AFS Cinema shows independent and themed films at The Linc in North Austin (Credit: AFS Cinema)
If you need a break from tracking down a charged scooter, then soothe your frazzled nerves with an outing to The LINC. The LINC is a one-stop entertainment destination in a former outdoor shopping center (read: it has parking). This north Austin venue offers plenty of fun with one turn of the ignition or a rideshare trip.
Long ago, Austinites flocked to a place known as Lincoln Village to get outfitted for prom or do a quick workout. Times changed, and Lincoln Village emptied out, save for a few holdouts like FedEx and Men’s Warehouse that are still there today.
But in 2013, Misuma Holdings bought the property with the intention of giving Austin businesses a place to expand, especially given other redevelopment in the area.
The LINC shopping and entertainment center
Five years in and The LINC is now a reliable place to experience a variety of local flavor. If you’re new to the area, we’re here to make your first visit easy by mapping out ideas for a leisurely, Austin-focused few hours at The LINC.
Trip 1: Get Creative
Lima Criolla
Lima Criolla serves Peruvian food at The LINC
Before you start your LINC day, you need to fuel up with a hearty meal. For that, you can’t go wrong with Lima Criolla. Lima Criolla is a Peruvian restaurant that relocated to TThe LINC from the former Highland Mall.
As one of few places serving non-Mexican Latin food in Austin, Lima Criolla will help you get creative with your food rotation. Serving hearty meat dishes, rich food, and a side of something starchy, this local restaurant will serve you well for the rest of your LINC adventure.
For specific recommendations, check out The Austinot’s Lima Criolla review.
6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Suite #1550 – Website
Austin Creative Reuse
Crafting supplies at Austin Creative Reuse
With your stomach full and your creative juices flowing, head around the corner to Austin Creative Reuse where you can let your inner artist loose. Austin Creative Reuse is a nonprofit that runs this store to promote conservation and reuse.
The organization accepts donations of abandoned craft materials, and items that can be reused or upcycled into new creations. The team then sells donations, so you can make your creative visions come true.
Need 200 brown containers to construct a massive dinosaur for your front yard? Head to Austin Creative Reuse. Need a new-to-you pencil (or 20) to write your novel? This is the place.
If you need ideas for your project, visit the store’s Pinterest or attend a workshop.
6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Suite #1801 – Facebook
My Salon Suite/Big Joy’s Wigs Beauty Supply
Give your hair a creative hue (Credit: Iana Wi/freakflag by iana)
If your crafting abilities don’t live up to your expectations, or you’re just ready to BE the art, then head over to My Salon Suite. Independent beauty professionals rent space to serve their clients, with stylists, barbers, and makeup and lash professionals all available.
Maybe visit Jess Braids for a new hair-do (Suite #106) or freakflag by iana (Suite #107) who will give your hair (or Halloween wig) a cut and creative hue.
If this was a spur of the moment decision and you need hair or a wig for your venture, then head to Big Joy’s Wigs Beauty Supply (Suite #2700), where you’ll find the items you need.
6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Road – Website
Trip 2: Let the Good Times Roll
AFS Cinema/Austin Film Society
Credit: Ellen Bruxvoort
For this trip, start at AFS Cinema and buy a ticket for a show that night. The LINC is home to Austin Film Society, which not only has a movie theater showing independent and themed movies, full bar, and comfortable lobby to visit with friends, but is also a nonprofit that supports local and future filmmaking talent through education and showcases.
Aside from the feel-good vibes of supporting this nonprofit, the movies and screenings are just plain fun. For example, this past weekend, AFS Cinema screened films all related to cats. So fitting since the space–formerly The Marchesa Theater–was once home to the world-famous Acro-Cats show!
6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Suite #3100 – Website
Vivo
We recommend Vivo’s puffy tacos
With your ticket in hand, congratulate yourself on a great film choice by heading to Vivo for pre-movie food and drink. Vivo was one of the first businesses to move to The LINC, after a long time as an underrated Tex-Mex favorite on Manor Road.
While many items on the menu won’t be a surprise in Austin, be sure to try the puffy tacos. Happy hour lasts until 7 p.m., making this an ideal post-work destination. Monday brunch is also available, for those times when you aren’t ready for the weekend to end.
6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Suite #2343 – Website
Pluckers
Pluckers first Austin location in 10 years at The LINC
After you’ve finished your movie, head around the corner to another hometown hero, Pluckers. Pluckers opened a location at The LINC in May 2018, the first new Austin location in 10 years.
This Pluckers is the cool younger brother of the other locations, with a large outdoor patio where you can sit with a drink, and calculate how much gas and mental energy you saved by heading to The LINC.
6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Suite #2949 – Website
Trip 3: Travel to the Future (Coming Soon)
Easy Tiger
Soak in the outdoors at Easy Tiger’s latest location at The Linc (Credit: Easy Tiger)
The LINC will soon be home to two new restaurants. The first is the latest outpost of Easy Tiger. This will diversify The LINC’s offerings even more, with the addition of a drive-through coffee bar, live music, and baking classes. This location of Easy Tiger is currently set to open at the end of November 2018.
Update: Easy Tiger’s grand opening is Dec. 8, 2018! Bake Shop hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Beer Garden hours will be 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The following day, Dec. 9, the Bake Shop will be open 7 a.m. to midnight and Beer Garden from 11 a.m. to midnight. In the coming weeks (date TBD), Easy Tiger will start offering weekend brunch and open the drive-thru.
6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Suite #1100 – Website
Tio Pepe
Tio Pepe Chicken will open soon at The LINC
The second upcoming restaurant is a new offering that follows the Portuguese tradition of chicken served with a selection of Peri-Peri sauces. Tio Pepe projects its opening for Nov. 2, 2018.
6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd, Suite #2510 – Website
From these trip ideas, you’ll see there are several fun combinations to be had. On The Austinot’s scouting trip, we encountered women making headpieces, a reunion of old friends, a family grabbing lunch before a movie, and several football-focused groups. Said differently, multiple versions of a classic Austin weekend were happening, all within a few paces of each other. See you there!
@theAustinot wants to know:
How would you spent your day at The LINC?
Camellia “AuntieCam” Falcon is a financial consultant by day and “half-native” Austinite at all other times. She can be found dancing, biking, and spoiling her littles around Austin, or asking herself tough questions at Auntiecam.com.
