Google Opens First Texas Retail Store in Austin’s Domain Northside, Sparking Both Excitement and Skepticism
“The retail experience is about expertise, connection, and showcasing what’s possible with our technology,” he told local media. “And Austin is the perfect city to do that.”
AUSTIN, TX — Google officially opened its first-ever retail store in Texas on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., expanding its brick-and-mortar presence with a flagship location in Austin’s bustling Domain Northside. The store, Google’s seventh in the U.S., is part of the company’s broader strategy to bring its technology, artificial intelligence, and product support directly into the hands of customers.
“Our Austin store is now open,” reported Abner Li of 9to5Google. “The natural wooden motif continues for this location, and you immediately see the ‘Here to help’ desk at the back of the store upon entering.”
Located at 11701 Domain Blvd, Suite 164, the new Google Store sits at the heart of one of Austin’s most vibrant shopping districts—often referred to as the city’s “second downtown.” The area is known for its blend of high-end retail, trendy restaurants, modern residences, and a strong tech presence, including a large neighboring Apple Store.
Hands-On Tech in a Hands-On City
At its core, the new store is designed to give customers a tactile, immersive experience with Google’s latest devices, from Pixel phones and watches to Nest smart home gadgets and Fitbit wearables. Visitors can demo Google’s growing suite of AI-powered features, get expert guidance, participate in workshops, and even pick up online orders in person.
“It’s a place to experience Google AI in your hands,” said Cristela Jones of MySA. A representative for Google echoed this sentiment: “Visitors to our Austin store will get a similar hands-on experience with our products, services, and AI experiences.”
Michael Camacho, Google’s global head of stores, emphasized the human element: “Our team will demonstrate things on a digital phone, like its amazing camera or its AI features, and they’ll do it in a way that comes from a level of expertise in the store.”
For Camacho, the decision to open in Austin was deliberate. “Austin, specifically, has always been on the roadmap or a priority for us to be in this market,” he told the Austin American-Statesman, pointing to the city's innovation-driven culture and diverse tech-savvy population.
Support Hub and Community Space
Beyond device sales, the store offers repairs, troubleshooting, and classes. Pixel users, for example, can join photography workshops or visit a seasonal portrait studio. Meanwhile, support services like walk-in troubleshooting and scheduled repairs are expected to make the store a go-to destination for local Pixel users needing help.
To celebrate the opening, early visitors reported complimentary pastries from the local favorite Loraine Bakery. “They were delicious,” commented one Reddit user, GingerMan512, adding a note of local flavor to the tech-forward event.
(image from 9to5Google)
Enthusiasts and Skeptics Speak Out
While many welcomed the store, others voiced caution about the longevity of Google's hardware support. Posts on Reddit’s r/Austin community reflected both enthusiasm and frustration, particularly from those who’ve invested in the Google ecosystem only to feel left behind by limited updates or discontinued features.
“Cool, now I can go to a brick and mortar store to get a piece of hardware they’ll stop supporting in 3 months, instead of having it delivered to me,” quipped the_brew on Reddit.
Another user, Aurongel, was more pointed: “Poor long-term support for their products is The Google Way™.”
Some drew comparisons to Apple’s stronger reputation for long-term device support. Others, however, defended Google, noting they had received years of updates for their Pixel phones. One Redditor summed up the frustration from the smart home community: “If you’ve bought into their home automation, you’d be HIGHLY annoyed with its complete and utter enshitiffication. Assistant is basically useless nowadays.”
Why a Store Now?
The launch raises questions about the relevance of physical retail in an era dominated by online shopping. Yet Google seems to be betting that the opportunity to interact with products firsthand—and to receive in-person service—still holds value.
“Whether you’re a lifelong Pixel user or new to Google products, you’ll find something to love,” reads the store’s promotional language, quoted by MySA.
Not all are convinced. One Reddit user joked, “No thanks, I can use their search engine from my phone anywhere basically for free.”
But Camacho disagrees. “The retail experience is about expertise, connection, and showcasing what’s possible with our technology,” he told local media. “And Austin is the perfect city to do that.”
Store Hours and Future Plans
The store will operate Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m., and on Sunday from either 6 or 7 p.m., depending on differing local reports. Despite a slight discrepancy in reported Sunday hours, the store is expected to maintain consistent service throughout the week.
As for what’s next, Camacho confirmed that Washington, D.C. is slated for the next Google Store opening. With two new stores opening in 2025 alone—Austin and Santa Monica—Google appears committed to steady retail expansion, following a pace similar to the previous year.
A Test for Google’s Retail Ambitions
The Austin launch is both a milestone and a test. While the company aims to deepen customer engagement through physical presence, the true measure of success may depend on how well Google addresses the ongoing concerns about product longevity, update frequency, and the reliability of its ecosystem.
For now, though, Austinites have a new tech destination to explore—complete with sleek wooden décor, cutting-edge demos, and yes, fresh pastries.