Shopping in Helotes (Alamo, Fredericksburg, Boerne: landscaping, live, restaurant)

[majormadmax]

Well, now that the holidays are over, I can share something I learned the week before Christmas...that there are some nice little shops in Old Helotes!

I am embarrassed to admit that in the seven years total that we've lived in this area, we've never made it to the shops in the old part of Helotes! We've eaten at the Bistro (before it closed), and I've been to the Soler's Sports Shop and Helotes Bicycle; but in an effort to find some nice things for the wife I wandered over to "downtown" Helotes to try and avoid some of the idiotic crowds at Alamo Ranch and Bandera Pointe.

I didn't want to be too late as that would have blown my cover, but during the short time I was shopping I quickly found several nice presents for the wife!

Once the presents were opened, I could reveal my new "secret" to the wife, and she and her visiting mother went out there yesterday and found even more nice things.

It's sad as we've made the trek to Bandera, Boerne and Fredericksburg to go shopping, and have neglected to check out Helotes. But now that's changed, and we are learning that there is even more to this little jewel than just Bobby J's, Floore's Country Store and el Chaparral!

Cheers! M2

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

I wish they would turn the Bistro back into Hickory Hut bbq. That was my favorite place. Awesome potato salad, and the family who ran it was so nice.

[majormadmax]

Yeah, the makeover of that place was a failed experiment. We ate there once and the menu was too spread across too many fares to make any sense. It is a nice building and with all the renovation going on, it would help if someone would turn that back into a profitable restaurant. Any idea what happened to the BBQ place, why it went under?

Cheers! M2

[mamatotex97]

what are the names of some of these shops?

[Lee W.]

The town has been doing some work in Old Helotes, putting in street parking and a little landscaping. Now they just have to figure out how to get people to come over there!
Shops at Old Town Helotes, Texas - Home

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by mamatotex97

what are the names of some of these shops?

I started at Old Town Junction, then moved to All That Glitters and ended up at Simply Yours. That was just some of the shops, there were a few more that I didn't make; but those three were enough to finish my Christmas shopping!

And as Lee W. stated, they have done a tremendous amount of work in Old Helotes to improve parking and the overall appearance of the main street. They are really making the effort to spruce the place up, and after my positive experience doing my last-minute Christmas shopping there I think it is going to become a tradition. There are certain places I have to hit (James Avery, Bath and Body Works), but for the more "creative" presents (e.g. the ones my wife doesn't have on her list), I am going to head back there for sure!

Cheers! M2

[mamatotex97]

pretty neat. i take it these are all in walking distance to one another? I havent been out there at all but will keep them in mind the next time I need a gift!

[majormadmax]

Yes, very much so. Old Town Helotes is not very big, but there is a nice selection of shops in that small area and with the recent rennovations, parking is much easier than it was...