I love East Austin and I have loved it since I moved here in 1996. It has experienced a lot of growth and change since then. The challenge we face is how to manage the growth without harming what makes it so great in the first place.
If you love it too, you can support our current businesses so we don't lose them. I have provided several links on this page to find out more about local businesses.
East Austin is also home to one of Austin's most impressive redevelopments. Transforming the area surrounding the old Robert Mueller airport, (www.muelleraustin.com) the city has worked to create an attractive community accessible to all income levels. The development includes Dell's Austin Children's Hospital, single family homes, townhomes, affordable housing, apartments, retail and plenty of green space with walking trails.
A unique partnership between the city of Austin and the Austin Film Society recycled our former airport into a 20 acre film/video production facility with old airport hangars now acting as sound stages. Just more proof we live in one of the coolest towns in America. For tour information and a list of on-site businesses, see http://www.austinfilm.org/.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO SEE AND DO ON THE EAST SIDE
Restaurants: EastSide Cafe - serves fresh from the garden food with the garden and gift store on site; Hoovers - some of the best homestyle cooking in Austin; Blue Dahlia Bistro is serving breakfast lunch and dinner on East 11th with organic options; Franklin's BBQ is reknown thanks to a little article by Bon Appetit naming it America's Best BBQ. Yes, there will be some waiting; Progress has great coffee drinks and they are roasting their own (and the owner makes cool shoes??). They serve light lunch and breakfast offerings and offer an impressive periodicals selection. At Mr. Natural Cafe, I can eat vegetarian and be full! El Chilito on Manor is a great place for a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try the puffy tacos.
Retail: Texas Coffee Traders - ask for Vanilla Nut (it's usually in the back) and check out the cool scooters while you're there; Big Red Sun has scaled down the retail but it is still the source for tasteful Home and Garden gifts, first class landscape design and a small nursery.
East side is also home to the Millenium Youth Entertainment Complex or the mill as the Texas Rollergirls call it. Some weeknights are reserved for the Rollergirls rec league (open to all levels) but there is also bowling, basketball, movies and an arcade. It's a well kept secret as most of Austin doesn't know it is there.
Not to be missed: Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in Movie at 1001 E. Sixth is a great place to rent and watch a movie with friends or celebrate a birthday; East Side Stories documentaries from UT film students, http://www.eastaustinstories.org/; East Side Studio Tour where every November hundreds of artists open up their studios to the public. The caliber of work is breathtaking; Boggy Creek Farm - THE Farmer's market to some of Austin's best chefs and a local Austin treasure; East End Fourth Fridays - starts around 5 PM and includes the area of East 11th from Branch to Angelina. Check it out for great music, food and more.
These are only a few of my favorites. There is so much more to love and treasure you'll just have to explore. Call me if you need more ideas or check out http://www.eastaustinonline.com/.
