retail

Jude Galligan | February 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Downtown Austin Flash Mob – Whole Foods

Nice example of urban hackery. Yesterday, months of planning came through with an Improv Everywhere-esque human freeze at Whole Foods. This is why I love Austin (and Whole Foods)… from the Flash Mob Austin blog…

“Can we just do a quick shout-out to Whole Foods and their Lamar/ Flagship crew? They were such good sports! They could have very easily gotten annoyed and angry and demanded that we leave, but they were super cool with it. Huge kudos goes out to Whole Foods security, managers, and food staff on the salad bar side of the store. Thanks for not calling the police! Oh, and thanks so much to those who grabbed some lunch there or bought some groceries after you unfroze!”

Video of the Flash Mob @ Whole Foods

Flash Mob Wiki

Filed Under: downtown austin, life, retail

Jude Galligan | January 31, 2009 | 2 Comments

Urbanspace's – Urban Lifestyle Guide

Urban Lifestyle Guide

Urbanspace Realtors [my broker] has published its latest edition of the urban lifestyle guide. If you live in Downtown Austin, then it’s very likely that you’ve visited the Urbanspace office. For newbies to the Downtown Austin scene, this guide can be a resource for getting to know the different buildings and where small businesses are located. The guide is not only focused on Downtown Austin, but more broadly focuses on Austin’s urban core (South Congress, East Austin, Mueller, Zilker, South Lamar). Even if you are a veteran urban Austinite, this is a convenient all-in-one reference guide to Austin’s urban attractions.

Get your free copy by sending me an email with your mailing address.

JudeGalligan [@] gmail.com

Filed Under: buildings, development, downtown austin, life, retail

Jude Galligan | January 23, 2009 | 4 Comments

Club FUZE – citizen stakeholders want it gone

Club FUZE is the next venue on the Downtown stakeholders’ list of night clubs identified as hosting recurring criminal activity. A letter was sent on behalf of several Downtown stakeholders (including DANA, Capital Metro, and multiple residential buildings) to Don Garner, the owner of 505 Neches where Club FUZE is located. According to the letter:

“In the past year the criminal activity inside and surrounding Club Fuze has escalated considerably. Reports obtained from the Austin Police Department data base reveal a serious escalation of violence, public drunkenness, prostitution, and illegal drug activity both in the club and on the adjoining street.”

The letter goes on to state,

“The club’s dangerous and illegal activities have reached the point that visitors are now being warned to not walk down Neches during peak club hours, hotel guests are being encouraged to avoid the area, and local residents have been forced to avoid the area and to warn their friends to not park near the club.”

Part of the challenge for the Police is coping with venues that have recurring problems. According to data found at Krimelabb.com you might want to avoid club FUZE and the area around it. Below is a list of criminal activity inside or in front of FUZE in December.

2008-3432326 2008-12-08 POSS OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
2008-3360157 2008-12-01 AGG ASSAULT
2008-3360157 2008-12-01 CUSTODY ARREST TRAFFIC WARR
2008-3500238 2008-12-15 DISTURBANCE/OTHER
2008-3360157 2008-12-01 ASSAULT W/INJURY-FAM/DATE VIOL
2008-3371894 2008-12-02 POSS OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
2008-3550403 2008-12-20 UIPP
2008-3382492 2008-12-03 PEDESTRIAN ON ROADWAY
2008-3360157 2008-12-01 POSS MARIJUANA
2008-3360157 2008-12-01 FAILURE TO IDENTIFY
2008-3360157 2008-12-01 VIOL OF EMERG PROTECTIVE ORDER
2008-3361590 2008-12-01 PUBLIC INTOXICATION
2008-3361590 2008-12-01 REQUEST TO APPREHEND

Citizen stakeholders have recently been successful in purging the neighborhood of offending night clubs. Last month, Tim Finley, the owner of the building housing Club Paradox and Club Planeta, was urged to clean up his tenant’s act after discussions with residents, police, hotels, and the convention center. After years of increasing crime and violence in and around clubs Paradox and Planeta, it was clear to Tim Finley that change was needed. He terminated their lease.

Filed Under: crime, downtown austin, entertainment district, maps, retail

Jude Galligan | December 5, 2008 | 2 Comments

[Part two] City of Austin v. Harry Whittington: the saga of a parking garage

by jude galligan

Who has legal claim to the Convention Cener parking garage? The City of Austin or Harry Whittington?

Who has legal claim to the Convention Center parking garage? The City of Austin or Harry Whittington?

Part one begins here.

In 2003 Harry Whittington begins to win. But, the City is proving to be just as stubborn with their appeals – just as Whittington had been between 2000-2003.

Whittington has postured himself along the following legal issues
1)    originally, the condemnation was incorrectly processed
2)    on the second condemnation attempt, the City did not properly condemn the alley
3)    the City hasn’t demonstrated the condemnation was done out of necessity for a public purpose
4)    the City already has parking on 2nd & Trinity and the new parking lot and (later) chiller system are intended to benefit private sector, beginning with the new Hilton hotel, and specifically future developers

Chronology of events from 2003 to 2007 begins after the jump.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: buildings, city council, development, Real Estate, retail Tagged With: downtown austin, harry whittington, retail

Jude Galligan | December 4, 2008 | 8 Comments

City of Austin v. Harry Whittington: the saga of a parking garage

17,000 square feet of empty retail space rests at the base of the Convention Center’s parking garage. This retail space has the potential to add vibrancy and day time services to the Entertainment District. This is the only retail space within a few hundred feet of the 555, the Sabine on 5th, the Hilton, the Hilton Garden Inn, and the Convention Center. So, why hasn’t this space been filled?

