Summer of Shutters

Another shutter as popular sports bar quietly closes in West Campus

With Tap 24's closing, soccer fans will have to find a new place to watch the World Cup.

Austin’s summer of shutters continues with another concept deciding to throw in the towel. According to general manager Cassidy Mora, West Campus sports bar Tap 24 served its last pint June 11.

The popular hangout opened in June 2014 with a focus on craft beer and a simple bar food menu. Although the flat screens were tuned in to everything from Major League Baseball to University of Texas football, soccer was a particular obsession. In fact, the owners rushed through the buildout in order to welcome World Cup crowds in 2014.

The bar was a reinvention of sorts of Cuatro's, another sports bar that also closed suddenly in December 2013 after a five-year run. Although much of the same spirit was kept in the new space, the owners gave the old interior a facelift and added pool tables and arcade games.

Despite another World Cup kicking off on June 14, Mora tells CultureMap that the owners decided to close now because their TABC permit was expiring. Rather than renew, they decided it was a natural time to close up shop.

Although not finalized yet, the owners are working to sell the corner space. It’s unclear what plans the perspective new owners have for the lot.

Whatever the plans, it will not affect smokehouse and whiskey bar Freedmen’s, which sits in a historic building around the corner. A rep for the eatery tells CultureMap that it’s “business as usual” regardless of the new owner’s plans.

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Grocery news haul

Grocery service Farmhouse Delivery returns to Austin with fun surprise

Courtesy photo

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After suddenly halting its operations in May, grocery service Farmhouse Delivery is on its way back, with an extra surprise for Austin: a new storefront.

Known for offering locally prepared foods and produce from small Central Texas farms, the subscription-based service emailed its loyal customers on Monday, November 18, to share the relaunch news and outline its plans for the future.

“We’ve missed you and are beyond grateful for your patience as we’ve been hard at work planning the next chapter of Farmhouse Delivery,” the newsletter reads. “Soon, you’ll once again have fresh, local food delivered straight to your doorstep[.]”

Farmhouse Delivery is aiming for a December date to resume deliveries, they say. They've used the intervening six months to not only revamp their existing business model, but to expand their offerings.

The biggest surprise in the newsletter was a revelation of plans for a new storefront in Austin, blending a cozy farmer’s market vibe with what they call “the best parts of your favorite grocer — where you can discover fresh foods, refill on essentials, connect with other members on sustainable living, and, of course, [shop] our best local products — all in innovative, reusable packaging.”

The email did not divulge details for the location or timing of the storefront project.

The company also plans to introduce a new membership model with exclusive benefits such as sneak peeks of new products and promotions.

Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Farmhouse also announced that it’s working toward a completely plastic-free delivery:

“Expect to see your favorite items in sustainable packaging, with rewards for returning and reusing Farmhouse materials. Together, let’s reduce waste and make sustainable choices the coolest thing to do.”

The newsletter invited customers to complete a survey to help shape the ongoing Farmhouse experience. There, customers can indicate their desired delivery day (or days) and the factors that influence that preference (meal planning, work schedule, etc.), as well as specific products they would like to see in future deliveries.

Survey participants can also designate their preferred price point for memberships and the most appealing benefits from a long list, including free deliveries, additional delivery days, free products, members-only cooking classes, exclusive content, and more.

Neither the newsletter nor the Farmhouse website announced a specific date for relaunching, but returning and new customers can keep an eye on the website and social media for further details.

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