A new multi-vendor retail concept designed to give independent boutique owners and artisans their own space under one roof is heading to Northwest Austin. Austin Style Boutiques plans to open at 11416 N. FM 620, Unit J, within the Shops at Volente development in the Grandview Hills area. The opening is targeted for early August.
What Now Austin spoke to co-founders Mari House and Koda Johnson, who highlight the novelty of the uniqueness in Austin.
The concept is modeled after the shared retail space format — a large showroom divided into individual vendor booths where small business owners and independent designers can set up their own boutiques without the overhead of a standalone store.
The inaugural space will span approximately 2,500 square feet and feature around 60 vendor spaces, though some vendors may take two or three spots depending on their needs, according to co-founder Mari House.
House described the project as filling a void left by Painted Tree, a beloved Austin shared retail destination that offered a similar model at a much larger scale. “We are here to support the community that was left without work when it closed,” she said. While Austin Style Boutiques is launching on a smaller footprint, the team has plans to expand in the future.
The project has a strong community focus, with deep ties to Austin’s Hispanic community. House herself is part of a local women’s group in Austin, and said the concept is designed to be an inclusive platform for entrepreneurs, artists, and small business owners who need an accessible entry point into retail. “I hope this concept helps a lot of people,” she told What Now Austin.
