Austin360 blogs > Dale's Table > Archives > 2007 > October > 30 > Entry
Frisco finds new home
The Frisco Shop, operating near the corner of Koenig Lane and Burnet Road for the past 54 years, will be moving a few blocks away in 2008 — to the Burnet Road location that was operated by Curra’s until it closed on Sunday.
Julia Akin, co-owner of Frisco, said the restaurant should open in February under a new management and ownership agreement with restaurateur and radio personality Bob Cole and his business partner Stan Miller. Akin said the Frisco is nearing completion of a deal for the former Curra’s space involving a longterm lease of at least 20 years.
“It’s a recipe for success,” she said.
According to Akin, the current staff of the Frisco will simply pick up and move to the new location. “Staff is absolutely key,” she said. “They mean an awful lot to us, and they’re coming with us.”
The restaurant is being forced to move because Walgreen’s has purchased the site and intends to build a drugstore there.
Cole said he is excited to be working with the Akin family at the Frisco. He also kept longtime family owners involved in the other two restaurants he took over: Hill’s Cafe and the Tavern.
“Significant lifetime memories are made and forged at places like these, and have been for a century,” Cole said. “While chain restaurants offer convenience and consistency, that special identity that makes Austin unique — and its citizens passionate about living here — can be found in only a handful of places these days. As one of those heritage/traditionalist guys, it’s an honor and, frankly, a no-brainer for me to get involved.”
Curra’s, according to a mailing from the restaurant, is searching for a new midtown location that has a bigger kitchen to accommodate the restaurant’s growing catering business.
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By Count Snarkula
November 12, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
There is only one Frisco Shop and there has always only been one. There was a Night Hawk on the Drag right at Guadalupe and 19th (now MLK Blvd). There was one over on 290 that is now Texas Land and Cattle, and there was one downtown behind the Embassy Suites at Congress and Riverside.
By Marcus
November 2, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Glad to see the Frisco is staying open. My grandmother used to take me to eat at the one on the drag. Betcha can’t tell me where it was. Thanks Bob and Stan. The Tavern’s my favorite.
By ChristineR
October 31, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Dale, do you or your readers know if there any restaurants open in the Hill Country Galleria as of yet?