08.26.2024

Today’s Forecast

🛍️ You could shop... until they dropped

Dead malls: You could shop... until they dropped

The inside of a two-story mall facing a set of escalators. One to two stores appear to have lights on, while several others are empty or dark inside. Two people are seen walking on the upper level of the mall.

Highland Mall circa 2014, prior to its official closure in 2015. | Photo by Bellerophon5685 via Wikimedia Commons

Shopping malls across America have been left in a state that not even Paul Blart could save, and Austin is no exception.

Known as “dead malls,” these abandoned, dilapidated, or mostly vacant shopping centers have become a subject of fascination — especially thanks to the online popularity of liminal space aesthetics.

Let’s go to the mall

Once the tallest building in Austin, the Dobie Center — a 27-story UT Austin residence hall — is also home to a two-story enclosed mall. While Dobie Mall still features a food court and shops, Austinites may remember when it was home to stores like The Magic Mushroom, McDonald’s, and the beloved Dobie Theatre. Did you know that the Dobie Center is where Michael Dell started Dell, Inc. back in 1984?

A dimly-lit mall interior that shows the corner of what was likely a former eatery, a small table and chair set, and a hallway lined with a darkened, empty store. In the center of the hallway is a collection of stationary children's rides. — Years ago, this section of Highland Mall may have been filled with shoppers strolling into stores, patrons waiting in line for food, and children pushing quarters into the ride slots.
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Photo by Bellerophon5685 via Wikimedia Commons

In Old West Austin, Highland Mall opened as the city’s first enclosed shopping center in 1971. The mall touted anchor stores like JC Penney, Dillard’s, and Scarbrough’s, but other shopping centers popping up around Austin lent a hand in its eventual decline. Austin Community College began purchasing mall property in the 2010s, and Highland Mall officially closed its doors in 2015.

Back to the future

Today, Dobie Mall remains at the base of the Dobie Center, or Dobie Twenty21. As for Highland Mall, it’s no longer dead after becoming what is now one of ACC’s major college campuses.

Though these malls have changed, Austin still has a number of thriving shopping centers or districts where you can make like NSYNC and buy, buy, buy.

Austin's living malls

Events

Monday, Aug. 26

“The Bachelorette” Watch Party | Monday, Aug. 26 | 7 p.m. | Dainty Dillo | Cost of purchase | Watch Jenn Tran try to find a fiancé on the big screen while sipping on half-priced espresso martinis.
Eric Gales | Monday, Aug. 26 | 8 p.m. | Antone’s Nightclub | $30 | Grab a hot dog and watch the famed electric guitarist perform.

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Tiki Tuesday | Tuesday, Aug. 27 | 5-10 p.m. | Casa Bianca | Cost of purchase | Keep the summer vibes going with $10 tropical cocktails + a special themed menu.
Squeeze + Boy George | Tuesday, Aug. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater | $23-$193 | Spend an evening with both acts at this co-headlining tour under the stars.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

Classic Car Night | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 7-10 p.m. | Holey Moley Golf Club | Cost of purchase | See classic cruisers, enjoy drink specials, and play 18 holes for the price of nine.
Teenage Dirtbag: Nostalgia Fueled Improv Comedy | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 8-9 p.m. | Fallout Theater | $10-$14 | This night of laughs is all about reminiscing on high school experiences.

Plan Ahead

Childish Gambino | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 8 p.m. | The Moody Center | $110-$265 | “The New World” tour will bring along Willow to the stage as a special guest.

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

🩺 This local organization is “keepin’ Austin well”

The team customizes your prescription from scratch with the highest-quality ingredients at their state-of-the-art compounding facility. | Photo provided by Peoples Rx

Since 1980, Peoples Rx Wellness Headquarters has been helping Austinites lead healthy lives through expert-level guidance on high-quality wellness products and custom medication services.

