JANUARY: My Buddy's Pet Resort (San Marcos)
On roughly 3 acres of land in San Marcos sits My Buddy’s Pet Resort, an overnight boarding facility for cats and dogs.
The logo and namesake are based on owner and General Manager Ken Jenkines’ dog, Buddy. Co-owner Clay Kutscher owned the land, and the two realized that there was a need in the area for a boarding facility and opened in July 2019.
FEBRUARY: Esses Racing (Buda)
Race tracks are where championships are won, drivers become legends and where the idea for Esses Racing began. Gareth Rees, Phil Spano and Judd Miller decided to combine their decades of expertise to bring to fruition their own company that specializes in professional-level racing support, car maintenance, modification, repair and more.
“We knew that this area was pretty much wide open for a shop—meaning Texas down in this area—for a shop that can handle a variety of cars and customer needs,” Spano said.
MARCH: Unchartered Adventures (Kyle)
On the outside, Unchartered Adventures looks like any other warehouse; upon entrance, it is anything but. Those looking to wield a sledgehammer or throw an ax can don coveralls and protective eye gear to do so safely at Unchartered Adventures.
Ten-year Army veteran and recently retired Austin-Travis County paramedic Damon Fogley started this venture, formerly known as 512 Rage Room, in early 2019 as part of his junk removal business.
APRIL: Hays Co. Outfitters (San Marcos, Buda)
After almost a decade of providing San Marcos a one-stop shop for outdoor clothing and gear, Hays Co. Outfitters is set to expand to Buda, and its owner hopes to go even further.
Owner Whitney Connell started working at the store after it opened in 2012. In 2017, she bought the store, and just five years later she is set to open her second store in Buda. Connell said she hopes to place a store manager at each location eventually, but for now she will be running everything herself.
JUNE: Kyle Flea Market (Kyle)
After serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and as the 47th attorney general of Texas, James Mattox and his siblings, Janice Mattox and Jerry Mattox, purchased the property at 1119 N. Old Hwy. 81, Kyle, and began the Kyle Flea Market.
At 18 years old, James’ son, Jim Mattox, took over the flea market following his father’s death in 2008 and had to ensure it became a successful venture, he said.
JULY: Cardinal Frame & Art (San Marcos)
After serving the San Marcos community for more than 25 years, Cardinal Frame & Art continues to supply citizens the chance to frame loving and meaningful artwork.
Original owners Vicky and Hugh Simmons opened their first store in San Marcos in 1994 and moved to its downtown location soon after. The shop earned its name from Vicky’s mother, who, while the couple was contemplating what to name the business, dreamed of the shop being titled Cardinal Frame.
AUGUST: JAMS Music (San Marcos)
After JAMS Music owner Ace Pepper was forced to move out of the Aquarena Springs space he was running a guitar shop in last year, he said he contemplated whether he would reopen elsewhere. In May 2021, a blessing in the form of a three-room space on the Square presented itself to him, and he was back in business.
“I really thought about walking away. That was one of the deal makers about this space. I’m just old San Marcos enough to think that having a guitar shop downtown would be fun and cool. And so this space when it came up, it was kind of a deal maker,” Pepper said.
SEPTEMBER: Pinballz Kingdom (Buda)
Darren and Mikki Spohn opened the first Pinballz location in Austin in 2010 with the idea of having a family-friendly entertainment place for people to experience.
Pinballz features a variety of classic arcade games as well as newer arcade and video games.
Darren said he and his wife Mikki opened the first location in order to bring people together to experience classic and modern arcade games.
OCTOBER: Old Main Street Station, Little Bluebird Boutique (Buda)
Located on the corner of Main Street and RM 967 in downtown Buda lies a building formerly known as the Garrison Filling Station that is almost as old as the city itself. The old gas station site is now called Old Main Street Station and is owned by Sandra Grizzle.
It has seen many tenants over the years, she said, including a flower shop, real estate company and the original location of The Budaful Hiker.
NOVEMBER: Wild Rice Studio (San Marcos)
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the yoga studio scene in San Marcos also took a hit, leaving its community members with few options for where to practice, according to Kileigh Reed.
In March 2021, Reed opened Wild Rice Studio downtown to create a safe space where San Marcos yogis could lay down their mats.
DECEMBER: Smallhold (Buda)
Central Market Shoppers have likely noticed an interesting feature in the produce section, specifically where the store keeps its mushrooms: it looks something like a glowing, futuristic refrigerator full of fungi, but in fact, these contraptions are mini mushroom farms, where specialty varieties of the produce are grown and harvested for customers.
Have a local favorite business we should feature in 2023? Email us at [email protected].
Olivia Aldridge, Timia Cobb, Christopher Green, Sarah Hernandez and Daniel Weeks contributed to these reports.
