AUSTIN (KXAN) – Supply chain issues, rising rents and a changing culture are among the reasons owners cite as what prompted them to close the doors of these iconic Austin businesses. Here are a few that Austin will no doubt miss in the New Year.
Mexican bakery
After more than three decades in business, Jesús Martinez Becerra decided to close his South Austin baker, La Mexicana Bakery, in February.
At the time, Becerra said he chose to close the doors because his dreams were elsewhere and running a bakery is not easy.
El Mercado’s Lavaca St. location
Although it didn’t close completely, after serving customers for decades on Lavaca Street, the Tex-Mex restaurant location closed its doors due to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Historic Notes Commission discussed the history of the building and whether to preserve it. The commission ultimately approved the demolition on a 7-2 vote.
El Mercado still has two locations, one on Burnet Road and the other on South First Street.
Cream Bakery
Crema Bakey served South Austinites for nearly a decade. Co-owner Janessa Tomberlin said rents were so high they could no longer afford to operate in the area and had to close.
“Our landlord expected us to sign a five-year lease in this economy, and we didn’t even know if we could survive two months, much less five years,” Tomberlin said.
The Water Chamber
This longtime Austin teahouse, officially located on North Lamar Boulevard at 44th Street, closed its doors at the end of September.
After serving Austin tea for over 15 years, the owners decided not to renew their lease. Although there are no brick and mortar locations, they continue to sell products online.
Albert’s Brewery
Albert Brewery, once just a few blocks from Q2 Stadium, learned earlier this year that their landlords had decided to end their lease to make way for office buildings. The Austin Business Journal reported that the property’s value increased by 50% in five years, an estimate of nearly $5 million.
The owners spent several months in early 2022 trying to find a new location, but were unsuccessful.
Their last night pouring beers was Halloween.
Malvern Books
The indie Austin bookstore opened its doors nearly a decade ago. After its owner, Joe Bratcher, died of complications related to COVID-19, Malvern Books decided it was time to close the chapter.
“Joe was the soul of this store. He was really — he was the drive behind it,” Marven Books store manager Becky Garcia told KXAN. “It was his vision.”
Today was Malvern Book’s last day of operation.
Against Culture
The beloved vegan restaurant operated in East Austin for more than a decade. Sue Davis, the owner, decided not to renew her lease at the end of this year because of the changing dynamics of Austin.
“I don’t have a clear picture of what the future will bring for Counter Culture. The way people eat out has changed. I love Austin with all my heart, but with rising costs, I’m not sure I can afford to rent again and buying seems like a distant dream,” Davis wrote in a post earlier this month.
Lucy in disguise
This iconic costume shop has provided Austinites with theatrical costumes for nearly 40 years. Its last day of operation was earlier this month.
Store manager Jerry Durham said several reasons prompted the closing. The pandemic hit them hard and supply chain issues continued to be challenging. Durham also said South Congress Street was changing.
“The style of South Congress doesn’t look like it did when we started the store,” Durham, who has been with the company for nearly 13 years, told KXAN in August.
“We have enjoyed being a source of creativity and inspiration for your parties, shows and productions. It has been a pleasure to fulfill your costume dreams and fantasies. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts,” the store wrote in an Instagram post earlier this year.
