A sleeve of tattoos covers Colleen Naumann’s left upper arm. Inked on that same arm is the logo of her recently opened Kyle business: Down South Railhouse.

Colleen, who had worked in the service industry for years but had yet to own an establishment until DSR opened in March, said the decision to become a business owner was a monumental one.

“I’ve always had a pretty committed schedule [in which] everything was definite,” she said. “This was a big plunge. I’m so glad I did it. It’s been quite a ride but an awesome one.”

DSR features a bar, live music, food trucks, an indoor restaurant, pool tables, darts and outdoor games.

Colleen, one of six co-owners of the downtown Kyle venue, said the goal of the business is to provide a reason for anyone to patronize the establishment.

“[It is] really just a place for everyone to come and find something they enjoy,” Colleen said.

Colleen co-owns the business with her husband Brad, Tamara Noble-Farris, Charles Benner, and Bishop and Lyndley Badger. The business moved into the former location of Railroad BBQ on Center Street.

The property includes a dance floor and indoor stage. Outside, food trucks serve barbecue and frozen custard. Washers, horseshoes and cornhole are among the outdoor entertainment options.

As part of Phase 2 of construction, a volleyball sand pit was installed, and an outdoor bar was brought up to the standards of the business’s indoor bar. An outdoor stage that allows the venue to utilize its total capacity of 1,500 people was also completed, and the venue will host its first major concert Oct. 24 when Cory Morrow takes the stage.

Colleen said it has taken time to understand the will of the customers. Piano bar night on Tuesdays and karaoke night on Wednesdays developed out of that process, she said.

Colleen said DSR is a family-friendly alternative to similar entertainment venues in Austin and San Marcos.

DSR has been among the highest contributors of mixed-beverage tax receipts in Hays County with more than $27,000 in gross receipts tax paid during the months of April through August, according to the State Comptroller. It has been neck-and-neck with Casa Garcia’s for Kyle’s top mixed-beverage tax contributor, according to figures published on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’ website.

DSR is also aiming to become one of the premier live music venues in the area.

“Nutty Brown is [moving from South Austin to Round Rock], so we hopefully can take over that little live music demographic for sure,” Colleen said.

Mary O’Brien, who recently moved to Kyle from Long Island, New York, said she has frequented DSR since it opened. O’Brien said the business is among the downtown nightlife attractions that have created Kyle’s version of Austin’s Sixth Street.

“There is a party scene in downtown Kyle,” she said. “You don’t have to go into Austin if you’re a laid-back type of person.”