up, and wait for the pyramid to show through the blue liquid with your answer.)
Shop 24 (S116) 213 E. Sixth, 478-7310. Everything from (no kidding here) cigars to douches to major league baseball hats.
Home
Ace Mart Restaurant Supply (L26) 1025 W. Fifth, 482-8700. Whether you emulate the kitchen of Chez Nous or IHOP, Ace Mart has the equipment you need -- knives, dishes and thermos cleaners -- and the stuff you want -- 14 sizes of wire whisks, ice sculpture molds, and 20-gallon soup pots.
Amaru Ka (L54) 911 N. Lamar, 322-0688. A Pan-American Mercantile Co. offering a wide selection of imports from families and cooperatives. An example of the kind of treasure troves that makes Austin so special.
Creative Flooring Resources (L12) 1137 W. Sixth, 478-3010. Perhaps the largest rug selection in town including fine Persian and Tibetan area rugs, wall-to-wall carpeting, and woven seagrass floor covering. http://www.crflooring.com
Fortney's (L3) 1116 W. Sixth, 495-6505. Eclectic mix of Lodgepole Pine furniture, solid oak funiture, African art, and Tiffany-style lamps.
Four Corners Tile Designs (L28) 916-A W. Third, 320-0705. Hand-crafted tiles.
Garden Escape (W47) 704 W. Sixth, 236-1320, 472-7733.
Goodwill Computerworks (L24) 403 Baylor, 480-8266. Recycling recently outdated computers. In the market? Try this place first, they might have what you need for a lot less, and you'll be doing the community a good turn.
Imports by Mark (W28) 303 W. Fifth, 320-0603. Gorgeous local consigned art for sale.
Jaya (L52) 902 N. Lamar, 457-1255. Heirloom quality furniture, reasonably priced.
Louis Shanks (L63) 1105 N. Lamar, 472-4176. Furniture for those of you with designer tastes.
Marco Polo's Attic (W47) 704 W. Sixth, 236-1320. Treasure chest of exotic home furnishings from around the world.
Olson Appliances (S34) 516 E. Sixth, 478-3469. Purveyor of Philco TVs. One of the only places to get anything but drunk on Sixth Street.
Oscar Snowden's TV & Appliances (C16) 413 Congress, 476-8392. Longtime local business whose owner achieved hometown celebrity as "The Big O" and the only appliance dealer we know of to have inspired a play.
Rackley Co. Hardware (C8) 213 Congress, 477-5337. An old-fashioned hardware store in the best sense.
Shabby Slips (L12) 1141 W. Sixth, 478-5666. We just love this eco-friendly, wallet-friendly solution to foul-colored furniture. Custom-made slips for any piece.
Turquoise Door (W9) 316 Colorado, 480-0618. Apparently Axl Rose, Don Henley, and Vanessa Redgrave have shopped here, but don't let that scare you away.
Wild About Music (C36) 721 Congress, 708-1700. Louis, Janis, Miles, and others provide the soundtrack to these groovy furnishings and art pieces.
Wildflower (L53) 908 N. Lamar, 320-0449. Nifty nik-naks nestled nobley amongst fanciful furniture fixtures.
www.garden.com (W47) 710 W. Sixth. The storefront is downtown, but the address for this retailer is actually in cyberspace. You can only "shop" at this home and garden shop on the Net. http://www.garden.com
Leisure
Austin Angler (C50) 312 1/2 Congress, 472-4553. World class purveyor of sinkers, lunkers, reels, and creels. Fish or cut bait.
Austin Fitness Equipment (L38) 1003 W. Sixth, 322-0282. Anticipating the next thing in fitness technology, their insect-like equipment sprouts television screens that chart your bicycling course through the mountains and prairies, intensifying the workout by introducing electronic competitors that you can pace, race, or knock over. http://www.austinfitness.com
Bobalu (S63) 509 E. Sixth, 469-5877. See-gars a plenty. Specializing in handmade jobbies. http://www.bobalucigarco.com
Cigar Palace (N47) 121 W. Eighth, 472-2277. Tired of non-smokers pushing you around? The staff at Cigar Palace feels your pain. With a members-only smoker's lounge, a vast walk-in humidor, and private lockers for cigar storage (not to mention a huge stock of cigars), this lush palace will make any smoker feel like royalty.
Dan's Liquor Stores (N13) 1600 Lavaca, 478-5423. Dan's is dynamite for your downtown drinking desires!
E-Sensuals (S46) 713-A E. Sixth, 322-5171. Sexy boots and other interesting wares.
Enchanted Florist (N8) 1616 Lavaca, 477-3996. Like much else in the Uptown Cultural District, Enchanted Florist sells more than their store name would indicate. You'll find New Canaan Farm preserves and other food items as well a large selection of cards.
Favorite Liquor (W40) 801 W. Sixth, 478-4136. Mmmm. Yes. Liquor is one of our favorites, too.
Fielding's Wine & Liquors (L64) 1104 N. Lamar, 479-0045. Wine and liquor. Quit whinin'.
Forbidden Fruit (S61) 513 E. Sixth, 476-4596 Sister stop to the original around the corner, this local specializes in body piercing and tattoos. http://www.forbiddenfruit.com
Forbidden Fruit (S79) 512 Neches, 478-8358. A relaxed, comfortable, easygoing kinda sex toy store. Conveniently located for when your Sixth Street date stands you up.
Gas Pipe Emporium (E50) 701 E. Fifth, 472-4774. Supplies and equipment for your stoner weekend -- competitivefrisbees and darts, hydroponic gardening systems, and the other necessary accoutrements. Beaded jewelry and music Ts, too.
Havana Harbour Cigar Factory (W48) 700 W. Sixth, 477-1444. Barring smuggling, this is probably as close as you're gonna get to a real cigar of true Fidel-ity!
Leather Chest (E28) 504 Willow, 478-2261. Fetishware, leather, books, cards, and erotica. Spike collars and other accessories; special ordering.
St. Patrick's of Texas Brewers Supply (W31) 401-A Guadalupe, 499-8544. Brew, beer, and bar supplies from corks and spigots to clamps and barbs.
Texas Tobacconist (C22) 115 E. Sixth, 479-8941. Affordable selection of cigars from Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the Domincan Republic plus a selection of humidors and other accessories.
Twin Liquors (S36) Seventh & Red River, 476-9982.
One-stop booze shop.Wiggy's (L9) 1130 W. Sixth, 474-9463. The knowledgable staff posts their own reviews, rotates bottles into the $10 and under shelf, and maintains an encyclopedia of properly cellared vintage wines. Also beer, liquor, and cigars.
Video
Blockbuster Video (L65) 1112-A N. Lamar, 474-9778.
Bookwoman (L73) 918 W. 12th, 472-2785. Great selection of feminist and lesbian titles for the buy-curious (rent or purchase).
Waterloo Video (L39) 1016 W. Sixth, 474-2525. Browsing the shelves made us feel like we had been fasting for weeks.We wanted to rent 50 of their best and gorge ourselves on videos. Good employee reviews, fantastic foreign and music selection.
Periodically listings will be updated for pertinent changes.
Please send corrections for listings (addresses, phone numbers, URLs or email addresses) to: guide@auschron.com
Original publication date: 1/30/98
Last udpated online: 1/30/98
