Support Us Button Widget

History of the Hofheintz-Reissig Store in Austin, TX

historical marker

Hofheintz-Reissig Store was in operation for ~100 years. | Photo by ATXtoday team

If you find yourself dining at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill downtown at the corner of Red River and East 3rd streets, take a good look around because you’re surrounded by major Texas and German history. It starts with the Hofheintz-Reissig Store, a Texas Historic Landmark.

Born in 1822, Henry Hofheintz was an immigrant from Nassau, Germany, who came to Texas in 1845. He was known to haul freight by team and wagon from Mexico to San Antonio and Austin.

Henry built the Hofheintz-Reissig Store, — which contained groceries + dry goods and lasted for ~100 years. The historical marker for the store reads, “Built later was the one-story addition, which was used as a saloon and a residence.”

The establishment is housed in the old Waterloo Compound, where a grouping of old commercial buildings once stood in Austin. Eventually, Henry bought the Waterloo Compound for $112 (talk about a sweet deal for prime real estate in Austin).

building

The Moonshine restaurant downtown is sitting on historic land. | Photo by @travels_with_v_

Henry originally built the structure to serve as a warehouse for his goods + place to store corn for his mules. This building later became known as the “Sunday House,” after he cleared goods from the house to allow city and rural German settler families to stay overnight, so they could shop at local markets and attend church on Sunday.

Many Sunday Houses were established throughout Central Texas, but Henry’s Sunday House is the only one left in Austin.

So, what does the Moonshine restaurant have to do with anything? The space now serves as a small private event area at Moonshine and as a unique dining room. Moonshine even stores its wine collection in the same cellar originally created in the 19th century.

After Henry’s death in 1880, the store was passed down to his eldest child, Catherine Louise, and her husband, Adolph Reissig. The property would go on to stay in the family until 1966.

The property was officially recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission in 1983. Moonshine opened in 2003, and is the second restaurant to call the space home. Visit the historic site at 600 E. 3rd St.

More from ATXtoday
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
Let’s dig into the delicious picks, including seven stars, 16 local Bib Gourmand Awards, and a handful of MICHELIN-recommended spots for the MICHELIN Guide Texas.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
You know Bigfoot, but have you heard of The Candy Lady or The Hairy Man?
From historic landmarks to rooftop bars, this guide rounds up the must-try restaurants, sights, and nightlife spots that make the Capital City shine.
Austin’s housing market has been a roller coaster ride for the last five years, but this time, it’s swinging back in favor of buyers.
Austin’s plethora of delightful food festivals offer something for everyone, so only one question remains: Which should you attend first?
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
The City of Austin is asking residents to vote on a property tax increase that would generate ~$109.5 million to go toward the new fiscal year budget.
The Downtown community center has agreed to sell some of its land for new housing while expanding and building a new facility.