The Allandale Reporter

Farmers Market Location up for sale again

According to an article in today's Statesman, "Farmers market site for sale again," by M.B. Taboada, the current owner of the Farmers Market property Paz Dhody, who bought it from the County back in September has it up for sale. His redevelopment plans never materialized and Brentwood Tavern and Dog Almighty are no longer there. County Commissioner Sara Eckhardt's says the restrictive covenants are still in place, i.e., no fast-food drive-in restaurants or strip clubs, but other than that, the County has no say over what goes there.

Frisco's in the Statesman

As you probalby know, Frisco's is moving from their current location across from HEB on Burnet Rd to a new location on Burnet Rd where Cura's was. This will all be taking place mid-to-late May. The Austin American-Statesman did a nice write-up on Frisco's in today's paper, "Menu Full of Memories," by Dale Rice, including a bit of history on the Nighthawk chain and Frisco's. Walgreen's will be taking over the location. The move is a good thing for Frisco's. It allows them to stay in the neighborhood and get a bigger place. Also, check out the video of the story here.

McNairs Appliances now known as KIVA: Where Dreams Come True

C Yang

Almost seventy years ago, right around the start of WWII and when Austin's population was just over 100,000, Fred McNairs’ grandfather, a banker from Kansas City, MO, moved to Texas for its climate and growth. After a short stop of six months in San Antonio, Fred Ruegg bought into the only available appliance franchise at the time in Austin, Norge, and opened a store on the west side of the 500 block of Congress. The store was moved in the years to follow to West Fifth Street and then to a third location at 904 Lamar. 

Local Retailer, Knife Sharpest in Today's Statesman

You can read about Howling Wolf, an employee of local retailer Knife Sharpest in today's Austin American-Statesman.  In addition to sharpening and selling knives, Howling throws them. You can see Howling in action here, and read the Allandale Reporter's profile of Knife Sharpest here.

Where is Terry's?

Some of you may have noticed the fence that went up next to the future home of Miguel's Imports being built on Burnet Road and wondered where Terry's Burnet Rd. Inspection has gone. It hasn't gone anywhere, it's just on the other side of the fence. You can access it from North Loop. When you turn on to North Loop look for the entrance sign shown here. And if you're wondering whether to take your car to Terry's for your annual inspection, you can read a profile of Terry's here.

Review: The Sandwich Joint

submitted by Robin Senor

I grew up back East, and so I'm a stickler for a big, hearty sandwich.

The Sandwich Joint does the big hearty sandwich right. With a huge array of sandwich selections named after Austin Institutions such as Devil's Cove (chicken, jalapenos, avocado, salsa, sour cream, and jack cheese) , and sandwich standy-bys such as Cheesesteaks and Chicken Cheesesteaks, the joint aims to please everyone.

Summerfield Suites condominiums, The Allandale, near first stage of completion

submitted by Robin Senor

Three of the 18 buildings formerly known as Summerfield Suites Hotels  on Northcross Road are nearing their first phase of conversion into condos, and began selling last week. "The Allandale" condominiums will include 576 square foot one bedroom units, and 864 square foot 2 bedroom units, with prices ranging from under $100,00 for a basic one-bedroom unit to around $150,00 for a 2 bedroom unit with a full upgrade package.

Friscos

submitted by Tom Linehan

I met with Julia Akin, co-owner of Friscos, to get an update on when and where Frisco's is moving. She said they have until May of 2008 to move out. Friscos and the adjoining car lot will be replaced with a Walgreens. They are in search for a new location. They certainly want to stay in the neighborhood preferably on Burnet Rd but they have not found the right site yet. I suggested the recently vacated restaurant across the street where Dry Dock was. She said she has  already been approached by the Knights about it, owners of Allandale Village, but she's not interested; not enough parking and its  location back in the corner doesn't provide the street visibility they're looking for. She promised to keep us posted. Wherever they move they'd like to bring their customers with them.

Knife Sharpest

submitted by Tom Linehan

If you ever need those kitchen knives sharpened and you live in Allandale you’re in luck. The only knife sharpening and sales store in the city is just a few blocks away on Burnet Rd, right across from Blue Star Cafeteria and next door to the AA Lawnmower.

I wasn’t planning on taking my kitchen knives for sharpening when I went in the shop on a Saturday afternoon.

Walgreens Update

submitted by Tom Linehan

I spoke with Julia Akin, President of The Frisco Shop, on Friday about Walgreen's intentions to purchase the corner property at Burnet and Koenig. She confirmed that negotiations are underway and is encouraged. Frisco's recently met with the broker and everything appears to moving along as planned. For Frisco, it's good news.

