What to know
This year’s program runs from Oct. 1-Oct. 31 and features 10 local businesses, which have been in operation for at least 20 years.
Interested community members can obtain business month passports which will guide them through the highlighted businesses, celebrating institutions that help define Austin’s culture, as the organization stated in a news release.
“Austin’s legacy businesses are the heartbeat of our city,” Preservation Austin’s executive director Lindsey Derrington said. “From iconic music venues and cherished vintage stores to pioneering Black- and LGBTQ-owned establishments, they’re on the frontlines of keeping Austin the vibrant, unique city we all love. Supporting these businesses isn’t just nostalgic, it’s essential. We invite all Austinites to show up this October, celebrate these incredible places, and experience a true taste of old-school Austin and community pride.”
Highlighted businesses include:
- Antone's Nightclub, 305 E. Fifth St., Austin
- Aussie's Grill & Beach Bar, 306 Barton Springs Road, Austin
- Mozart's Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin
- Mr. Natural, 1901 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin
- Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth St., Austin
- Room Service Vintage, 117 N. Loop Blvd., Ste. E, Austin
- Sam's BBQ, 2000 E. 12th St., Austin
- Shandeez Grill, 8863 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 109, Austin
- Terra Toys, 2438 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. C1, Austin
- The Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin
Starting Oct. 1, community members can pick up a free Legacy Business Month Passport from Wheatsville Co-op’s North and South locations or Zilker Taproom.
Throughout the month, passport holders can visit participating businesses, support them with a purchase and receive a stamp in their passport.
Participants will have the opportunity to win prizes including two music passes to SXSW, spa experiences at Ottine Mineral Springs and gift cards and merch from participating businesses.
Preservation Austin will host its kick-off party on Oct. 2 at Zilker Taproom from 6-9 p.m.. where Zilker Brewing Company will be serving limited edition Legacy Business Month beer.
Austin City Council officially proclaimed October as Legacy Business Month in 2023. Since the proclamation, Preservation Austin has promoted the month by highlighting a new set of businesses every year.
According to Preservation Austin, the definition of a legacy business is a locally-owned and operated business that is at least 20 years old.
Other considerations the organization looks into are whether the business has contributed to the history or the identity of the community, city or neighborhood, is owned by generations of the same family, has operated under singular ownership for over 20 years and has operated out of the same location for over 20 years.
- Oct. 1-Oct. 31
- Locations vary by participating businesses
- www.preservationaustin.org
