Amidst the bustling transformation of South Lamar Boulevard stands a stone structure that has served the community with more than just a caffeine fix. Patika, a beloved South Austin coffee shop, is set to pour its final cup on October 20. This local institution, which has perched on the corner of Lamar Boulevard and Kinney Road for a decade, will permanently close its doors, ending its tenure as a neighborhood staple for laptop warriors and brunch enthusiasts alike.
Co-owners Andy Wigginton and Nick Krupa have decided not to renew their 10-year lease due to a concoction of rising rent, disruptive construction from the South Lamar Corridor Project, and the harsh economic climate that made this summer an arduous one for the business, and according to a statement obtained by Austin American-Statesman, the financial feasibility of maintaining the location was not in the cards. "It’s definitely hard," Wigginton conveyed, expressing the emotional weight of the closure, but emphasizing the decision's financial impetus.
The South Lamar cafe, known for its well-curated coffee, food offerings prepared in a quaint breakfast trailer, and house-made pastries, has been a local favorite since its doors opened in 2014. Patika first manifested as a food truck in downtown Austin in 2010 and then transitioned to a brick-and-mortar location, eventually expanding its reach back to downtown with a lobby cafe inside 100 Congress Avenue still in operation today. According to Eater, the summer's downfall coupled with looming economic pressures confirmed the owner's decision to close.
Patika isn't the area's only casualty to the incessant march of urban development and its accompanying challenges, as Irie Bean also shuttered just a block away on Lamar Boulevard in the previous year, although it was later replaced. With the dust nowhere near settled on the corridor construction, other local businesses may find themselves making similarly tough decisions in the future. While Patika’s downtown location perseveres, the loss of its South Lamar presence will be deeply felt by the community it served so faithfully.
Committed to both the coffee and the people it served, the Patika owners are parting with a sense of gratitude for the experiences forged and friendships made, a sentiment Wigginton shared with the Austin American-Statesman. While regulars may find solace at the 100 Congress Avenue cafe or procure Superthing Coffee through online and retail avenues, the conclusion of Patika's South Lamar chapter marks a shift in the South Austin coffee landscape that will no doubt brew a longing for the community haven it once was.
