I grew up not too far from Austin, which was a much different city in the late 80s than it is today. But the "keep Austin weird" crowd has kept a certain local flavor intact, which is apparent when visiting any one of these shops.
I have a tattoo that includes a reference to a feminist poem... the staff here instantly recognized it (only one other person ever has: quite randomly, a drummer in a jamband I met & hung out with in Charleston, S.C.). They know their stuff here.