2023 year in review: 12 features highlighting Georgetown businesses

“There’s so many companies that are here, and so this is an attractive place to be,” Lowell said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to ride that wave with them because they’re all still coming.”

February: Georgetown couple provides community affordable medication alternatives at Bear’s Compounding Pharmacy

Jordin and Lorin Martin said when they opened Bear’s Compounding Pharmacy on the Georgetown Square, they realized their dream of owning their own business and serving their hometown.

Compounding is what pharmacists did before big wholesalers, Lorin said. Pharmacists are chemists who mix raw powders from scratch to make different medications.

March: Oolala Boutique creates customized fragrances, offers shopping experience on Georgetown Square

Lisa Jackens said when she became a retail manager at a young age, she knew she would one day open her own store.

As the owner of Oolala Boutique in Georgetown, she now specializes in fashion, decor, jewelry and luxury apothecary scents.

April: Velvet Rose Esthetics owner aims to heal body, mind with skin care

After spending 17 years in the medical field, Amber Hinton is applying what she learned about the body to a new area: beauty.

She opened Georgetown-based Velvet Rose Esthetics on Feb. 2, 2022, in downtown before relocating the business to Sedro Crossing, a new business and medical office park, in January.

“[My medical background] has helped tremendously because I understand how the body works and the nervous system,” Hinton said. “I understand that skin is so much deeper than what you see; it’s what’s inside as well because when you are stressed, it puts a lot of stress on your body and on your skin.”

May: San Gabriel House Bed & Breakfast offers charm, comfort in the heart of Georgetown

Ever since Jeannie Snead toured the house at 1008 E. University Ave. with her parents in the early 1970s, she has been infatuated with the property.

June: Sanctuary Holistic Kitchen creates natural remedies, allergen-free meals in Georgetown

When Sanctuary Holistic Kitchen’s original location was destroyed by Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, owner Robin Cervantes moved the shop to an expanded space that March, giving the business a dedicated classroom.

As an integrative health counselor, Cervantes offers a host of products, including grab-and-go meals, herbal remedies for seasonal allergies, skin care and anti-inflammatory remedies at Sanctuary Holistic Kitchen.

July: Locally owned cleaning business in Georgetown working to uphold standards

Cinderella’s Cleaning Services was established over a year ago by Michael and Liel Shahmanov, who hoped to fill a gap in the local economy after they found it lacked a reliable, professional and affordable cleaning service.

After their previous business failed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shahmanovs decided to combine Liel’s love for cleaning with Michael’s experience in sales to start Cinderella’s.

July: Cody Pools helps turn ordinary backyards into private oases

Turning someone's yard into their own private paradise is what Cody Pools co-owner Mike Church likes best.

“You’re taking a backyard that doesn’t have much except for grass in it and turning it into a miniresort,” he said. “Then add to that the happiness they all have because it’s their little oasis.”

August: Dolce Music Studio expands lessons, class offerings as community grows

Brenda Bedell has had a passion for music since she started taking piano lessons on her grandmother’s baby grand piano when she was 6 years old.

Under the tutelage of her piano teacher, Bedell became an apprentice teacher at age 16.

In 2010, Bedell’s daughter encouraged her to open her own music studio where she could expand her business and bring in musicians to teach other instruments.

“We started with 40 of my private students and two or three teachers and 1,100 square feet,” she said. “Now we have 3,300 square feet with a performance room that can seat 70-plus people.”

September: Frozen Flamingo serves sweet treats in Georgetown

Faith Thomas has history with the custard shop located near the intersection of I-35 and Williams Drive. She worked there in high school—as did her three siblings—and came back in 2017 as a manager. Two years later, she bought the business when it was a previous franchise and rebranded it as Frozen Flamingo in 2021.

“I could tell [the business] needed someone who could dedicate their whole life to it,” Thomas said. “I was 22, and I told the owner, ‘Whenever you’re ready to let go, I want to be your first phone call.’”

October: Georgetown Poker Club brings new players to Texas Hold’em

John Montgomery was already an avid poker player and local businessperson before he considered getting into the business of poker.

“I had played poker for over 20 years and was really interested in [opening a poker club],” Montgomery said. “But I was hesitant because of the way Texas laws are written. So I waited and nothing happened, and more poker clubs opened up, and there was a demand for it in Georgetown.”

December: Texas Treats offers over 30 years of locally sourced gifts

Every December, the Texas Treats office fills to the ceiling with hundreds of boxes. Owner Rachel Banhart receives shipments of chips, dips, sauces, candies and pastas from all over the state to create customizable gift collections that can't be found anywhere else.

Texas Treats is a gift shop based out of Georgetown that sells gift baskets and boxes, wine racks, and locally sourced food products that highlight Texas vendors.