r/Austin • u/mag_safe • Aug 29 '26
PSA This was actually a nightmare. And no, nothing is “on sale”.
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u/Mexikinda Aug 29 '26
Forgive my Austin ignorance, but what is Scheel’s? What’s its appeal?
Genuine question for those in the know.
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u/bahn-bahn Aug 29 '26
It’s the Buccee’s of sporting goods stores
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u/wd_plantdaddy Aug 29 '26
But isn’t that bass pro, cabelas, AND dicks??
So confused as we have all of these and they all stock the same products as scheels62
u/onceagainwithstyle Aug 29 '26
From what I saw scheels has the normal stuff, plus all the stuff you'd get recommended by a specialty subreddit.
Its very clear that when they stocked their sections, they asked people who really knew those respective hobbies what to put out, and where to put them.
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u/LoveCareThinkDo Aug 30 '26
You have made NINE pro Scheels comments in this thread (at last count) all saying about the same thing. And it sounds as if it was all written by a marketing department. How much are they paying you? 😉
Now, I haven't been. And it may be as good as you say. I often say the same kinds of things about Micro Center. And even Menard's (although I don't like their business strategies and politics). Plus, I have gotten so sick of the fact that most Austin stores have reduced their selections to only the most profitable but lowest quality items. So maybe you are right.
Have you been to their other stores elsewhere. Are they all just as good? Or is it possible that they only have a great selection for their grand opening, and will reduce down to the current standard of mediocrity after a while?
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u/onceagainwithstyle Aug 30 '26
I have no idea. Ive never been in ome before.
I can say I found an item I have been looking for for a couple years, and saw a slot of stuff I've only ever seen on YouTube.
But yeah, maybe they will ramp down.
As for 9 comments, noone reads the whole thread. There was a lot of negativity, so I wanted to weigh in that I actually had a really good time. I guess im the target demographic, but combining an rei, cabellas, and academy is right up my alley
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u/Primary_Trash1585 Aug 30 '26
No. Bass Pro and Cabelas don't carry sporting goods like team sports and golf, and Academy is a lower tier than Scheels. And as was said, Dicks doesn't carry guns and hunting. If you took Dick's, REI and Cabelas and put them together, you'd have something like Scheels. It's big.
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u/Sertorius126 Aug 29 '26
uh huh and WHAT item is worthy of getting on opening day? 😅
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u/WhereRandomThingsAre Aug 29 '26
Influencer points. Think of the views. (/s /jk)
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u/BobbyBudnicksDad Aug 30 '26
It’s Texas, everything else is such total shit that waiting to enter a sporting goods store is an activity people partake in. It’s hilarious there’s a new Buc-ee’s-style cult retail store and Texans are already lining up lol. Cultural wasteland
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u/Capable_Wait09 Aug 29 '26
They have brisket sandwiches?
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u/Fantastic_Meet9381 Aug 30 '26
I think you’re confusing them with Costco. Perfectly understandable mistake.
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u/ATXBeermaker Aug 29 '26
There are already several large sporting goods stores. How is this one any different?
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u/zylpher Aug 29 '26
They are employee owned. The one outside Reno is usually cheaper than Bass Pro. Has better variety than Sportsmans Warehouse. The employees actually ask if you need help when you are standing in front of a case.
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u/onceagainwithstyle Aug 29 '26
Its just.... better?
For one thing, for the parts of the store I was looking at, they had really good shit. Most sporting goods stores have the same generic optics. Scheels had the stuff you would be recommended in a reddit comment in a special interest subreddit.
Also, its extremely varied. They had high end hunting clothes, and arcteryx, and Patagonia, and their own brands.
Lots and lots of variety, high quality options.
It also has a whole lot of stuff that's fun for the whole family. Like a candy shop, bowling, arcade machines, Legos, Pokémon cards, perfume. Good variety of stuff for ladies.
I could see being a dad, and wanting to to look at golf clubs or a crossbow, or a new hiking jacket, or whatever, and bringing along the whole family. Everybody would have a good time. Good luck with that at dicks, cabellas, REI, etc.
There's a coffee shop. There's a "sweet treats" snack shop. There's a candy store. Its kinda like the best parts of an REI, a Dicks, and a cabellas, plus the fun nonsense from a mall.
