Showing posts with label Austin Nichol and Co. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Austin Nichol and Co. Show all posts

Friday, April 11, 2008

Truth Revealed

Actor Austin Nichols not named after whiskey but a warehouse in Brooklyn NY.

In a stunning disclosure the Nichols family broke down to reveal star Austin Nichols was named after a grocery warehouse in Brooklyn, NY. Looking away, holding back their emotion, they finally discuss the origin of the name. "We have let the lie live too long, and feel that the true story be told. We had a long discussion with Austin, who was shocked and in disbelief, but is slowly growing to accept that he was named after Austin, Nichols & Co, a grocery warehouse on the waterfront of Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood."

The building is one of the earliest reinforced concrete warehouses in the United States designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, who went on to design the famed Woolworth building. The building was constructed in 1913-15 when Austin, Nichols & Company, one of the leading grocery wholesalers in the country, moved from Lower Manhattan to Williamsburg, in part to take advantage of water transportation to ship its goods.

Cass employed Egyptian Revival motifs for the structure, with a coved cornice, battered walls and narrow window openings. The building remained the company’s headquarters until the 1950s. Eventually the building was converted to residences, art studios and office space.

"It was close to the water just like we are, and we were in a crazy Egyptian thing between the King Tut exhibit everywhere and that damn Steve Martin song. It made sense at the time. We thought it was kinda cool, a little hip for Texas. We didn't know it would lead to all of this. "

Both Austin Nichols have been the topic of discussion of is or isn't since 2005-2006. The warehouse status is hotly debated in the hipster haven of Williamsburg and on the Internet. The actor is a topic of discussion in LA's Silver Lake and WeHo neighborhoods and on the Internet.

One thing they do have in common? Holding the goods.