When I attended UT Austin a decade ago, I never would have dreamed there’d be a time when East Austin was “the place to be”. As far as I knew, everything worth visiting was on the west side. It’s amazing how much can change in less than ten years. Though liberal Austinites like to conveniently forget they’re in Texas most of the time, one can’t ignore its history. East Austin’s ill reputation can be traced back to 1928 when the city designated I-35 as the clear class divider that relegated minorities to the east side of town.
Though it’s a heavy reminder of an age of segregation, it also sparked the growth of a rich cultural core. Recent projects like Rama Tiru’s Austin: East of I-35, a photographer’s book of love notes to original Eastside residents, tells a different story of extraordinary people who gave of themselves for the well-being of the larger community. The uniquely colorful past created a haven for artists, as many used art to cope with hardship.
As desegregation brought down barriers, more people moved east in pursuit of lower rent, especially in recent years. Like with any rapid transformation, there are growing pains. What all residents share in common though is a love of art and the local community. Only a place this diverse could inspire projects like the East Austin Studio Tour. E.A.S.T. is an annual self-guided tour where artists, galleries and all kinds of creative businesses open their doors to the public for free. It’s grown to enormous popularity over the last decade and is a testament to the thriving creative community.
Perhaps the most unique thing about East Austin is the bond that people still share. Imagine all the perks of a small town minus the conservative BS. I know it sounds too kumbaya to be true. Perhaps it’s all the homemade Kombucha I drank over there, but what struck me was the overwhelming generosity and support residents displayed toward one another. A prime example is the increasing popularity of local businesses happily coexisting in co-op buildings to keep costs down for all, allowing inventive startups to crop up every day.
Domy Books is leading this charge. The beloved indie book shop houses a vintage clothing store (Olive Vintage), a gift shop (Busy-Being), paper goods (Paper Party) and a Jewish-style deli (Schmaltz). Another example is Coco Coquette and Charm School Vintage, a wild wig shop and vintage clothing store, all of which are worth checking out. The Eastside has Austin’s eclectic laid back charm, but with more grit. The style could be described as hippie with a hard edge, though you’ll find the entire sartorial spectrum here.
New blood has created an interesting landscape where one may find a trendy new bar like Weather Up, an outpost of Brooklyn’s Prohibition-era pub, next to a decades-old pinata shop. Expect more creative businesses to crop up in this neighborhood full of surprises.
Written by : Ruby S. Nichols ( http://almanacofstyle.com/ )
