Vendors showcased a diverse array of goods, from handcrafted ceramic cactus lamps to vintage T-shirts and freshly baked pop tarts, at the Hyde Park Holiday Market held in the former Baker School’s mint-green cafetorium last Saturday.
One shopper remarked, “There are many large markets, but this one feels more uniquely Austin and grassroots.” This inaugural holiday market offered hundreds of locals a glimpse into the historic building, now known as the Baker Center.
<p“It's a beautiful structure,” noted a vendor. “It’s wonderful to see it being utilized in such meaningful ways.”
In 2017, Austin ISD sold the former Baker School property to Tim and Karrie Teague, the owners of Alamo Drafthouse. This event was organized by one of the building’s tenants, The Press Room, which houses a substantial collection of printing blocks used for creating newspaper advertisements and cinema posters.
“We possess a historic collection,” said Travis Smith, the manager of The Press Room since its establishment in 2019. The collection includes approximately 60,000 blocks that can be inked to produce prints, representing around 50 years of cinema history and graphic design.
Tim League founded The Press Room after acquiring the school with his wife, Karrie, when it was put up for sale. Their vision was to transform the space into a headquarters for their cinema chain, Alamo Drafthouse.
The Baker School, built in 1911, operated until the 1990s. Upon acquiring the building, the Leagues aimed to restore it to its 1940s appearance.
After two years of renovation, the Baker Center reopened in 2019, dedicating two of its three floors to Alamo, with The Press Room located in the repurposed cafeteria kitchen.
Smith, with a background in letterpress and printmaking, was tasked with cataloging the blocks and began conducting small workshops to showcase the collection, emphasizing the need for it to be actively used.
However, during the pandemic, financial difficulties led to Sony acquiring Alamo Drafthouse in 2024, creating another transitional phase for the school.
“Ultimately, Alamo occupied only half of one floor,” said League. “We began advertising and seeking new tenants.”
Fortunately, the building did not remain vacant for long.
By early this year, the Baker Center was evolving into a vibrant hub for creativity and activism, housing organizations such as the League of Women Voters, the Travis Audubon Society, architects, Austin Classical Guitar, interior designers, and a photography studio.
With a thriving community emerging, the Leagues and Smith explored ways to enhance access to the building, leading to the organization of markets. The holiday market was the third event hosted this year and, according to Smith, was the largest in terms of vendors and attendees.
These events also provided The Press Room an opportunity to welcome more visitors at once. “I want people to come and hang out with me,” Smith joked. “We’ll have the printing press running prints.”
Looking ahead, Smith expressed a desire to give more people reasons to visit the former school, stating, “The building itself is an experience,” and he hopes it will serve as a “catalyst to bring people together and foster a creative community.”
Karrie League echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining visitor interest. “We’re building a coffee shop, a wine bar next door, and a community garden in the front,” she said. “I’m striving to create a place where people love to spend time.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story inaccurately stated that the Leagues were the only bidders committed to preserving the building. It has been reported that at least one other entity would have maintained its integrity.
