Many businesses in San Marcos have made major recent progress, from large-scale rest stops opening to large grocers nearing the end of construction. Check out 12 city business updates.
Now open
Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop
The owner announced the shop’s temporary closure and “change in leadership” in an April 19 Facebook post. The eatery, which has been in business for over four decades, underwent a deep clean and modernization of facilities, standards and culture, and began a soft opening in August.
Blackbird Brims
The high-quality hat and apparel store officially closed its doors in New Braunfels on July 26. The business relocated its operations to a new location in San Marcos.
Brunello Cucinelli
The luxury apparel brand, founded in Solomeo, Italy, in 1978, will open a location at San Marcos Premium Outlets this summer. The new location will be the brand’s first outlet store in Texas and offer apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and children.
Buc-ee’s
The highly anticipated San Marcos location is one of the largest in the region, totaling 74,707 square feet. The travel center will create 200 to 225 full-time jobs and feature Buc-ee's merchandise and popular food options, including barbecue, fudge, kolaches and Beaver Nuggets.
Kolacny’s Kolaches
The business opened as part of the newly rebranded Siren’s San Marcos, formerly known as Red Bus Food Park. The eatery offers a variety of sweet kolaches, savory sausage rolls known as klobasneks and drinks.
Coming soon
H-E-B
Construction on the city’s third H-E-B is nearing completion. The store will feature the city’s first True Texas BBQ restaurant, serving all-natural, smoked-in-house meats, as well as sides such as brisket beans, creamed corn, homestyle potato salad and more.
- Opening fall 2026
- 1074 E. McCarty Lane, San Marcos
- www.heb.com
Hoka
The popular shoe brand will open its own dedicated store in the San Marcos Premium Outlets. The business offers a variety of footwear for community members with all levels of running experience and across various terrains.
- Opening TBD
- San Marcos Premium Outlets, 3939 N. I-35, San Marcos
- www.hoka.com
Legacy Arts
Local artist, graphic designer and creative Lauren Hofmann Larkin is transforming the original Hofmann’s Supply shop into the art supply store. The space will serve students, artists and the local creative community. A soft opening is scheduled for Sept. 1 before the grand opening in December.
What’s next: Filings made with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
AutoZone
The company will soon begin construction on its third location in San Marcos on the city’s southwest side near multiple major developments. Construction on the 7,147-square-foot shop is scheduled to begin on Aug. 7 and be completed on Jan. 6, 2028.
In the news
Texas State University
On Aug. 6, the Texas State University System Board of Regents authorized the creation of the Ingram College of Engineering and the College of Science at Texas State University by splitting the current College of Science and Engineering into two colleges.
Whitewater Amphitheater
The music venue has filed for bankruptcy in hopes of securing its long-term future. Whitewater Amphitheater officials voluntarily filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, according to a July 7 news release. The filing aims to provide the venue the time and flexibility to complete financial restructuring.
Closings
The Sweet Spot
The coffee shop and eatery officially closed the doors of its San Marcos location in late July at the end of its three-year lease. The business will continue to operate its New Braunfels counterpart, The Cake Bar, which offers coffee, mini pancakes and other treats.
