Austin’s Best Shopping Districts: Friendly South Lamar has unique gifts for unique people.

2010 December 14

tags: Austin Independent Business Alliance, AUstin shopping

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Editor’s Note: With the big Christmas shopping season in full effect, we’re sharing some great local places to hit up for all the people on your shopping list. Over the next few weeks we’ll be visiting all seven Austin Independent Business Alliance IBIZ districts to help you get inspired to ditch the mall and buy local!

Christmas at Aviary

This week we visit the South Lamar shopping district located on South Lamar between Goodrich and Oltorf. A super- concentrated collection of shops and restaurants, this is easily one of the best areas to do some grab and go shopping. Also, unlike the South First district where you criss-cross the street, most of the shops of the South Lamar district are found on one side of the street.

The shops at 2110 South Lamar include Spectacle, downSTAIRS Apparel and Aviary, and if no one is behind the counter at one store, check the one next door, and you’ll probably find him or her there: employees hang out together during down time either in each other’s store or out on the patio that runs the length of the strip center. This friendliness between store employees carries over into how they treat their customers, too.

Spectacle Sunglasses

2110 S. Lamar, 78704
512-382-6197

Although it looks like your regular mall sunglass store, it’s not. Spectacle is Austin’s ONLY locally-owned sunglasses retailer-and they carry all the top brands from Ray Ban to Oakley and Chloe to Prada. Owners keep tabs on current fashion trends, so you’re guaranteed to find the latest shades to protect your peepers.

Who to shop for: Your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse who would never splurge on a pair of sunglasses on their own.

Spectacle

downSTAIRS Apparel

2110 S. Lamar, 78704
512-687-0489

If you are a girl who loves her graphic tees, you can restock at downSTAIRS. Some favorite ones had a can of hairspray spraying swirling lines into the sky and another one with a bottle shooting soda in a playful pattern. They also had a nice selection of deep purple and blue striped button down shirts for those guys who don’t shy away from color. Jewelry by local designers also fill the shelves.

Who to shop for: Any girl you know who loves print tees; the man in your life who needs to brighten up their wardrobe

Mens and Womens tees at downSTAIRS Apparel

Aviary Home Decor

2110 S. Lamar, 78704
916-4445

Inspired by the owners’ travels, Aviary boasts modern home decor and fashion accessories from around the world. Walking in you are struck by the quiet beauty of the white porcelain statues and figurines. Other standouts are the hanging biomes by Articulture and the intriguing seatbelt handbags by HARVEYS. While you mull over your purchases you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at the bar.

Who to shop for: The person who has everything - you will find something they don’t have here!

Ceramics by local Austin artists at Aviary

Austin Art Garage

2200 S. Lamar, Suite J; 78702
512-351-5934

Austin Art Garage makes owning an original piece of artwork accessible to anyone-no matter your income level. Here you can find emerging Austin artists such as Graham Franciose and Marty Butler, and make an investment in their work before they make it big. One way Austin Art Garage keeps the prices affordable is by offering small pieces on unconventional materials such as wood.