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Studs, a new ear piercing and ear accessories shop, is now open on South Congress. (Studs)
Retail is making a comeback as Austinites get vaccinated and ditch online shopping for the in-person experience.
Whether you're looking to do some revenge shopping or just curious about what's going on in the retail community, we've got you covered with the latest in shops and business.
New opening: LoveShackFancy, 1011 South Congress Ave.
(LoveShackFancy)
In its eighth national expansion, LoveShackFancy is taking on the Capital City. With its pink checkered floors, canopy of florals and pink guitars lining the store, this boutique is everything you want in an Instagram background. Plus, it offers vintage band tees, bandanas, mini-skirts and dresses. "The boutique was created for every generation of Austin girls," Founder & Creative Director Rebecca Hessel Cohen said.
Located on South Congress in the Music Lane development, the boutique will open for the first time Saturday with drinks, a photo booth and music.
Lululemon's window installation
As the Austin Marathon is set to kick off on Sunday, Lululemon on Music Lane in South Congress is recognizing those putting themselves through the grueling run around town. Names of all marathon participants can be found displayed in the store window.
It's been more than a year since the marathon took place, but the show goes on in a COVID friendly fashion.
Kendra Scott partnership
(Kendra Scott)
Kendra Scott announced this week it is partnering with Diligent Robotics, a female-founded A.I. company that created robot Moxi, on its Kendra Cares program. Through the partnership and program, the robot will assist healthcare workers by providing social and emotional support to patients in children's hospitals. The robot will ultimately deliver customized pieces of jewelry to patients that will help minimize risk of exposure to COVID.
New opening: Studs, 1510 South Congress Ave.
(Studs)
Looking to get a new ear piercing and earrings? Studs has expanded outside the New York market and onto South Congress. With more than 1,200 on the waiting list to book an appointment last week, Studs chose to expand to Austin where the owners believe a lot of younger residents would like ear piercings.
The shop uses only curated needles, instead of piercing guns, for a precise piercing that will heal better. And unlike tattoo parlors where most typically go for a piercing, they have a variety of ear accessories in store. Studs opened last week and is operating on an appointment-only basis.
New opening: The RealReal, 11700 Domain Blvd.
(The RealReal)
What started as a luxury consignment online store has since expanded to 10 brick-and-mortar stores. The RealReal is now operating at the Domain. Brands offered at the store include Gucci, Chanel, Prada and Cartier, among others.
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Popular
(Dell Technologies)
Michael Dell has gone from a dorm room on Guadalupe Street to high rises and luxurious penthouses. It’s fitting for the former University of Texas at Austin student who is now CEO of Dell Technologies. Just last month, the company announced a record quarter with $26.1 billion in revenue.
So while Dell may keep his Texas ties with a residence in Austin, he’s also made himself at home on the east coast and outside the continental U.S. Here are the properties of the occasionally local man who may someday be a trillionaire.
Austin
Eight bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a gym and a lap pool are just a few of the traits in this massive, nearly 33,000-square-foot home. But the home, a 20-mile drive from Round Rock where the company is based, is even larger when you consider that Dell and his wife, Susan, own land adjoining the property for a total of about 119 acres.
That’s not all for his Austin ownership. He also has a house a few miles away that’s been dubbed 6D Ranch, for the six members of his family.
Boston
Here, Dell reportedly has a contract for a penthouse in what will soon be Boston’s tallest residential building: the Four Seasons Private Residences One Dalton Street. It’s one of three penthouses with direct elevator access, fireplaces both inside and outside and more than 7,200 square feet of living space. The residences boast nearby Dalton Park in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood for owners to enjoy fresh air and seasonal greenery.
New York
Central Park views and nearly 11,000 square feet make for a $100.47 million purchase. The 1,000-foot condo tower is on Manhattan’s West 57th street and has six bedrooms and six bathrooms. Known as One57, it has elegant bedrooms and smart kitchens equipped with custom cabinetry and integrated appliances. It also comes with the perks of being above the Park Hyatt New York. For example, there are in-residence dining and catering services that can be arranged at a moment’s notice.
Hawaii
Dell’s home in the residential community of Kukio has island views of Maui and lots to explore. In what’s been labeled Hawaii’s most exclusive neighborhood, Dell has the flagship residence of 18,500 square feet. His next-door neighbor is Paul Hazen, the CEO of Wells Fargo, and it’s known as a billionaire getaway. With a nearby golf course, archaeological reserve and the fresh air of the Kona coast, we can see what attracts them.
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Austin has been in the national spotlight for more than extreme growth—the last two years have brought a handful of violent crimes, missing persons cases and shootings.
Some of the most heartbreaking cases have yet to be solved. Here's a small update on some ongoing, high-profile cases in Austin.
Moriah Wilson | Suspect still on the run
Star biker Moriah Wilson was found dead in her East Austin home.
Professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson’s alleged killer, Kaitlin Armstrong, is still on the run and was last spotted leaving LaGuardia Airport in New York City on May 14—three days before the Austin Police Department obtained a warrant for her arrest.
Wilson was shot to death in her home on May 11 just hours after she went swimming with fellow cyclist Colin Strickland, who Armstrong had previously dated. Strickland said it was never a secret that he dated 25-year-old Wilson and had “no indication” Armstrong would react violently, as she had been dating other people as well.
While Wilson’s family said they don’t believe she was romantically involved with anyone, the case is being investigated as a crime of passion.
Investigators believe Armstrong might be using her sister’s name, Christine Armstrong, in New York State. A $5,000 reward has been issued for information leading to her capture.
Timothy Perez | Missing since March 2022
"He said, 'Dad, come get me, I'm lost,'" Robert Perez told Austonia. "I said, 'Pull, over,' but he just hung up, and we were never able to get a hold of him."
The Austin Police Department found Timothy’s car—cold and with an empty tank—around 15 miles from his brother’s home at 4:30 a.m. the same morningTimothy was last spotted again that morning when Round Rock Police responded to a welfare check called in by St. William Catholic Church. RRPD photographed him, said Timothy refused to identify himself and left without incident; Timothy wasn’t reported missing until a few days later.
According to EquuSearch, Timothy’s phone pinged briefly in Conroe on March 16 but hasn’t been located since. RRPD officials said they believe Timothy is voluntarily missing based on his interaction with officers.
But his parents think Timothy might've suffered a nervous breakdown and still drive from Conroe to Austin every few days to look for their son.
Due to the sighting at the church, APD closed its missing person case on April 8 but Round Rock Police still lists Timothy as missing.Jason Landry | Missing since December 2020
More than 31,000 acres were combed through to find missing Texas State student Jason Landry. (Caldwell County Sheriff's Office)
Texas State University student Jason Landry went missing on Dec. 13, 2020, after his car was found abandoned in Luling as he was driving home from nearby San Marcos to Missouri City, Texas, for winter break.
Landry’s car was found crashed with keys still in the ignition and all of his personal possessions, including his clothing, some with drops of blood, and phone, but no one in sight.
As conspiracies have swirled around the internet about what might've happened that night, Capt. Jeff Ferry, who is the lead investigator on the case, said "no doubt this is a tragedy… but it’s not a crime.”
More than a year later, friends and family of Landry are still searching for him and have erected billboards reminding locals of his disappearance and offering a $10,000 reward: one going southbound on I-35 and another along U.S. Hwy. 183 north of Luling.
The billboards were leased for 13 weeks in April but they may extend the rental—meanwhile, the case is in the hands of the Texas Attorney General Cold Case and Missing Persons unit. Anyone with information is asked to call (512) 936-0742.
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