Lammes Candies, one of Austin’s most recognizable and historic businesses, is set to close its doors after more than a century of continuous operation, marking the end of a 141-year legacy in Central Texas.
Customers first learned of the closure through a notice posted at the company’s Round Rock location, according to a report by the Austin Business Journal. That store officially closed on April 24, while the flagship shop on Airport Boulevard in Austin will remain open for a limited time, allowing customers a final opportunity to purchase Lammes’ signature sweets.
In the statement displayed at the shopfront, the owners said the decision was driven by “changing market conditions and the long-term sustainability of our operations”, emphasizing that the move was made only after careful consideration.
Founded in 1878, Lammes Candies holds the distinction of being Austin’s oldest continuously run family business, according to reporting by the Austin-American Statesman.
The company traces its roots to William Wirt Lamme, who arrived in Austin from St. Louis and opened the Red Front Candy Factory on Congress Avenue. After the business was briefly lost in a poker game, his son, David Turner Lamme, repurchased it in 1885 for $800, setting the foundation for what would become a multigenerational enterprise.
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Over the decades, Lammes expanded to multiple locations across Austin, including The Drag, Twin Oaks, and the Delwood Shopping Center. Its long-time flagship store at 5330 Airport Boulevard opened in 1956. In more recent years, the company experimented with suburban outlets at Barton Creek Square Mall, Anderson Lane, Lakeline, and Round Rock, some of which have since closed.
Lammes Candies earned national recognition for its chewy pecan pralines, first introduced in 1892 using pecans harvested from trees along the Colorado River. Another fan favorite, the “Longhorn,” features pecans layered with caramel and chocolate and is widely compared to the classic turtle candy.
Beyond its confections, Lammes played a notable role in Austin’s cultural history. The company’s lamb logo became the city’s first neon sign, and Lammes is also credited with operating the first soda fountain in Texas.
“Lammes Candies has always been more than a business,” the closure notice read. “It has been a family legacy and a part of so many lives and celebrations.”
As the Airport Boulevard store prepares to close, long-time customers are expected to visit one last time to say goodbye to a brand that helped shape Austin’s culinary and cultural identity for generations.
