Spoiler Alert: not a bakery (anymore). I've walked by countless times knowing it's not a bakery, and in fact knowing it's an art gallery/gift shop. I've always wanted to check it out inside. However, when passing it was always enroute to an event at the Capitol, or other times they weren't open. Really glad I finally made it. As mentioned, it's not a bakery though it once was. In fact a Swedish bakery called this 1876 building home for nearly sixty years. Once inside, you're able to learn about Austin's Swedish immigrants (as well as others) by viewing an exhibit from the Lundberg Maerki collection. There's so much interesting history, it's just fascinating. The art gallery houses ever-changing exhibits. These exhibits all have one thing in common, the artists are over 50 years old and are local to Austin. The gift shop is more like a collective of artisan/handmade goods. Here you can find one-of-a-kind items. Things like paintings, jewelry, postcards, handcrafted gifts, etc. The artists & craftspeople selling their wares are also local. A lot of items sold here are also created by folks over 50. They have an outdoor patio space with a large mural. This is a nice place to visit whether you're local or a tourist. I will definitely go back again, especially if looking for a unique and special gift for someone. Support the arts. Support local artists. Support senior artists. read more

Cool piece of real estate right next to the Capitol building! Neat collection of gifts inside, ranging from antique furniture to homemade ornaments to quality leather goods (books, journals, etc.). The staff here were super cool when we came in to warm ourselves up from the chilly weather during the annual tree lighting. They also had the UT game going on while we were there, Hook 'Em! Great people that work here! read more

I regretted not going into the Old Bakery and Emporium earlier during my recent trip to Austin. I would have gotten nicer postcards to send friends, found out about cooler things to do from local Austinites, and seen an interesting, little museum/gallery for free. There's a gallery on the second floor by artists over 50 (that's what the lady there told me). The gallery space was pretty cool. It was just one room, but pieces were presented really well and were interesting. Upstairs, there's also a little history museum/presentation area about the building. I bought a couple of postcards with nice designs (not the cheesy stuff sold on 6th street) and stationary. When I paid for my stuff, the guy who rang me out was really cool and pointed out some interesting places in South Austin and near South Lamar, as well as let me know of some free music events taking place. If you are visiting Austin for the first time, I recommend stopping in here quickly. The artwork and other items sold there may not be your style, but they have nice postcards, a bathroom, and informative, friendly people who work there. read more

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Always enjoy visiting this historic building. The name is a bit deceiving. It no longer functions as a bakery, but it is a treasure trove of information on where to visit in the downtown area. The Art gallery is always interesting and the crafts for sale are excellent. There is free parking lot along side the building. read more

One, this place has NO baked goods. It's just a gift shop and art gallery rolled into one small, tight building. Second, It's. Not. A. Bakery. AND ya done gotta pay to park. Like seriously, who does all that? We get trolled on the internet, and we now get trolled offline. #EXPOSED #Find a REAL bakery read more

Well first off, it's not a bakery, so don't get your hopes up like I did. They should at least sell some baked items and coffee, because maybe more people would drop in. It's sort of an emporium, I guess, because there's a substantial two-level gift shop downstairs with a lot of handmade items. But it's definitely an art gallery, which is why I visited, to see an art professor's show and hear her talk about her paintings. Admission was free and the building is beautiful and historical, so if you're wandering downtown and are in the mood, you can check it out. Most everything is for sale and reasonably priced. Better than SoCo prices. Free parking is limited to a tiny lot next to the building, but there is metered street parking nearby. read more

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It was really hot in here. Poor Austin was experiecing 45 degree weather in December and everyone thought the ice age was coming. They had the heat so high in here it was uncomfortable. Now the building is old and that is what brought me in here. I think it use to be a Bakery in the late 1800's. The lady at the counter really didn't give me any info. She was more concerned with me signing the book so they knew where I came from. She also told me that all of the art there was made by people over 50. Now I thought it was cool that everything in there was made by people over 50 but it reminded me of being a kid when our school would have an art fair and the seniors would buy a table and sell us kids stuff for our parents. The stuff was okay. I almost bought my little girl a cute lady bug but then realized the metal legs were a little sharp and might hurt her. While I was walking around another lady walked in after me and she got the royal treatment from the lady behind the counter. She was telling her history and places to go around Austin. I guess you can say I was a little bitter that I got no love like that. There is a little museum upstairs but it is not great. I think I added a few pictures of the creepy baby in the crib from the 1800's. I walked in here hoping to learn more history but walked away knowing less then when I walked in! read more

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This isn't a bakery, but an old former bakery. Now isn't an emporium where you can find handmade arts and crafts that range from jewelry to paintings. Everything handcrafted by senior citizens. It's located within eye sight of the Texas Capitol. I walked in on my stroll to visit the Capitol. Immediately I was welcomed by an older, sweet lady. She was the one who explained that everything was hand crafted by senior citizens... I'm sure it's true, she was way too nice to lie. Everything seemed reasonably priced, but I didn't buy anything, not that I didn't plan on it, there just wasn't anything that struck my fantsy. read more

