A new restaurant and grocery market is coming to downtown Buda.
The Buda City Council on Oct. 15 approved a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Los Olivos Market Buda, LLC, which is scheduled to open late this year or early in 2020.
Los Olivos Market Buda, LLC, is scheduled to open early in 2020 and will be located at 306 S. Main Street within the Buda Mill & Grain complex.
It will be located at 306 S. Main Street within the larger Buda Mill & Grain complex. Owners Rafael Varela and his daughter Rebecca Varela also own a restaurant of the same name in Wimberley.
John Herdman, director of operations for the venture, told the city council that the retail focus will be on artisan products from small producers, “nothing sold in local stores,” and that in addition to food, beer and wine will be sold on the premises. Council unanimously approved the SUP, which is required for any retail food establishment within F5H zoning, in a single and final vote.
Buda Senior Planner David Fowler told the council that letters were sent to 34 nearby property owners and the plan was advertised twice in the Hays Free Press. “There was no response,” he said, to either.
The approximately 6,809 square foot site is located where a ramen restaurant was to open. Fowler also said there is ample parking at the site and that, in response to a questions raised before approval by the planning and zoning commission, the business would be comprised of approximately 45 percent food, 30 percent alcohol and 20 percent retail — with retail located in the front and the kitchen, which would also include a butcher shop, in the back.
Along with the P&Z approval came the condition that the grocery and market be limited to Suites 103 and 104. “Should a similar use come in somewhere else” in the complex, it would require its own SUP, Fowler said.
There are several criteria for approval of an SUP and Fowler said the proposal met them all. “The approved site plan is fairly recent” and the plan is also in compliance with traffic safety, drainage, height of structures and fire safety. Noise and lighting are not expected to be a problem either. “Luckily, where this is located, the nearest uses are non-residential,” he told the council. “Staff recommends approval.”
Council members all seemed warm to the project. “It looks good to me, I like it,” said Paul Daugereau, representing single member district A. “I like restaurants coming to Buda. It’s exciting,” said Remy Fallon, representing at-large position 2. “It’s good for the area and it’s a good mix,” said Evan Ture, representing single member district B. Ray Bryant, who represents at-large position 3, noted that the Wimberley location, only open about a year, is doing well.
Herdman said the goal is to open in December of 2019 or January of 2020.
