An Austin, Texas Original Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary: Austin Gift Company Community Appreciation Bash, Saturday October 24, 2015

AUSTIN, Texas - Oct. 7, 2015 - PRLog -- In the Fall of 2000, husband and wife team Mike and Cindy Lopez didn’t think they were creating an Austin Institution. “We had no idea what we were doing, but we knew Austin had a need for showcasing local artisans year-round,” said Mike Lopez. The couple loved locally sourced arts, crafts and gifts they found when shopping in the Texas Hill Country towns of Fredericksburg and Wimberley, and they wanted to make them available in Austin. “We opened our own place and crossed our fingers,” he elaborated. The couple’s aspirations paid off: since opening, Austin Gift Company has become the largest locally-and-family-owned gift store and tourist shopping destination in Austin. And the Lopez’s are giving back to the community the store embodies.

In the 15 years since opening, Mike and Cindy have fine-tuned their offerings with vendor booths that stock original creations by local arts & crafts designers and carefully curated items from suppliers around the world. The store features nearly everything imaginable in the motifs of Austin-and-Texas-themed swag, including University of Texas and Texas sports collectables and gifts. The store’s offerings cover all aspects of Texas living, from decorations to cooking, health & beauty to apparel – and of course, “Keep Austin Weird” t-shirts.

Fifteen years after launching their experiment, Austin Gift Company is a proud contributor to the Austin Experience, and a must-visit for gift shoppers, tourists, and locals alike. “We like to joke that we’ve been here since the turn-of-the-century,” said Cindy Lopez, adding, “Our slogan is ‘If You Don’t Need It, We’ve Probably Got It.’” The couple is celebrating their good fortune by giving back to needy Austinites, assembling a daylong celebration on Saturday, October 24^th, which will benefit Coats For Kids. The “Day of Austin Appreciation” will feature live local music, comedy, games, prizes, food and beverages from local companies, and a charity coat drive for Coats For Kids, which benefits low-income families in the Austin area.

To commemorate the 15^th anniversary, gifts and prizes will be given out 15 minutes after each hour all day. Enjoy food samplings from local restaurants, Austin Variety Show’s “Kiddo Game Show”, music by Austin’s Troy Dillinger, Ashley Monical (playing selections from her new CD “Facing The Shadow”), and more, TBA.

Admission is free, and all are invited to attend this family-friendly event.

EVENT INFORMATION:

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2015

Hours: 10am – 9pm

Location: 4211 S. Lamar #A19,  Austin, TX 78704

Phone: (512) 326-9460

Email: austingiftcompany@austin.rr.com

Website:  http://AustinGiftCompany.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/austingiftco

Instagram: http://instagram.com/austin_gift_company