Brew News

Beloved Austin brewpub is in danger of closing and wants your help

Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery beer fries

Black Star Co-op needs your help.

A beloved Austin brewpub needs support. In a letter sent to members last week, Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery asked for increased patronage in January in order to keep its doors open.

"In the face of historically slow sales, Black Star Co-op is experiencing a cash flow crisis that immediately threatens the business. If sales continue on as they are now, we could close our doors by the end of the month," says the notice.

Black Star is a cooperative, meaning the company is owned by over 3,000 Austinites who each pay a $150 membership fee. In return, member-owners receive one share of the business, voting rights, and a say in the direction of the company.

However, the brewpub has relied heavily on food and drink sales since it opened in 2010. Memberships account for only 6 percent of gross sales per month.

The company has already taken measures to keep Black Star afloat, including adjusting wages, reducing benefits, and laying off employees. "To ask further sacrifices from our workers would challenge the co-op's very identity," says Black Star.

The news of a possible closure has already mobilized the community. Since the letter went out, membership has increased, and Saturday, January 7, was Black Star's biggest day of sales ever.

"Austin is a great town. The response we’ve seen has been so inspiring. One of our workers said, 'My spirit for this place is invigorated' after this weekend. So, we’re immensely grateful — and we’re now just trying to make sure we do right by all of this goodwill," Lawrence Watson, a member of Black Star's marketing team, tells CultureMap. Management is already looking at ways to "make the business more sustainable so that it may withstand future slow periods."

The brewpub maintains that the only way to save Black Star — and keep it running for years to come — is for people to come in and enjoy the craft brews and Texas-inspired grub.

"Black Star Co-op can't exist without the support of its member-owners. That was true in the beginning, when the co-op was just a dream, and it's true now," reads the initial letter. "So grab some friends and come in for a beer and some food. If you have a good time, please come in again — sooner rather than later. We're counting on you."

Games on the Go

This outdoorsy mountain trolley is now a vintage arcade in Austin

Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The trolley still bears most of the markings from its past life in Tennessee.

Some classic arcade games are now on the go in Austin with the launch of the Austin Arcade Trolley. Housed in a renovated trolley car, this new mobile arcade shows off eight vintage 80s and 90s games, while keeping some of the transportation nostalgia intact, too.

Austin Arcade Trolley owner and ex-corporate salesman Trey Tschoepe said in a press release that the idea came about after attending birthday parties with his 6-year-old daughter. The parties inspired a desire to "keep Austinites young at heart." It wasn't intended as a business, but Austinites can now book it for their own events.

The vintage games include:

NBA Jam
Golden Tee
Ms. Pacman
Atari
The Simpsons
NFL Blitz
Mortal Kombat
Street Fighter II

Austin Arcade Trolley interior Even though the aesthetics are different, both halves of this bus are very retro.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

It's not just limited to those classics, though; a 55-inch screen will let guests play more than 30,000 other games. Minecraft, Roblox, and Tetris are a few of those offerings.

“Not only are we delivering nostalgic fun that accessible to all ages, but we’re also doing it in style with a vintage trolley car converted into a mobile arcade," said Tschoepe. "There’s truly nothing else like this in Texas or anywhere else.”

There certainly are other mobile arcades, but the trolley is unique not just for its vintage selection but a delightfully outdoorsy look. The back of the vehicle looks like an arcade, but the front and exterior sidestep the expected design elements — neon colors, envisionings of cyberspace — by keeping everything as-is.

Austin Arcade Trolley interior This part of the trolley basically looks like any other mobile arcade.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The wooden interior still has some passenger benches, and the outside even displays its original affiliation: the Tennessee town of Pigeon Forge, where it was designated a "Fun Time Trolley."

Tschoepe did put some work in, even though he kept the aesthetic intact. He purchased the decommissioned car in May 2024 and spent six months implementing custom woodwork and other design updates.

Now it can fit 15 guests in the arcade section, with space for 7 more in the seating section. There's also wifi and air-conditioning, and guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks and drinks onboard.

Austin Arcade Trolley interior This part of the trolley brings light to an airier side of gaming.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The trolley is available for hourly booking every day. The case price is $375 including delivery, setup, and unlimited play within the booking time, which happens in two-hour increments. It can travel around Austin as well as to Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Buda, Kyle, and Lakeway.

Tschoepe welcomes kids and adults for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, corporate and team-building events, and anywhere else it's needed.

“We’re excited to spread the fun throughout Central Texas," he said.

kids games arcade parties weddings