CITY OF SAN MARCOS
The city of San Marcos values the businesses that have stuck around and made the community what it is today.
This year, Downtown Manager Josie Falletta said the “Legacy” Businesses being honored by the city for engaging in commerce for 20 years or more are Bobcat Movers – 20 years, Mochas & Javas – 22 years, Green Guy Recycling – 30 years, San Marcos Veterinary Clinic – 25 years, City Bakery – 36 years, McCoy’s Building Supply – 53 years and Sunset Bowling Lanes – 66 years.
Falletta said Legacy Businesses must be locally owned and serve as a historical and cultural asset to the community, be in operation for 20 or more years and meet one or more of the following criteria: - Owned and operated by successive generations of the same family - Perpetuates San Marcos’ authenticity through the goods or services it provides - Cultivates and sustains traditions and culture through instruction, education and handing down of traditional ways of knowledge - Located in a designated San Marcos historic district or designated as a local landmark or eligible and willing to register the property as a landmark.
But one shouldn’t fret if their business meets some of the criteria and has not quite been in operation for two decades.
“Businesses less than 20 years old may be evaluated on a case-bycase basis with at least two letters of support from the community indicating the business’ contribution to the culture and history of San Marcos,” Falletta said.
Falletta and Historic Preservation Officer Alison Brake gave background on the Legacy Program, which was launched in 2024 as a way to recognize, honor and celebrate legacy businesses that have contributed to the prosperity and cultural heritage of San Marcos.
They said it began as a joint initiative of the Historic Preservation Commission and Main Street Advisory Board in 2020. The program came on the heels of a presentation by the city of San Antonio’s Cultural Historian on a similar program conducted there. The two city of San Marcos boards worked to develop the program after approval from the city council in 2021.
Historic Preservation Officer Alison Brake encouraged the community to make nominations, which are open to everyone.
“Any individual can nominate a business, and businesses are also welcome to nominate themselves,” Brake said.
