A long-standing icon of Austin’s unique business scene will soon disappear. South Congress Books, currently located in north Austin on Kerbey Lane, is set to close in the new year.

Owners Sheri Tornatore and Allison Faust announced in a post on social media that the company would not be renewing its lease.

“Keeping the shop open beyond the current year is not sustainable or prudent,” the post states.

The closing comes just a couple years after relocating in March 2023 to the north location, after “being priced out” of the original brick and mortar on South Congress Avenue, which opened in 2011.

The company sold vintage and collectable books, and will continue to offer their collection online under the bookseller name Tornbooks on Abebooks.com and South Congress Books on eBay.