South Congress, Austin Shopping Guide

A map some of the coolest independent shops in South Congress, Austin.

Blackmail

Scarred by cheeseball all-black/all-white concepts we'd seen in suburban malls, it was with trepidation that we entered Blackmail. The funny skeleton playing a piano in the window, that put...

By George

If a certain Texan named George is not known for his style and sophistication By George almost makes up for it--almost. The Texas institution carries the cream of the crop in American and European...

Creatures

Creatures is what boutique shopping is all about. When buying a shirt the staff felt compelled to tell us the story of the shirt--how the art is drawn by a guy on fabric, that he later cuts and...

Electric Ladyland/Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds

Electric Ladyland / Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds is not so much a trip as a destination--you simply must see this store to believe it. First and foremost, this is one of the best costume shops...

Parts & Labour

It's amazing what it's possible to create, with the right parts and some labor. Oh yeah, talent helps too. Parts & Labour is a showcase of what's possible. Drawing completely...

Pieces of the Past

If one person's trash is another person's treasure, then architectural salvage/antique shop Pieces of the Past is like Tutankhamen's tomb. While other salvage stores are studies in...

Service Menswear

Service Menswear does justice to its utilitarian name. The men's clothing store has among the best ratios of pretense to coolness we've seen. The store humbly presents men with...

Uncommon Objects

Uncommon Objects. We couldn't have described it better ourselves. A fabulous twist on the usual antique store, Uncommon Objects brings together the finds of over a dozen purveyors to make for...

Vivid

Vivid is a real life lesson in advanced merchandising. The bright general store arranges its store by color. On our visit the window was an explosion of green--a dashing green dress, green...

Yard Dog

Adding the word "folk" in front of art, too often serves as an excuse of sorts. As in, please excuse the generic, kitschy, poorly executed nature of this art. Go to Yard Dog to see what...

Blackmail

http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/tx/austin/blackmail_1_web.jpg

Scarred by cheeseball all-black/all-white concepts we'd seen in suburban malls, it was with trepidation that we entered Blackmail. The funny skeleton playing a piano in the window, that put us right at ease. The concept comes together beautifully with random home items (black soap!), gorgeous jewelry, tableware, cowboy boots and accessories, anchored by a adeptly put together collection...

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Address:
1202 South Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-326-7670
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30-6 Sun: 12-5

Tags: men's clothing, vintage clothing, women's accessories, women's clothing

By George

If a certain Texan named George is not known for his style and sophistication By George almost makes up for it--almost. The Texas institution carries the cream of the crop in American and European designers, the sort of stuff normally only available on the coasts. The look they present is young and stylish, distinct but not too out there.

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Address:
1400 South Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-441-8600
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-7 Sun: 12-6

Tags: women's accessories, women's clothing

Creatures

http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/tx/austin/creatures_1_web.jpg

Creatures is what boutique shopping is all about. When buying a shirt the staff felt compelled to tell us the story of the shirt--how the art is drawn by a guy on fabric, that he later cuts and has sewn on shirts and how the guy also has a rock band that it's in town from time to time. Among the small selection of shirts from artists and tiny clothing brands, there is also a collection...

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Address:
1206 South Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-707-2500
Hours: Mon-Sun: 11-7

Tags: men's shoes, t-shirts, women's shoes

Electric Ladyland/Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds

http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/tx/austin/electric_ladyland_lidwd_1_web.jpg

Electric Ladyland / Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds is not so much a trip as a destination--you simply must see this store to believe it. First and foremost, this is one of the best costume shops you're going to see, full of outfits, huge numbers of masks (including two George W. Bush masks to choose from!) and a room full of all the beards, fake blood, makeup and prosthetic limbs...

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Address:
1506 South Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-444-2002
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11-7 Sun: Closed Extended hours during the holiday season.

Tags: costumes, vintage clothing

Parts & Labour

http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/tx/austin/parts_and_labour_1_web.jpg

It's amazing what it's possible to create, with the right parts and some labor. Oh yeah, talent helps too. Parts & Labour is a showcase of what's possible. Drawing completely from talented local artists and designers, the store brings together a fresh and funky selection of clothing, accessories, housewares and other random tidbits. Hip T-shirts abound at Parts &...

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Address:
1604 South Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-325-1648
Hours: Mon: 12-10 Tue: Closed Wed-Sun: 12-10

Tags: local designers, men's clothing, t-shirts, women's accessories, women's clothing

Pieces of the Past

http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/tx/austin/pieces_of_the_past_1_web.jpg

If one person's trash is another person's treasure, then architectural salvage/antique shop Pieces of the Past is like Tutankhamen's tomb. While other salvage stores are studies in faded paint and rust and funny smells, the store keeps its environs bright and happy. There' are plenty of typical salvage pieces like doors, windows, knobs and pulls and ironwork. But these are...

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Address:
411 West Monroe Street
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-326-5141
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-5 Sun: 12-11

Tags: antiques, architectural salvage, hardware

Service Menswear

http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/tx/austin/service_menswear_1_web.jpg

Service Menswear does justice to its utilitarian name. The men's clothing store has among the best ratios of pretense to coolness we've seen. The store humbly presents men with laidback, stylish look. T-shirts, shorts and smart accessories fill the shop, with a mixture of new and vintage goods. The brands include established and up and coming names in casual men's...

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Address:
1400 South Congress Avenue Suite A160
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-447-7600
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11-8 Sun: 11-7

Tags: men's accessories, men's clothing

Uncommon Objects

Uncommon Objects. We couldn't have described it better ourselves. A fabulous twist on the usual antique store, Uncommon Objects brings together the finds of over a dozen purveyors to make for some fun and interesting antique browsing. Expect to spend a good hour in the store, just wandering about, picking up this or that. Here's some of what you may find: vintage purses, beautiful...

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Address:
1512 South Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-442-4000
Hours: Mon-Thu: 11-6 Fri-Sat: 11-7 Sun: 11-6

Tags: antiques

Vivid

http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/tx/austin/vivid_1_web.jpg

Vivid is a real life lesson in advanced merchandising. The bright general store arranges its store by color. On our visit the window was an explosion of green--a dashing green dress, green tableware and of course green plants hanging overhead. There are several such arrangements, for yellow, blue and other colors, that pull together an amazing array of items from clothing to books to...

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Address:
1200 South Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78704

Phone: 1-512-326-3095
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30-6 Sun: 12-5

Tags: home accessories, women's accessories, women's clothing

Yard Dog

http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/tx/austin/yard_dog_1_web.jpg

Adding the word "folk" in front of art, too often serves as an excuse of sorts. As in, please excuse the generic, kitschy, poorly executed nature of this art. Go to Yard Dog to see what folk art is really about. The folk art gallery presents the genre at its very best--as the art of people outside the art world who had something to say and used whatever means and methods they had...

» Full Details Open Link in New Window
Address:
1510 South Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78704

Site: Official Site Open Link in New Window
Phone: 1-512-912-1613
Hours: Mon-Fri: 11-5 Sat: 11-6 Sun: 12-5

Tags: art, folk art
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