By Moses Leos III.
It’s easy to ignore the rusted and aging silos and structures of the Buda Mill and Grain as you drive through town. They once signified the rural fabric of the community in days gone by.
Upon closer inspection, however, is a much different viewpoint. Where jalopies and trash once dominated the 8.75-acre lot, it now harbors a beacon of the future of Main Street.
For Dodi and Saenger Ellis, revitalizing the land owned by Gay Dalhstrom, wife of the late Jack Dahlstrom, is their calling.
It started two years ago, when the family began to clean up the area.
“We’ve spent the last couple of years cleaning up the site, and envisioning what the buildings/site will look like,” Dodi said in an emailed response. “Now, you can really see the potential of the site with its huge old oak trees that weren’t really even noticed before.”
Last summer, the Ellis family began to renovate many of the aging structures hoping to bring in prospective clients.
| Rebecca Ocosta-Ojeda (left), owner of Salon one12, is the newest shopkeeper to take up residence at the Buda Mill and Grain on west Main St. Property owner Gay Dalhstrom said, “People are beginning to see just how beautiful this old mill can be.” (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
Their efforts drew Rebecca Ocosta-Ojeda, owner of Salon one12, to take up shop at the Mill and Grain. Two weeks ago, she opened her salon, becoming the second business to take root at the Mill and Grain.
Originally, Ojeda sought to open a shop in Buda to be closer to family. She also had her sights set on another property on Main Street.
But the rustic renovations of the Ellis family drew her in, saying it was “rustic Texas.”
More importantly for Ojeda, the Ellis’ vision of the property was much like her own.
“The new development and vision the (Ellis family) had is what I wanted to bring to Buda,” Ojeda said. “To bring the Austin edge, but also have the small town feel.”
Continued progress is the goal for Dodi and Saenger, who are working on bringing more businesses.
According to Dodi, the site has received the assistance from Susan Harris, president of Site Solutions Commercial Real Estate, and the Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
She said both were instrumental in sending prospective clients her way. Dodi said a few specific businesses are in mind for the future.
But the aid of the EDC has gone far beyond showing off the site. They assisted in securing a $5,000 Buda Improvement Grant (BIG) in June 2013, along with giving the go-ahead for a loop water system, which cost $168,000.
“The EDC has been a great resource for support as we’ve moved forward renovating the Mill,” Saenger said in an emailed response. “We can’t thank them enough and appreciate that they believe the Mill is a project worth supporting.”
According to EDC Executive Director Ann Miller, the Mill and Grain is “currently being reviewed in regard to potential sales tax, property tax, or other incentives.” She said nothing has been finalized at this time.
Challenges are still ever-present, including visibility – both Ojeda and Sweet Cakes 4U owner Dolores Diaz agree on that.
Both owners felt a proactive approach was needed to grow their businesses.
However, they also believe their businesses will be mutually beneficial, helping draw customer traffic.
“We are looking forward to [the salon moving in],” Diaz said. “Having cars parked out there, it draws people’s attention. They will look over here. That will help a lot.”
In addition, the Mill and Grain worked with TxDOT to redesign its parking plans.
But once finalized, Dodi expects ground to break in the spring, leading to new retail spaces in the summer or fall.
For the Ellipses, 2014 will be the year the Mill and Grain takes off.
It all catches the eye of the family matriarch.
“I so enjoy watching all the cars park at the hair salon and bakery,” Dahlstrom said. “People are beginning to see just how beautiful this old Mill can be.”
