© Kelly Borsheim /www.borsheimarts.com
Page 1 of 3
:
1
|
2
|
3
Allen's Boots
Austin
Name notwithstanding, Allen's sells a lot more than just footwear. Come here too for hats, belts, jewelry, and other boot-scootin' accouterments, and bring the young 'uns too. This store, in now trendy SoCo -- which explains the appearance of tie-dyed KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD T-shirts with the Allen's logo -- has been around since 1970. Its staying power through the area's sleazy years is a testament to its quality and fair prices.Name notwithstanding, Allen's sells a lot more than just footwear.
Antique Marketplace
Austin
For people who like antiques but don't enjoy speaking in hushed tones, the Antique Marketplace offers bargains and treasures in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. You'll find a little bit of everything under the roof of this large warehouse-type building in central Austin: Czech glass, funky collectibles, and expensive furnishings.For people who like antiques but don't enjoy speaking in
Atomic City
Austin
Playthings -- including a sizable collection of vintage metal wind-up toys -- are just one component of the merchandise at this funky, eclectic store in a deceptively prim-looking house near the University of Texas. You'll also find a sizable collection of cult classic film and TV memorabilia and, in the back, hundreds of styles of shoes and boots for the ultrahip rockabilly crowd. It's all a bit surreal -- but in a good way.Playthings -- including a sizable collection of vintage metal wind-up
Austin Antique Mall
Austin
You can spend anywhere from five bucks to thousands of dollars in this huge collection of antiques stores. More than 100 dealers occupying a 30,000-square-foot indoor space offer Roseville pottery, Fiesta dishes, Victorian furniture, costume jewelry, and much, much more.You can spend anywhere from five bucks to thousands of
Austin Country Flea Market
Austin
Every Saturday and Sunday year-round, more than 550 covered spaces are filled with merchants selling all the usual flea market goods and then some -- new and used clothing, fresh herbs and produce, electronics, antiques. This is the largest flea market in central Texas, covering more than 130 paved acres. There's live music every weekend -- generally a spirited Latino band -- to step up the shopping pace.Every Saturday and Sunday year-round, more than 550 covered spaces
Barton Creek Square
Austin
Set on a bluff with a view of downtown, Barton Creek tends to be frequented by upscale Westsiders; the wide-ranging collection of more than 180 shops is anchored by Nordstrom, Dillard's, Foley's, Sears, and JCPenney. One of the newest malls in Austin, it's refined and low-key, but the presence of Frederick's of Hollywood and Victoria's Secret lingerie boutiques makes one wonder if the daytime soaps might not be onto something about the bored rich. At least they've got a sense of humor: There's also a jewelry store called Filthy Rich of Austin.Set on a bluff with a view of downtown, Barton
BookPeople
Austin
This is one of the largest and best independent bookstores you'll find anywhere. Expanded in the mid-1990s from its New Age roots, but remaining stubbornly quirky and independent, this BookPeople stocks more than 250,000 titles ranging over a wide variety of subjects. It also sells technical videos, books on tape, and gift items (the KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD T-shirt is their bestseller). Lots of intimate sitting areas and an espresso bar prevent this huge store -- the largest in Texas -- from feeling overwhelming. More than 200 author signings and special events are held here every year.This is one of the largest and best independent bookstores
BookWoman
Austin
Offering the largest selection of books by and about women in Texas, this store is also one of the best feminist resource centers, the place to find out about women's organizations and events statewide. Readings and discussion groups are regularly held here, too. BookWoman also carries a great selection of T-shirts, cards, posters, and music.Offering the largest selection of books by and about women
Breed & Co. Hardware
Austin
You don't have to be a power-drill freak to visit Breed & Co. How many hardware stores, after all, have bridal registries where you can sign up for Waterford crystal? This darling of Austin DIY has everything from nails to tropical plants, organic fertilizer, gardening book and cookbooks, pâté molds, and cherry pitters. There's also a branch in the prosperous Westlake Hills area, 3663 Bee Cave Rd. (tel.
512/328-3960).You don't have to be a power-drill freak to visit
By George
Austin
In its various incarnations, By George has long been a prime pick for Austin fashion victims, and now the men's and women's outlets have been consolidated into a single huge clothing emporium. Both genders like the mix of well-established and up-and-coming designers with (somewhat) less pricey off-the-rack clothing here with the common denominator of hip, contemporary fashions in natural fabrics. There's also another, more casual women's store for the college crowd on the Drag at 2346 Guadalupe St. (tel.
512/472-2731).In its various incarnations, By George has long been a
Capitol Saddlery
Austin
The custom-made boots of this classic three-level Western store near the capitol were immortalized in a song by Jerry Jeff Walker. Run by the same family for 7 decades, this place is a bit chaotic, but it's worth poking around to see the hand-tooled saddles, belts, tack, and altogether functional cowboy gear.The custom-made boots of this classic three-level Western store near
Capitol Visitors Center
Austin
Over the years, visitors have admired -- sometimes excessively -- the intricately designed door hinges of the capitol. The gift shop at the visitor center sells brass bookends made from the original models used, during the capitol's renovation, to cast replacements for hinges that were cadged over the years. Other Texas memorabilia includes paperweights made from reproductions of the capitol's Texas seal doorknobs and local food products. There are also a variety of educational toys and an excellent selection of historical books.Over the years, visitors have admired -- sometimes excessively --
Capra & Cavelli
Austin
Funny radio ads -- not to mention hip and classic fashions -- draw image-conscious guys (and gals) into this west Austin store. And talk about service: C&C will bring items to your home or office for your perusing pleasure.Funny radio ads -- not to mention hip and classic
Central Market
Austin
Aah, foodie heaven! Not only can you buy every imaginable edible item at these gourmet megamarkets -- fresh or frozen, local or imported -- but you also can enjoy the cooking of a top-notch chef in the restaurant section, which features cowboy, bistro, Italian, vegetarian -- you name it -- cuisines. Moreover, prices are surprisingly reasonable. A monthly newsletter announces what's fresh in the produce department, which jazz musicians are entertaining on the weekend, and which gourmet chef is holding forth at the market's cooking school. The newer Westgate Shopping Center branch, 4477 S. Lamar Blvd. (tel.