Need a few wellness and fitness tips? Check out their newsletter and give their latest blog post a read for details on:

Fitness habits | From prioritizing consistency to balancing movement options
Wellness supplements | Including multivitamins, Omega-3s + hydration
Pre-and-post-exercise support | Featuring recovery and joint options, plus performance assistance (think: protein intake and amino acids)

Shop fitness supplements

News Notes

Closed

South Austin restaurant Aviary Wine & Kitchen has permanently closed. Its owners — who took over the eatery last summer — cited economic woes and “external pressures” in the local dining scene as culprits of the shutter. (Austin-American Statesman)

Open

The folks behind the east Austin cocktail bar Bosses Office have opened a new space called Break Room. The coffee shop, lunch + brunch restaurant, and co-working hub invites Austinites to gather and dine by day and sip cocktails by night under the same roof. (Eater Austin)

Development

Two new hotels — a boutique hotel and extended-stay hotel — could be coming to the site where the closed Hill’s Cafe sits on South Congress Avenue. Plans for the 15-acre plot’s redevelopment also include new residential, office, and retail spaces. See renderings. (Austin Business Journal)

Shop

The return of the pumpkin spice latte isn’t the only exciting thing happening at Starbucks — the coffee chain launched a new line of cups designed by Austin artist Rex Hamilton. Inspired by Austin’s vibrancy and natural wonders, the drinkware line is available now in stores while supplies last.

Try This

Favor Delivery has a new service called H-E-B Now, which allows shoppers to order up to 15 items at the grocery store and receive them within 45 minutes. Delivery and service fees on orders over $25 are waived through the end of the year. (KVUE)

Today Is

International Dog Day. Looking for ways to celebrate with your pup? Read through our guide to dog-friendly activities in Austin, then take your furry friend to a local brewery, restaurant, park, shopping center, or trail.

Outdoors

Texas State Park pass holders will not see a price increase after September 1, despite previous announcements. The decision to increase prices for the Texas State Park Pass + Youth Group Annual Pass has been reversed, according to the Texas Parks and Wildfire Department. (The Dallas Morning News)

Announced

Austinites will soon be able to explore the world of “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” in a new pop-up. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience will take over McKinney Roughs Nature Park in November — tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Sports

Football season is almost here — the Longhorns will play their first game in the Southeastern Conference on Saturday, Aug. 31. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Finance

Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. These are hands down some of the best.*

The Buy

The Buy 8.26.24 (Affiliate)

An Amazon Essentials men’s long-sleeve poplin shirt, currently 55% off for Labor Day. Stock up on this wardrobe basic in classic patterns and colors (think: French blue, washed black, and blue-white checked).

Shop Amazon's Labor Day sale

Answered

What’s the best bar in Austin?

A neon sign for Casino El Camino, a popular bar and grill in Austin, Texas, hangs over the entrance of the establishment. The sign is designed with vibrant colors and retro styling, featuring the word 'CASINO' in green letters within an oval surrounded by colorful diamond shapes. Below, the words 'EL CAMINO' are displayed in bold red letters on a yellow background, with 'BAR AND GRILL' and 'World Famous Hamburgers' written underneath. The night setting and the green-tinted lighting give the scene a classic, slightly eerie ambiance, enhanced by a green devil figure on the right side of the sign. — Come for a burger and stay for the wicked ambiance at Casino El Camino.
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Photo by ATXtoday

When Sahara Lounge was named one of the best bars in the nation by USATODAY, we asked readers: “In your opinion, what’s the best bar in Austin?”

Here’s what they said.

Casino El Camino | Cue a song on the jukebox, drink a cold beer on the patio, and dig into one of its specialty burgers. City Editor Morgan likes the L.A. Burger and the Buffalo Burger.

The Roosevelt Room | This moody lounge slings craft cocktails that are liquid works of art — and they’ll teach you how to make them in cocktail classes.

Mort Subite | Dubbed “Austin’s only Belgian beer bar,” the tavern + patio is inspired by European locales and features an extensive list of craft brews.

Buddy’s Place | Play pool and shuffleboard in a neon glow at this honky-tonk dive bar with live music.

Wonder Bar | There’s no shortage of color, photo opps, or interactive elements at this destination.

Tell us your favorite

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Morgan

From the editor

The best bar in Austin is an easy pick for me. If I’m hitting the town on a weekend night, you’ll find me on the dance floor at Barbarella.

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