If you've lived in Austin for two years, or 20, you know that South Congress Avenue is one of the hottest spots in town.
According to the South Congress Merchants Association, rent for business owners on South Congress has increased about 300% since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving some store owners with the decision to vacate, or shutdown altogether. "It's gotten replaced with that corporate stuff, they might have a nice fun label on the top but then underneath it's owned by some LLC."