Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Austin liquor chain uncorks red-hot Dollar Sale deals to celebrate end of summer

Austinites are saying cheers to the return of Twin Liquors' Dollar Sale.

Photo by Julia Keim

Before Austinites know it, we’ll be wearing long sleeves, sipping on pumpkin spice lattes, and pencilling in dates for fall’s never-ending social calendar. It’s probably best to start stocking up the bar now — especially since Twin Liquors’ summer Dollar Sale begins next week.

The semi-annual bargain bonanza returns to all 85-plus locations August 29-31. As usual, the Austin-based chain will be clearing out inventory with deep discounts on most wine and spirits 750 milliliters or larger.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean shoppers can get a Laphroaig 28-year-old single malt for a buck, but it does mean Twin will be discounting its stock to the lowest possible price, then adding a dollar just for funsies. That means Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey will be priced at only $27 and Casamigos blanco tequila at $35.33.

Be warned, however, the most coveted spirits tend to be nabbed almost immediately. Still those who can’t stand in line for the 10 am opening time can find plenty of deals on less rare whiskies, tequilas, and rums and popular liqueurs like Campari and Aperol.

As usual, however, Twin is hosting a Facebook Live preview from 6:30-7:30 pm August 28 to allow spirits collectors to ask questions about specific prices and projects. Sneaky shoppers who visit the stores an hour before closing time on that day might also get a sneak peak at some of the deals.

Even if that rare mezcal never makes it to a guest's cart, Twin will make sure Austin shoppers aren’t left empty handed. Deep Eddy will be giving out Bloody Marys and breakfast tacos starting at 10 am August 29 at the Hancock, Hill Country Galleria, and South Lamar Marketplace locations. Then at 10 am on August 31, Lunazul will be making Tequila Sunrises at Hill Country and Hancock.

news-you-can-eat

Back to the Plow

Homey Austin jam and bake shop closing and returning to farmers market

Confituras/Instagram

Confituras Little Kitchen is closing its brick-and-mortar store, but feeling optimistic about the future.

A famers market find is returning to its natural environment after six years in a brick-and-mortar location. Confituras Little Kitchen, which specializes in locally sourced preserves, is closing its jam and biscuit shop after service on Sunday, December 22. However, it will continue selling goods at the Barton Creek Farmers Market and via retailers.

Confituras announced the change in a newsletter to its customers in December. The letter called the news "bittersweet."

"Although the brick and mortar will no longer be, the good news is that this will be a fresh new start for us – we are bursting with energy and creativity at the thought of being back out in the community where it all started for confituras," it said.

The kitchen is closing because the lease is up, and the team has decided to "give up the chase." The newsletter emphasized the ups-and-downs of business over the past several years — ones that were chaotic for just about any business, let alone a small, fairly niche food operation.

"So much has happened since we decided to open a brick + mortar – a wonderful kickstarter fundraiser, THE PANDEMIC, the AFTER-EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC, and an ever growing city," the letter says. "We tried so very hard but never really got our footing. We know we are not alone, many small business are in the same boat. We renewed our lease during the pandemic because we were hopeful we could make it work - the changing times had other ideas."

Finally, it shared how customers could keep enjoying Confituras creations:

The Barton Creek Farmers Market is open at 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy. every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.
A list on confituras.net compiles retailers including Royal Blue Grocery, Farmhouse Delivery, and Antonelli's Cheese Shop.
Jam share and Table22 subscription customers will have more instructions coming soon about picking up their goods in January at the same space, 2129 Goodrich Ave.
Customers may also reach out to inquire about continuing to order meals directly.

The kitchen also hosted frequent events and workshops, but the letter did not address this aspect of the business.

A shorter message shared on Instagram has inspired 63 comments so far, five days later. Customers eulogized the shop for its community feel and providing a sense of regularity during the height of the pandemic thanks to weekend pick-ups.