Full Breakdown
Lammes Candies Shutters Two Austin Stores After 141 Years
4/27/2026, 11:36:45 AM
History
Lammes Candies started in 1878 when William Wirt Lamme opened the Red Front Candy Factory on Congress Avenue in Austin. His son, David Turner Lamme, repurchased the shop in 1885 and renamed it Lammes. The brand introduced pecan pralines in 1892 and opened its Airport Boulevard flagship in 1956. Now in its fifth generation, Lammes is Austin’s longest-running family confectioner.
Closures
In April 2026 Lammes Candies announced the shutdown of its Hillside Center and Lakeline Mall stores. The Round Rock shop closed on April 24, while the Airport Boulevard flagship will stay open “a bit longer” for customers to buy remaining items. The company cited “changing market conditions” and will focus on online sales and pop-up events.
Key Dates
Key dates include the 1878 founding, the 1885 repurchase by David Turner Lamme, the 1892 launch of pecan pralines, the 1956 opening of the Airport Boulevard flagship, and the 2026 closures of the Hillside Center and Lakeline Mall stores, with the Round Rock shop closing on April 24.
Company Statement
Lammes Candies said the Hillside and Lakeline closures result from unprecedented economic pressures and current market conditions that threaten long-term sustainability. The brand will concentrate on its online storefront and a rotating schedule of pop-up locations while keeping the Airport Boulevard and Round Rock shops open for now.
Public Reaction
Residents expressed nostalgia and frustration on social media, recalling field trips, holiday gift boxes and the caramel scent of Lammes counters. A Reddit thread gathered posts mourning the shuttered stores and sharing favorite orders. Critics warned that fewer brick-and-mortar sites may limit community access to the historic brand.
Gaps
Lammes Candies has not disclosed exact dates for the final shutdown of the Hillside and Lakeline locations, nor staffing changes or plans for the vacated spaces. The company also did not specify how long the Airport Boulevard flagship will stay open, leaving uncertainty about the full scope of the reduction.
Quotes
- “we have made the difficult decision to close our business.” — Lammes Candies sign, Round Rock location
- “difficult decision to close our Hillside and Lakeline Mall retail locations” — Lammes Candies statement
- “unprecedented economic pressures and current market conditions” — Lammes Candies statement
- “a bit longer so that everyone has the opportunity to purchase their favorite Lammes Candies treat” — Lammes Candies sign, Airport Boulevard
Implications
The closures highlight tightening margins in the confectionery sector, driven by volatile cocoa prices and supply-chain swings. Lammes Candies’ shift to digital sales and pop-up events follows a broader industry move toward flexible distribution. Future performance will depend on consumer uptake of online ordering and the success of temporary retail concepts in Central Texas.
