National Retailers Reshape South Congress Avenue
Popular Austin shopping district sees an influx of national brands alongside rising commercial rents.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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National retailers like Wrangler, Alberta Boot Company, and Cody & Sioux are establishing locations on South Congress Avenue in Austin. This influx follows a multi-year shift in the district that has seen historic local businesses exit as property values climb.
Why it matters
Retailers are aggressively targeting the area because it remains a premier destination for Austin's millions of annual tourists. However, long-term tenants face mounting pressure from increased commercial rents and the looming prospect of construction disruptions from the proposed Orange Line rail project.
A commercial property at 110 E. Riverside Drive is currently listed for lease at $30,667 per month. Meanwhile, property values remain elevated, with a 1948-era building once housing Uncommon Objects appraised at $2.1 million, or $385 per square foot.
The players
Wrangler
This global clothing brand is planning to open a new retail store on South Congress Avenue.
Alberta Boot Company
This footwear retailer is slated to open a location on South Congress Avenue by late 2026.
Cody & Sioux
This boutique retailer is expected to enter the South Congress Avenue market by the end of 2026.
Lucchese
This luxury bootmaker established a storefront on South Congress Avenue in 2024.
Tecovas
This western apparel brand opened its South Congress Avenue retail location in 2019.
The details
New national brands are leasing space previously held by local icons like Lucy in Disguise With Diamonds, which closed in 2022. Business owners in the area anticipate up to five years of construction if the city proceeds with its transit plans for the corridor.
Timeline
1948: The building formerly occupied by Uncommon Objects is constructed.
2017: Uncommon Objects moves from South Congress to Ben White Boulevard.
2022: Lucy in Disguise With Diamonds closes its South Congress location.
2023: The city of Austin replaces free curbside parking with paid parking.
End of 2026: Alberta Boot Company and Cody & Sioux are expected to open.
Market Landscape
The arrival of national retailers reflects a broader trend of upscale commercial development following the trajectory set by Project Connect's Orange Line transit project. This shift creates a more competitive environment for local businesses that are already contending with rising lease costs.
Shoppers should anticipate a transition toward national brands and premium retail pricing as new storefronts replace legacy local businesses. Additionally, visitors to South Congress Avenue must now account for paid parking fees that were implemented citywide in 2023.
The takeaway
The changing landscape of South Congress highlights the increasing cost of doing business in Austin's most popular tourist corridors. Small business owners and residents should track the progress of transit plans closely, as construction could significantly alter local foot traffic for years.
Further reading
For more information on retail changes, see Austin Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Austin American-Statesman.
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