Shopping in Texas
-
A
Whole Foods Market
Austinites remember Whole Foods back when it was just a low-key hippie grocer, and look at it now, with more than 140 stores nationwide focusing on healthy, natural and organic groceries. There’s a great selection of takeout at this enormous flagship store, perfect for stocking a picnic.
reviewed
-
B
Half Price Books, Records & Magazines
A broad selection of excellent new and used books, with multiple locations around town.
reviewed
-
Melissa Guerra
San Antonio’s answer to Williams Sonoma, Melissa Guerra has upscale kitchen implements and table settings with a Latin flavor, layered in with Mexican craft items such as lotería jewelry and painted pottery. It’s one of the first stores in the new Pearl Brewery development.
reviewed
-
C
Uncommon Objects
‘Curious oddities’ is what they advertise at this quirky antique store that sells all manner of fabulous knick-knackery. The merchandise is displayed with an artful eye that makes browsing akin to visiting a rambling museum of memorabilia, all of which happens to be for sale.
reviewed
-
Bishop Arts District
For quirky and one-of-a-kind, like vintage Fiestaware plates, funky chandeliers and DIY crafts, head to the Bishop Arts District. Check the website for periodic festivals where local artists showcase their wares, such as the Oak Cliff Art Crawl held in April.
reviewed
-
D
Room Service
Whether your style is ’70s moon chairs or art-nouveau fainting couches, this is the most fabulous place in the city for vintage furnishings. Plenty of smaller (and more portable) stuff is for sale, like gobstopping ashtrays, silk kimonos and more.
reviewed
-
E
Waterloo Records
Waterloo is a landmark and the best music store in town, with a huge selection and low prices on new and used CDs and vinyl. There are sections reserved just for local bands, and listening stations featuring Texas, indie and alt-country acts.
reviewed
-
F
Allen’s Boots
In hip South Austin, family-owned Allen’s sells rows upon rows of traditional cowboy boots for ladies, gents and kids. A basic pair costs from $50, while somethin’ fancy runs a few hundred dollars.
reviewed
-
Twig Bookshop
This great little indie bookstore located in the Pearl Brewery development specializes in regional interest, children’s books and author events.
reviewed
-
Arboretum
About 20 minutes northwest of downtown, the Arboretum is a parklike collection of high-end stores like Sharper Image and Restoration Hardware.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Stockyards
Western-wear stores and knickknack shops, saloons and steak houses occupy the Old West–era buildings of the Stockyards.
reviewed
-
Papa Jim’s
If you have never visited a botanica before, be sure to make a special trip out to Papa Jim’s in the southern part of the city. It’s basically a religious and Santeria superstore (mixed with a bit of voodoo), selling items to rid you of the problem of your choice: Get-Rich candles, Do-As-I-Say floor wash, Jinx Removal air-freshener, Run-Devil-Run and Get-out-of-Jail oil, and Stop-Gossip soap, all for a few dollars apiece. The store also has books, herbal teas, incense, good-luck charms and other items related to Santeria, a synthesis of Catholicism and the Nigerian Yoruba folk beliefs of slaves brought to the Caribbean. Papa Jim’s motto is ‘Whatever Works, ’ and obvious…
reviewed
-
G
Galleria
Grab your platinum card, and leave your frugality back at the hotel, dahling: the Post Oak (also known as Uptown) area was made to max out a credit card. As the largest mall in Texas, the Galleria anchors this upscale extravaganza of a neighborhood. Whatever your views on capitalism, it’s a madcap place to experience true American consumer excess in all of its dubious glory. Think chain hotels, chain restaurants and chain stores: in other words, it’s the perfect place to wake up in a Hilton and throw on your Abercrombie jeans that seem tight after last night’s indulgences at the Cheesecake Factory.
reviewed
-
Rocketbuster Boots
Even if you can’t round up the $800 to $3500 a custom pair costs, make an appointment to visit Rocketbuster Boots and you’ll see what all the fuss is about. As boot-maker for the stars, Rocketbuster has shod such celebrities as Julia Roberts, Dwight Yoakum, Emmylou Harris and Oprah Winfrey. Their over-the-top designs include everything from wild floral prints to 1950s-era pin-up cowgirls to Day of the Dead skeletons. Owner-designer Nevena Christi will gladly show you around, and you can pick up leather pillows and boot-shaped Christmas stockings for just $75 to $300.
