In previous newsletters, I’ve mentioned that we were building our website. Admittedly, I may have done that a bit prematurely, but I’m happy to share that we now have an official launch date for theaustinarchives.com. Starting February 13th, you’ll be able to find everything Austin Archives in one place: our story, newsletter, shop, socials, and more.

Now, when people compliment your Austin Archives merch and ask what it is, you can point them to our website to get all their questions answered.

Super pumped about this and a huge shoutout to Carson, our designer, for building it for us.

This week, rather than recommending a restaurant, we wanted to share a great nonprofit that you can get involved in.

Founded in 1993, the Yellow Bike Project has been turning heads, and pedals, in Austin for decades. It started with a small group of volunteers who painted a few bicycles bright yellow and left them around town for anyone to use. As word spread, more volunteers joined, and the project began organizing bike repair workshops, community rides, and educational programs. What started as a few scattered bikes evolved into a coordinated effort to maintain, distribute, and track bikes across the city. Over time, the Yellow Bike Project became a trusted resource for Austinites of all ages, helping people get to school, work, or just explore the city on two wheels.

At the heart of it all is their vision: “A more equitable and sustainable world where all are able to experience the joy, freedom, and autonomy that cycling can offer.” The Yellow Bike Project is more than bikes, it’s a piece of Austin’s history and a reminder of what a community can do when it comes together. Whether you’re looking for a bike, want to volunteer, or just want to support their mission, you can learn more at austinyellowbike.org.

Magnolia Cafe opened on Lake Austin Boulevard in 1979, at first as Omelettry West, before becoming the Magnolia we know today. For decades, it was a 24/7 Austin staple, the kind of place where late-night pancakes, endless coffee refills, and first-date breakfasts all happened under the same neon sign (this is true, I had my first date ever here). People knew it as a go-to for comfort food and a welcoming vibe, a piece of “old Austin” you could rely on any hour of the day. Sadly, in 2020, after more than 40 years, the Lake Austin location closed permanently, leaving only the South Congress spot to carry on the Magnolia legacy. 

Today that same corner hosts a newer but still Austin-born restaurant, Tumble 22. Starting as a small food truck, Tumble has grown into a very recognizable local brand with a couple of locations, including the iconic Lake Austin building. While the food and energy are different, thankfully it is still Austin through and through.

Both Magnolia and Tumble 22 represent Austin in their own way. Magnolia is the late-night, all-hours diner with decades of memories, and Tumble 22 is the modern, fast-growing local spot carrying Austin’s food culture into the present. Different eras, same corner, same city, both part of what makes Austin special.

Thanks for checking in. Talk to y’all in February!

- Andrew (and Spencer, he’s busy watching the CFP national championship and preparing his Jeni’s ice cream order)