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ByGeorge to Close South Congress Location After 18 Years

Austin luxury fashion boutique to close South Congress store and teases plans for a new retail venture in Central Austin

ByGeorge
ByGeorge (Photo by Clay Grier)

One of Austin’s most well-known independent fashion boutiques, ByGeorge, is closing its South Congress location after nearly two decades. The upscale shop, known for its curated selection of luxury fashion and Texan designers, announced that its final day of business on South Congress will be Sunday, Feb. 23.

“After 18 incredible years, ByGeorge South Congress will officially close its doors at 5 p.m. on Sunday,” the boutique shared in an Instagram post. “The relationships built and memories shared have made this location truly special.”

While bidding farewell to its South Congress outpost, ByGeorge will continue to serve customers at its North Lamar store, which remains open at 524 N. Lamar Blvd. The boutique also teased a new retail venture. In the Instagram post, they stated, “We are involved in an exciting new retail project coming soon to central Austin. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months, and continue following us on Instagram for the latest news and updates.”

ByGeorge North Lamar
ByGeorge North Lamar. (Photo by Clay Grier)

Founded in 1979, ByGeorge has long been a fixture in Austin’s fashion scene, offering a mix of timeless luxury pieces from designers like Loewe, Ganni, Jacquemus, and The Row, alongside Texan brands such as Nak Armstrong, High Sport, and Vada. Once helmed by Katie Culmo and her husband, Matthew, the boutique is now owned by MML Hospitality’s Larry McGuire. In 2019, McGuire appointed Molly Nutter as president, leveraging her experience from Celine and Barneys New York to continue shaping ByGeorge’s retail presence.

The closure of ByGeorge South Congress follows a broader trend of independent shops shuttering along the avenue in recent years. In 2023, long-standing businesses like Mi Casa, The Good Company, and Sunroom closed their doors. In December, Maya Star, a nearly 30-year staple, also shut down, with high-end bootmaker Lucchese taking over the space. Once a hub of unique local shops, South Congress has increasingly seen its landscape shift, with boutique closures making way for national and luxury chain retailers.

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