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u/Available-Mud-7198 Aug 30 '26
Are you an investor in this location? You pitch it quite well!
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u/onceagainwithstyle Aug 30 '26
Nah I just had a fun time checking it out with some friends.
Im also the guy who shops at Bass pro, academy, dicks, and REI for various things.
A store that combines all of that and does better in some ways than some of them is a big win for me.
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u/Annodyne Aug 30 '26
Found the Scheel's shill! LOL
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u/onceagainwithstyle Aug 30 '26
Idk man I just went with friends, had a good time, and enjoy outdoor shit.
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u/ponkyball Aug 30 '26
Thanks, I will never take my kids there. Sounds like a "something for everyone just to give your money away when you don't really need the item" type store. That's cool for those who like that kind of thing!
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u/Paxsimius Aug 29 '26
Then I would believe the crowd. The new Buccee's just north of San Marcos was crazy insane mobbed on its opening day.
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u/voodoo_mama_juju1123 Aug 29 '26
Also on the same boat never heard of it before today
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u/Uber-Rich Aug 29 '26
Pretty much a Dick’s but also similar to Tyler’s, only worth going to if they carry exactly what you want and need it in person (inventory status available online)
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u/SteamboatMcGee Aug 29 '26
It's a midwestern sporting goods store, like a Bass Pro or Dicks kind of.
They're fine stores, very big so if you need something in that kind of store they probably have it, but it's still just a big store, no idea why anyone would rush to a super crowded day there.
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u/pansy_dragoon Aug 29 '26
They're also employee owned, so that's kinda cool
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u/palmburntblue Aug 29 '26
They’re also very Republican.
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u/diablette Aug 30 '26
Is there an outdoorsy store that isn't? I don't get it, Democrats like going outside too.
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u/mag_safe Aug 30 '26
I’ve always felt like the “blue” outdoorsy store is REI and the “red” outdoorsy store was Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s.
Scheel’s and Dick’s, to me, feels moderate.
(Not basing this on science or facts)
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u/axbycz0 Aug 29 '26
Seems like a hick REI
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u/DrSpaceman575 Aug 29 '26
From another perspective it’s like a bougie Bass Pro Shops
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u/Couscousfan07 Aug 29 '26
I thought that was Cabela’s spot ?
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u/erhatx Aug 29 '26
Bass pro and Cabela’s = same owner and identical merch from the same supply chain.
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u/LXsavior Aug 29 '26
Massive sports/sporting good type store.
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u/factorplayer Aug 29 '26
Do we not already have Academy?
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u/LXsavior Aug 29 '26
Seems much closer to something like a Bass Pro/Cabelas type of scale. They have a ferris wheel and some other attractions in store.
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u/SaltyLonghorn Aug 29 '26
Every time I check any sporting good store they're more expensive with less selection than Amazon or buying direct from manufacturers. I'll never get it.
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u/Conscious-Radio-7860 Aug 29 '26
Scheels matches prices every time…online stores, even Amazon, included. So, if you want a local place to see/try/buy, and return, Scheels is THE store. I was there at 7:30a, got free: 3breakfast tacos, 2 iced coffees, 3 hats a Tshirt and a canvass tote. Noticed several items marked 20-50% off. I’m guessing there were 25,000 people there…was crazy
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u/mouse_8b Aug 29 '26
they're more expensive with less selection than Amazon
That's true for every retail store. The premium is on the experience.
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u/AffectionateFig5435 Aug 29 '26
Yeah but I can actually afford to buy stuff @ Academy. LOL
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u/factorplayer Aug 29 '26
In this climate pretty much my entire wardrobe comes from Academy.
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u/HermitWilson Aug 30 '26
I still have a German army jacket I bought at Academy back when it was an army surplus store.
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u/CandidChallenge5947 Aug 29 '26
Academy doesn't have an indoor ferris wheel. 🤷♀️
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u/jbirdkerr Aug 29 '26
There's also a Dick's in the shopping center right across the street from this place.
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u/reddit-commenter-89 Aug 29 '26
Academy and Dick’s do not have nearly the amount of brands, products, etc that a Bass Pro or this type of store have in regards to fishing, hunting, camping, etc.
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u/Medicmanii Aug 29 '26
The hell did you expect on opening day?
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u/owa00 Aug 29 '26
Seriously, this isn't chick-fil-a where you get a years worth of chicken to the first few people. It's basic knowledge you don't go to ANY big box store grand openings. It's always a shit show.
