The store is not just a boutique, souvenir shop or bookstore, Bevins said. Instead, it has a little bit of everything.

[caption id="attachment_118280" align="alignright" width="220"] A snow globe featuring Austin landmarks and bats instead of snow is $29.99, and a bat coffee mug is $11.95.[/caption]

“You have to rise to the occasion of offering not only a unique product, but in this day and age people are looking for something that’s made locally and handmade,” Bevins said. “We really try hard to go after those kinds of products. It’s very important to us.”

Patrons can find a wide variety of items, including apparel, accessories, books, cups, postcards, home goods, art and cowboy hats. Items cost anywhere from less than $3 to more than $100, with most items costing about $9 to $25, Bevins said.

Austin Visitor Center & Gift Shop 602 E. Fourth St. 512-478-0098 www.austintexas.org/visit/shopaustin

Atown

Local artistic talent in a variety of forms can be found on the shelves and racks of Atown.

[caption id="attachment_118281" align="alignright" width="220"] Local art and landmarks on coasters, $10, mugs, $14, and cutting boards, $27 to $37, can be found at Atown.[/caption]

Store Manager Tara Kiser said the founders wanted to open a store to support and showcase Austin artists.

“There’s so many talented people throughout Austin [that we’re] able to have a little bit of everything for anybody,” Kiser said. “We do strive to be a one-stop shop and to give people the options for any kind of gift need they have.”

The store also emphasizes handmade items. Kiser said it is surprisingly not difficult to find unique items when considering new inventory. However, she seeks to provide something for everyone.

[caption id="attachment_118282" align="alignright" width="220"] Atown offers women’s, men’s and children’s clothing including this Austin-themed shirt for $32.[/caption]

“We have a very eclectic inventory right now. We do that in order to cater to everyone and not just necessarily one group of people or one type of person,” Kiser said. “It allows people of all ages [and] genders to find something here that works for them.”

Atown’s selection includes apparel, accessories, home goods and children’s clothing, with most items ranging from $15 to $30, Kiser said.

Atown 5502 Burnet Road 512-323-2533 www.shopatown.tumblr.com

Austin Tri-Cyclist

Austin Tri-Cyclist originally opened to provide triathlon bikes but expanded its selection beginning in 2001.

The store offers a variety of bikes as well as equipment and accessories for runners and swimmers.

[caption id="attachment_118285" align="alignright" width="220"] Bikes start at $400 and vary in price based on type. The cost of swimming equipment ranges from $15 to $55.[/caption]

“We have everything for swimming, biking and running,” co-owner Missy Ruthven said.

Austin has one of the largest triathlon communities in the U.S. because of its favorable training weather year-round and community amenities that make training more convenient, Ruthven said.

“Most of the training for triathletes or cyclists is not in the urban side; [it’s] 15 minutes outside of town where you get better roads,” Ruthven said.

[caption id="attachment_118286" align="alignright" width="220"] Running shoes are typically $120, and running accessories cost between $5 and $50.[/caption]

The store offers relatively inexpensive items for those just starting out in any of the three sports and is very beginner-friendly, Ruthven said. Those who are more experienced can also find good equipment and advice from those on staff, she said.

Running shoes are typically $120 with running accessories ranging from $5 to $50. Bikes start at $400 and vary in price based on type. Swimming equipment ranges from $15 to $55.

Austin Tri-Cyclist 923 Barton Springs Road 512-494-9252 www.austintricyclist.com

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Boots

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Heritage Boot | Teysha

Cowboy boots are often seen as a Texas staple, but boots of different shapes are also gaining popularity in Austin.

[caption id="attachment_118365" align="alignright" width="220"] A pair of Heritage Boots can range from $400 to $1,300.[/caption]

Heritage Boot owner Jerry Ryan creates custom designs found on boots in his shop. He said much of his inspiration comes from vintage boots.

Ryan said Heritage Boot sells a “fancy” boot and not a working cowboy boot. Although the boots are not inexpensive, they are well-priced for the quality patrons receive, he said. A pair of Heritage Boots can range from $400 to $1,300.

Meanwhile, Travis Breinan said growing up in Austin instilled in him a passion for culture and community. He co-founded Teysha, which offers boots and other goods made by people in Guatemala to help educate people about the culture and provide the community with economic help.

Teysha’s mission revolves around many ideas attributed to the Austin attitude, such as supporting small business, artists and dressing funky, Breinan said.

[caption id="attachment_118366" align="alignright" width="220"] Teysha boots range in cost from $250 to $350.[/caption]

The items in Teysha are all handmade and are an expression of the artisan who made it, he said.

Heritage Boot 1200 S. Congress Ave. 512-326-8577 www.heritageboot.com

Teysha 1801 S. First St. 512-650-1020 www.teysha.is

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Jewelry

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Rejected Hearts Club | Eliza Page

With the creative atmosphere Austin is known to embrace, many locals turn to jewelry as an art form.

[caption id="attachment_118381" align="alignright" width="220"] Jamie Batiste’s line includes beaded bracelets as well as leather bracelets.[/caption]

Jamie Batiste said she created Austin-based Rejected Hearts Club after a self-discovery journey following a breakup. She creates pieces for men and women, including earrings, necklaces and cufflinks.

