Minh Carrico
photograph by Minh Carrico
It's the steel yard that time forgot. In business since 1899 and at this location since 1910, Tips is considered one of the oldest industries in Austin. Although they recently upped their minimum purchase to $25 -- the parade of hobbyists dropping by for a couple of bucks of scrap iron was eating into their main operation, large-scale fabricating -- they are one of the few steel yards in the area still selling stock and scrap to individuals. And $25 worth of steel seems a small admission price for a glimpse of their enormous, ancient, vine-covered foundry.