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u/tiffy68 Aug 29 '26
People camped out to be the first to get in. Why?!
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u/Quick-Service Aug 29 '26
Consumerism
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u/pjs32000 Aug 29 '26
I am a consumer whore. And how!
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u/joohunter420 Aug 29 '26
I am a banana!
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u/FreedomOfTheMess Aug 29 '26
Rampant conspicuous consumption. The kind of person who thinks buying shit is a hobby, resellers, families of ten that have never heard of disciplining their children but will buy them toys to stop the screaming. It takes all kinds
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u/similar_sidekick Aug 29 '26
Used to live in CO, Scheels has a crazy dedicated customer base. I personally never found the prices to be drastically different from similar competition (bass pro, dicks, etc). I know they do occasionally have sales, and I can personally attest that their customer service was pleasant to deal with, but I think it’s the atmosphere/spectacle of it all that results in them having a buc-ees level fanbase.
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u/Legitimate-Lock-6594 Aug 29 '26
God. They had a run club with free tours. I assume they had plenty of opportunities to get in early to see it/tour it/get in.
I was asked by several people “if I was going” and I was like “from central Austin on a Thursday night? Fuck no.”
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u/Detox64 Aug 29 '26
No kidding. If there wasn't anything special for the first few folks then why bother. Especially for Scheels which like more expensive than most retail places anyway for the same stuff.
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u/Watcher145 Aug 29 '26
Some consumers remember the days when big store openings actually were awesome. Discounts, famous athletes etc. sadly everything is enshittified and we all hate it.
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u/diablette Aug 30 '26
Micro Center keeps advertising a free 128GB flash drive, but it sounds like you'll have several days to claim it after they open.
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u/BoredSam Aug 29 '26
I agree and understand. Cya opening day at MicroCenter!!
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u/meltdown_popcorn Aug 29 '26
Everyone has a price. See you there don't buy my RAM
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u/sneakylumpia Aug 29 '26
i hate this because i'll be there
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u/Secret_Woodworker Aug 30 '26
First 50 did get some sort of swag bag and free pizza. And they were giving away gift cards every 20 minutes all day, at least per the website. Didn’t go but once the new wears off scheels is a great store good stuff and is 100% employee owned which is always cool.
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u/OSBTAdmin Aug 29 '26
I wonder if Microcenter is going to be better or worse.
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u/huldress Aug 30 '26
If 10,000 people show up to Microcenter, I won't even show up for the late afternoon and I really just wanted a free flashdrive and a good deal on a keyboard 😂
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u/OSBTAdmin Aug 30 '26
😂 I signed up for the free flash drive too but on second thought, after seeing this mess I don’t even know what I’d do with a flash drive. Not worth it.
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u/makedaddyfart Aug 30 '26
What an awful time to open a Microcenter, with the consumer pc space spending being throttled by the trillion dollar AI bubble
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u/No_Fail_2575 Aug 29 '26
Oh good… it’s finally open.. now the ad blitz will finally fucking end.
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u/thefarkinator Aug 29 '26
I didn't even know Scheels existed was before I started getting spammed by YouTube ads about it. The ads didn't even explain what it was, but I gather it's kinda like Bass Pro Shop? Not my cup of tea even on a day that isn't grand opening
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u/Negative_Bee9399 Aug 29 '26
Sheels is still “employee owned” and not private equity so i would choose it over bass pro just for that reason. No way in hell on opening day though… i’ll check it out in a few weeks
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u/AffectionateFig5435 Aug 29 '26
Bass Pro Shops has a restaurant, bar, and bowling alley. Scheels has a ferris wheel. IMO Bass wins!
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u/mag_safe Aug 29 '26
There’s a restaurant, coffee shop, and a place to get blue bell inside fwiw lol.
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u/eros-moon Aug 29 '26
I went to this and it was quite an experience. They lost my sale simply because I estimated the checkout line was going to take 1-2 hours to get through. Saw this guy though:
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u/-Olive-Juice- Aug 29 '26
Wow... I can't imagine how a contrived celebration of consumerism would be anything other than completely magical!
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u/Suspicious_Dawg Aug 30 '26
Not trying to judge folks….but who sees going to a big box retailer opening as a fun activity.
