A Handshake & A Smile.
Austin’s ever evolving cultural landscape.
This city has long been a sanctuary for artists, dreamers, do-it-yourselfers, and those who don’t mind a hello from a stranger. Before boutique hotels and bottle service, it was blues guitar, cold beer, and tough Texan women. I should know, I was raised by one.
When we are talking about a cities culture, there is only a small percentage that is really tangible, the majority of it is fleeting, it’s hard to pin down and usually can’t be definitively pointed at until it becomes a recognized part of history. History ends up as a dusty photo on a wall in some bar, where the occasional passerby looks at it, and wonders how different times must have been “back then”. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could recognize these photographable moments in real time and realize it may not have been that different after all? What if we took a moment to look at the person next to us, possibly a stranger, and say, “one day, this will be talked about”.
I believe that should be the standard for every business and every experience we create. Let’s talk about it.
Despite Austin’s rapid growth, the arrival of big tech, towering skyscrapers, and more concrete than ever, I believe its spirit remains, at its core, a very simple place. I often refer to it as a handshake-and-a-smile kind of town. This town is built on real moments, not just business deals or networking events. Authenticity still matters here. Our mission is to bring that spirit back into the spotlight, one handshake at a time.
I hear people say all the time, “Old Austin is gone”, and I couldn’t disagree more. I see it lying dormant, neglected, maybe parts of it forgotten or unknown to those arriving here. I see bars, service workers, artists, and creatives struggling to get by. Hospitality concepts unsure if they’ll make it through their first year.
At the same time, I see people questioning whether their money is well spent, unimpressed with the attitude of the crowd or the quality of service. There are very alive, young, talented people in our city wondering if there is any value in going out at all. That is not only a problem, it is an opportunity. We are social creatures, and it is important that we have an outlet that matches that frequency. If we’re not satisfied with the current state of things, it’s time to acknowledge our frustrations and play a role in setting a new standard. One that we can be proud of and if done correctly, one that will leave an impression long after we’re gone.
But if we want to be remembered, it’s up to us to write that story.
For starters, let’s acknowledge a couple things:
Austin has changed, but its spirit is not gone.
Our culture needs to be redefined, but we are not cultureless.
Austin is about being in the moment, soaking in the art, the sun, the music, the stories, and the people who make this city unlike any other. It’s chatting with a stranger on the towel next to you at Barton Springs but forgetting to ask their name. It’s wandering into a random bar at 1AM and realizing there isn’t a stranger in sight.
Our goal is to ensure that the next generation of Austinites, whether you were born here or are a transplant, gets to feel that magic. How much more exciting does that sound than all of the same played out narratives we hear coming out of peoples mouths time and time again? Can we all agree that we just want to be better humans and have a good time? Our insecurities and made up hypothetical beefs are getting in the way of the party.
We get it. Austin has grown. Now what? What are we going to do with that?
Everything we do is an opportunity to showcase who we are and set a new standard. Yes, it is going to take hard work. Yes, it is going to be conflicting. No, you don’t have to move to another city and start over. There is something undeniably special about this place and I want to believe that is why we are all here.
This is why I founded ONO, and as we move forward, our focus remains clear.
Connect people. Celebrate culture. Create moments that last a lifetime. One handshake at a time.
So the next time you find yourself wondering what’s become of the Austin you once knew, remember this: The soul of this city is still here. It may have changed locations. It may not be where you found it before. But it’s alive. And we’re working hard to make sure it stays that way.
Written by Evan H. Duvall
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