Awesomist Austin!
Who better to tell you the best places to eat, shop and hang out in Austin than the locals? That’s why we’ve wrangled University of Texas radio station KVRX’s know-it-all DJs and staff to tell you what’s the awesomist in Austin. Turns out they are opinionated about more than just music.
Shopping
- Expand Your Record Collection
- End of an Ear Records
- 2209 South First Street
Austin, Texas, 78704 - (512) 462-6008
If you love crowded parking lots and want to pleasure yourself with the new Sheryl Crow album then head on over to Waterloo records. If not, you might want to try End of an Ear Records on South First where you will find a heavy dose of non-mainstream artists from all genres, and a non-crowded and friendly atmosphere. Although small, End of an Ear carries a wide selection of CDs and Vinyl at relatively cheap prices and also has a good used selection. Their staff is laid back but helpful with your musical needs and their listening station helps determine if the old vinyl you found is worth purchasing. I am quite fond of their large vinyl selection and the importance they give to obscure and local artists. Their website (endofanear.com) is a great way to find out what in-store shows they have coming up and what new albums have arrived in their store. Best record store in Austin.
- Back to Basics…it’s hip
- American Apparel
- 2316 Guadalupe St.
Austin, Texas, 78705 - (512) 477-4900
Located on the drag, American Apparel opened up its doors not too long ago to welcome in all the hipsters who had previously been forced to order from the catalog or online. While their ultra-basic clothing is a bit pricey, it’s made in America and is usually really comfortable. It is usually a little hard to get any help in this place, though, since the workers are too busy staring at themselves in the mirrors. Are these jeans too tight?!? If you’re focused on your shopping and somewhat determined to find the perfect t-shirt, drop in AA and you’re likely to find some basics that are always welcome in any wardrobe. Note: We do not encourage purchasing any spandex bodysuits. Please refrain from doing so. Not cool.
- Bring the Environment Home
- Wildflower Organics
- 908 N. Lamar Blvd
Austin, Texas, 78703 - (512) 320-0449
Want to jump on the wave of sustainable design? Wildflower Organics has been in the green design industry for over 12 years. They know what they are doing when it comes to organic living. They offer anything you could imagine for your home including organic bamboo (yes, bamboo that’s right) or cotton sheets, natural and organic mattresses, sustainable furniture, accessories and bath & body goods. They also have a huge variety of organic baby needs, so your little one can live a healthy, natural life style. This store is full of unique products and it’s very much worth everyone checking out. The products are way ahead of their time; it is very exciting. The atmosphere is inviting and the sales ladies always want to share their knowledge on natural living.
- Fun, Fun, Fun
- Homegirls
- 4634 Burnet Rd
Austin, Texas, 78756 - (512) 420-2647
Is your middle name Young and Fun? Mine is, so I shop here. This is a home decor store where everything is guaranteed one of a kind. This mom and daughter duo started this store for people with budgets like mine, cheap. They have great taste! They find cool antique pieces and revamp them. My favorite thing there at the moment is a chase lounge that has been reupholstered in this great 70’s style floral print. You can find really great pieces they that won’t break the bank. You can find things there like mannequin heads, bowling pins, 50’s style chairs, and much more weird quirky items. It’s a fun place. I can pretty much promise you will come out with something strange that will remind you just how great of a place Austin is.
- Best Place for Punk Records
- Sound on Sound
- 106 E. North Loop
Austin, Texas, 78751 - 512-371-9980
This is the only record store in Austin where you will find all of the members of Sacred Shock working at. That alone makes Sound on Sound a very Punk place to by records. It’s located in the very hip north loop area near The Peddler, The Parlor and Monkey Wrench Books. Inside the store has old punk rock fliers from days past…remember Minor Threat, Jerry's Kids, or Black Flag? You can find lots of cool vinyl- every thing from the new Mika Miko album to Austin locals Total Abuse. The selection of records doesn't stop at punk though, you can find an array of used classics from Coltrane to Motley Crue. For those of you that don't own turntables, Sound on Sound also sells
CDs…you know, those shiny things that we used in the ‘90s.
- Comics Yes at Austin Books
- Austin Books
- 5002 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, Texas, 78751 - (512) 454-4197
I have loved comic book stores my whole life. I know that most are exactly alike. That said, I would not trade Austin Books for any comic book store in the world. I go every week. The people working will help you find anything, no matter how vague you like to be. I once asked for a comic that I remembered being mostly yellow and orange pictures. Someone found it. I once asked if they had something that I could waste fifty dollars on. They brought to me a statue of Thor. Figures, back issues, indie, foreign, local, weird, stupid, great� they carry everything.
- Best Place to Score a French Turtleneck, a Stuffed Animal, and Computer Speakers for Under $5
- Thriftland
- 512 W Stassney Ln Ste 107
Austin, Texas, 78745 - (512) 326-1510
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Thrift Land is the best thrift store on this planet. Seriously. Especially if you're from Los Angeles or New York, where there are no honest-to-goodness thrift stores (unless you count vintage boutiques, which, folks, we do not). No dressing rooms, so you'll have to wing it, but at these prices, who cares? Among the racks and shelves, you'll find old boom boxes, stuffed animals, Christmas sweaters, place mats, and tons more � all for the magical price of Cheap.
- Uncommonly Good
- Uncommon Objects
- 1512 S Congress Ave
Austin, Texas, 78704 - (512) 442-4000
If you have a gift to buy for someone and it needs to be a one of a kind, this is the place. I have always thought this crazy resale maze stood out even before the area started to bloom with great shop spots. From them I've bought porcelain hands, dead people's photos, bags of locusts, photo's of dead people, rings of power, old medical posters, dead people's journals, dead people's love letters, dead people's rings of empowerment, pictures of moose, pictures of God, jars, boxes, crates, barrels. It's as if the underworld were having a garage sale!