Avenue B Grocery



Avenue  B Grocery

Avenue B Grocery is Austin’s longest continuously running grocery store.  It was built in 1909, even though my math skills are rusty; it’s over 100 years old!  It’s located in an Austin neighborhood called Hyde Park.  As hard as it is to believe, Hyde Park is the original “suburb” of Austin.  It was established in 1891 and was connected to downtown Austin by streetcars.  Now it’s one of the most centrally located neighborhoods, and home to many families (with healthy bank accounts) and a large number of University of Texas students.

So, today when I picked up my dear son from school, we went to Avenue B Grocery to kick off the weekend, and celebrate that he didn’t fail that he did a great job on his weekly spelling test.


When you drive up, you immediately get a nostalgic feeling.  An old painted clapboard building with tin signs rusting on each outside wall. Then you walk through the double doors, and it’s like you have walked into a place frozen in time. As the doors swing closed behind you, you will immediately notice the creaky wooden floors and the distinct smell of a hundred year old building…at least my kid always comments on the “scent”.  Antique metal candy displays (hopefully the candy itself isn’t as old!) and an old chest freezer full of ice cream treats are always kid pleasers.

 

Avenue B also has a full deli with just about any type of sandwich you might want.  One of my favorites is the Queen B (avocados, 3 cheeses, mushrooms and jalapenos-yum!). The outside picnic tables, under the large shade trees, are a perfect place to sit, relax and take in the whole experience. While you enjoy your sandwich, you’ll probably see some interesting neighborhood people, and maybe even a cute dog or two.  Today we supplied the cute dog.

We weren't there for sandwiches today however, my son just opted for a full- leaded Dr. Pepper and a candy bar.       
 Is there a better way to celebrate the arrival of the weekend than with caffeine and sugar?
                                                      Let the weekend begin!               

                            

 

Only In Austin

I live in Austin, Texas.  I am a native Austinite. I still remember Holiday House, Aqua Fest, and driving around town before there was Mopac.

I have actually lived the majority of my life in places other than Austin.  I've been back for 8 years now, and love it!  I'm married and raising my two kids to appreciate the special city in which we live. 

Like many people in and around Austin, I live in suburbia.  Strip malls and big box stores that would be exactly the same, whether you were in the suburbs of Wichita, Boston or Austin. I'm not a fan. So through this blog, I plan to document the places, spaces, sounds and tastes that make Austin... well, Austin.  I'll be challenging myself (and my family, when I can drag them along) to have at least one, "Only In Austin" experience each week.  Then I'll try to document it on this blog.

Now, where to start?