I grew up in Austin, and I’ve spent most of my life living here, watching as the city has really grown around me over the past several years. To say I love Austin is an understatement—the possibilities the city has to offer are endless, and there are always unforgettable experiences to be had. Each day promises a different adventure, whether it is a new restaurant, clothing boutique or just a secret corner of town waiting to be discovered.
Ross and I own our clothing business, and I still work full-time as an assistant buyer for a beauty product distributor, so weekends tend to be when we get to hang out and do most of our exploring. We usually start our Saturdays off by waking up late and taking our time, making the most of our morning. After a hearty breakfast, you can usually find us strolling around town, most likely on one of our favorite streets in Austin: South Congress.
We like to wander around together, getting lost and discovering all of Austin’s hidden gems. One of our personal favorites is the Mighty Cone—the Chicken Cone is to die for! After grabbing a bite to eat, we head to the shops, where the real treasure hunting begins. Each store is unique and has an ever-rotating assortment of clothes, gifts and antiques. Anything you are looking for you can probably find on SoCo. A few of our favorite stops include Kendra Scott, Maya Star, Tesoros, STAG and Allens Boots—because after all, we are in Texas!
After a tour of South Congress, the cravings kick in, and we make our way to the famous Big Top Candy Shop. We head straight to the back to peruse the bulk section, filling our plastic bags with an assortment of goodies. As we load up on our favorites, it is always fun to scope out all the random treats, like the bacon icing, the lollipop tree and the oversized taffy bars. We just have so much fun looking through the entire shop—we feel like kids again, swapping goodies with one another and sipping handmade cream soda from the soda fountain.
South Congress is most definitely the go-to spot if you want to get a taste of Austin in a day. From digging around thrift shops, to indulging in some of Austin’s best eats, South Congress really does have it all.

Ross and Erin Bennett co-own the Ross Bennett Collection, offering classic, timeless style for the modern day.