Family-owned East Austin piñata store to close its doors, cites gentrification

AUSTIN, Texas - A family-owned piñata store in East Austin has announced that it will be closing its doors, citing gentrification as the reason behind the closure. 

In a letter addressed to the East Austin community, the owners of Jumpolin, located on East Cesar Chavez Street, announced they will be closing their doors at the end of January. 

According to the letter, Jumpolin cites gentrification as the main cause of their closing, stating, "It's no secret that Austin is changing rapidly, and that the primarily working class community that once supported our business is dwindling fast, pushed further and further out." 

They also say higher rent and taxes have a lot to do with their decision.

The piñata shop has been serving the East Austin community for over a decade, and although the family is closing its physical shop, they do not plan to stop serving the community. 

"But we are not defeated, because we have seen the work our community has put into combating and slowing down this mass displacement and support it to the fullest. Although we are closing our doors, we hope to see more resistance from our community and wish to continue to serve them in any way we can." 

The owners of Jumpolin do not plan on opening another location but will continue to provide party rental services and custom piñata orders through phone and email orders. 

READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW: