Whether downtown San Marcos is your personal playground, just the location of your favorite bar or restaurant, or only a series of stoplights, there’s always much to learn about what’s available. On “Downtown Discoveries” at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, “we shine a spotlight on local businesses and organizations located in downtown San Marcos,” host Jovan Marin explains.
Downtown Association member Jean Baggett developed the idea for the show in conversation with KZSM Station Manager Rob Roark and recruited fellow member Marin to ask the questions.
“I felt silly the first time I spoke on the show,” he admitted. “Now I know how to calm the nerves and keep on track.”
Baggett explained that the monthly shows share a breadth of information with the listeners.
“We get shop owners to introduce their businesses on the program and share their happenings for that month,” Baggett said.
The guests Baggett invites represent organizations as well as businesses. January’s show featured representatives of the The Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership, Main Street, and of course, the Downtown Association. All explained their different roles in maintaining our vibrant downtown.
On February’s show, guests from Dunbar Heritage Association talked about their Black History month events, and the South Square group described their downtown plans for Mardi Gras. In March, “Downtown Discoveries” will highlight events at the Art Center downtown and interview Robert Jones, the creator of the Diversity Mural at the intersection of LBJ Drive and MLK Drive.
A radio broadcast offers unique insights into the life of downtown, as Baggett points out. “It is important to hear directly from the owners about their business. These conversations put the business on a more personal platform where listeners can learn more about a business and more about its owner and their aspirations for their business.”
The show also fosters connections. November guests Gus’ Chicken and The Davenport, both located South of the Square, have been networking together on projects since the program.
With our storefront studio just off the square at 216 North Guadalupe, we at KZSM feel very much a part of downtown. So “Downtown Discoveries” fits both our personality and our mission.
As Baggett explained, “working with KZSM is a good march for the Downtown Association. KZSM is working hard to be the central information format for the city, and within this format, DASM can tell residents more about our downtown businesses and their activities.”
