Entry No. 26 — the Austin file — filed under: oddities
The Antique Mule
An East Austin antique shop built around oddities and curios — Inuit carvings, religious santos, Ouija boards and stranger things (their motto: 'Nothing is too weird for us') — run by owner James, open Tue-Sun 11a-6p.
The story
If you drive down East Cesar Chavez Street far enough past the gentrified coffee shops, you'll hit a stretch housing The Antique Mule. Run by owner James, this isn't the kind of antique store trying to sell you refinished mid-century sideboards. Instead, you step into a dark, tightly curated repository built on a clear premise: modern consumer goods depreciate, but the heavy, strange output of past eras holds its ground.
The shop operates under an explicit invitation—'Nothing is too weird for us'—and the inventory proves it. Shelves and cases hold 18th-century carved religious santos, 1940s Ouija Queen game boards, Inuit carved whale vertebrae, wet specimens, funeral relics, and militaria. Because James buys, sells, and trades directly with collectors and walk-ins, items trickle in from estate cleanouts and secret hoards before anyone else gets a look.
You didn't hear it from us, but the space really comes alive when they close the till for after-hours events. The Antique Mule regularly transforms into a host venue for niche pop-up markets, ranging from Soviet propaganda sales with flash tattoos to community gatherings focused on historical craftsmanship.
What it's like
Expect to spend at least forty-five minutes picking through shelf space where preserved wet specimens sit beside vintage garments and bone carvings. The vibe inside is quiet, dense, and completely unhurried, staffed by people who actually know the backstory of what they're selling. Visit on a weekday afternoon to avoid weekend crowds, and check their Instagram or website before heading out to see if an after-hours pop-up market is scheduled.
The move: Browse the booths together hunting for the single strangest artifact in the shop, then check their calendar for a themed after-hours pop-up to come back for.
- 📍 East Cesar Chavez, Austin
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 4926 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Museum of Human Achievement (MoHA) — Follow up your haul of physical oddities by heading less than a mile north to an artist-run warehouse venue that conceals its street address behind email invites.
- The Serpent Tattoo and Occult Shop — Head 1.4 miles west to trade vintage wet specimens and santos for tarot readings and Haitian Vodou goods.
- Texas State Cemetery — the Lone Union Soldier — If the funeral relics at the Mule whet your appetite for death history, travel 1.9 miles north to find East Austin's lone Union soldier buried among thousands of Confederates.
- La Botanica Green & White — Drive two miles northwest to pair antique curios with traditional curanderismo candles and herbs inside a former 1930s butcher shop.
Good to know
Where is The Antique Mule located and what are the store hours?
The store is located at 4926 E Cesar Chavez St in East Austin. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and closed on Mondays.
Can I bring oddities or antiques to sell or trade?
Yes. The shop actively buys, sells, and trades oddities, curios, militaria, and antiques. You can send photos and details via email or contact James directly.
What specific types of oddities do they carry?
Regular stock includes 18th-century santos, Inuit carvings, 1940s Ouija boards, funeral history artifacts, wet specimens, vintage clothing, and militaria.
Do they hold events or after-hours markets?
Yes. The shop periodically hosts themed after-hours pop-ups and vendor markets, such as Soviet propaganda pop-ups and artifact showcases.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Instagram · austinchronicle.com
last checked: 2026-07-20