St. Elmo Public Market, originally intended as a culinary hotspot in Austin, will not materialize as planned. The location at 4329 South Congress Avenue has according to the Austin Eater, been sold to Ohio-based Rise Brands, with plans of transforming the area into an arcade-bar complex that includes a duckpin bowling alley.
The upcoming venue, housing Pins Mechanical and 16-Bit, is to include 24 duckpin bowling lanes, over 30 pinball machines, over 40 arcade games, four bars, a courtyard, and two mezzanines for private events. A representative for Rise Brands relayed, via Austin Eater, the statement "Austin aligns perfectly with the creative nature of the Pins brand." Construction is anticipated to begin this year with a 2024 target opening.
The property was recently acquired by real estate investment and development firm SomeraRoad, which intends to lease the space to the two entertainment establishments. Previously owned by real estate developer Maker Bros, the property was sold to SomeraRoad in November. "Sounds like a great concept," Andy Carnahan of Maker Bros remarked on the developments, adding, "happy to have them in the neighborhood."
St. Elmo Public Market was initially slated to host multiple high-profile Austin restaurants, but due to various setbacks, these plans largely fell through. A Community Impact report from May 2023 highlighted that seven restaurants had left the project, with only Salt & Time remaining.
Salt & Time's co-owner, Ben Runkle, had expressed hopes of continuing with the new owner when the venue was listed in July 2022. Today, Runkle mentioned to the Austin Eater, that the restaurant has yet to receive communication relating to the ownership change despite having two legally binding leases with the former owner of St. Elmo. He expects a clarification from the landlord shortly.
