Keep AU$TIN Weird-Keep Austin Local-Buy From Home

 

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Don’t Buy From Strangers.

Locally owned businesses are the strength of our local economy and the foundation of Austin's rare culture. The unique shops, restaurants, live music venues, movie theaters, coffee houses, food trailers, record stores and even the people have made Austin different compared to any other city. Buying locally ensures that these successful local businesses stay profitable and are not bought out by giant corporations. Local businesses reflect the communities they serve and their customers are their #1 priority. Therefore, shoppers in the Austin area should spend their money on local businesses in order to protect their survival and keep Austin from becoming ordinary. In short, Austinites should buy local and prevent Austin from becoming anything else but weird. 

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Similar to my chosen photographer, Joel Sternfeld, when taking my photographs I tried to leave the significance of my photos in my captioning material. In many of his collections, Joel Sternfeld captured photographs at various places in the United States that are currently vacant or deserted. Although his images tended to be misleading, the accompanying captions ensured that the history behind the picture is told and remembered. For my project, I chose to photograph vacant shots of successful local businesses and provided captioning material to ensure that the history behind the business is told and remembered as well. Therefore, this history of each local business portrays that they are important and vital to the Austin Culture.  Without the text to accompany these photographs, viewers may not be able to grasp the importance of their impact on the Austin culture.

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TEN REASONS TO BUY LOCAL:

According to Go Local Austin: 

Be Some Place, Not Any Place-By choosing to shop locally one can help Maintain city’s distinctive flavor.

Feel Right in Your Neighborhood-Build Strong neighborhoods by contributing to local causes, hiring local residents and relying on local sources. 

Our Town and Local Decision-Making-Important decisions are made locally, at home. 

When you spend local, it stays local.-$$ Spent locally has 3X the impact on community than if you spent money at national chains. 

Jobs and Wages- More jobs locally-More Security. 

Entrepreneurship Happens on Main Street- Buying Local fuels economic innovation and prosperity. 

Shopping Locally Saves Local Tax Dollars- Local Stores in town require little infrastructure and more efficient use of public services.

Sustainability Makes You Happy-Localism reduces automobile use, habitat loss, and water pollution. Also, local business more often use local products.

Competition Makes Sense- It’s the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long term. 

Make Mine Local for Product Diversity- Guarantees a much broader range of product choices. 

Want to know more? Want rewards for shopping local? Click the website below and learn more about going local and the rewards you can receive! 

Go Local 

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[dontbuyfromstrangers]

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 1997

In 1997, the Alamo Drafthouse was founded in Austin, TX by Tim and Karrie League. What once was an ordinary parking garage, the Leagues transformed into a theater that became a hot spot in the central Texas area. At The Alamo Drafthouse one can find cold beer, hot movies, and plenty of food all under one roof.

Locations: 

MuellerAirport Blvd and Aldrich St. Lakeline14028 N US Highway 183, Bldg F, Austin, TX 78717 Village2700 W Anderson, Lane Austin, TX 78757 South Lamar1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 The Ritz320 E 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Slaughter Lane5701 W. Slaughter Lane

Website

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Mozart’s Coffee 1993

In 1993, Mozart’s Coffee was founded on Lake Austin. For over twenty years Mozart’s has offered gourmet coffees and desserts in a European style atmosphere with extraordinary views overlooking Lake Austin. At Mozart’s one will find a unique place to enjoy coffee, live music, and studying either inside or on the outdoor patio under the beautiful oak trees.

Location:

3825 Lake Austin Blvd Austin, TX 78703

Website 

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Stubbs 1985

In 1985, Stubb’s Restaurant moved from Lubbock to Austin, TX. Stubb’s was founded by Christopher B. Stubblefiled and the first restaurant was opened in Lubbock in 1968. Throughout the 1970s many famous musicians played at Stubb’s Restaurant including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Robert Cray and Muddy Waters. The Lubbock location is closed now but the legend continues here in Austin and is always filled with good friends, great music and plenty of Stubb’s legendary Bar-B-Q.

Location: 

801 Red River Rd 
Austin, TX 78701

Website

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Franklin Barbecue 2009

In 2009, Franklin’s Barbecue was founded by Aaron Franklin and was initially located in a trailer off of Interstate 35. Ranked one of the top-if not the top-best barbecue places in the United States. Franklin’s is most notably known for their lean brisket, meaty pork ribs, beef-and-pork sausage, pulled pork and the Tipsey Texan sandwich (chopped beef and sausage piled very high with slaw). Since its opening, Franklin Barbecue has sold out of meat every day and regularly has a two hour wait to receive a plate of barbecue.

Location:

900 E. 11th Austin, TX 78702

Website

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Scholz Garten 1866

In 1866, Scholz Garten was founded by August Scholz and became a popular meeting place for the German population in and around Austin. Scholz Garten is the oldest business in Texas and continues to be successful in the present day. In 1893, the same year that the University of Texas football team had its first undefeated season, the bar was sold to Lemp Brewery Company. Since the bar was only two blocks away the team celebrated its victories at the Garten. Later the bar was bought by a German singing club, The Austin Saengerrunde. Throughout the past century Scholz Garten has been known for its German food, cold beer, and good live music.

Location:

1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin, Texas 78704

Website

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Antone’s Records 1987

In 1987, Antone’s Records was founded by Clifford Antone. Just north of the UT campus, Antone’s Record Shop continues to host one of the largest selections of used vinyl in central Texas. Antone’s records puts a heavy emphasis on blues and local artists of Texas and is one of Austin’s oldest establishments. 

Location:

2928 Guadalupe Austin, TX 78705

Website

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Amy’s Ice Creams 1984

In 1984, Amy’s Ice Creams was founded by Amy Simmons, a University of Texas graduate, and became a destination for premium ice creams, dairy-free fruit ices and frozen yogurt. With over 350 flavors in rotation, Amy’s has come to dominate the local ice cream scene. The first store opened was located on Guadalupe Street, minutes from the UT campus. Since then Amy has opened stores at 13 more locations, 11 of them in Austin.

Locations:

North Austin- Arboretum Austinville 78750 Burnet Central Austin- 6th Street Guad SoCo East Austin- Airport South Austin- Austinville 78704 Super South The Grove Westgate West Austin- Hill Country Galleria Mira Vista

Website

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Vulcan Video 1968

In the late 1960s, Vulcan Video was founded by Dian Donnell. Needing to support three children, she decided that a video rental business would be successful in Austin, TX. At Vulcan Video one can expect to find various types of videos ranging from classic films to new releases. There are currently two stores located in Austin and both contain diverse VHS tapes and DVDs that anyone is able to check out and rent.

Locations:

112 W Elizabeth St Austin, TX 78704

100 N Loop Blvd Austin, TX 78751

Website