Austin, TX

These eight legacy stores are fueling the western wear revival in Austin

Published

1 year ago

November 20, 2023

These eight legacy stores are fueling the western wear revival in Austin

Austin American-Statesman

Austin, by virtue of being the capital of Texas, is inextricably tied to Western culture, and as young professionals flock to the city they have embraced the many unique aspects of the Lone Star state.

One of the ways this has materialized is through a boom in Western wear that is present in Austin, but has also spread across the country as cultural figureheads like Beyoncé and Harry Styles experiment with Western looks.

With a seemingly endless amount of Western stores to choose from in Austin, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to start your Western wear journey. That being said, here are eight of Austin’s most iconic Western wear locations.

Tecovas

1500 South Congress Ave.

Perhaps the trendiest brand on this list, Tecovas was founded in 2015 by Paul Hedrick, an entrepreneur and boot lover who sought to create a more inclusive western wear experience for all customers.

This included an emphasis on first-time boot buyers, and with a recent western wear resurgence boosting the industry, Tecovas claims it is the fastest-growing boot company in the world. All of Tecovas’ boots are handmade and manufactured in Leon, Mexico — an iconic boot-making city. The store is also a popular tourist spot as it is just one of many boot and Western wear shops located on South Congress.

Gomez Western Wear

6700 South Congress Ave.

Gomez Western Wear has been selling hand-made boots for over 20 years in Texas and in that time has been able to grow into 17 separate locations across the state.

Another brand steeped in boot-making tradition, Gomez Western wear has all of its boots made in Leon, Mexico. However, despite a dedication to boots, the brand also offers a variety of hats, belts, wallets, mochilas and purses.

Tiny’s Western Wear

8403 Research Blvd.

Opened in 1958, Tiny’s Western Wear has served as Austin’s Western wear hole in the wall specializing in Western attire other than boots — although they do sell them. If you are looking to buy a bolo tie, this might be the place you are looking for.

The original owner, ‘Tiny,’ sold the store to its current owners about 20 years ago, and since then it has become a staple in its current location where each of the exterior walls are adorned with red paint that truly gives the store an old Austin vibe.

Callahan’s General Store

501 South Highway 183.

Each of the businesses on this list brings something different to the table, however, in the case of Callahan’s it’s hard to argue that it isn’t the most unique addition. Truly making use of the “general store” distinction, Callahan’s offers anything from belt buckles to feed to live animals.

The Austin cornerstone was opened in 1978 by the late Earl and Lucy Callahan. Like any western wear store, you will find boots, belt buckles and hats at Callahan’s, but the store is perhaps best enjoyed as an immersive western retail experience as it offers a long list of products.

Allens Boots

1522 South Congress Ave.

Another South Congress staple, Allens Boots truly makes an effort to create an experience for its customers. Because of this, among the piles of hats and countless rows of boots, customers can expect live music or other events to be going on while they shop.

The boot store opened its doors on South Congress in 1977, and has specialized in hats and hand made boots ever since. The store also has a second location in Round Rock if the hoopla of downtown Austin isn’t your speed.

La Herradura Western Wear

737 Montopolis Dr.

Another store that doesn’t just specialize in boots, La Herradura is a good place to check out if you are looking for practical western wear and work wear.

The store features Western staples like Ariat, Durango, Cinch and Hooey, while also offering more modern Western products like Western-influenced loafers.

Maufrais

1512 South Congress Ave.

If you aren’t looking to buy boots but still have a craving for western flair, Maufrais might be the perfect place. The only store on this list that doesn’t sell boots, Maufrais specializes in custom hat shaping while also being run as a coffee shop.

The store offers various products that capture the essence of the American west like incense, candles, rocks, glassware and a whole host of other vintage goods. This is also another store located on South Congress and could be a good addition to a western store binge should you be in the area.

Heritage Boot Co.

1714 South Congress Ave.

The last store on this list is also another located on South Congress as Heritage Boot Co. is an in-person-only custom boot company that prides itself on making the best quality boots available.

Acknowledged in the past by Forbes as “the best handmade cowboy boots you can buy right now,” Heritage Boot Co. works with each of its customers to ensure the best possible boot is made or available.

Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in the Austin business ecosystem for the American-Statesman. To share additional tips or insights with Salgado, email Bsalgado@gannett.com.

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Austin, TX

Discover Austin’s best Christmas light displays without the crowds

Published

7 hours ago

December 10, 2024

Press Room

Discover Austin’s best Christmas light displays without the crowds

‘Tis the season to aimlessly look at glistening Christmas light displays.

While the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, offers residents and visitors the chance to partake in a 60-year-old tradition starting Dec. 10, the crowds and snail-like pace of fellow attendees often kill the holiday spirit — leaving one feeling more like Ebenezer Scrooge than Buddy the Elf.

Checking out holiday lights shouldn’t be stressful. Not only that, but some would argue it shouldn’t cost a dime to do (aside from a small donation).

Luckily, there are plenty of lights to see for free in Austin this holiday season.

