(2304 Lake Austin Boulevard, Lake Austin) The restaurant opened over 40 years ago as Omelettery West, before becoming Magnolia in 1986, and was known for breakfast specials like gingerbread pancakes and Mag Mud queso. Did Eater miss a permanently shuttered restaurant? Let us know through the tipline or email at Cafe West: The Lake Austin location of the all-hours Austin chain was the first big-name restaurant to close as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, though the South Congress location is still open.
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A few restaurant closures, like Veracruz All Natural’s North Austin location, were planned but accelerated due to the strain of operating without a dining room and health concerns around the virus. Many that have announced shutters either did not serve takeout during the pandemic ( which was allowed) or only did for a short time. Many of the restaurants that have announced they will not reopen are Austin institutions that are over 20, 40, and even - in the case of Threadgill’s - 87 years ago. As a result of diminished sales, Austin is seeing a spate of outright restaurant closures as the industry struggles to stay afloat while having to pay rents, wages, taxes, and other expenses. While the Historic Landmark Commission will provide guidance in the matter, the final decision on whether to provide landmark status to the building rests with the Austin City Council.The COVID-19 pandemic had shuttered dining rooms from mid-March to early May, and now restaurants are either remaining temporarily closed, sticking to takeout service only, or have reopened for limited dine-in service. The motion passed unanimously over the objections of Oil Can Harry’s. The commission noted that the while the proposal “does not meet the standards that would be applied in review of proposed work to a historic landmark,” it does represent “a compromise solution intended to maintain the streetscape character” of the existing Warehouse District. Architectural plans call for replicating the brick and mortar façade. The proposal from the development company Hanover seeks to demolish the aging structures and replace them with the new mixed-use high-rise building. “The effort to declare our building as historic would take away the only leverage tool we have, and so we ask that our community NOT oppose the application” up for debate last week. They note the bar leveraged its existing contract to reach an agreement with the developers to extend their lease for the next 25 years. With the historic landmark status, the owners claimed the building would remain but Oil Can Harry’s would be “forced out of the block in less than 10 years by individuals and factors” outside their control. “However, in our unique case, we need you to know a historical declaration is NOT the way to do it.” “Rest assured, our mission is to keep 4th street alive for a long time, and if we navigate these waters correctly, we will succeed,” Oil Can Harry’s said in a statement posted to social media. They told the commission they already have an agreement with the developers to remain in the new building which would recreate the bar’s iconic brick façade, evening replicating the color of the mortar used to secure the bricks in place.
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While many speakers at the meeting last Wednesday opposed the proposed building, the owners of Oil Can Harry’s came out in support. The move came in response to a request before the Austin Historic Landmark Commission to demolish the buildings on West Fourth and Colorado Streets and replace them with a proposed 400-unit high-rise building that would also house retail stores, restaurants, and bars on the ground floor. The Historic Landmark Commission of Austin, Texas, unanimously approved the first steps of providing historic zoning for a section of the city’s Fourth Street warehouse district housing longtime LGBTQ+ clubs like Oil Can Harry’s, the Coconut Club, and Neon Grotto.