Ale-ments

Favorite craft beer store barrels out of changing South Lamar Boulevard

Days are numbered at the South Lamar WhichCraft.

If researchers were looking to do a case study of Austin’s recent hospitality industry woes, there’s no better area to examine than South Lamar Boulevard. Over the past few years, the strip has been the epicenter of a wave of shutters, claiming restaurants like Lucy’s on the Fly, Backbeat, and La Feria — not to mention the multiple ill-fated concepts at Lamar Union.

Now Lamar has claimed another victim. On August 23, WhichCraft owner Jody Reyes announced that the original location of WhichCraft will close on September 22. Opened in April 2014 at 2110 S. Lamar Blvd., the bottle shop quickly became a favorite of Austin’s beer nerd set for its encyclopedic selection of national and international brews and its highly knowledgeable staff.

In a statement, Reyes blamed zoning as the main reason for the shutter. Unlike the second location, which opened in the Mueller development in November 2016, the South Austin store was not allowed to add draft beer to the offerings, as rules prohibited on-premise consumption.

“The bottle shop-only model is not part of our future plans, as having draft beer not only gives people more reasons to visit, but also offers more choices for our customers,” said Reyes. Although the WhichCraft team worked with their landlord and the city to affect a rule change, it soon became clear that nothing would budge.

Going forward, the shop will focus on the model set by its Mueller outpost at 1900 Simond Ave. Ste. 200. That store supplements the bottled craft beer selection with about 30 taps, a full coffee program, a selection of light snacks, and seating in which to enjoy all of the above. Reyes said they are currently scouting for the next locations for WhichCraft 2.0.

While Reyes did not elaborate further on closure reasons past the zoning issue, issues like ballooning commercial rents and a lack of parking have troubled the area once known for its affordable apartments and funky assortment of restaurants and shops. The changing demographics of the area has also not been kind to beer-based businesses. Popular Tampa, Florida-based chain World of Beer lasted less than a year at its first Austin outpost near Broken Spoke.

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Summer House on Music Lane 4/20 high tea

Photo by Grant Pifer

Summer House on Music Lane has combined a classy tea service with a whimsical menu of munchies.

Spring is in full swing in Austin, with openings and events all over. Despite how much is going on, all we're seeing is chances to relax, from a famous omakase with more reservations than before to a handful of 420 hangs. And if you miss the holidays, no worries — some of these events and deals are ongoing.

Openings and closings

Omakase lovers can now stop by the new home of Sushi | Bar Austin and its cocktail bar Golden Ace. The bar is a new concept, which in addition to a larger space for dining means a lot more people can fit: two rooms of 12 for dinner, and 35-40 at the bar. Find them at 419 West 2nd St. Reservations open the first day of every month. Anyone who misses the old space at 2600 E. Cesar Chavez St. might still be able to snag a seat at Chef Anthony Martin'spop-up. Some reservations are still showing up on OpenTable, but they're very limited.

As reported by Community Impact, the mobile tap trailer Grapes & Rye has opened its new brick-and-mortar location at 3333 CR 119, Ste. 28, in Hutto. It'll be used to host events, tastings, and classes. Posts on Facebook show things already in full swing: next up are an NFL Draft watch party on April 24 and a spring cookie decorating and cocktail class on May 31. More details on events and tickets are available via Eventbrite.

Shipley Do-Nuts has opened yet another Austin-area location, this time in Dripping Springs. The Houston-based donut chain, which has a stronghold on Greater Austin already, is known for its hexagonal donuts. The new location can be found at 13341 W. U.S. Highway 290, Ste. 1101.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers, a chain that started in College Station, is debuting in Austin at 701 W. 24th St. A press release does not share an opening timeline, but says that Texas A&M grad Shahroz Khan and his family plan to open 15 locations in the next decade. The second is planned for 11312 Hero Way West in Leander. Layne's Chicken Fingers doesn't advertise this, but it does happen to be halal (including brisket bacon), a draw for this immigrant family.

Other news and notes

Desert Door Texas Sotol and Tecovas, two Austin-area staples for spirits and western wear, respectively, are partnering up. Wherever Tecovas stores nationwide have bars in them — like the one on South Congress Avenue — the Texas sotol will be available. It'll also be served at Tecovas events throughout the year. This won't be a huge change in most Austinite's routines, but it could introduce lots of people to the little-known, mezcal-like spirit.

In the home of Willie Nelson, of course people are ready for 420. This holiday for space cowboys is being celebrated around town, including these three places:

Cosmic: Both Cosmic Pickle and Cosmic Saltillo have events planned. A "High Vibes Hang" will be held at Cosmic Pickle on April 19 and 20 from noon to 6 pm, with live DJs, food, THC cocktails, a wellness market (for Earth Day), and an adult Easter egg hunt. Cosmic Saltillo is hosting a video game lounge from noon to 10 pm both days, and will also have THC drinks.
Hotel Van Zandt: The hotel is celebrating on April 20 with a "bold and bratty" poolside hang. Splash Sessions: 420 x Brat will take place from 1 pm "'til late" with craft and frozen cocktails from Brez Functional Beverages, DJ sets from DJ Yuh, and two ticket giveaways to see Charli XCX live at the Moody Center on April 23.
Summer House: The restaurant at Hotel Magdalena is hosting a ticketed "High Tea" event on April 20 from 4:20-7 pm. (If guests miss it, it'll happen again every third Sunday of the month until July.) Guests get a glass of bubbly when they arrive, plus a choice of CBD-infused tea. Additional à la carte cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages with CBD and THC options will also be available. There will also be "munchie trays" with snacks like potato chip chocolate cookies. Tickets ($65) are available on OpenTable.

Downright Austin and Succulent Native are getting together April 22 for an Earth Day celebration benefiting the Austin Parks Foundation. They're hosting a Plant Party Pop-Up in Rodeo Room, the small event space right outside Swim Club, from 7-8:30 pm. Guests will get a ceramic pot and some succulents, and $5 of their donation will go to the foundation, matched by Downright Austin. Tickets ($50) are available on Eventbrite. It's not part of the event, but guests might also want to check out Swim Club's new summer menu with lobster sliders, shrimp cocktail, steak frites, and more.

Visitors to Whiskey Cake Kitchen + Bar in Round Rock can take part in an Earth Day challenge with a delicious reward. From April 22-28, guests can bring in a mug to donate and receive a free slice of whiskey cake, plus herb and flower seed packets. The small chain only hints that the mugs will be used in the restaurant going forward — but perhaps the coyness is a ripcord to pull in case of embarrassing donations.

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News You Can Eat

New omakase digs, Earth Day, and 420 hangs refresh Austin food news