A nationally celebrated Texas city has seen explosive growth in recent years, drawing attention for its rapid development and small-town charm. But beyond the new subdivisions and chains, a single street is quietly redefining what the future looks like here in New Braunfels.
Castell Avenue, just minutes from New Braunfels’ downtown plaza, is slowly becoming a critical corridor for downtown revitalization. From coffee shops to new restaurants and boutique stores, the street is becoming a special destination that builds on historic resources and properties.
"Redevelopment along this corridor reflects a strategic opportunity to attract investment, activate underutilized properties and strengthen the area’s role as a hub for economic activity and community identity," the City of New Braunfels said in a statement to MySA.
Nearly 100-year-old properties have been reborn, turning the once-quiet street into a growing one-stop shop in New Braunfels. Think the Historic Gruene shopping district but with a neighborhood-style feel.
From Kinnor Coffee and Cocktails, which transformed a property built in 1937 into one of the city’s hottest new coffee spots, to a late-1920s building turned into the new wine bar Clubhouse, and more recently, a 1930s home converted into a Thai restaurant, and it seems Castell Avenue has something for every appetite.
"We feel like this street has a lot of potential," Todd Ratajik, co-owner of Thai Isan House, told MySA. "We both spend a lot of time in Austin and we love Rainey Street, which is a bunch of old houses. We certainly feel like this street can develop into something close to that."
Thai Isan House brings new flavors to the local food scene, with dishes like pineapple fried rice, pad Thai and their signature pumpkin curry. Many recipes come directly from Ratajik’s wife, Tai Phapa, who is originally from Thailand and draws on her family’s traditional recipes back home. The restaurant offers a casual, globally inspired option in a town often dominated by barbecue, Tex-Mex and German fare.
"We’re really excited to be here," Ratajik said. "We just see bigger and better things in the future for this street and for this town."
But that’s not all on the horizon for this rapidly developing street. A nearly 2.5-acre multi-use development, adapted from the former New Braunfels Producers Co-Op, is set to bring even more energy and variety to the area. Named Co-Op Marketplace, the project will feature a mix of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, retail vendors and more, offering locals and visitors a vibrant new hub for dining, shopping and entertainment.
Jonathan Packer, president and CEO of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, called South Castell Avenue a "critical corridor" in the downtown area, noting strong momentum from both public and private sectors. He highlighted that projects like the Co-Op Marketplace thoughtfully adapt iconic landmarks to meet today’s needs while honoring the city’s history, adding valuable public gathering spaces for the community.
Packer also pointed to the ongoing reimagining of the Civic and Convention Center as another initiative with the potential to boost downtown’s ability to host major events that draw residents and visitors alike.
Strategic land use remains central to the Chamber’s economic development goals. Packer emphasized that New Braunfels has tremendous opportunities ahead, with Castell Avenue illustrating how growth can be guided in ways that stay true to the community’s character.
"Thoughtful projects like these align with our broader strategy to create quality of life that benefits residents, enhances the visitor experience and supports local businesses," he said in a statement to MySA.
The city couldn’t agree more, saying: "Castell Avenue is central to the City’s long-term vision for economic growth. The corridor will serve as a gateway into downtown, supporting tourism, small businesses and local cultural programming. Its development directly advances Strategic Plan goals related to downtown vibrancy and placemaking."