BatBox: Receive Local Goodies in a Box Every Month

When my friend Amber announced she was starting a new company, Austin BatBox, I was confused by the product. But the more I knew what a “bat box” was, the cooler it sounded.

BatBox is a monthly subscription box service that delivers 4-5 curated collections of Austin made products every month for $25. “It’s putting Austin in a box,” owner Amber Golightly describes. “Whenever you hear the saying ‘you could put it in a bottle and sell it,’ that’s what I’m doing. I’m putting Austin in a box for people.”

The business is called BatBox in honor of the bats living under the Congress/Ann Richards Bridge, which is currently the world’s largest urban bat colony.

Every month, each box has its own surprise theme. July 2014’s theme is Austin American Summer. The BatBox I received included:

• Freebleeder’s album Disco Death Dance on CD
• Stubb’s barbecue sauce
• A coaster by Exit 82
• White blueberry tea by Zhi Tea
• A bar of Austin Natural Soap (Cowboy Soap)
• Gemagery Jewelry Earrings (if you’re a dude, consider this a standby gift just in case)

Each box costs $25, but will always have a value of double what it costs.

Although each month’s box is a surprise, you can always expect a fashion or art item, or something functional with a little bit of style. Each box also includes a CD from a local band. That’s awesome for me because I get overwhelmed trying to follow our local music scene (I’m a movie guy.)

Amber’s goal with BatBox is to create a platform that helps the local art scene, local business and local musicians to reach a broader audience. All the products in each box are from local Austin companies or artists.

Originally, Amber designed the box service for Austinites who moved away and and wanted a care package to remind them of home. However, since starting BatBox, she finds most people who order are living in Austin. They are typically people who are busy working or have kids and don’t have a lot of time to check out local bands or restaurants, or see what’s going on in Austin. BatBox helps them stay plugged into the local scene.

I personally really like BatBox for a variety of reasons. First of all, it provides me a gift to give someone. I don’t have to stress over finding the right gift or thinking about it because someone has made selections for me and shipped it straight to my home. Also, it opens my eyes to a lot of cool Austin products and businesses I didn’t know existed.

BatBox is an innovative product and a useful subscription service. The subscription service autorenews each month and you can cancel out any time. If you’re wanting to check out Austin businesses and products or have a care package delivered to your door, go to TheAustinBatBox.com and click on “Get Started.”

@ohnorobertluke asks:

What do you think of the BatBox concept?