Without a doubt, one of the hippest areas of Austin, Texas is South Congress Avenue, affectionately 
known as "SoCo". Two nights ago, while my in-laws were visiting us, we took the whole family there to do some browsing/shopping. I knew that there were several funky shops in the area, although I must admit that I had never once been before this week.
We decided to check out Uncommon Objects, which ended up having an incredible assortment of old and unique stuff. It's a very deep store, and I don't mean "profound". Rather, it is shaped like a long rectangle with two main aisles running the entire depth of the place and little vignette areas along each one.
I was pleased that they had an old Nehi drink fridge near the front, with soft drinks for one dollar each. The lady in charge said it would be fine if my kids had their drinks as we walked around. This was a pleasant surprise.
My father-in-law found and purchased an old bread board that he is planning to use for beadwork for his jewelry business. He also makes antique maps now, which strikes me as very cool indeed.
We had the kids with us, as I indicated, and my son managed to notice several things that I probably would have preferred that he not see. At one point, he literally said this to me:
"Hey, Dad, wanna see something REALLY inappropriate?"
I cringed inwardly as I wondered what he was going to show me. It turned out to be two small wooden nude fertility idols of some sort, one male and one female. VERY female.
I was tempted to buy the old-fashioned seltzer bottle so that I could learn to spray my friends like the Three Stooges used to do in their movies, but I refrained. They also had some nice geographic maps that roll up like a window shade, just like we used to have in school. I thought they would make nice additions to our homeschooling supplies, but I didn't get them that night.
Come to think of it, I think I might return for that seltzer bottle after all.
I tried to capture the essence of the place with my photos here. It's definitely worth a visit, whether you live here or you are in town for a visit: http://uncommonobjects.com/
To learn a bit more about South Congress, you can visit my previous post about the area here:
South Congress - Hip, Eclectic, Vibrant Area Near Downtown Austin
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Hi Jason!
Uncommon Objects sounds like a really neat store...you never know what you might find in a place like that! I've heard that Austin in general has a lot of neat little places. My niece recently visited and had a great time; maybe I'll make it out there sometime and stop in some of the stores on SoCo.
Happy New Year!
--Anne Rains
www.TheRainsTeam.com
http://annerains.blogspot.com
Jason, I could spend days in a store like that! We use to go and browse thru the antique stores all the time. You never know what neat things you can find. And you might even come across a real treasure!
I will put this on my list of things to do in 2009!
Debbie
Love the photos! And Nehi? Wow. I haven't heard anything about that name in ages! So what was so "inaproppriate"? =P
LISA - It was the sort of exaggerated nudity that he thought was inappropriate. He's 10.
Hi Jason. Oh my. I adore places like that and would like nothing better than to drive there right now, but its to far. :) Hmmm....maybe I need to take a trip to Austin soon.
I'm laughing thinking of Brandon saying that... The things that run through your mind at that moment. haha. Too funny. This actually looks like a store Kathy and I could spend lots of time and money in. We love hitting antique stores.
Hi Jason...I have family in the Austin, TX area...and have visited a couple of times...I love the atmosphere as well as the shops. great work on this little shop that is Uncommon to most. Have you ever been to Hudsons On The Bay...my Niece and nephew talk of it, like it were home...serving the best of the best makes me want to take a trip, if just for the food. What are your ratings on this restaurant?
Would Love to hear from your expertise...Hugs..Shawn Maybe you could post some pictures, so I know what they are talking about!
Jason, the pictures in this post make me green with envy! I would love to nose around in this store! What a bunch of great stuff! Happy new year!
Hi Jason, What a great store and a very cool name. Hope your blog brings them some extra business.
What a fun place to shop! I have always wanted to visit Austin -- if I get there, I'll definately stop by this store!
Gotta love the old fashioned Nehi..... My kids just got some of that old Teaberry gum and fruit stripe. I'll get down there soon my friend.
SHAWN - Hudson's on the Bend is a spectacular restaurant located near Lake Travis (I think they are at 620 and Eck Lane). For our budget, they are definitely a "special occasion" place, since it is VERY expensive. I think we paid around $120.00 for the two of us when we went, and I we didn't have any wine, etc. The entrees start at around $40.00 each, unless you get a salad, but you wouldn't go to Hudson's for a salad, frankly. Appetizers are in the $20.00 range, if memory serves.
In a nutshell, it has excellent and unique food, and a cool, trendy atmosphere, but it's not something we can easily afford on a regular basis. Kudos to your niece and nephew - they are clearly doing well.
Hi Jason,
Cool store! I wish we had one or lived closer.
Just maybe if you do a 2009 ActiveRain event and we have some spare cash, we can get to see Austin, visit Uncommon Obects and meet some ActiveRainers in person.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and a Prosperous 2009
Jason:
This is a great place we have been there a couple of times. it is fun just to walk along Congress and window shop and people watch. Have a great day.
I love wandering around places like that, you never know what you can find.
'Looks like an awesome place... I'll add it to my list for the next visit to Austin! Great photos, by the way.
Jason...they are kids in there 20's, my nephew worked at Hudsons on the Bay, when he was enrolled in college at Austin University, I guess he got to know the owners very well, and they cater to him and his friends whenever they are in town. I have yet to visit this fabulous restaurant, as my niece has moved to the Galvaston area, and my nephew to Houston to finish out the rest of his masters degree in Law School.
Maybe someday, when I'm visiting B & C, they both will have time to get away, so we can go to the Austin area...It sounds like it's worth the 3 hour drive.
Shawn - Cool! It's definitely worth the trip, but I wanted to be upfront about the cost. As I said, it would be a special occasion place for us. It's Hudson's on the BEND, actually. We have no bay. :-)
Hello Jason, all I can think of is Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk! Have fun.
Kevin - Nicely played.
Been there before. . great place.
Love it... I've always been tempted to buy some Old portraits of strangers and hang in my home. Just for fun. I love these kinds of places and if I get that way I'll make time to find this. And if my daughter gets an intership next summer in Austin I'll get to check it out too.
Thanks for sharing, I love looking thru unique shops like this! Lots of fun to search for just the right treasure.
This place looks so Austin. I have not seen "Uncommon Objects" and will make a point to browse through it. I love your sons comment!
I was tempted to buy the old-fashioned seltzer bottle so that I could learn to spray my friends like the Three Stooges used to do in their movies, but I refrained.
Hey Jason,
Don't hold back. I like the Three Stooges! :)
Jason - it's a fun store but when my husband and I go through we say "I used to have one of those" and we feel like antiques ourselves.
Wow this place looks crazy good!