business
Another One Down: Austin staple Ego's becomes yet another victim of SoCo's gentrification.
Old, white-owned karaoke bar Ego's to close down and make way for Austin's gentrification and privilege. Let's drink to that.
Published August 5, 2024 at 6:38pm by Beck Andrew Salgado
Austin, Texas — The ruthless capitalist machine rears its ugly head yet again, as we hear the news of yet another potential victim in our beloved city of Austin, Texas. Ego's, a beloved karaoke bar and a staple of the city since 1979, is facing eviction.
"Right now, we're taking it day by day while we wait to see if the landlord is willing to fix all the pipes that keep collapsing, but it's not looking good. They plan to demolish the building at some point, and we're the only business left in that building." - Ego's Instagram post
The Backstory:
- The bar finds itself at the mercy of a greedy landlord, who, instead of maintaining the property, is planning to demolish the building and make way for yet another generic, soulless business.
- The slow death of SoCo's unique culture has been ongoing, with major clothing brands like Reformation, Madewell, and Lululemon moving in and pushing out the quirky, independent businesses that once defined the area.
- Recent closures on the street include Good Company, Sunroom, Mi Casa, and Maya Star, which closed in December after almost 30 years.
- Austin-born brands like Kendra Scott and now, The Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott, are also contributing to the problem, further diluting the unique character of the area.
- Outdoor Voices, an Austin-HQ'd company, suddenly closed all its retail stores in April, adding to the list of casualties.
The Fight:
- Ego's isn't going down without a fight. In their Instagram post, they promise a "last big hurrah" on Sunday, August 11, should they be forced to close.
- The bar's owner is determined to bring Ego's back after the inevitable renovations, but the timeline is uncertain.
A Call to Action:
We must stand up against the homogenization of our city and the erasure of its unique culture. Boycott the corporate invaders and support your local, unique businesses before it's too late.
Read more: Mic Drop: Popular Austin Karaoke bar, Ego's, announces it is closing on SoCo