THE UNICORN LIST for Austin, Texas 2026 Edition via GVM Real Estate Broker:

 

🦄 GVM's Austin Texas UNICORN LIST™

George Vance McGee's Favorite Local Professionals, Businesses & Hidden Gems

2026 Austin Edition

By George Vance McGee, Austin Native, Real Estate Broker Associate, Austin Silent Market

Austin is a rapidly & constantly changing city, but some local businesses, professionals, and community institutions continue to stand out. Over years of working in real estate sales, leasing, lot development and simply enjoying life in Austin, I've developed my personal "UNICORN LIST" of trusted local resources. A "Unicorn" is an ATX resident who was born and raised in Austin, TX. My mother Andrea Roberts McGee (rest in peace) birthed me at Seton Hospital on West 38th Street in November of 1981. 

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⚖️ Real Estate Attorneys

Claiborne Cowan & Associates

• Wills
• Probate
• Estate Planning
• Real Estate Legal Matters

Jon M. Daves

• Evictions
• Landlord & Tenant Law
• Leasing Disputes
• Property Rights

Shapiro & Dunn

• Business Law
• Practical Legal Solutions

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🔨 Real Estate Handymen & Contractors

Clay Weatherford – HGL Construction

☎️ 512-891-7880

• General Contracting
• Make-Ready Services
• Residential Repairs

Tim Row

☎️ 512-791-3452

• Historic Home Specialist
• Older Austin Home Repairs
• Renovation Expertise

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🚰 Plumbing

PePe Plumbing LLC

☎️ 512-663-0257

• Residential Plumbing
• Repairs & Service Calls

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🌳 Tree Trimming & Tree Care

Happy Trees

☎️ 512-212-0010

• Tree Trimming
• Tree Maintenance

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🏡 Real Estate Closing Title Companies

Chicago Title – Westlake Tabitha Hart's Team

Austin Title – The Grove Brandi Fleming

Trusted closing teams for residential real estate transactions.

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🔍 Real Estate Inspection Services

Don Barker – Precision Inspection

☎️ 512-282-0455

• Residential Inspections
• Buyer Due Diligence
• Detailed Reports

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☕ Favorite Austin Coffee Shops

Mozart's Coffee Roasters

• Lake Austin waterfront views
• Huge Outdoor Wooden Deck Seating Patio

RADIO Coffee & Beer

• Diverse Casual atmosphere
• Food trucks, Drip Coffee
• ATX All-Welcome Community gathering spot

Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors

• East Austin Hipster favorite
• East 11th & Chicon area

EPOCH Coffee North Loop Location

• 24 hours (Wednesday thru Sunday)
• North Hyde Park area
• Lounge & WiFi with 1990's decade-era cool slacker ambiance

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📸 Photography

Austin Real Estate Photography

Jonathan Garza

Services:

• Real Estate Photography
• Professional Headshots
• Family Photography
• Event Photography

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💰 Austin Real Estate Mortgage Lending Professionals

Joel Richardson

First Community Mortgage

John Fink

Fairway Home Mortgage

Chad Mullenix

Edge Home Finance

Trusted local lenders for home purchases and refinances.

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📸 Local Pharmacy

Tarrytown Pharmacy on Exposition Blvd

The Full Services you want:

• While CVS and Walgreens can barely staff a checkout lane anymore, Tarrytown Pharmacy is the real deal. Their Exposition Blvd location (78703) offers ample parking, easy single-level access, and a full-service pharmacy staffed by people who actually answer your questions — I've even gotten my Covid vaccinations there. Add in gift shopping, gift wrapping, clean restrooms, and real humans at the register, and it's everything the big chains forgot how to be.
  
  
  
  

🚗 Automotive Repair & Advice

Tarrytown Texaco

Mike Ferrick + South side of Station has a Full Service Attendant Option

Leonard's Automotive

South 1st & St. Elmo

Reliable local automotive service and honest advice.

 Grass Sod for your Yards

the Grass Outlet

Southwest Austin, Hwy 290 location. 

5910 US-290,
Austin, TX 78735
512-580-8162

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🌮 Best Tex-Mex with a Kid & Toddler Playground

Flores Mexican Restaurant

William Cannon Location

Why our Family Likes It:

• Family-friendly
• Playground for kids and toddlers
• Solid Tex-Mex & Drinks Menu

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🍺 Classic Austin Bar

Deep Eddy Cabaret

One of Austin's classic neighborhood bars and local institutions with economical reasonable pricing

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🍻 Favorite Austin Breweries

• Meanwhile Brewing Co. Southeast Austin
• St. Elmo Brewing @ The Yard SoCo Development
• Zilker Brewing East 6th St. Home of the Icy Boys Beer

🏢 Rental Real Estate Property Management

PMI Property Management

Renee Kennedy

• Residential Property Management
• Landlord's seeking Property Mgmt Services & Work

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🚴 Austin Outdoor Activities & Exercise

Barton Springs Pool

• Loungers
• Hippies
• Celebrity Spotting
• Austin Culture

Deep Eddy Pool

• Lap Swimmers
• Kid Friendly
• Clear, Swimming Friendly Water & Cool Temperature

Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail

• 10+ Miles of Trails
• Running
• Walking
• Cycling
• Downtown Austin Views

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🛵 Moped Shop

Urban Moto

South Lamar
Ask for Mel

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🚲 Bicycle Repair

Mellow Johnny's

• Downtown Austin; Excellent Service Repair Counter

Dogspeed Cycles

• East Austin
• East 1st Street

Weekend Getaway Quick Trip, Vacation

Fredericksburg, TX

• 1.5 to 2 hours Max Drive Time from Austin, TX
• Hill Country location, Small Town Ambiance
• Food, Wine, Beer, and walkable slow peaceful pace

Port Aransas, TX. the Best Beach in TX perhaps. 

• 3-4 hours Drive from Austin, TX
• the TX Beach Life, all welcoming, Family Friendly
• Swimmable Beach Water, Easy Access
• Can Drive on Beach, Bring your Own Cooler & Fun!

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📻 Local Afternoon Radio Talk Show

SportsTalk with Jeff Ward & Ed Clements

🕓 Weekdays 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📻 102.7 FM ESPN Radio

Austin sports, local news, commentary, and conversation.

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🤠 Final Unicorns Thoughts for Summer 2026.

Austin continues to grow, but local knowledge still matters. These are professionals, businesses, and places that I've personally found valuable during my years as an Austin resident, father, cyclist, coffee drinker, and real estate broker. Did I miss your favorite? Email it to me. 

George Vance McGee 512.657.9281 Austin Silent Market 

georgevance@gmail.com
Austin Native • Real Estate Broker Associate
Austin Silent Market

"Local knowledge still wins."