A familiar Austin business is making its way to South Congress, with a Longhorn legend among its owners. According to public filings, 34 Wines and Spirits is getting ready to open its second Austin location at 3208 S. Congress Ave.
What Now Austin reached out to co-owner Aaron Godbolt, who confirmed that the standalone building is expected to open in early November. The project will bring a new flagship store to South Congress Avenue.
34 Wines and Spirits is an alcohol retailer offering a selection of local liquors and popular national brands. The store is also co-owned by former University of Texas running back and Longhorn legend Ricky Williams, whose involvement is behind the number “34” in the business’s name.
The business has operated its first location on Southwest Parkway for about 10 years. The South Congress store will mark an expansion for the company.
Beyond retail, the new location is intended to help the company grow its wholesale operation. 34 Wines and Spirits serves both major accounts and smaller local bars and restaurants, including businesses and event venues across the Austin area.
The retail portion will occupy one side of the building, while the other will function as a wholesale space for the company’s vans and trucks, which deliver to Austin bars, restaurants, and event centers.
“This is almost like opening two stores and a warehouse all in one,” Godbolt told What Now Austin. The location itself was a major factor in the company’s decision to expand to South Congress.
According to Godbolt, the area lacked a flagship wine and spirits store between Highway 71 and downtown, while South Congress also sees significant traffic from people leaving the city at the end of the workday. “It was just the perfect area,” he said.
For the surrounding community, Godbolt said the project will also bring new life to a property that he described as having been unoccupied for about seven years.
“We welcome everyone in. We want everyone’s opinions on what they want to have as their adult beverages and drinks, and we’ll make sure we provide it,” he told What Now Austin.
For more information, follow 34 Wines and Spirits on Instagram and Facebook.
