The iconic Stars Café, also known by many Austinites as "Star Seeds," has made the announcement that it will shut its doors at the historic location on East 31st Street on November 10th. This move comes as a result of the contentious plans for the expansion of Interstate 35, a project that has been the subject of much debate and dissent among residents and businesses.
According to KXAN, the café has been serving the community for 58 years and has become more than just an eatery. It's a locale embedded with history as "a gathering spot of the amazing and the not so amazing, a haven for friends and families and mortal enemies, and a backdrop for countless memories and ‘I can’t believe that happened’ times." The café's social media post paid homage to these years, promising that they will "look forward to creating new memories with you in our new home." The expansion is expected to impact over 100 other businesses and residences, as previously reported by KXAN.
KVUE has highlighted the struggles faced by local establishments due to the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) I-35 expansion project, which has generated not just lawsuits but also active resistance from organizations like Rethink35. In a statement acquired by KVUE from Miriam Schoenfield, a board member of the group, the sentiment is grim: "Every one of these businesses has a story. Every one that we lose is a tragedy, so this is not the way forward. This is the way backwards."
With the historical significance and community ties at heart, long-time patrons like Juan Sanchez expressed a mix of resilience and nostalgia, "It's always been that place where it's like, 'Oh, it's 12:00. Where do you wanna go? Oh, let's go to Star Seeds." He told KVUE about the inevitability of change in a dynamic city like Austin, though the emotion of losing a beloved spot is palpable. Despite the controversy, TxDOT plans to proceed with the construction of the university segment, where Stars Café currently sits, which is scheduled to start in 2027.
Stars Café's upcoming closure signifies the end of a long chapter for the local stalwart, the staff and its loyal customers are preparing for their farewell to the I-35 location. They are committing to serve "one last pancake or one last cup of coffee or one last chicken fried steak", according to their social media as cited by KVUE, patrons can savor these final moments up to November 10th. As for the future beyond their eminent relocation, details remain to be unveiled after the closure date.