4 free Christmas light displays in Austin, Texas

Those looking to beat the crowds while taking in a sea of glistening lights can check out these four Christmas displays in the greater Austin area:

37th Street Lights

When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1, 2025.
Where: 507 W. 37th St., Austin.
What: A longstanding park-and-walk excursion on 37th Street (between Guadalupe and Home Lane) featuring houses decked out in eclectic lights and holiday decor that screams, “Keep Austin weird.”

Maywald Christmas Display

A portion of the 2024 edition of the Maywald Christmas Display in Austin, Texas.Taylor Kamnetz | tkamnetz@lonestarlive.com

When: Dec. 11-Dec. 27. Visiting hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: 10505 Twilight Vista, Austin.
What: A dazzling display featuring more than 350,000 lights, Texas-sized Santas and larger-than-life displays spanning 4.5 acres. Donations to Make-A-Wish are accepted upon arrival.

Christmas Lights at Chinati Court

When: Nightly through Dec. 31 starting around sunset until roughly 11 p.m.
Where: Chinati Court, Cedar Park.
What: A brightly decorated cul-de-sac with various photo ops. You can drive by most nights or take in the magic on foot. Santa visits the street every Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. until at least 9 p.m. (except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

Photos with Santa are free. There will also be a Brown Santa drop-off at this display, and those visiting are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate.

The Domain’s Holiday Tree Light Show

When: Nightly through Dec. 25. The free light show occurs every hour during the following times: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday; Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday; Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Hours for Dec. 24-25 will be noon to 6 p.m.
Where: 11821 Rock Rose Ave., Austin.
What: A dazzling holiday tree light show that occurs every hour on the hour (weather permitting). The tree is located across the street from the Apple Store.

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Austin, TX

Cold weather shelters activated in Austin for Tuesday, Dec. 10

Published

15 hours ago

December 10, 2024

Press Room

Cold weather shelters activated in Austin for Tuesday, Dec. 10

AUSTIN, Texas – The City of Austin has activated its cold weather shelters for Tuesday night.

The city says temperatures are forecast to dip into the mid-30s overnight on Tuesday (Dec. 10) into Wednesday morning (Dec. 11), so the shelters are being activated for those needing overnight shelter.

Individuals can get information about access and activation by calling the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline at 512-972-5055.

How to access a Cold Weather Shelter

Registration for shelter will occur between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road, which will act as the central embarkation point for individuals seeking an overnight shelter.  

CapMetro bus routes to OTC are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142, 801. Anyone seeking cold weather shelter and does not have the means to pay the fare will still be given a ride.

An after-hours embarkation service will also be available for those seeking transportation to a shelter outside the embarkation period.

What to know about Cold Weather Shelters

Guests can bring their belongings as long as they can transport them to the OTC and onto a CapMetro Bus.
Pets are allowed if they are not aggressive, can be around others, on a leash, and can sleep with their owners. If a pet needs a crate for the evening at the shelter, guests should inform staff at the OTC when registering.
Meals will be provided.
Women and couples can be in the same shelter but in a separate area, as capacity allows.
Hotel vouchers will be provided for families with children and unaccompanied minors seeking shelter during activation periods.

How is it determined when to activate Cold Weather Shelters?

The City’s Homeless Strategy Office determines when to activate cold weather shelters in Austin no later than 9 a.m. each day.

The office uses National Weather Service projections for Camp Mabry. and will activate shelters if the forecast predicts:

32 degrees or colder overnight, or
35 degrees or colder overnight with precipitation, or
35 degrees or colder with a wind chill of 32 or colder

The City has communicated with community partners that work directly with Austin’s homeless population, as well as directly with homeless individuals registered with the City’s text alert system.

Residents are encouraged to follow austintexas.gov/alerts for emergency information updated in multiple languages.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the City of Austin.

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Austin, TX

Texas Longhorns Defensive Lineman Enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Published

23 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Press Room

Texas Longhorns Defensive Lineman Enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Aaron Bryant is entering the NCAA transfer portal, On3 reported on Monday.

Bryant is the fourth player to enter the portal for Texas so far, following the announcements of edge Tausili Akana, wide receiver Johntay Cook, and fellow defensive lineman Jaray Bledsoe.

The 6-foot-2, 305-pound third-year lineman tallied 13 games played, including the Big 12 Championship against Oklahoma State in 2023.

Bryant was part of the 2022 recruiting class, as a state and region All-Star in Mississippi and ranked No. 8 overall in the state. He was selected to participate in the 2021 Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game by the Mississippi Association of Coaches and the Mississippi High School Activities Association, as well as the 2021 Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star Football Game by the Mississippi Association of Coaches. Bryant was ranked No. 290 in the country.

Still in high school, the four star recruit was part of a Southaven High School defense that only allowed 17.8 points per game, including two seven-point games.

Though he played in the season opener against ULM and got some more minutes against UTSA, Bryant ultimately redshirted his freshman year with no statistics recorded.

As a redshirt freshman, Bryant saw the field seven times and recorded his first career tackle against Baylor in Waco.

This season, Bryant played in four games, but only recorded statistics in one — a single assisted tackle against Florida. He also played against Colorado State, Oklahoma, and the regular season matchup against Georgia.

Bryant will finish his time at Texas with two tackles.

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