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Use this topic hub to explore satire, memories, and cultural commentary about austin in Austin, Texas.

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Austin in Old Austin — Old Austin Grouch

Condos of ShameMar 31, 2026

The Great Red River Street Rebranding Scam

The city's most iconic street is being erased, one boutique at a time. But who's really behind the 'revitalization' of Red River Street?

5 min Red River Street's last remaining dive bar, the iconic Beerland, just got a shiny new sign. The once-grungy facade now boasts a sleek, modern design that screams "upscale entertainment district." The irony isn't lost on anyone who's been to Beerland on a Tuesday night, when the only thing more plentiful than the beer pong tables is the existential dread. But the rebranding of Red River Street isn't just about Beerland. It's about the entire street. The city's most iconic street, once a hub of live music and counterculture, is being erased, one boutique at a time. The new signs, the new businesses, the new everything – it's all part of a carefully crafted plan to make Red River Street the next South Congress Avenue. Or, at the very least, that's what the city wants you to think. The truth is, the 'revitalization' of Red River Street is a scam. A scam perpetrated by the same developers and investors who have been gentrifying Austin for years. They're not interested in preserving the street's history or its culture. They're interested in making a quick buck off of unsuspecting tourists and hipsters. And the city is right there with them, handing out permits and tax breaks like candy. The city's 'revitalization' plan for Red River Street is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to make the street more attractive to developers and investors. It's a plan that will only serve to drive out the very people who made Red River Street great in the first place. So, the next time you're driving down Red River Street and you see a new boutique or a new restaurant, don't be fooled. It's not progress. It's not revitalization. It's just another step in the erasure of Austin's soul.

condosrebrandingAustin

Condos of ShameMar 29, 2026

The Rise of the $15,000 Parking Garage

The city's parking garage racket has reached new heights, with luxury condos and parking garages sprouting up like weeds. But who's really benefiting from this gold rush?

5 min read

parkingcondosAustin

Things We LostMar 26, 2026

The Zen of 24-Hour Parking Meters

The city's parking meters used to be a civic convenience, not a battle to be won. Remember when you could park for free, but still had to feed the meter every 20 minutes?

5 min

parkingAustinlost art

Condos of ShameMar 24, 2026

The Empire of Parking Tickets

How the city's parking ticket empire has become a booming business, with a new revenue stream for bureaucrats and a fresh headache for Austin drivers.

5 min

parkingAustincity government

Things We LostMar 1, 2026

The Great BBQ Apocalypse: A Rant About the End of the Line for the Best BBQ in Town

The line for Franklin Barbecue used to be a badge of honor, not a hostage situation. Now it's a metaphor for the soul-sucking, time-wasting, and wallet-draining experience that is modern Austin.

5 min read

bbqgentrificationaustin

Things We LostFeb 26, 2026

The End of the Free BBQ Era: A Lament for the Lost Art of Short Lines

A nostalgic rant about the good old days of free BBQ and short lines.

4 min read

bbqgentrificationaustin

Austin

Posts About Austin

The Great Red River Street Rebranding Scam

The Rise of the $15,000 Parking Garage

The Zen of 24-Hour Parking Meters

The Empire of Parking Tickets

The Great BBQ Apocalypse: A Rant About the End of the Line for the Best BBQ in Town

The End of the Free BBQ Era: A Lament for the Lost Art of Short Lines

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Condos of Shame

Things We Lost

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