512/899-4300), in South Austin, is as impressive as its history-making sibling north of UT.Aah, foodie heaven! Not only can you buy every imaginable
Cheapo Discs
Austin
In spite of being an import, Cheapo has carved out a niche in the hearts of Austin music lovers. It's
the place to buy, sell, and trade new and used CDs, and thanks to the knowledgeable (if often surly) staff, there are always treasures to be found in its half-acre of bins.In spite of being an import, Cheapo has carved out
Clarksville Pottery & Galleries
Austin
This pottery emporium, filled with lovely pieces created by local artisans, has long been transplanted from its namesake location in the artsy section of town to a prime spot near Central Market. You'll find everything ceramic, from candleholders to bird feeders, as well as handblown glass, woodcarvings, and contemporary jewelry in a variety of media; there's a unique selection of Judaica, too. An additional outlet, in the Arboretum Market, 9828 Great Hills Trail, Suite 110 (tel.
512/794-8580), carries equally impressive stock.This pottery emporium, filled with lovely pieces created by local
Cowboy Cool
Austin
Western wear with an edge is what you'll find at this boutique in the new downtown shopping district on Second Street. Belts, boots, jewelry, clothing -- the designs here are meant to shake up a little the staid world of Western wear.Western wear with an edge is what you'll find at
Dillard's
Austin
This Little Rock-based chain, spread throughout the Southwest, carries a nice variety of mid- to high-range merchandise. In Highland Mall, there are two separate outlets, one focusing on home furnishings and women's clothing, the other devoted to men's and children's wear. All the stores have country shops with good selections of stylish Western fashions. Two other locations are at the Barton Creek Square Mall (tel.
512/327-6100) and the Lakeline Mall (tel.
512/257-8740).This Little Rock-based chain, spread throughout the Southwest, carries a
Eclectic
Austin
A dazzling panoply of hand-painted furniture, pottery, and art -- new and old -- from around the world is beautifully presented in this large store (with a bonus parking lot in back). An outstanding jewelry section includes pieces from Mexico, Africa, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and other exotic places.A dazzling panoply of hand-painted furniture, pottery, and art --
Eco-wise
Austin
It's hard to typecast a shop that sells everything from greeting cards, natural insect repellent, and hand-woven purses to building materials and home decorating supplies. The common denominator? Everything you'll find here is created with an eye toward the environment -- that is, it's recycled, made from natural fabrics, and/or chemical free. Staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and customers are passionately loyal. The store offers baby and wedding-shower registries for Earth-friendly brides and grooms or moms and dads.It's hard to typecast a shop that sells everything from
El Taller Gallery
Austin
Located just east of Mo-Pac, this appealing showcase for Southwestern art sells Santa Fe pieces at Austin prices. Amado Peña, Jr., who once owned the gallery, is represented here, and you'll also find work by R. C. Gorman and other Native American artists, as well as whimsical Western paintings by Darryl Willison. Handmade Pueblo pottery and vintage Southwestern jewelry are among the gallery's other interesting offerings.Located just east of Mo-Pac, this appealing showcase for Southwestern
Electric Ladyland/Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds
Austin
Feather boas, tutus, flapper dresses, angel wings, and the occasional gorilla suit overflow the narrow aisles of Austin's best-known costume and vintage clothing outlet. The owner, who really
does dress like that all the time, is a walking advertisement for her fascinating store. The store carries more-or-less subdued clothing like floral-print dresses and striped shirts, but you're likely to get sidetracked by rack after rack of outrageousness. At Halloween, this is costume-rental central.Feather boas, tutus, flapper dresses, angel wings, and the occasional
Emeralds
Austin
It's young, it's hip, it's got Carrie Bradshaw shoes by the dozens, plus racks of outrageous party dresses to wear them with. You can also buy cards, candles, aromatherapy bath salts, and funky jewelry here.It's young, it's hip, it's got Carrie Bradshaw shoes by
Fetish
Austin
At this shoe-fashionista heaven, featuring footwear from the classical to the fanciful, you can also find plenty of trendy and elegant stuff to wear from the ankles up -- dresses, tops, skirts, pants, lingerie, jewelry, and more.At this shoe-fashionista heaven, featuring footwear from the classical to
Fire Island Hot Glass Studio, Inc.
Austin
This glass blowing studio, about 2 miles east of I-35, is a bit off the beaten track, but it's a treat to watch the owners/artists, Matthew LaBarbera and his wife, Teresa Ueltschey, at their delicate craft. Demonstrations are given every Saturday morning from 9am to noon (other times by appointment). Other galleries around Austin carry the couple's elegant perfume bottles, oil lamps, bowls, and paperweights, but this showroom naturally has the largest selection. If you have a certain design in mind, you can special order a set of goblets.This glass blowing studio, about 2 miles east of I-35,
Page 1 of 3
:
1
|
2
|
3