Ahmm,there is nothing much here other than cute old ladies.This place used to be a bakery long time ago,i think it was 1876.And now there is no bakery but just two floors of stuff made my senior citizens. I do appreciate their work,but there is nothing i could buy.They had beaded chains,woolen clothing for kids and Christmas decorations in June??? I had to walk out in a few minutes. But i did hear that some couples get married in the balcony of that historic building ,such that they get the Capitol building as the background. There you go!! Something you guys might want to do in this place? or just go across the street and take the picture in the real capitol?? :D -Smriti read more

I want to like this place - really, I do. This restaurant and gift shop run out of a historic building right near the Capitol just oozes "old timey Austin." But it is So Not Me. Pretty much everything on the two large floors of merchandise looks like something that somebody's grandmother made at her retirement home arts & crafts session. I'm sorry that is so un-PC of me, but that's really the only way to explain it. Lots of cutesy crocheted stuff, very simple stained glass figurines, an assortment of paintings of windmills and bluebonnets, even sweatshirts with plaid hearts and stuff sewn on them. It gave me flashbacks to those garage sales where you pull up to the curb and instantly know there's no need to get out of the car. You know the ones. There's even a large room of Christmas stuff with a bent up, laser-printed paper sign out front that says, "Visit our year-round Christmas room!" There is also a little cafe in the back of the store. As I was walking back there, I made a little bet with myself that they sold pimento cheese sandwiches. Sure enough, there they were, right on the menu. It is pretty cheap - $3.70 for a sandwich and either a soup or a bag of chips - but I wasn't really brave enough to try it. They also had a homemade looking cake under a glass dome and some cookies on paper plates. Just like at grandma's. I think some people might like it for the nostalgia factor - perhaps it would remind them of spending time with their own grandma. But my grandma ran a Chinese laundry in Detroit and her idea of comfort food usually involved rice, not pimento cheese, so the nostalgia is kind of lost on me. I guess this place must be subsidized somehow by the City of Austin, because there is no way that they could sell enough here to pay the rent on this prime piece of real estate. I don't begrudge this little piece of old Austin their space, but I wouldn't really shop here, either. read more

A former bakery and store just steps from the capitol building in Austin I was fortunate to happedn upon Old Bakery and Emporium during the first days of a new juried exhibit, the prices too good to pass up resulting in another eclectic original piece for my collection. Largely featuring kitschy craft downstairs with the fine arts displayed on the second floor the prices at Old Bakery rival some of the spots in Asheville for original art and with a selective eye there are some great deals to be found. read more

The Old Bakery used to have a lovely lunch room but the friendly women at the front cdesk told me it has been closed for a couple of years. Still it was worth a visit to the calm atmosphere in this historic building. It is a nice respite from the busy city streets in front of the Capital Building. Hand crafted regional gifts from cards, clothing to photos and jewelry are available. An excellent place for souvenirs for the many international and national visitors. Access by Bus and car; parking. read more

There is only one problem with this place. It is only open Monday through Friday and the hours are 9:00 A.M.. to 5:00 P.M. which means unless I have a day off, I can't shop there. This has to hurt business as most productive members of society with money to spend usually work for a living. They no longer serve food at the Old Bakery and Emporium which was fine with me as I had just finished eating lunch (on a day off from work) with a friend at the Hickory Grille which is a few blocks away. Nothing in the shop, not one single thing, is mass produced. Everything is hand crafted and expertly crafted at that! The prices are extremely reasonable especially since the items display very impressive workmanship. Great place to buy gifts too. If you have ever gone shopping for a gift and just couldn't find anything appropriate for a friend or relative, I recommend popping into the Old Bakery and Emporium if you can possibly get there Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. read more

Don't let the name fool you. This is a little gem of a gift shop and art gallery with a lot of history in a neat old building to boot. It is run by by the City but volunteers over 50 years young provide the hand made gift goodies and the art. The folks are friendly, the prices are truly super and the building is worth a look. read more

The historic Old Bakery is becoming the best 'Emporium' in downtown Austin. The main floor is open with attractive with ever changing merchandise.. The children's department is bright and cheerful, the kids love to browse in there. The old oven on the mezzanine has kitchen things and clothing. The 3rd floor features a fabulous Art Gallery and History Center, is was previously the old living quarters. Featured artist exhibit on a monthly basis. Best prices in town, and the tourists could tell you a thing or two about how great this store is. Watch for more innovative things to come. read more

What a cute place to shop for gifts. Unique hand made items at really ridiculously low prices. I volunteer here but I also shop here. Great gifts for almost anyone and guaranteed they won't already have one just like it. read more