Next in a series of semi-random, occaisional updates on whats going down on S 1st St.

After my report on the “Downtown” Event and Street closure task force ^[1], I took some flak from neighborhood folks for describing the area from Town Lake to Oltorf as downtown. So I’ll avoid that mistake this time.

So, a few changes and updates, nothing too radical but a few promising things. Heading north towards downtown from Oltorf:

2210 – The strip mall, most notable for Fair Been Coffe, DJ Dojo and South Side Bicycles, gone is The Furr Factor; in are Novapello Laser Hair removel and Shine Beauty Salon, both smart and minimalist looking modern places. Maybe I didn’t notice last time I was there, but in the corner is Cream Vintage ^[2].

2209 – Behind the veritable feast that is End of an Ear, is Deathtrap Motorcycles. They seem to be using it as a mail/storage for their ebay Auction site, unless you know better.

603 W Live Oak – The former home of Las Manos Magicas ^[3], the lot remains empty and looking for investors. The latest news from the city is that the developer has been granted a 90-day extension to address issues with the development plan.

2101 – The movie poster shop has gone, and next doors RedLine Hookah ^[4]s has expanded into the space.

2009 – Development continues slowly at the up coming Once Over Coffee Bar.

507 W Mary – The shop formerly occupied by Mercury Clothing has been taken over by Austin Handmade ^[5].

1502 – In one of my first Austin metblog posts, I speculated that the VMUification of S 1st might be about to start. Well it hasn’t. The house on the lot at 1502 has gone now, presumably to be re-situated for the requisite developer tax break, but also to save the landfill. No sign of any development yet.

1417 The Live at Elizabeth development hasn’t started.

Next update, well, when theres something to add. If I’ve got anything wrong above or any of the new businesses have a web site I have not listed, please leave a comment. So, change happens, but slowly. Good luck to all the new businesses and welcome to the ‘hood.