Old Bakery and Emporium | City of Austin

Banner with the Old Bakery and Emporium and the State Capitol building in the background

The Old Bakery & Artisan Emporium

The Old Bakery & Artisan Emporium is a historic landmark located in downtown Austin. Local artists and craftspeople keep our artisan shop full of unique, handmade items.

Our Art Gallery features the work of local artists who are 50+ years old. We provide Visitor Center information and have a history exhibit that explores Austin's immigrant history through the Lundberg-Maerki Historical Collection.

Hours

Wednesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Contact Info

1876 - 2026

Celebrating 150 Years!

Built in 1876, the Old Bakery & Emporium has been on Congress Avenue for 150 years. Founded by immigrants, the first bakery in Austin marked the start of the business district. This is where political, social, and cultural leaders gathered for their daily bread.

Today, it’s home to a consignment store and fine arts gallery for artists over 50 years old. In addition to fighting ageism in the art world, the Old Bakery preserves memory and legacy through its exhibitions and programs. Despite multiple attempts to destroy the integrity of the building and all it represents, the Old Bakery & Emporium is one of the few reminders of Austin’s past. It is committed to highlighting local history and honoring our talented artistic elders.

Our Fine Art Gallery is hosting a special exhibition looking back on 150 years of history at the Old Bakery & Emporium (1876 - 2026). The exhibit features many images from throughout the Old Bakery's storied history, a complete timeline of the last 150 years at the site, as well as stories from the community who have visited over the years.

The exhibition will be on display in the Fine Art Gallery from April 18th to June 6th, 2026.

Rent Our Plaza!

Our plaza, known as Pat Crow Memorial Plaza, is now available for public rental! With our prime location in the heart of downtown, right next to the Capitol, our space is sure to be a great fit for your next event!

The Pat Memorial Plaza is available for rent only during the business hours: Wednesday – Friday (10 am – 6 pm) and Saturday (Noon – 5 pm).

To see images, layout, and other helpful information, please refer to our Old Bakery & Emporium user guide:

Facility Rental User Guide

To apply for a rental and reserve the space, please download and complete our:

Rental Application

group of people cutting a ribbon in front of a mural

Mural on Display Now!

This is the first mural painted at the historic Old Bakery and Emporium. Entitled “Generational Ties”, the mural visually represents the site’s rich culture and history. The muralist, Ruben Esquivel, is a local Austin-born artist of Latino and Indigenous descent, who was voted Austin Chronicle’s Best Muralist 2024.

The mural explores the Indigenous heritage of Austin and the Swedish legacy of the Old Bakery and Emporium. The design prominently features two native women whose braids are intertwined, illustrating the beauty and wisdom that are passed down from generation to generation. The braids are filled with flora, fauna, and the Swedish national flower - the giktgräs. Hummingbirds, believed to symbolize love, joy, and rebirth, and a protective swallow add to the rich symbolism. The background is adorned with a traditional Swedish textile pattern, blending the heritage of both cultures.

The mural is in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation's Writing on the Walls program and a partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. An 18-month-long community engagement project ensured the mural project’s success.