Half store/half
museum: A vintage
Coors rodeo barrel
and a photo of a
Yeti-branded
cowboy are all part
of the interactive
experience at the
cooler company's
new flagship.
THE COOL
FACTOR
YETI KEEPS IT FRESH AT
ITS NEW FLAGSHIP STORE
AND EVENT SPACE.
It's a space befitting one of
Austin's coolest companies
(literally). Yeti, the hip maker of
premium coolers, opened its
8,000-square-foot flagship in
late February on a prime corner
just south of the Ann Richards
Congress Avenue Bridge.
It's more than a storeāit's an
event space (with live music), a
place to have a drink at the
"Barrr" (the "a" in the sign goes
out periodically), and a tribute
to the spirit of innovation, with
installations including Aaron
Franklin's original backyard
barbecue pit. Austin branding
agency McGarrah Jessee
commissioned local neon artist
Evan Voyles to create three
playful signs, and 11,000 beer
bottle caps come together to
form the Texas flag.
Says Yeti CEO Matt
Reintjes: "It's a gathering spot
for locals and out-of-towners
to enjoy a cold beer, listen to
music, watch a film, or learn
from a pro." And you can
customize your cooler while
you're at it. 220 S. Congress
Ave.,
512-640-7249; yeti.com
AUSTINWAY.COM 81
SCENE
SOURCE:
The
WHERE TO EAT, DRINK, AND PL A Y IN AUSTIN...