The bar, called 1972: ATX Women’s Sports Pub, announced in a social media post on Friday, May 15, that the bar is being acquired through eminent domain as part of the Austin Transit Partnership light rail. The local spot said that they are still waiting for an official notice to vacate the building and will remain open as long as possible. This news comes nearly a year after 1972 opened on the Drag across the street from the University of Texas at Austin, where it has become a premier spot to watch women’s sports.
“Like many small businesses, we’re already navigating a difficult economic climate, and relocating a community space like 1972 is a huge challenge,” the bar’s co-owners said. “Without additional investment and support, we will have difficult decisions to make about what comes next.”
Project Connect is Austin’s new massive light rail project that’s set to transform a nearly 10-mile route that spans across the city, including downtown, the Drag near UT Austin, East Riverside Drive and South Congress. Construction on the first phase of the project is expected to begin in 2027 and is estimated to be completed by 2033.
The bar is now asking the community for help in relocation costs after 1972 co-owners Debra Hallum and Marlene du Plessis said the bar does not qualify for the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) funding anymore because it is not 100% owned by a U.S. citizen. In March, the SBA banned foreign nationals and non-citizens from accessing SBA small business loans for U.S. businesses.
“We always understood that a move could eventually become part of our journey, we believed that reaching our one-year mark in business would open the door to SBA funding that could help support a relocation,” the bar’s post read. “Because 1972 is proudly half-immigrant-owned, we are no longer eligible for those funding opportunities, making an already difficult transition even more challenging.”
For now, Hallum told MySA the bar may be able to qualify for a city program that will pay for movers to pack up and relocate, but the bar is currently fundraising to help pay for what the program will not cover, including retaining employees. She added that the bar has not yet secured a new location, but is actively looking.
In the meantime, 1972 is asking the Austin community to come out and support the bar over the next few months by bringing their friends, hosting events and helping them identify future spaces. The bar is also hosting an online fundraiser for those who want to donate to support their relocation efforts.
“Most importantly, help us show that spaces like this matter in Austin,” the pair said. “We’ll continue sharing updates as we learn more about timing and next steps. Until then, we’re still here and we’d love to see you.”
Find it: 2530 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX 78705