Frisco or Walgreens

submitted by Tom Linehan

Based on recent articles in the Austin Business Journal  (Proposed Walgreens Threatens 53-year old Frisco Restaurant)  and the Austin Chronicle (Food-o-File), long time Frisco restaurant (see history) and Kids Acting Studio may be replaced with a Walgreens. This has generated angst from a number of folks in the Allandale and Brentwood neighborhoods, as well as from patrons of those establishments who don't want to see another piece of the longstanding beloved and familiar replaced with the too familiar. As one Allandale resident put it, "I'm outraged about Walgreen's replacing the Nighthawk- they have the best breakfasts anywhere."

Blue Star Cafeteria

"How cool!" was my wife's reaction when we first walked into Blue Star Cafeteria in  Rosedale Village for dinner on a recent Friday night. The exterior really didn't clue us into the contemporary  interior. It's certainly not the  serve-yourself-pay-the-cashier type of cafeteria that I'm used to - and that's a good thing. I've never found Chicken-Fried Quail or Waldorf Chopped Spinach Salad at a cafeteria. Both, by the way, were very tasty. These are the kinds of out-of-the ordinary dishes you can expect to find at Blue Star.

Harrell's Is Closing

Today's Austin American-Statesman has an article about the closure of Harrell's on Burnet Rd. The hardware store has been at that location for over 40 years. They have another location on Oltorf which will remain open. According to the article, the owner Mike Harrell attributes the closure to rising taxes and competitive pressure from the big-box home improvement stores. Click here for the article. If you're an Allandale resident, you can sign up for ANA's listserve to read and/or submit comments about the closing.

Retail Center Update

The retail center under construction at 6800 Burnter Rd  is progressing along nicely according Sam Buford, the center's developer. To date he has four tenants: the Allandaler Veterinary Clinic, a small liquor store, a check cashing store, and a jewelry store. He says he's in negotiations with other prospective  tenants  but it would be premature to say much more at this time. Sam plans on having tenants moving in late July, early August. I asked him for a sketch of the completed center but he didn't have one suitable for emailing. You can see an early drawing of the site plan here.

Amy's Ice Cream and Phil's Ice House

Hamburgers and ice cream close by. What else could you want? Not many neighborhoods can brag about such a convenience.

Allandale's fortune came partly out of luck. Locating Amy's Ice Cream and Phil's Ice House in Allandale along Burnet Road was not part of a grand plan, it was simple economics. Husband and wife Steve and Amy Simmons (see family photo above)  had outgrown the 1,800 SF building on Guadalupe and finding enough space at the right price took them north. Steve found the vacant building that now serves as their offices and productin facility and made an offer.

A Bit of Burnet Rd History

This is a photo of the Mobil Gas Station that used to be next to Home lumber and accross from where Amy's Ice Cream is now on Burnet Road. The picture was taken at the stations's grand opening in June 1956. It closed in 1985. I spoke with David C. Wallace, the owner. He said he bought the station from Magnolia Petroleum after moving here from Waco.

Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon

Live Music - Beer - Pool. That’s what the sign on the door says at Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon at 5434 Burnet   Rd and for over 40 years that’s what they’ve always served up. Located between Arbor Auto Works and Texas Futon on west side of Burnet Rd, it’s one of those places that doesn’t call out much attention. Most people probably drive by it and never notice. But it has a loyal following and can pack them in when you have bands like Dale Watson playing.

The Allandale Burger

Just a reminder that Phil's Ice House opens this Thursday. I was by there tonight and got this snapshot of their menu. You'll notice at the top is The Allandale Burger. They are getting things ready for the big opening including lighting up the neon.

Phil's Ice House Opening March 2nd

Amy and Steve Simmons of Amy's Ice Creams are proud to announce the opening of their NEW cheeseburger joint called, Phil's Ice House. Phil's Ice House is right next to the Amy's Ice Creams on Burnet Rd. at Northland. Last year, Amy and Steve transformed Otis Hill's 1945 Humble gas station into a magical place for the family with exciting colors and a playscape. Come on by and try one of our cheeseburgers like the "Rosedale", a 1/3 pound cheddar cheeseburger topped with onions, pickles, and sweet Mesquite BBQ on a toasted sour dough bun.Abi and the gang are waiting to serve you, so come on by!

Amy and Steve

ClayWays Pottery Studio and Gallery

The sign out front encourages passersby to "Shop Locally, (preferably here!)." It belongs to ClayWays located at 5442 Burnet Rd just accross from Puett Real Estate. In spite of the small storefront, ClayWays has a lot of space for artisans and artisan-wanannbees to spread out and mold their clay. The  small gallery that visitors enter into fronts a large studio and outdoor kiln area.

