Best Old Fashioned Gift Gallery

Old Bakery & Emporium

Slow down! You might miss this mecca of real Texas folk art. And we mean real, not trendy, not priced out of sanity range by some art connoisseur. Our Old Bakery & Emporium is the federal government's Older American Act in action. This Parks & Rec project sells handicrafts made by local seniors. Part tourist-souvenir stand and part lunch counter, this lovely landmark is a perfect breather after taking Aunt Bessie or Uncle Roy to the Capitol. It's a great escape into quaint old Austin, without leaving Congress. You'll find gorgeous and reasonably priced handmade quilts, funny Texas A& M barbs (Aggie Briefcase = a pair of underwear on a handle), granny-made flounce skirts for cheap, postcards, fridge magnets, and crocheted everything! Lunch specials (cheap and made with love) feature sandwiches and soups; this seems like a great place to duck the crowds. Open year round, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. We only wish they were open weekends.

Old Bakery & Emporium
1006 Congress, 512/477-5961
austintexas.gov/department/old-bakery-and-emporium