After the jump: Part 1 of the chronology of City of Austin v. Harry Whittington
[Read more...]

Filed Under: buildings, development, downtown austin, entertainment district, Real Estate, retail Tagged With: downtown austin, retail

Jude Galligan | December 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Downtown Austin is getting [Walton's] Fancy

by jude galligan

While West 6th would become restaurant row, the building located at 609 w 6th, 78701 has been siting idle for the past few years. Recently, activity has been buzzing.

wine and beer only

We’ve seen a construction crew slowly converting this old building into something new. I’ve heard that the building is owned by Sandra Bullock. This would make sense considering her successful Bess restaurant is just down the street. Traviscad lists the property is owned by “PIETANZO VITO TRUSTEE OF THE B” and has it appraised at $624,082. What’s more interesting to me is what will be opening.

It appears that Downtown Austin is getting a new Walton’s Fancy & Staple. According to their website…

“Walton’s downtown will include a traditional delicatessen & bakery (for folks on the go), & sidewalk café seating. Our Grand Opening is scheduled for late 2008. We look forward to fulfilling your fanciest floral, gift-giving & event design wishes!”

Walton's Fancy & Staple

According to Google this is the former home of Crime & Space books, KSA Communications, and Texas Terminator pest control.

609 w 6th

by Jude Galligan

Filed Under: buildings, downtown austin, Real Estate, retail Tagged With: austin history, austin real estate, downtown austin buildings

Jude Galligan | November 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment

JCVD @ Alamo Ritz @ midnight

Jean
Claude
Van
Damme

I saw the trailer last time I visited the Drafthouse, and I must admit I was intrigued. Now, having just found this quote… “Van Damme? God Damn! This movie is AWESOME!” -Tim League, founder of Alamo Drafthouse I will be in attendance. That’s a strong endorsement.

BTW, most people don’t realize that the Alamo Ritz has two private balconies which seat up to 4 people per balcony. For more information and reservations, email Balcony@OriginalAlamo.com

JCVD @ Alamo Ritz @ Midnight

Filed Under: retail Tagged With: Entertainment, Movies

Jude Galligan | November 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Progress Coffee keeps it real – Thursday Nov. 20th

free food and drink in exchange for your consideration

Joshua Bingaman is an entrepreneur who really, truly, understands how to create a culture around his business. Click above image for more details. Quoting directly…

“So on Thursday, November 20th, everything we brew, bake, heat or fix at Progress will be FREE. Gratis. Complimentary (with our compliments, of course).
…
“In return, all I ask is that you consider contributing whatever you can to Bread for the World and/or Capital Area Food Bank. Any amount (or no amount) is fine, whatever you’re comfortable with a penny, a buck, a hundred bucks- cash, credit, check or change Progress will take it and donate it all. And if you can’t or just don’t want to contribute, no worries—it’s certainly not a requirement (and nobody will look at you funny).”

[Progress Coffee]

Filed Under: life, retail Tagged With: life, retail

Jude Galligan | November 17, 2008 | 1 Comment

The Patagonia Welcome Wagon

Patagonia is a welcome addition to Downtown Austin

This past weekend, Downtown Austin’s newest retailer, Patagonia, officially opened its doors. Located at 316 Congress Ave (map), Patagonia is a milestone in the revitalization of Congress Ave by bringing 7,000 square feet of outdoor clothing that Austinites seem to love. I make an effort to support businesses that make Downtown a better neighborhood. So, even though you might be spending less this holiday season, you should consider making the effort to spend that money at local small businesses and businesses that are revitalizing downtown.

According to the Statesman article, the store has shower facilities and bike accommodations for employees, supporting alternative commuting strategies and healthier lifestyles. Cool!

The DAA, and specifically Linda Asaf, need to be acknowledged here. They are working behind the scenes to help bring new retail, and new life, to Congress Ave. I am encouraged by property owners beginning to see the light, and investing in long term leases with credit tenants.

Filed Under: downtown austin, Real Estate, retail Tagged With: downtown austin real estate, downtown austin retail

Jude Galligan | November 12, 2008 | 1 Comment

Is Downtown Austin ready for another grocery store?

Whole Foods

Whole Foods made Downtown Austin what it is today. There, I said it. Without an anchor grocery store Downtown Austin would never have come so far. The Market District wouldn’t exist. It helps that Whole Foods has a brand cache and a great shopping experience. Personally, I end up spending as much money at other grocery stores, so I don’t believe Whole Foods is over priced. And, as big as it is today, Whole Foods was at one time a small business in Austin.

Royal Blue

When AMLI Downtown opened, Downtown Austin got its second grocer. George Scariano opened Royal Blue Grocery. It was an instant hit. Urban dwellers want to see more of those blue awnings around town. Anyone that’s lived in NYC will feel at home here. It’s a small bodega-style grocer that has a little bit of everything. Outside you’ll find a magazine rack, tables, and people enjoying the scene.

Recently, the city received design ideas for the Green Water Treatment facility on Cesar Chavez. One of the entries prominently rendered a two-story H-E-B as part of the retail mix. The first time I saw that rendering I was sold on the idea. I realized how nice it would be to have some choice. Don’t get me wrong, I love Whole Foods and Royal Blue, but there is a place for a “regular” grocery store. I’ll go a bit further and say that I’d like to see it along Congress Avenue.