The Liquor Store Zoning Request

submitted by Tom Linehan

Having one more liquor retail outlet in the area did not appear to be a  strong concern of the ANA board members in attendance at tonight's meeting.  The ANA Executive Committee met with developer Sam Buford and prospective liquor store tenant, Lee Cantrell to learn more about their request for CS-1 zoning.

Briley's Upholstery Shop

Have a couch in need of new threads? Remodeling and want to  upgrade your furniture, or just looking for the right  fabric for your favorite chair? Take it to  Briley's Upholstery Shop.  Briley's, located at 2117 Northland Dr.,  2 doors  down  from the new Amys, can make it look and feel like new again. The small shop takes in upholstery jobs from people all around Austin - Allandale, Davenport Ranch, Pemberton Heights, Westlake, etc.

No Big Box Going Here

Allandale Veterinary Clinic, a small liquor store, and possibly a restaurant, a fabric store or a retail store specializing in Dining Interiors are tenants planned for the new retail center going in at 6800 Burnet Rd. The land, just across from Curras and Roger Beasley Mazda was formerly occupied by Bishop's Automotive, and before that, Holiday House. It's been vacant since November 2003 and recently razed. The local developer, Sam Buford, has been working  on plans for the development since that time. Construction will begin before year end with the first tenants moving in by April or May of 2006. There are a number of car lots up and down Burnet. Roger Beasley will soon be opening a Mitsubishi dealership where his Mazda dealership was. A retail center amidst the group will be a welcomed change.

Spotlight on Taco Shack

submitted by Tom Linehan

I first saw Orlando at Amy's Ice Cream the night it opened  in September. He was driving off on a burnt orange Vespa. It was easy to make the connection with Taco Shack because he had the Taco Shack logo emblazoned on the back of the Vespa (see Vespa in picture).

Orlando and Yoli Arriaga, long-term residents of Allandale, are the proud owners of the popular Taco Shack restaurants you see springing up around town. The first one opened up 9 years ago in 1996 on Medical Parkway, just south of 45th St.

IT'S OPEN!

Amy's, Wednesday, 9.28.2005 at around 8:00 p.m.

AMY'S OPENS TODAY!

Correction, it opens on Wednesday, 9/28.

"OK, I was by there tonight and I'm thinking you guys have to be opening real soon. So what's the date? How bout throwing a grand opening party for Allandale? I bet we can pack the place. Tom"

"tommorrow, and the Grand opening is Oct. 13th. Come watch "The Princess bride"  on Sunday out front. Stevo"

Terry's Burnet Rd. Auto Inspection

Make your auto inspection an experience. If you're looking for a place to get your vehicle inspected around Allandale, no need to go any further than Burnet Rd., just south of North Loop. You've got to be looking for it but just across from Sue Patrick's  on Burnet Rd you'll find Terry's Auto Inspections. The building is not much bigger than a 2-door garage but the walls are  decorated with photos, bumper stickers,  posters and memorabilia to keep you entertained while  Terry or one of his inspectors take your car through the paces. (more)

Amy's Project Update

Here is the response I received to an email asking for a project update:

We are pouring concrete tomorrow for Phil's Ice House, followed by the framing of the building and are planning on opening Mid August for Amy's Ice Creams. We loved participating in the parade and can't wait to serve you all at OUR place.

Thanks, Amy and Steve

Pacha - Coffee and More

Pacha Imported Arts and Coffee on Burnet  Road is a wonderful Allandale stop for coffee and food. The small coffee shop includes a colorful interior decorated with South American art and a comfortable outdoor patio. Owned by Julie Fouillet (above photo), husband Laurent Fouillet, and Suzanne Throop, Julie’s sister, Pacha opened up in Allandale 5 years ago. Julie, a former school teacher who lived and taught in Bolivia, looked for a house in an Austin neighborhood for her business - a strip mall was not an option. The former Podiatrist office just up from  Bark’n Purr was ideal.

Billy's on Burnet - The Neighborhood Burger Joint

Billy's on Burnet is the place to go when you're looking for a good hamburger close by. Located on Hancock and Burnet, Billy's is owned and run by Billy Forrester. He lives in Rosedale and after owning and operating various well known beer establishments for 25 years around town including Waterloo Brewing, Dog and Duck, Crown and Anchor and others, he decided to stay closer to home with his next venture.  (Here's a great review of Billy's done by the Austin Chronicle in the 7/29/05 issue.)

Neighborhood Watch

Dear Amy,
I am working on the Allandale Neighborhood Association website. What can you tell me about plans and timeline for the new Burnet location?

"After 6 months of fighting with the City, we received our permit about three weeks ago. We're shooting for a mid July opening for Amy's and August for Phil's Ice House, our cheeseburger place. We are very excited about the new playscape and are hoping to be a neighborhood landmark and gathering place for families and friends. Thanks for the help, Amy and Steve"

WATCH the progress here.