Tears in our beer

Longtime craft beer bar taps out of Central Austin

Austin's Flying Saucer has one of the largest beer selections in the city.

Flying Saucer Austin/ Facebook

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, one of the anchors of Central Austin’s Triangle development, is tabbing out. A popular trivia destination, the restaurant and craft beer hub announced today that it will shutter January 1 after the 10-year lease expires.

The Fort Worth-based chain blamed increasingly expensive costs exacerbated by Texas beer laws for the shutter.

"The landscape of the restaurant industry is changing rapidly across the nation, and unfortunately the Texas beer industry was introduced to topsy-turvy legislation which has harmed our Austin Saucer significantly, as well as hundreds of retailers across the state," said Flying Saucer co-owner Shannon Wynne in a release.

"The numbers at our current location just didn’t add up anymore, so we have begun seeking an atmosphere that is more conducive to making a profit," she continued. "As one of its early tenants, we will miss our neighbors at the Triangle."

Flying Saucer is not leaving town without some deference to its biggest fans, the members of its U.F.O. Club. "Beerknurds," as the company calls them, are invited to have one last pint on Saturday, January 6, from 2-5 pm. Those who have earned a plate for trying 200 beers can pick up their award at that time. Patrons who are still trying to reach that threshold can have their progress transferred to a different location of their choice.

The owners said they would work to place employees at other locations. Although the release did hint that the company would like to stay in the Austin market, no details were shared about when or where Flying Saucer is set to land next.

closings

Craft Convenience

Iconic Austin convenience store Quickie Pickie opening on South Congress

Quickie Pickie/Instagram

This laid-back store serves high-quality food and drinks in a casual environment.

A longtime Austin convenience store is opening a second location. A press release about a new mixed-use condo development called Congress Lofts announces that one of its anchor retail owners will be Quickie Pickie. The release doesn't say when the store will open.

Congress Lofts will be located in the St. Elmo District at 4315 South Congress Ave., the equivalent of a few blocks south of Ben White Boulevard. The site is near Urban Betty Salon and the industrial park containing St. Elmo Brewing Company, Spokesman, and other casual food and beverage spots.

Quickie Pickie is one of the most defining examples of Austin's increasingly popular upgraded convenience store trend. The locally owned shop traces its existence back 25 years, having closed, reopened, changed hands, and narrowly avoided closing at least once again since then.

There was a true second location on Cesar Chavez Street starting in 2016, where La Barbecue moved in during 2017 and then out in 2021. The convenience store closed sometime after its partner's move-out and is now being replaced with Bad Larry Burger Club, which is expected to open soon. The Quickie Pickie ownership group headed by Zahir Prasla also made headlines in 2017 when it snatched up the Whip In.

Inside, it does look like a semi-standard convenience store with rows of grocery products and cooled drinks. But it also features some friendly design on the patio and behind the counter where craft beers are served on draft, encouraging folks to stick around for breakfast tacos, sandwiches, and fine wine. The release mentions all the same offerings at the new location.

The development under construction promises a "ground-floor retail experience that perfectly complements its modern residential offerings" with live-work units and one- and two-bedroom condos. It also name drops Pins Mechanical Company, a bowling alley, arcade, and bar planned across the street at the St. Elmo Public Market.

Congres Lofts rendering A projected view of the industrial-style Congress Lofts.Rendering courtesy of Intracorp

“We are thrilled to bring Quickie Pickie to Congress Lofts,” said William Sayers, vice president of development at Intracorp, the real estate developer behind Congress Lofts, in the release. “As the St. Elmo Arts District continues to evolve, our goal is to promote local businesses that celebrate Austin’s culture. Quickie Pickie embodies that spirit and will be a fantastic neighborhood addition for both residents and visitors.”

openings condos convenience stores grocery tacos beer wine