Support Us Button Widget

A brief history of Austin businesses from the past

We asked readers to share the closed Austin businesses they miss the most, so for the sake of nostalgia, we’re sharing their stories to keep the memory alive.

A neon sign of a bowling ball and two bowling pins lit up at night. Underneath, a sign reads "Dart Bowl. Dart — Bowl — Cafe."

The business — and Highland Lanes — was co-owned by John Donovan, whose grandparents opened Dart Bowl.

Photo by Matthew Rutledge via OpenVerse

Just because Austinites have been complaining about the city changing for more than a century doesn’t mean we can’t be nostalgic from time to time.

We asked our readers to tell us which now-closed Austin businesses you miss the most. In remembrance of Austin’s past, we wanted to tell you a bit about some of them.

A billboard of Armadillo World Headquarters behind a stoplight, in front of "The Skating Palace" on a clear day.

Austinites can see memorabilia of Armadillo World Headquarters — along with many other now-closed Austin businesses — at Sign Bar, 9909 FM 969, Bldg. 3.

Photo by Steve Hopson via OpenVerse

Armadillo World Headquarters | 1970-1981
This short-lived, well-loved venue is having a bit of a resurgence with Austin FC’s new kit, but the venue made cultural waves long before the MLS team came to town. The music hall featured shows of all genres, famously hosting acts including Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Willie Nelson for crowds of ~1,500 people. When its lease expired, the venue closed down to make room for the One Texas Center, and the city of Austin dedicated a plaque in its place to memorialize the venue in 2006.

Dart Bowl | 1958-2020
For 62 years, Dart Bowl was one of Austin’s premier entertainment centers, known for its 32 bowling lanes, enchiladas, and cameo in Richard Linklater’s film “Boyhood.” Although Dart Bowl closed during the pandemic, you can still visit the Donovan family’s other pin palaces: Highland Lanes and Westgate Lanes.

The empty patio at Shady Grove, with a sign that reads "BEER" and a mural that reads "Visit friendly Shady Grove."

Shady Grove’s Barton Springs Road backyard still remains empty.

Photo via KVUE

Shady Grove | 1992-2020
Just east of the original Chuy’s, this largely outdoor Tex-Mex restaurant was built around the quirky spirit of Austin. Shady Grove was a cozy place to sit down at a picnic table and chow down on a burger, enjoy live music as part of the Unplugged at the Grove series, and people watch along Barton Springs Road. The restaurant closed as a result of the pandemic and still remains empty.

Which businesses would you like to hear about next? Let us know.

More from ATXtoday
The longstanding partnership between ACL and Austin Parks Foundation has generated millions of dollars toward caring for the Capital City’s public spaces.
Consider these landmarks our Hollywood signs.
The 2nd Street District hotel boasts redesigned rooms, a new restaurant, a coffee shop, and a reservation-only cocktail bar.
Next time you’re in need of artistic inspiration, check out the work of local and global artists at these Austin art galleries.
Step into the Wayback Machine — you’d be surprised at just how similar modern life in the Capital City is to the way Austinites lived in 1925.
We’re calling it now — the coffee shop in a historic home is about to be one of our favorite hangouts.
From pop princesses to chart-topping bands, there’s no shortage of shows to see this year in the Live Music Capital of the World.
Several local chefs and restaurants are in the running for a James Beard Award nomination.
We took a cooking class with CocuSocial and it was pasta-tively amazing.
Go bargain-hunting with our Austin happy hour guide, which highlights drink specials and food discounts throughout the city.