With more than ten major shopping malls, the funky and fun South Congress district, and an almost endless variety of chic and couture boutiques downtown, shopping in Austin is an interesting and rewarding retail adventure that appeals to all different kinds of shoppers.
When locals think of a distinctively Austin shopping experience, they think of South Congress, or, as locals know it, “SoCo.” Just minutes south of downtown, SoCo is home to trendsetting boutiques, one-of-a-kind shops, as well as a wide variety of casual and upscale cafes. Shopping for clothing, artisanal accessories, shoes, bags, home goods and gifts is a seemingly endless and delightful pursuit in SoCo. Some of the most popular boutiques include Tesoro’s, Maya Star, Co-Star, My Obsessions, Creatures Boutique, Prototype Vintage Design, Stag, Eleven Eleven, and Limbo Jewelry Design, to name a few.
Shopping is King of the 2nd Street District — Men’s And Women’s Fashion, Home Décor, and a Uniquely Austin Toy Store
The list of high-end retailers packed into this downtown shopping district is almost unbelievable. Boutiques such as Luxe Apothetique, Langford Market, and Etcetera Etc. delight their customers with beautiful, up-to-the-minute fashions. Estilo, Urban Outfitters and others stock classic fashions and new looks for both men and women. Bonobo’s caters to men interested in finding clothing to look their very best. Sikara & Co., as well as a number of the boutiques feature stunning, handcrafted jewelry. Stores such as Mercury Design Studio, Design Within Reach, and BoConcept sell swanky, sleek furniture, antique surprises, and other upscale home furnishings.
And 2nd Street shoppers love the never-ending surprise of Austin’s Toy Joy — a unique toy store that is as much fun for adults as it is for the kids. With a blend of the whimsical, bizarre, retro, and just plain fun, Toy Joy puts a smile on shoppers of all ages.
Market District — Austin’s Organic Food and Couture Fashion Destination
At the west end of downtown, the Market District has emerged as a destination for shoppers in search of anything from an innovative meal to a pair of designer jeans. Among the most obvious landmarks is the international headquarters and flagship store for Whole Foods Market, the most successful natural foods retailer in the world. The 80,000-square-foot store covers two floors of great, healthful foods – from fresh organic produce and grass-fed beef to prepared meals and even several mini-restaurants. They also host ice-skating on the roof during the holiday season. But Whole Foods is just one of the distinctive stores that draws people from all over Austin to this corner of downtown.
BookPeople, Austin’s biggest locally owned bookstore, is across the street with Anthropologie and its collection of stylish women’s wear. Austin icon By George sells fashionable, trendy, and classic looks. Other boutiques nearby include Hem custom blue jeans and Free People.
Something Special and Truly Unforgettable Just for You
The nearly 100 quality boutiques and stores found downtown offer something truly special for even the most discriminating shoppers —a combination of local, national, and international; inexpensive and luxurious; big and small; funky and chic. Shopping in Austin is a pleasure, and often an unforgettable experience.