Once flooded Lake Travis restaurant to reopen next week

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - A restaurant on Lake Travis is getting ready to reopen after last October’s flood filled the entire building with water. Thursday, Shack 512 will reopen for business in Volente beach.

One of the main selling points for restaurants along Lake Travis is location, and the closer to the water, the better. That’s why Shack 512 couldn't be any closer. “It's a place that everyone on the lake knows about and they love it,” said Harrison Holmes, general manager of Sandy Creek Yacht Club.

In October, the restaurant's greatest asset also became its greatest obstacle. “It's a testament to what water can do, no doubt about that. I didn't know it could happen that way. I had heard about it, but that was fast,” said Jonathan Silva, owner of Shack 512.

As flooded rivers flowed downstream into Lake Travis, popular beaches were swallowed whole and only the tin roof of Shack 512 was still visible. Restaurant staff moved everything they could to higher ground. “We had to give some of it up. Couldn't get everything out,” Silva said.

As the water receded, it left a few surprises of its own. “There was a dead fish. I don't know how he didn't get out, but… Lots of mud, debris, there was tree limbs, there was all sorts of stuff that shouldn't be in there,” said Holmes.

Luckily, the Shack's location also put it in the center of a caring community. “I would guess that every single person who lives in Volente called me and asked, ‘Can we come help you?’” Silva said.

Neighbors immediately teamed up with Shack 512 staff to begin to rebuild.

“I'm grateful we got out of there and we got a lot of help, whole bunch of people showed up, a lot of marina guests came and helped out, just asked, ‘Can we help you get stuff out of here?’ And that's really what kept us alive, makes it to where we can come back,” said Silva.

Four months later, the tables are set for a comeback and, thanks to a paint job and renovated floors, the view is even better than before. “We know it wouldn't be the same lake without it, so that's why it was so important to bring it back,” Holmes said.

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