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Wednesday 12pm - 6pm Thursday 12pm - 6pm Friday 12pm - 6pm Saturday 12pm - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Old Bakery & Emporium

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Old Bakery & Emporium

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Historic building in downtown Austin featuring a history museum, fine art gallery, and artisan shop. No longer a bakery, it is now serves several purposes.

The Old Bakery & Emporium (OBE) is a historic site that started as a bakery for the first 60 years of its existence. It is an emporium (shop) that features handmade crafts and art by local artisans and artists ages 50+. The 3rd floor Fine Art Gallery displays rotating art exhibits of local artists. It houses the Lundberg-Maerki Historical Collection, which depicts Austin’s transformation from a rustic frontier town to a modern, bustling state capital. Lastly, the OBE serves as a Visitor Information Center for tourists wanting to know what to see and where to eat. The Old Bakery is a registered national landmark.

1876
Swedish immigrant Charles Lundberg built the bakery. It had the largest oven in Austin.

1876-1936
The building was used as a bakery by various local bakers. The giant oven and the wooden baker's spade on the 2nd floor remain as reminders of the building's history.

1936-1963
The Old Bakery was vacant, deteriorating and scheduled for demolition.

1963
The Austin Heritage Society purchased and rescued the structure with the help of the Junior League.

1964
The Heritage Society began operating a Tourist Information Center and Coffee Kitchen in the building.

1970
When the mortgage was paid off, the Old Bakery was sold to the State of Texas.

1974-1976
The City of Austin Office of Bicentennial Affairs and the Texas Bicentennial Information Center rented the building.

1976
The building was renamed "Old Bakery and Emporium" a co-sponsored project of the Senior Programs Section of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the First Lady's Volunteer Program of the Texas Center for Volunteer Action.

1980
The State of Texas deeded the building and property to the City of Austin.

11/04/2026

Art Spotlight: "Red Tails" by Glenn Towery

The Red Tails were famous for never losing a Bomber that they escorted during WWII. Although they flew hundreds of missions, the German Luftwaffe feared and respected the Red Tails. The first “Top Gun” was Black Red Tails pilot James Harvey

See more art by Vietnam combat veteran Glenn Towery in "Glenn Towery: A Retrospective" opening on Saturday, November 7th >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/glenn-towery-a-retrospective-tickets-2001247647586?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

10/31/2026

As we bid farewell to the Wild and Woven exhibit, we want to thank quilt artists Annette Kennedy and Sherri Lipman McCauley for displaying their impressive work in our fine art gallery and spending their valuable time leading hands-on workshops and lectures the past two months! The two artists spoke of their creative journey and techniques while giving visitors the chance to experiment with fabric painting in their workshops!

We also want to thank visitors and participants in the gallery and events for making the Wild and Woven exhibit a success! Thanks to everyone who came out and supported local artists! We hope to see folks again for our future exhibits and events!

Check out our upcoming events here >> https://www.eventbrite.com/o/63056828493?aff=ebdsshcopyurl

10/30/2026

Save the Date, December 5th!

The Old Bakery & Emporium will be open and making spirits bright during this year’s annual Holiday Stroll & Sing-Along presented by the Downtown Austin Alliance on Saturday, December 5th, from 5 - 8 pm

10/28/2026

Join us on Saturday, November 7th, from 1-4 pm for the opening reception for Glenn Towery: A Retrospective.

The event will feature live music by Armando Martin. Armando is a 3rd-generation Panamanian who immigrated to the United States at age 6. He grew up in the Bronx N.Y., and upon completing High School, completed a 3-year enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps infantry.

After his military service, Armando pursued and obtained his BBA and Law degrees. Armando moved to Austin TX in 1993, and in 2006 resumed his desire to become a musician on the conga drums, a desire that was kindled decades earlier while he was in High School. Today, Armando practices his craft daily, playing rhythms spanning from afro-Cuban, salsa, funk and kool jazz.

Learn more and RSVP for FREE >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/glenn-towery-a-retrospective-tickets-2001247647586?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

10/23/2026

Last chance to see Wild and Woven!

Two artists. Two distinct visions. One compelling exhibition.

Working with fabric, thread, and paint, Annette Kennedy and Sherri Lipman McCauley invite viewers to explore the dynamic interplay between realism and abstraction. United by their use of painted fabric and stitch, each artist brings a unique voice and perspective, creating a captivating dialogue through contemporary art quilting.

Stop by our Fine Art Gallery this weekend to experience stunning contemporary quilt art by two local Austin artists. Gallery hours and location >> https://www.austintexas.gov

10/21/2026

Art Spotlight: "Flatirons Symphony" by Annette Kennedy

"Inspired by a personal photograph of Boulder, Colorado’s iconic and distinctive Flatirons, this art quilt captures the captivating energy of shifting mountain weather. Viewers are invited to pause and imagine the rush of alpine wind as the storm sweeps across the peaks."

See more of Annette's contemporary pictorial quilts in our current exhibition, "Wild and Woven," on display through October 25th! Gallery hours and location >> https://www.austintexas.gov/OBE

10/16/2026

Art Spotlight: "Inked 2" by Sherri Lipman McCauley

"Inspired by a piece of upholstery fabric. Pieced improvisational blocks generate tension. Lines of black paint are added with a syringe to extend the linear elements. Free form ‘scribble’ quilting lines extend and integrate the design."

Learn more about Sherri's process from the artist herself on Saturday, October 17th at 1pm in Lecture: Painted Threads with Sherri Lipman McCauley

10/14/2026

Coming Soon!

We’re thrilled to announce that two new food trucks will be featured in the Old Bakery Pat Crow Memorial Plaza!

Pura Vida Brews has an amazing selection of coffee and matcha, and Bodega will be serving up breakfast and burgers!

Opening dates and operating hours coming soon! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date >> https://mailchi.mp/austintexas.gov/oldbakeryandemporium

10/09/2026

Art Spotlight: "Alpine Forget Me Nots" by Annette Kennedy

"Created from an original photograph, this quilt celebrates the tiny alpine forget-me-nots that thrive above the Rocky Mountain tree line. The composition enlarges these dime-sized flowers to highlight their deep, glowing centers against a dense network of succulent-like plants. I paired multiple valued fabrics with textile paint to meticulously render the crisp shadows and floral details that bring the vegetation to life."

See more of Annette's stunning pictorial quilts in our current exhibition "Wild and Woven" on display in our Fine Art Gallery through October 25th. Gallery hours and location >> https://www.austintexas.gov/OBE

Address

1006 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX
78701

Opening Hours

Wednesday	12pm - 6pm
Thursday	12pm - 6pm
Friday	12pm - 6pm
Saturday	12pm - 5pm
Sunday	12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+15129741300

Website

https://www.austintexas.gov/OBE

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