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Congress Avenue District

What Type Of Retail Will Replace The AMOA?

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With downtown Austin’s AMOA no longer exhibiting at 823 Congress Ave, what will fill the void?  Most stakeholders I know are hoping for retail.

The corner space includes 12,000 square feet, lots of glass (fenestration for the urbanistas), and has a nice outside plaza.

It’s clear what is missing from the downtown retail mix: a large destination retail store that appeals to a broad base of customers; rather than a boutique store with a limited audience.

Will us downtown Austin condo dwellers get our wish for a Breed & Company or Target (don’t hate!).  Time will tell.  Until then it’s fun to speculate about how to achieve highest and best use of this great space.

What do you want to see?  Use the comments and see more pics after the jump.   [Read more…] about What Type Of Retail Will Replace The AMOA?

Brooks Brothers Brings Back The Brass

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Walking up to the entrance of the new Brooks Brothers store in downtown Austin‘s Scarbrough building, I smiled.

I thought to myself, this is how downtown retail should look and feel.  The entrance has a gilded age grandeur that we’re no longer accustomed to in a downtown retailer.  Big window displays run the length of the building.  You’re greeted by brass doors with elegant hardware.  It’s the details that matter. [Read more…] about Brooks Brothers Brings Back The Brass

Urban Wine + Liquor Takes Last Retail Space At The Austonian

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The last retail space under downtown Austin’s Austonian condos will go to Urban Wine + Liquor and its proprietor, Austin-based wine expert Buckley Wineholt (great name for a wine expert).

The store will offer wine, spirits, beers, barware, imported cigars and cigarettes, and a choice of artisanal foods including Texas-produced items. The shop’s 2,615-square-foot storefront on Congress Avenue will be designed by local design-build firm Bercy Chen Studio.

The Austonian retail has turned out to be a boon for Congress Ave.  I’m a big fan of the Caffe Medici space – one of my favorite coffee shops.  This should be a compliment to the neighboring Second Bar + Kitchen, too.

Jazz at Annie’s: Jim Cullum Jazz Band Returns to Annies Café & Bar

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Looking for date night ideas this week or next?  Try this:

After playing to standing-room-only crowds of die-hard jazz fans at a sold-out, mid-winter residency at Annie’s Café & Bar, the historic Congress Avenue bistro has arranged to have Jim Cullum return to Annie’s as summer draws to a close – this time presenting the electrifying new jazz prodigy, clarinetist Evan Arntzen. Austin jazz fans once again will have a rare opportunity to hear the world-renowned Jim Cullum Jazz Band as well as Arntzen’s exuberant new talent that has won awards and generating buzz around the world.

It’s all at a special jazz and dinner series hosted by Annie’s Café & Bar at 319 Congress Avenue on Thursdays, September 15 & 22.  Seatings will be at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.  There will be no cover charge with entrée purchase.