Here is a roundup of some of the prominent closure announcements in the Austin metro this April.
Enchiladas Y Mas, North Central Austin
Robert and Mary Martinez, owners of the West Anderson Lane location of the Tex-Mex restaurant, said they were always intending to retire in June, but their forced closure under local government stay-at-home orders hastened those plans. The owners said Mary Martinez’s nieces, Eva and Carmen, are in the process of trying to buy the business.
Fricano’s Deli, West Campus
An institution for University of Texas students and West Campus residents since 2006, Fricano's Deli has permanently closed, owner Paul Fricano announced April 21. Fricano will auction off some deli memorabilia April 24 at 7 p.m. on the business's Facebook page.
Magnolia Cafe, Lake Austin
Owners Kent Cole and Diana Prechter announced April 16 that the original Magnolia Cafe, which opened in 1979 as Omelettry West, will not reopen, although the South Congress Avenue location will once it is deemed safe to do so. “To our neighbors and loyal customers of that location for so many years, thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” the owners wrote. “The West is where we’re from. Y’all are where we’re from.”
North by Northwest Brewing Co., North Austin
The brewpub, now closed permanently, was one of the earliest entrants into Austin’s craft beer scene when it opened 20 years ago. According to a post on its social media page, North by Northwest will be selling kegs of beer to its customers, with orders available for pickup April 23. Additionally, an auction will be held for its brewing equipment April 22-25.
PizzaRev, Round Rock
The create-your-own pizza chain restaurant, which allowed guests to customize personal pizzas with a variety of toppings, closed April 5, staff confirmed.
Threadgill’s Old No. 1, North Central Austin
Owner Eddie Wilson confirmed the permanent shutdown of the Austin icon on North Lamar Boulevard to Community Impact Newspaper on April 20, less than two years after the closure of the South Austin Threadgill’s location. One bright side, Wilson said, of this “bad news” is the nice calls he’s received from friends and community members wishing him well. “I’d rather hear about all this nice stuff now than wait until I’m in the ground,” Wilson said.
Veracruz All Natural, North Austin
Despite the timing, the closure of the Veracruz location on Waterford Centre Boulevard was not related to the coronavirus, according to a social media post from owners Reyna and Maritza Vazquez, who said their building will be demolished in June to make way for a new condo development. The taco spot’s other three locations, in East Austin, South Austin and Round Rock, remain open for takeout.
Vulcan Video, South Austin
After 35 years in business, the video store announced its permanent closure April 7. “High rent, online video, and then coronavirus. Sounds like a movie villainess. Kind of is,” a store representative wrote on the store’s Facebook page. The store initially closed March 25 following city and county orders to shut down nonessential businesses to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
