Native – the former hostel, bar, and event space at 807 E. Fourth – has recently closed.
An event producer in the space posted that Native has closed “permanently (and unexpectedly).” Highly visible from I-35, the self-described “experiential cocktail lounge, event venue, and cultural incubator” frequently hosted concerts, markets, as well as a number of permanent business tenants. Native opened as a hostel concept in 2017, but later stopped hosting travelers and rebranded as Native Experience.
Austin-based artist Deb Soromenho had a June 24 event, Arts Alive, planned at the venue. On June 19, she posted on Facebook that the event had been canceled due to Native’s abrupt shutter. She wrote: “Native Hostel has closed its doors at that location permanently (and unexpectedly). I’m sad for the cancellation of the event but also for the closing of an amazing business. I’m hoping the new building owners aren’t planning on tearing down that gorgeous, historic building.”Back in April 2022, the large property was listed on the commercial real estate site LoopNet with a description saying that Native was on a month to month lease. The full listing read: “Located on the SE Corner of IH-35 and 4th Street. Currently occupied by Native Hostel who is on a month to month lease, the building was extensively remodeled in 2016 and is only available for lease in its entirety.”
The building features multiple rooms in an 1890s railroader hotel and adjoining mid-century warehouse as well as a large backyard that hosted a festival-sized stage during South by Southwest. Within Native, tenants of the space have included Hey Cupcake, Toshokan, Idlewild Coffee, and Eastend Tattoo.
On May 28, Sugar Baby Plant Co., which was based out of the building, posted that the business would be leaving after two years at Native. The colorful plant shop has since relocated to 4910 E. Seventh #105.
Japanese eatery Tiny Diner opened last September, under chef Domonic Candy in a kitchen shared with Idlewild. On June 5, the Tiny Diner Instagram account posted about their closure and “the troubles of being at Native.” The caption continued:
“I write this with an incredible amount of sadness and regret, but also a deep appreciation for the family, friends and people of the city who truly believed in me and what Tiny Diner could and will become.
“This is not by any means the end of Tiny Diner, this is just the end of Tiny at Native. Tiny will definitely move forward and have a new home and, although I could sit here and vent about the troubles of being at Native – I would rather just thank the people who showed up daily and truly tried to create a vision of community in a historic building thanks for all the cooks who showed up to help out!”
Updated 6/23/23 11:03am: A June 23 Eater Austin story reports at least two tenants, Toshokan and Eastend Tattoos, “were extended offers to stay in their space,” and that a 27-hole mini-golf concept, Holey Moley, is expected to open on-site in November.
This article appears in June 23 • 2023 and Best of Austin 2023 (Insert).