What’s the appeal?
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u/mwfaith Aug 30 '26
I've never heard of Scheels. Went to google, and found it's a sporting goods store? Why the fuck are people lining up to get into a sporting goods store?
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u/ohohohmysteriousgurl Aug 29 '26
Hopefully now I won’t be getting constant ads for this damn place when I’m trying to watch tv
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u/muddydriftwood Aug 29 '26
Sweet. For you non northern folk. Think of scheels as the northern academy. They have much better prices than bass pro and cabelas and much more instore branding than academy
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u/LeighToss Aug 30 '26
Why TF does anyone go to a grand opening expecting an easy time?
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u/Sparkadelic007 Aug 30 '26
Could have just stopped here:
"Why TF does anyone go to a grand opening"
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u/that-country-girl Aug 30 '26
Idk what this is, but did they advertise a sale?
Specifically asking because I’m tired of people coming into my place of work and assuming we’re going to give them some sort of deal because they “came all this way”.
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u/zaddy-chillout Aug 30 '26
I had a guy try and block me from going to an empty check out lane at Walmart today. It was actually rather dead today. He wasn't even ready, and rushed and parked his shopping cart in front of me and my son, then walked away. We walked around and checked out before him. You wouldn't catch me dead at a grand opening of a store in Austin because of how stupid people act in empty stores.
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u/SouthSide-45 Aug 29 '26
Lol. I'm surprised that people still show up to stuff like this.
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u/GettinWiggyWiddit Aug 29 '26
Is this significantly better than a Dicks Sporting Goods? Have never been to a Scheels
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u/beverlyh1llb1ll1es Aug 29 '26
Ha, I may be wrong, but Academy Sports is Walmart, Dick's is Macy's, and Scheels is Nordstroms...
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u/heyzeus1865 Aug 29 '26
Imagine being stupid enough to go to this thing and then be even stupider to come here and complain about it
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u/elibusta Aug 29 '26 edited Aug 30 '26
Man it's always surprising to me the things people give fuck about. All this for sporting goods store in Cedar Park? This is just stupid as the folks all excited for the new Bucces in San Marcos.
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u/Hayduke_2030 Aug 29 '26
I saw tons ads for this joint on YouTube, and I swear they played like an Avengers movie trailer.
It was weird.
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u/TomatilloForsaken533 Aug 30 '26
Is this what people actually get excited about? Sad. It’s another store that we don’t need.
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u/Weekend_Criminal Aug 29 '26
I love scheels, its really the only store I've missed since moving to Texas from Kansas city 4 years ago.
I was so excited to go this morning, I've been counting the days.
I got to 183 & New Hope and just turned and went back home. I'll go when the hype dies off.
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u/Emergency-Option377 Aug 29 '26
I frequent the on up here in DFW a couple of times a year. I love it. Best thing to ever come out of Kansas since shelled sunflower seeds.
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u/rhcmlc Aug 29 '26
Like cattle waiting for a meal. That's an easy no. Whatever is in there will still be there a month from now.
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u/BassetHoundDawg Aug 29 '26
Love Scheels. But yeah, a grand opening event seems like a hard pass. Will check it out in a few weeks.
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u/momof_2 Aug 30 '26
Dumb question, I know, but is the ferris wheel decorative or can you actually ride it?
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u/Uncle-Salty-325 Aug 29 '26
Probably the highest priced sporting goods store that has ever existed. Here is the hack. Search online for what you want and the price you want. Then go to Scheels and physically look at the product. Hold it. Feel it. Make sure it meets what you want. Right there, on your phone, buy the cheaper product online and also get free shipping hopefully. Walk out with a smile. Use them. Don't get taken advantage by them
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u/mag_safe Aug 29 '26
They actually price match anything online. So fwiw, you can get the product same day by buying in store.
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u/Electrik_Truk Aug 29 '26
Watch out. A few people here will freak out that this isn't ackshully in Austin 😄
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u/OldDaikon2248 Aug 29 '26
My husband and I refuse to go out of pure spite, since so much good land that was home to a lot of animals was destroyed for it.
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Aug 29 '26
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u/atxer Aug 29 '26
Really? CP is one of the nicest suburbs you will see in Texas.
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u/Super-Cut-2175 Aug 29 '26 edited Aug 30 '26
Extremely easy to avoid