Birkenstock Opens Another Store in Austin

German shoe manufacturer Birkenstock, which has gained a substantial online following in recent years, has chosen Austin, Texas as the location for its sixth stand-alone US store. The company made the announcement on Instagram, and fans of the brand enthusiastically responded in the comments.

Hello, Austin! We’re proud to present our 6th retail store in the U.S. right here in the heart of Austin, TX.

The new store, located at 1007 South Congress Ave, is already open to the public from 10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays.

While Birkenstock has 54 stores globally, stand-alone locations in the US are rare. Prior to the Austin opening, the brand was only available in SoHo, Brooklyn, Venice Beach, Larkspur, and Miami. Although stand-alone locations are scarce, Birkenstock products can often be found in various shoe stores across the country.

With a history dating back to 1774, when it was founded by cobbler Johann Adam Birkenstock in Langen-Bergheim, Germany, the company had a breakthrough in 1896 with the sale of its iconic insoles. In 1963, Birkenstock introduced the Madrid model, a fitness sandal that is still sold today, and entered the American market three years later in 1966.

In recent years, Birkenstock has gained even more popularity with models like the "Arizona" and the "Boston," the latter becoming an internet sensation in the 2020s and attracting attention from fashion influencers and GQ writers alike.

Austin's SoCo district is a well-known destination for shoppers seeking unique footwear, often in the iconic boot style that the city is famous for. With the recent addition of popular boot brands like Allens Boots (an Austin landmark since 1977), Tecovas, and Lucchese, all located in close proximity to each other, the area has become a hub for footwear enthusiasts.

Beck Andrew Salgado reports on trending topics in Austin's business scene for the American-Statesman. Tips and insights can be sent to Bsalgado@gannett.com.