Introducing Batreuse’s Emporium
Opening Tuesday, March 17, 2026!
In early 2020, when the COVID lockdown forced us to close our doors, we launched our online store out of necessity. We wanted to ensure our staff could continue to have meaningful work and that our community could still access creative materials during an uncertain time. What began as a quick pivot became something much more enduring.
Over the years, our online store has evolved into a specialty space where we list highly unique, collectible, and fragile items that need a little extra care. Our eBay for Charity shop, launched last year, allowed us to expand our reach to thoughtfully match special donations with appreciative new homes across the country.
Now, we’re excited to introduce the next evolution of that work: Batreuse’s Emporium, a speciality boutique for antiques, curiosities, and retro items, located right here in our creative reuse center.
Why are we making this change?
Creative reuse will always be at the heart of everything we do. It’s why we exist. But along the way, we’ve also received donations that are rare, vintage, highly collectible, or particularly delicate - items that aren’t ready to be turned into something new, but can still be treasured as they are.
Newly-donated specialty items will now hit the Emporium first. If they don’t find a home in our local community, they may then be listed online to reach a broader, nationwide audience - and to keep the Emporium's treasures fresh for our local shoppers!
We are continually surprised and honored by the incredibly rare and truly one-of-a-kind donations entrusted to us. Creating Batreuse’s Emporium allows us to treat these treasures with the respect and care they deserve.
Who is Batreuse?
Ms. Batreuse (pronounced BAH-truce) is our informal mascot. You may recognize her as the giant bat hanging at the entrance to our creative reuse center.
She was created by local artist Joan Cabarrus in collaboration with Bat Conservation International and Austin Youth River Watch. Young volunteers came together to clean trash from a local creek, and those reclaimed materials, alongside other donated items, were transformed into the bat you see today (read more about this project here).
Her name blends “bat” and “reuse,” perfectly capturing our love of creativity, second chances, and Austin charm. Naming the Emporium after her just felt right.
What will the shopping experience be like?
Think: curated treasure hunt. Batreuse’s Emporium will feature a rotating, curated selection of specialty items and rare finds displayed in protective cases. Each item has a yellow card telling you more about the item and its history. Shoppers can ask our staff and volunteers for assistance to take a closer look at any piece that catches their eye. If you love it, you will check out your Emporium treasures at our registers like you would any other in-center purchase.
You’ll also notice a familiar feature moving into its new home: our popular jewelry case (formerly located at the register) will now live inside the Emporium.
Get involved: Celebrate with us!
Batreuse’s Emporium opens Tuesday, March 17 at 11AM and will be open during our usual hours. To celebrate the launch, join us on Friday, March 20 from 12–3pm for a free, drop-in origami bat–making event with our awesome volunteer, Kelly!
We’ll be making bats out of old magazines and donated paper. Some will decorate the Emporium, and others can go home with you. The event will take place in our Community Space (next to the books and magazines section of our center).
Come make something creative, say hello to Ms. Batreuse, and explore the Emporium for yourself!