Did you know? The phrase “Keep Austin Weird” was popularized as a call to action for residents to support local businesses and organizations.
Austinites are so good at supporting local that USA Today named the Capital City the best city in the US to start a business last year. In honor of our many movers and shakers, we’re asking readers to nominate small businesses they love so we can share them with the whole audience.
We’ll be here to share a new batch of small businesses every month, so bookmark this page to come back for more, especially if you’ve enjoyed our Small Business Week and Today’s Best coverage.
Editor’s note: Some quotes may have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Editor Figi’s picks
Shop Slow | Apparel
From the owner: “Slow fashion is not about shopping really, it’s like anti-shopping almost — buying with quality in mind, not quantity. You’re supporting your community.” — Rebecca Wright
- This upcycling-centered, approachable studio de couture has made threads for the likes of producer Benny Blanco, musician Leon Bridges, and SNL comedian Sarah Sherman. There are two ways to shop from the boutique: Pick out one of the pre-made designs on display in the store or order something custom-made for your body.
Vinca USA | Jewelry
From the owner: "(My favorite piece is) the Chopped Heart Hoops. They’re really fun to wear and people comment on them.” — Amanda Dimova
- From knife hair clips famously worn by Aubrey Plaza to cursor-shaped earrings, Vinca stocks jewelry for fans of all things quirky and whimsy. Vinca jewelry can be found in dozens of retailers in 26 states and counting, plus, it has been featured in magazines like Nylon, Seventeen, and Tribeza.
KG BBQ | Food + drink
From the owner: "(Trying Texas barbecue) was literally a life-changing experience. I was blown away by all of what I was absorbing with my senses. I grew up loving barbecue in Egypt and the Middle East — it’s very different.” — Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh
- Helmed by an avid home cook from Cairo, Egypt, El-Ghayesh’s barbecue has earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction and been recognized by the James Beard Award Foundation since opening his food truck in 2022.’
Terrazzo Tea | Food + drink
From the owner: “Our drinks are paired with multiple ‘toppings’ — if you look at it, it kind of looks like the patterns in the terrazzo tiles.” — Co-owner Vi Nguyen
- This boba shop was born to fill a space the owners felt was missing in the Austin area, inspired by their love of tea, street wear, music, late hours, and Instagrammable drinks.
Food + Beverage
Merfolk’s Specialty Coffee | 4930 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 304c
From the owner: “Merfolk’s is a summation of my passion for coffee and storytelling. It has one main mission: to keep creativity alive.” — Justin Monroe
- Monroe said Merfolk’s — a mystical, themed coffee shop — was born out of his interest in Dungeons + Dragons after getting sober. Each month has a themed menu (think: cryptids and “whimsigoth”), so you’ll want to stop in often to try them all.
Later Gator Coffee Co. | Multiple locations
From the owner: “Later Gator was created in loving memory of my late grandmother (MawMaw) Betty Sue Chance after she passed in February 2024. Later Gator is proud to be a 100% woman-owned and operated business.” — Jenna Griffis
- Whether you’re looking for seasonal sips or beignets, this Louisiana-themed shop is known for its colorful drinks. Try this: “The Pelican,” a bananas foster flavored latte named after the state bird of Louisiana.
Health + Wellness
Invictus Martial Arts | 9800 N. Lake Creek Pkwy., Ste. 140
From the owner: “Invictus isn’t just another gym offering club but a transformational resource for the community in health, wellness, and protection.” — Selynda Garza
- This gym offers MMA, kickboxing, Muay Thai, jiu jitsu, and self-defense for everyone ages 3 and older. Try this: Invictus offers complimentary MMA classes for first-time patrons.
Open Form Yoga + Wellbeing | 2900 E. 12th St.
From the owner: “Rather than approaching the studio with a ‘growth above all’ mindset, we set out to create something softer, more thoughtful, and true.” — Jasmine Mobasseri
- Classes at this local studio are capped at 15 people, so they’re small enough to emphasize personalized attention on your yoga practice. Try this: $65 two weeks unlimited for new students.
OutWellness | 211 E. Alpine Rd., Ste. 100
From the owner: “I started this business to better serve the queer and trans community. I wanted to make sure that our community had access to the best care possible, without the emotional labor that often comes with going to healthcare appointments.” — Syd Young
- This inclusivity-focused gym offers personal training, physical therapy, financial literacy classes, health classes, and free weekly workouts.
Retail
Devil’s Details Boutique | 1628 S. 1st St.
From the owner: “It’s a place of connection. Women sell their older jewelry and younger generations shop for style.” — Rebekka Adams
- Visit this boutique to play dress-up with vintage costume jewelry from the 1900s through the 1980s.
Paws on Chicon | Multiple locations
From the owner: “We started this in 600 sqft, and it was just a place to take my dogs to work with me. As a certified pet nutritionalist, I wanted to spread my knowledge.” — Keith Zeiler
- This local pet supply shop is best known for its soft-serve dog/cat froyo, but it specializes in helping pet lovers help navigate allergies and nutrition needs.
Psst — if you’d like to see a small business included in ATXtoday, make sure to submit it here.
