Family-owned Hays Co. Bar-B-Que is looking to open a new location in Kyle at 505 S. Old Hwy. 81.
The barbecue joint—owned by Michael and Asenette Hernandez—was established in 2007. Hays Co. Bar-B-Que was previously located in San Marcos before the building was sold to the Hays County Food Bank.
Project details
The project, dubbed Project Ember, is being considered with two economic incentive requests, including a Chapter 380 Economic Incentive Agreement for a one-time maximum $300,000 grant for utility improvements, such as:
Adding paved parking
Replacing perimeter fencing
Burying telecom lines
Replacing light poles
A three-year restaurant incentive is also being considered with the Chapter 380 agreement.
On top of utility improvements, Hays Co. Bar-B-Que will also be making waterline and fire hydrant improvements, and upgrading the site's electrical service and underground telecom lines.
Victoria Vargas, the city's economic development director, noted the proposed location is almost directly across from Project Two Step.
"I believe that this project will be a catalyst to the west side downtown redevelopment as well as Project Two Step kicking off development for the east side of the downtown area," Vargas said.
The proposed 2,000-square-foot restaurant would have a large playscape, outdoor music stage and outdoor walk-up bar. A potential Phase 2 of the project could include a two-story layout with the restaurant on the ground floor and retail upstairs, according to agenda documents.
Notable quote
Michael Hernandez said he and his family are excited about moving to Kyle.
"We don't just want to serve the community, we want to be the community," he said.
What's next?
A formal vote on the development agreement and economic incentives will be considered by Kyle City Council in August. The project will also need to be rezoned from Construction/Manufacturing to Central Business District 2.