Interesting building at Wurzbach/Gardendale (Fredericksburg, Rule: rental, insurance, lofts)

[OzzyRules]

I've been noticing an interesting new building in construction at the south corner of Wurzbach and Gardendale (between Fredericksburg and I-10) for a couple of months now. For years it was a convenience store, and for the past couple of years it may have been something different. But it now looks like they are building a two-story traditional storefront building with upper lofts. Like something you would find downtown, only on a smaller scale. The siding looks metallic rather than brick. I know that sounds strange but that's the best way I can describe it.

I drove past there yesterday and it looked like a Starbucks was going to be on part of the lower storefront.

I wonder if this is going to be typical of a new trend in buildings with "mixed use" functions (both commercial and residential) like was more commonplace in the old days.

[sapphire]

I dunno, but they need something to revive that stretch of Wurzbach. I was shocked when we went by there and the Turtle~something bar was no longer there. It was there forever! Looks like Tiffany's is still doing a thriving biz, though.

[MPinSC]

I know that they are putting a Starbucks at Wurzbach/Gardendale. I saw a sign in the Colonade Starbucks saying they were now hiring for that location.

[LindaGrace]

The Starbucks is going in where The Spice Rack used to be - that was such a great little restaurant and I was sad that it closed.

That strip center has always had what looks like an upstairs to it. Don't know what, if anything, is up there. Might just be a faux upstairs.

[OzzyRules]

Originally Posted by LindaGrace

That strip center has always had what looks like an upstairs to it.

That's right. After I posted this I was trying to picture the previous building, and it did seem to be two-story also. Now I'm curious about what was there before.

[TexHwyMan]

Yes, the previous building was a run-down, tan-colored 2-story brick building. They completely gutted it and put up the new metal veneer. A major improvement to that intersection and corridor.

[OzzyRules]

I drove past there again today and it's even bigger than I had thought. It seems to have just as much in the back also. (Was it that big before?)

I'm even more curious now.

[LindaGrace]

No, it wasn't that big - they're really working her over.

I miss The Spice Rack already, and you know, I loves me some Starbucks but just how many do we need?

[sapphire]

The Spice Rack won't re-open? I always meant to try it, but I don't find myself over that way often enough. I thought Starbucks was closing stores?

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

That's right. After I posted this I was trying to picture the previous building, and it did seem to be two-story also. Now I'm curious about what was there before.

I have an old neighbor who used to cut hair in that building. There used to be the Spice Rack (I liked that place, too) the Turtle Creek Bar, and for awhile a video rental place. Up stairs were private offices for small businesses, insurance salesmen, and my neighbors's office where he cut hair and made wigs. He moved his location to Blance, now.

Apparently Spice Rack's lease was up, as well as many of the other tenant's and Star Bucks was interested in the space. So the owner stopped renewing everybody's lease. I'm not sure if the massive upgrade to the building was required by Starbuck's, or if the owner just thought he wanted to attract higher paying clientele.

I asked my neighbor if they were going to reopen the Spice Rack somewhere, and he said he didn't think so. During all their years, they were just barely making a profit, just paying their bills and having a little left over to live on.