CelebrateAustin_2017_SecondStreet_LR

photo courtest of herron stock
2nd to None, Austin’s Core Downtown Shopping Delights
by shannon barrientes
YYears ago 2nd Street was a ho-hum area of quiet
downtown, just off the busy beaten path of the nearby
Warehouse District. Now the area is the 2nd Street
District, an urban paradise, well-known as downtown
Austin’s core shopping district, as unique as it is
essential. The decade-old renovations to the area maintain
the beautiful integrity of old Austin while setting trends
for pedestrian activity. Take a walk along romantic roomy
sidewalks glittered with light-filled trees that line the alleys
and enjoy the locally designed art on most street corners.
2nd Street is also known as Willie Nelson Blvd., and no street
with such a name wouldn’t be filled with surprises to delight
your senses. In honor of its namesake, you will find boutiques
and dining opportunities that are uniquely Austin while you
enjoy hot cups of coffee on city benches and street musicians
await your audience.
Before you visit the shops, visit the eight-foot-tall Willie
Nelson statue on the corner for a rare photo opportunity for
you and your friends. His giant bronze guitar is eye candy
for the most ingenious selfies. Across the street admire the
beautiful Moody Theater, famous for the Austin City Limits
(ACL) Live stage. If you can manage tickets, stop in for a
show at one of the most epic stages known to grace the
capital city. Be sure to visit 2ndstreetdistrict.com and check
out their event calendar, as most of the shops offer specials,
events, happy hours and exciting opportunities available
many nights of the week.
Shopping local and supporting Austin and Texas-based
industry is a big trend in the area, and this district is known for
its support of this passionate cause. Discover scores of
unique and rare locally owned shops. For music lovers, a visit
to Austin Rocks is unavoidable. Find edgy stage-inspired
rocker apparel and their very own Austin Rocks the Cradle
collection, which includes clothing designed for the baby
rocker or rockette. They are an official ACL store with plenty
of music-inspired retail items and gifts. Within walking distance
of the Moody Theater, their official ACL store carries authentic
ACL PBS show merchandise. This store also carries exclusive,
original lines of apparel and gifts designed by local Austin
artists that you simply won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re in the area, don’t miss out on local favorite
Toy Joy. This place is not just a store, but an experience for
persons of any age. They carry one of the most distinctive,
bizarre and mind-boggling collection of products that you may
ever see. And now they’re more accessible than ever before
in their new hotspot location on 2nd Street. Named by USA
Today as one of the “Top 10 Toy Stores in the World” and the
“World’s Best Toy Store” by Travel & Leisure Magazine, it’s a
stop that can’t be missed.
Enjoy the district that supports and nourishes the spirit
of Austin, right in the heart of downtown! You will be surprised
at how much there is to see and explore in the convenient
downtown 2nd Street District.
48 | www.celebrateaustin.com

AUSTIN ROCKS
Locally owned and curated Austin
music inspired apparel, accessories
and gifts for men, women and
kids. Check out our official ACL
merchandise offerings and our
“Austin Rocks the Cradle” shop
for the little ones. Visit us on Willie
Nelson Blvd just across the street
from ACL in downtown’s trendy
2nd Street fashion district.
301 W 2nd Street. 512-983-0929.
austinrockstexas.com
TOY JOY
Austin’s iconic toy store for fun,
weird and nostalgic toys for over 30
years! Come see why we are voted
a “Top Ten Toy Store in the World”!
Fun, zany, chaotic, colorful, ironic,
nostalgic and collectible toys, books
and games for “kids” of all ages.
Located downtown in the 2nd Street
shopping district at 403 West
2nd Street. 512-320-0090. toyjoy.com