Legacy Business Month

Celebrating iconic Austin businesses throughout October

Leg•a•cy Busi•ness noun || 1. A beloved local establishment open for 20 years or more that anchors a community and epitomizes classic cool.

From iconic music venues to Tex-Mex staples, legacy businesses are essential to Austin's culture. Throughout October, visit participating businesses, show your support with a purchase, get your passport stamped, and win awesome prizes. It’s time to grab your passports and hit the town!

Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page to get the latest updates on Legacy Business Month 2025!

2024 Legacy Business Month Participating Businesses

ANTONE’S RECORD SHOP (2928 Guadalupe St #101)
ASTER’S ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT (2804 N Interstate Hwy 35)
BOOKWOMAN (5501 N Lamar Blvd #A-105)
THE CONTINENTAL CLUB (1315 S Congress Ave)
ESTHER’S FOLLIES (525 E 6th St)
JOE’S BAKERY (2305 E 7th St)
THE LITTLE LONGHORN SALOON (5434 Burnet Rd)
NATURE’S TREASURES (4103 N Interstate Hwy 35)
SCHOLZ GARTEN (1607 San Jacinto Blvd)
ZILKER PARK BOAT RENTALS (2101 Andrew Zilker Rd)

Passport Pickup Locations

ZILKER TAPROOM (1701 E. 6th St)
WHOLE EARTH PROVISION NORTH (1014 N Lamar Blvd)

OPEN MAP

What is a legacy business?

Preservation Austin defines a legacy business as a locally-owned and operated business that is at least 20 years old. This year’s program celebrates restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and retail establishments. Additional considerations include whether a business:

Has contributed to the history and/or the identity of a particular neighborhood, community, or the city as a whole
Is owned by generations of the same family
Has operated under singular ownership for 20+ years
Operates out of its original location or has operated out of the same location for 20+ years

Why are they important?

Legacy businesses have made significant contributions to Austin's cultural, economic, and historic landscape.

The city’s explosive growth has made protections and support for legacy businesses more important than ever, which is why Preservation Austin adopted Legacy Businesses as an Advocacy Priority in 2022. In the last several years, so many beloved businesses have shuttered, with others expected to follow in the near future.

Cities such as San Francisco and San Antonio have adopted ground-breaking legacy business programs to protect and support their cities’ identities. Following their example, Preservation Austin aims to identify, uplift, and generate support for new policies and tools to sustain legacy businesses citywide and ensure they remain vital cultural landmarks for generations to come.

Thank You to our 2024 Legacy Business Month Sponsors

Preservation Austin 2023 Homes Tour Sponsor: Moreland Properties

Additional support from

Sign the petition to save Zilker Park Boat Rentals

In operation since 1969, Zilker Park Boat Rentals’ contract with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department is set to expire in February 2025, leaving the future of this Austin mainstay in jeopardy.

Sign the petition below to show your support for designating Zilker Park Boat Rentals as a City landmark and and show them some love with a visit during Legacy Business Month!

SIGN THE PETITION