time to say goodbye
Beloved Austin butcher shop Salt & Time closes to make room for new grocer
Salt & Time will grill its last burger on July 6.
It's been a tough week for longstanding East Austin staples: One day after Sixth Street staple Ah Sing Den announced its closure, Salt & Time Butcher Shop is also closing its doors to the public on July 6. Radius Butcher & Grocery will take over and reopen in the space by the end of 2024.
The beloved butchery and farm-to-table restaurant had been operating out of its brick-and-mortar space at 1912 E. 7th St. since 2013. The closure may seem sudden, but co-founder Ben Runkle said in a statement that he and his team are "excited to pass the baton" to a company with similar priorities, such as their dedication to "sustainable practices and quality craftsmanship."
"We feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of the East Austin community for over a decade," Runkle said. "Salt & Time, along with everyone who has worked here over the years, will always hold a special place in our hearts."
Starting Monday, June 10, Salt & Time hours will shift to noon to 8 pm. The Salt & Time Wine Shop's last day of operation will be Sunday, June 23.
Radius Butcher & Grocery will offer a curated selection of products and foods sourced from Texas farms, and will continue to partner with the same farms that Salt & Time did, such as Peaceful Pork, Greener Pastures Chicken, Farm to Table TX, Richardson’s Farm, and others. A press release states the store will contain all the necessary staples for delicious seasonal home cooking, minus the "towering center aisles of processed foods."
Runkle also confirmed Salt & Time staff will be able to work for Radius after the business closes. Grocery stores around Austin are under a microscope regarding staff treatment after Foxtrot unexpectedly laid off employees when the company abruptly shuttered. Longtime grocery store Wheatsville also recently announced a closing, but it has years to decide how to handle the transition for staff.
"We are equally thrilled that our butchery staff will have the opportunity to continue serving East Austin as part of the Radius team," Runkle said. "Additionally, we have worked diligently to secure job offers for our restaurant staff, ensuring a seamless transition to new opportunities. We are grateful to the Austin restaurant community for their support in this effort."
Though Salt & Time had a dedicated restaurant, Radius will instead repurpose the area to make room for a more grocery retail, according to Radius' website. Austin-based Michael Hsu Office of Architecture — who was also announced as the designer for Ah Sing Den's replacement concept OKO — will redesign Radius' 3,000-square-foot-space.
The brand will also publish monthly recipes to pair with seasonal produce and meats that arrive at the store, and host various events to bring the local community together.
The new storefront will be managed by head butcher and San Antonio native Joe Saenz, who has more than a decade of restaurant and butchery experience.
"Radius is the grocery store we wish we could go to," said Saenz in the release. "We want to walk into the store and know that all products are of the highest integrity and good for the body. We want a small store with fresh products, not a massive warehouse of commodity non-perishables. We want our meat pastured, grains ancient, and produce glyphosate-free."
Salt & Time might be leaving its brick-and-mortar space, but it will still offer its charcuterie to retailers and restaurants, and continue participating in upcoming festivals like ACL Music Festival and the Luck Reunion.
Once open, Radius' operating hours will be from 10 am to 8 pm daily. More information about the new shop can be found on eatradius.com.
