Barbara and Dennis Falcone unlocked the doors of the Through the Looking Glass Gallery for the first time Dec. 2. The art gallery is located off of Eighth Street and displays work from Central Texas artists and artists from across the nation.
“We’d thought this would be a quaint little town to open a gallery in,” Barbara said, adding that she hopes more art galleries will open nearby.
The new art gallery is just one new business among several that opened recently in downtown Georgetown, and others are under construction.
Bar and eatery The Uptown Social opened in late December in Tamiro Plaza, Grape Creek Vineyards plans to open a winery in the summer on the Square and construction continues at 100 S. Austin Ave. on The River Place, a development that includes a Mexican food restaurant that will overlook the San Gabriel River.
“That’s more activity than we have had in the last two years, and it’s not just activity that’s asking questions; you’ve got people actually moving in,” City Manager Paul Brandenburg said. “I see a downtown resurgence and activity.”
Georgetown’s Square
The economic development department commissioned a market study of downtown Georgetown from IF Marketing & Advertising that examined communities similar to Georgetown. Released in July, the report recommended promoting the Georgetown Square to tourists.
“I think ultimately, that’s really what we have that’s different—this Square is beautiful,” Economic Development Director Mark Thomas said. “We do continue to hear that from many people outside the state [and] new people that come in.”
Since the report was released, different city departments as well as other organizations have worked to enhance the Georgetown Square.
Through the help of a matching grant from the City of Georgetown and donations from local businesses, the Main Street program hung up an additional $30,000 in lights throughout the Square during the holidays.
In the spring, the city plans to extend the sidewalk on Austin Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets by about 8 feet, allowing additional space for outdoor seating for restaurants and making the area more pedestrian-friendly.
The IF Marketing study recommended creating a cluster of wineries, and when Grape Creek Vineyards opens a winery this summer, the city will have two. Thomas said the economic development department will continue its efforts to recruit additional wineries.
Another tourist draw is events that appeal to a broad audience, so for the first time this spring, a criterium bike race will take place in the downtown streets. The criterium is a timed, short-track race that is expected to draw about 500 participants from across the nation, as well as spectators.
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