Rising again

Hip Austin restaurant group bakes up plan to save classic Clarksville cafe

Sweetish Hill will see new life under the ownership of McGuire Moorman Hospitality.

As Austin continues to mourn the closures of longtime eateries like Frank & Angie’s and The Frisco, an Austin restaurant group has swooped in to save another classic. A company rep has confirmed to CultureMap that McGuire Moorman Hospitality has purchased Clarksville institution Sweetish Hill Bakery from owner Jim Murphy.

As first reported by Austin 360, the bakery will close on September 8 and reopen in time for the holiday season in December, though both dates are subject to change. After the remodel, the restaurant will slightly change the name to Swedish Hill Bakery Cafe & Deli.

The rebranding will mark an evolution of the concept first opened by original owners Patricia Bauer-Slate and Tom Neuhaus in 1975 in a converted Victorian-era house on Waller Street (its current location at 1120 W. Sixth St. was established in 1991 after Murphy became a partner).

With Murphy on board to get the operation up and running, the new eatery will continue to offer baked goods under the direction of MMH pastry chefs Alex Manley and Jennifer Tucker, and will serve as a central bakery for Jeffrey’s, Josephine House, Lamberts, Clark’s Oyster Bar, Perla’s, June’s, and Pool Burger.

The eatery will also offer prepared foods, fresh sandwiches, simple deli fare, and a wine program curated by beverage director June Rodil. MMH partner and CEO Larry McGuire told Austin 360 that the drew inspiration from all-day restaurants like Los Angeles’ Gjelina and New York City’s Russ & Daughters.

With the addition of Swedish Hill to their workload, the next few months will be a a busy time for the team at McGuire Moorman. Joann’s, in collaboration with Bunkhouse Group at the Austin Motel, is set to debut this fall. MMH will also be handling the food and beverage programs at upcoming downtown hotel/residential tower Austin Proper.

closings openings

Refill, revere, rejoice

Austin distiller will refill Kentucky Bourbon bottles for $1 in gameday stunt

Photo courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Still Austin is filling up empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles and adding its own label in a display of Texas dominance.

Cheap bourbon isn't usually something people line up for, but in this case they know it's good. Still Austin Whiskey Co., a favorite Austin distiller, is offering $1 refills of its own Cask Strength Bourbon on empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles on November 23.

The promotion celebrates the Texas Longhorns vs. Kentucky Wildcats football match the same day. This is a highly anticipated game because the two teams have only been matched up once, back in 1951. Kentucky coach Mike Stoops reportedly also upped the ante by saying the Longhorns have "no weaknesses."

Essentially, this is a parallel challenge by Still Austin: Replace your Kentucky Bourbon with our Texas spirit and watch the Lone Star State win again.

"Why would I ever taint your bourbon with dried up Kentucky juice[?]" asked a (frankly, terrifying) customer on Instagram.

There is a misconception that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association itself points out that, "According to the 1964 Congressional Resolution, in order to have “Bourbon” on the label it must be made in the United States of America and meet all other federal “standards of identity” for Bourbon."

Still Austin CEO and co-founder Chris Seals is setting the record straight with a little snark, inviting both fans and "skeptics" to stop by to take advantage of the deal.

“We’re deeply grateful to Kentucky for inventing the stuff, but after 200 years of the same old bourbon, people want something new,” said Seals in a press release.“The idea that great bourbon can only come from Kentucky is a myth based on decades of misinformation. We’re inviting everyone still holding onto this old guard notion to ‘Kentucky Fill Up’ to experience the difference for themselves.”

The product he's chosen to represent the brand, the Cask Strength Bourbon, is described as "a deeper more 'metal' version of our beloved straight bourbon." It's 116 proof (58 percent ABV) and has won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition twice, in 2022 and 2023.

Still Austin will only refill 500 bottles. Here are the rules: The bottles have to be 750 milliliters, clean, intact (with the original cap on hand), and they must have originally contained bourbon from a Kentucky Distillery. There are two time slots for refilling at 9 am and 11:30 am. Patrons can get tickets ahead of time at stillaustin.com.

In addition to the fill-ups, Still Austin will host a watch party starting at 2:30 pm. More Texas-Kentucky crossover will include Frozen Texas Julep cocktails, Texas fried chicken, and an armadillo derby race. There will also be exclusive merch and giveaways. Still Austin is the official corporate partner of Texas Athletics.

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