Downtown Austin Market News - Page 8

priller · #**141** Posted **Feb 5, 2014, 9:07 PM**

Always thought "Infest" was a really dumb name for a club. Also funny that a bar named "Remedy" is right next door.

MichaelB · #**142** Posted **Feb 5, 2014, 11:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl....html?page=all

Thats great news. I am encoraged to hear this. I love the fact that they will help reverse the trend of music clubs moving out of downtown!
This, coupled with the news that Cheer Ups is moving to Red River!

for downtown clubs!
Stop the exodus!
Now if we could just get Emo's back..... idol dream I know.

KevinFromTexas · #**143** Posted **Mar 6, 2014, 9:03 PM**

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...40306_19636314

Quote:

Posted: 1:40 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2014
Toy Joy set to close for good this weekend

By Gary Dinges
American-Statesman Staff

Another only-in-Austin business is shutting its doors.

Toy Joy, a toy store that caters to both children and adults, will close for good this Sunday, co-owner Trevor Yopp told the American-Statesman Thursday afternoon.

mars-man · #**144** Posted **Mar 6, 2014, 9:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...40306_19636314

Sad. I did some substantial xmas shopping there this year (always loved their free gift wrapping) and again just recently, but it was clear on both occasions they were struggling -- not near the foot traffic of their old location. Another iconic Austin original bites the dust.

Ironically, the business they replaced on 2nd Street, Lofty Dog, is now thriving at the Village on Anderson, one of Austin's oldest outdoor shopping destinations. It's a shame Toy Joy can't give it another go at someplace like that, where longtime customers can find them and parking's not such an issue.

LessThan3 · #**145** Posted **Mar 7, 2014, 12:15 AM**

I too did a lot of Christmas shopping there. Very good place to get stocking stuffers. I mentioned to them how hard parking was compared to their previous location and they seemed blasé about it. They said business was great at the new location. Sad to discover that was just rose-tinted goggles.

KevinFromTexas · #**146** Posted **Mar 7, 2014, 12:24 AM**

Anytime a longtime business makes a move like that after being at another location for a long time it makes me wonder how long they'll be around. It's a downsizing and budget cutting effort.

austlar1 · #**147** Posted **Mar 7, 2014, 5:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...40306_19636314

So much for those lines of customers waiting to get in, as reported by one SSP forumer. I got crucified here on SSP just a month ago when I complained about the Toy Joy set up on 2nd St. It was a really dumb idea for them to move a local business, one that depended on a local customer base, into an inconvenient location like 2nd St. There is not enough tourist and night-time shopping energy on that street yet to support the business. Toy Joy was/is my idea of an "iconic" Austin business. I am sad to see them go.

MightyYoda · #**148** Posted **Mar 7, 2014, 3:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austlar1

So much for those lines of customers waiting to get in, as reported by one SSP forumer. I got crucified here on SSP just a month ago when I complained about the Toy Joy set up on 2nd St. It was a really dumb idea for them to move a local business, one that depended on a local customer base, into an inconvenient location like 2nd St. There is not enough tourist and night-time shopping energy on that street yet to support the business. Toy Joy was/is my idea of an "iconic" Austin business. I am sad to see them go.

While this is accurate, they most likely weren't doing great in the first place if they decided to move their business.

austlar1 · #**149** Posted **Mar 7, 2014, 6:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyYoda

While this is accurate, they most likely weren't doing great in the first place if they decided to move their business.

Perhaps, but whenever I was at the old location (29th/Guadalupe) the store was quite crowded. My understanding is that the owners were faced with a huge rent increase and opted out of that location. I am speculating that they were given an attractive deal on the 2nd St. location that encouraged the decision to move. Their mistake was to expect their customer base to follow them to the new and inconvenient location.

austlar1 · #**150** Posted **Mar 7, 2014, 7:07 PM**

This is a detailed account of the Toy Joy situation from the owners' perspective. Sounds like they were in over their heads from the get-go. The business might survive bankruptcy with new owners.

http://austinot.com/toy-joy-for-sale

KevinFromTexas · #**151** Posted **Mar 8, 2014, 8:55 AM**

By the way, guys, there's another great locally owned toy store on South Lamar. Anna's Toy Depot - http://www.annastoydepot.com/

I've been going there for over 20 years. It's where I get most of my Legos.

KevinFromTexas · #**152** Posted **Mar 30, 2014, 4:28 AM**

Goodwill is planning a new store at the old Cheapos store.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl...ole-foods.html

Quote:

Mar 28, 2014, 2:12pm CDT
Goodwill to take over original Whole Foods Market site near downtown Austin

Jan Buchholz
Staff Writer-
Austin Business Journal

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas Inc. will open another large store at 914 N. Lamar Blvd. next week.

The 12,000-square-foot space was the site of the original Whole Foods Market, and later Cheapo Records. Goodwill will preserve a number of interior and exterior murals that have adorned the property for years.

-

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/ne...wn-austin.html

Quote:

Mar 28, 2014, 12:16pm CDT
Swanky fitness club set for downtown Austin

Eva Lorraine Molina
Staff Writer-
Austin Business Journal

Spark Fitness Club will open its doors in downtown Austin in early June.
Spark is the latest fitness venture of Pure Austin Fitness founder Dan Yudin. The upscale gym will be located in the new Gables Park Tower building at 111 Sandra Muraida Way.

KevinFromTexas · #**153** Posted **Apr 1, 2014, 12:05 AM**

http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...business-owner

Quote:

Toy Joy sold at auction to local business owner

By: TWC News Staff 5:40 PM

One of Austin’s most famous toy stores is changing hands.
Toy Joy was sold at auction to Fred Schmidt, owner of downtown retail shop Wild About Music, on Monday.

MichaelB · #**154** Posted **Apr 1, 2014, 3:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...business-owner

Thats great news….! I was walking past there this am and stuck my head in when this was happening!

Those folks understand how to make a business work downtown AND value the location! That is a great answer!

KevinFromTexas · #**155** Posted **Apr 3, 2014, 11:47 PM**

There's a new barbecue restaurant opening next to the JW Marriott on Congress at 217 Congress.

217 Congress - https://www.facebook.com/CoopersBBQA...type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/CoopersBBQA...type=1&theater

lzppjb · #**156** Posted **Apr 4, 2014, 12:52 AM**

Cooper's in Llano is a big time name. I've had really good stuff there, and I've had really bad experiences too. I've been to their newer places in New Braunfels and Fort Worth. Both sucked. I hope this one is better.

the Genral · #**157** Posted **Apr 4, 2014, 3:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lzppjb

Cooper's in Llano is a big time name. I've had really good stuff there, and I've had really bad experiences too. I've been to their newer places in New Braunfels and Fort Worth. Both sucked. I hope this one is better.

Yankee tourists will think its great regardless.

lzppjb · #**158** Posted **Apr 4, 2014, 3:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Genral

Yankee tourists will think its great regardless.

Like the Salt Lick.

lzppjb · #**159** Posted **Apr 4, 2014, 3:30 AM**

I will say this for Cooper's, though. You can't beat that location. And it'll be great to walk up Congress and smell bbq.

BevoLJ · #**160** Posted **Apr 4, 2014, 4:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

By the way, guys, there's another great locally owned toy store on South Lamar. Anna's Toy Depot - http://www.annastoydepot.com/

I've been going there for over 20 years. It's where I get most of my Legos.

We were watching NCIS this week and one of the guys from the new spin off is big into Lego's and making Lego structures of various buildings in New Orleans (where the show takes place). I immediately thought of you and how you build Austin places.

Austin was also mentioned in the show as a place the medical examiner used to live. I thought that was kinda cool too. heh