Keep Kyle Charming - Buy Local
Go Karting at Central Texas Speedway |
By Sean Claes
I have lived in Kyle, Texas for the last 12 or so years and have watched it grow and grow. Kyle now has the numbers to support stores like HEB, Target, Ross, Lowes, Home Depot, and a slew of others... The awesome thing about THAT is when larger business move in, it makes way for the "little guy" to open up shop... but without a big national advertising budget, small owner-operator businesses sometimes struggle to let people know they exist...so I thought I'd make this list of some of the most fantastic local-to-Kyle shops.
I wrote this thinking of shopping for Christmas presents.
- For salsas, honey, photos, beautiful crosses and other stocking stuffers try Cross Plants and Produce
- For getaway present, consider Sage Hill Inn Above Onion Creek
- For an awesome go-kart racing coupon: Central Texas Speedway
- For the kiddos, how about a gift card to The Jumpy Place or music lessons at Curious Chords Music Studio at Plum Creek
- Shopping for a lady? Try Tiaras
- Buy a friend a hookah from The Pipe Lion
- Bring a drinkable gift to a party for the host from FriDaze Liquor
- Have a hunter or gun enthusiest on your list? Gun Guys & Gals
- Maybe a massage from Hands On Healing
- Everyone loves flowers... and Lutricks Florist is awesome.
- Funky furniture from the past? Try Sway Vintage
- For anything else... and I mean ANYTHING.. check out the Kyle Flea Market
- Find Gardening supplies and cool stuff from Sustainacycle's Sustainable Living Center at Kyle
- Awesome Kettle Corn goodness can be found at Lone Star Kettle Corn (soon to open a storefront.. but contact them direct for now)
- Satisfy your BBQ lover with a gift certificate from Milt's Pit BBQ
- Have to bring some dessert to a gathering? Check out the The Texas Pie Company (I prefer their Peanut Butter Pie, FYI)
- Help your friend/family reach their fitness goals with Elite BodyWorks of Kyle
- The gift of news year round? Buy your loved one a subscription to The Hays Free Press.
- Are you buying for someone who needs a computer diagnostic or a fix or an upgrade? Maybe an awesome new gaming computer? Get them a gift certificate for Blue Computer Solutions.
- Buying for someone who needs that adrenaline rush? Go Karting from Central Texas Speedway is a great option.
It's good for the businesses for you to shop local.. it's good for the local economy and blah blah blah... but what's even cooler is you can buy something that is unique.. you may even meet the person who made it... you can find that thing you never knew you needed... and meet your neighbors all at the same time. It's like a shopping adventure.. because shopping should be fun.. right?
Happy Shopping Kyle, Texas.
(I originally wrote this in December 2014 as a Local Christmas List... please feel free to shoot me a note when this needs updated if I don't catch new business openings and/or closings... thanks. seanclaesATseanclaesDOTcom.)