For a gift, she suggests a bracelet for any women or men on a gift list. Her personal line includes beaded bracelets as well as leather bracelets, with pieces ranging from $23 to $67.

Elizabeth Gibson started Eliza Page in 2004 because she said she felt Austin needed a design-focused and fashion-oriented jewelry store.

[caption id="attachment_118382" align="alignright" width="220"] Most pieces at Eliza Page cost between $200 and $500.[/caption]

Gibson said she enjoys being able to offer one-of-a-kind pieces, and the store’s jewelry line is made of handmade goods using recycled gold that is ethically sourced.

Pieces found in the store typically range from $200 to $500, but customers can also find items for less than $100, Gibson said.

Rejected Hearts Club www.rejectedheartsclub.com

Eliza Page 229 W. Second St. 512-474-6500 www.elizapage.com

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Treats

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Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop | Tiny Pies

For many, holidays are all about good eats and sweet treats.

[caption id="attachment_118383" align="alignright" width="220"] Sugar Mama owner Olivia O’Neal recommends frosted sugar cookies.[/caption]

Olivia O’Neal said she opened Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop seven years ago because of her passion for baking. The business has also provided a way for her to give back to the community through donations.

O’Neal knows it is also a busy time for those celebrating, so she suggests picking up her frosted sugar cookies at $2.95 per cookie or pies at $27 per pie.

[caption id="attachment_118384" align="alignright" width="220"] Tiny Pies recommends buying the 12-pack to satisfy every taste.[/caption]

Kit Seay said she also knows just how much people love pie. She co-owns Tiny Pies and got the business idea from her grandson’s love of pie and desire to have it in his school lunch.

Now, Tiny Pies are served individually and in variety packs with full-size pies or not-so-tiny pies. Seay recommends the 12-pack for $48 so everyone can enjoy his or her favorite flavor.

Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop

• 1905 S. First St. 512-448-3727
• 2406 Manor Road 512-912-6628

www.sugarmamasbakeshop.com

Tiny Pies 5053 Burnet Road 512-916-0184 www.tinypies.com

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 Music

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Antone’s Record Shop | Fiddler’s Green Music Shop

In addition to Austin being branded as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” the city is also home to legendary music stores.

[caption id="attachment_118392" align="alignright" width="220"] Antone’s Record Shop’s selection can range from $1 to more than $100, but most customers spend about $20, according to ownership.[/caption]

Antone’s Record Shop was founded in 1987 and has been an institution for local music and blues ever since. Co-owner Eve Monsees said the shop tries to carry items shoppers would not find anywhere else, such as records from obscure blues and local acts.

Although the Antone’s selection can range from $1 to more than $100, most customers spend about $20, Monsees said.

Fiddler’s Green Music Shop is where shoppers can find the right gift to make music instead of listen to music.

[caption id="attachment_118393" align="alignright" width="220"] Most instruments sold at Fiddler’s Green Music Shop cost between $50 and $15,000.[/caption]

The store offers a variety of acoustic string instruments, including banjos, ukeleles, guitars, violins and, of course, fiddles. Manager Ben Hodges said the store has many high-end items made in Austin but also makes sure to keep a selection that is friendly for beginners. Instruments range from $50 to $15,000, he said.

Antone’s Record Shop 2928 Guadalupe St. 512-322-0660 www.antonesrecordshop.com

Fiddler’s Green Music Shop 1809 W. 35th St. 512-452-3900 www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.com

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Sauces

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Tears of Joy | Pluckers

Austin continues to be known for its food offerings, and sometimes it is what tops the dish that helps make it.

[caption id="attachment_118395" align="alignright" width="220"] Tears of Joy’s line of sauces ranges from $4 to $8 depending on type and bottle size. The specialty shop is located on Historic Sixth Street in downtown Austin.[/caption]

A downtown tamale shop converted into Tears of Joy Hot Sauce Shop in 2000 and offers hot sauces and salsas made in-house, in Austin and from throughout the world.

The store’s selection ranges from mild to hot sauces, and items are available individually or in gift sets. Owner Brian Rush said August in Austin is the most popular hot sauce in the shop’s small-batch line.

[caption id="attachment_118396" align="alignright" width="220"] Nine of the 20 wing sauces sold at Plucker’s are bottled for sale at $4.99 each. Baker’s Gold is one of the most popular flavors.[/caption]

Austin-born wing eatery Pluckers started when two friends went away to school at The University of Texas but missed chicken wings that were common back home.

Co-owner Dave Paul said the team is always looking for new sauce recipes to create something unique. Nine of the 20 sauces regularly offered are bottled for sale at $4.99.

Paul recommends Baker’s Gold as a popular flavor for gifting.

Tears of Joy 618 E. Sixth St. 512-499-0766 www.tearsofjoysauces.com

Pluckers

• 9070 Research Blvd., Ste. 201C 512-533-9646
• 2222 Rio Grande St. 512-469-9646
• 3909 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. B 512-443-9646

www.pluckers.com