reviewed
-
City Market
But judging from our unscientific but extensive tasting, it's nearby Luling's City Market that wins all-round best BBQ in the state. Years of smoke blacken the pit room, the brisket is always succulent, the sausage is made on-site and a tart-and-tangy sauce adds a lot. Besides, everybody knows everybody here - it's a real slice of small-town life. Don't ask for utensils or plates: there haven't been any since it opened in the 1930s. Why fix what ain't broke? Your hands and butcher paper will do just fine.
reviewed
-
Highland Park Village
For an eye-rolling, gasp-inducing and credit card–maxing experience, head to Spanish Mission–style Highland Park Village in upper-crust Highland Park, which claims to be the oldest suburban shopping center in the world. If Jimmy Choo and Harry Winston are among your intimate acquaintances, you’ll feel at home. If they’re not, it’s still worth a look around to see Dallas money in action (or just to see who wins when an Escalade and a Jaguar face off for a prime parking spot).
reviewed
-
Collector’s Firearms
Look Ma! No waiting period! Hey, this is Texas. Collector’s Firearms is a great place to live out your Charlton Heston (but probably not your Michael Moore) fantasies: a full-service shop that’s definitely not for the gun-shy. With enough cash and a clean background check, you can walk out with anything from a Civil War–era shotgun to a Gatling. Whatever your gun politics, the professional staff are happy to educate you.
reviewed
-
H
Texas Junk Company
Head over to the Texas Junk Company where Robert’s been outfitting locals in preworn cowboy boots since before country got cool again? For three decades, this collection of Texas memorabilia and vintage ephemera has remained a Montrose fixture, where locals lounge outside with coffee and local advice. Be sure to call ahead in the summer months: Robert might be closed for remodeling…or off at Burning Man.
reviewed
-
I
Market Square
A visit to Market Square is a fair approximation of a trip to Mexico . Booths at this mercado sell all the handicrafts and foods you could find in a border town: Talavera pottery, paper flowers, authentic Mexican vanilla, etc. Buy a Tecate beer or a pineapple aguas frescas and be prepared to bargain.
reviewed
-
J
Austin Art Garage
This cool little independent…well, we hesitate to call it a ‘gallery’ because that would needlessly scare some people off. Anyway, it features some pretty great artwork by Austin artists. (Hey, Joel Ganucheau: we’re fans.) Check out the website to catch the vibe, and definitely check out the ‘gallery’ if you like what you see.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Wild Bill’s Western Store
Bill’s motto is ‘from the affordable to the extravagant,’ and we like that you can grab a $15 T-shirt or blow your bonus on a pair of handmade and measured snakeskin boots just like Eric Clapton’s – he is but one of the many celebrities who’ve made their feet happy here. While you’re here, enjoy a cold beer while you shop.
reviewed
-
Front Street Books
The best bookstore in town is open daily and has a smart selection of new, used and out-of-print titles – and the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, rare commodities out this way. Sometimes national papers come in a day late, providing customers with ‘USA Yesterday,’ according to the shop assistant.
reviewed
-
Hat Store
This superfriendly third-generation hatmaker has outfitted everyone from Clint Black and Lyle Lovett to ZZ Top. This is one of the ultimate Texas souvenirs: they hand-shape and steam the hats here, while dispersing bits of wisdom along the way (‘Ever worn 100% beaver? It feels like heaven on your head’).
reviewed
-
Heights
Along 19th St (between Yale St and Shepherd Dr) in the Heights, you’ll find unique antiques, clever crafts and cafes. On the first Saturday of every month, the street takes on a carnival-like air with outdoor booths and entertainment. Midtown’s also popping up on the shopping radar.
reviewed
-
Alamo Quarry Market
Making fine use of an old 19th-century cement plant, this outdoor mall has plenty of top-brand stores, a multiplex cinema and restaurants. A few Austin-based chains here include Whole Foods Market for groceries, Amy’s Ice Creams and the outdoors outfitter Whole Earth Provision Co.
reviewed
