Things to Do

‘Grab Your Best Gal Pal and Go’ Trip: Shopping, Wineries, & More

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Texcetera

texcetera
Photo: Marcy Stellfox

If you are on the hunt for “good Texas goods and great Texas art,” Texcetera in Johnson City is definitely worth a stop. If you are headed west on Highway 290 toward Fredericksburg, just take a quick right onto North Nugent Avenue and you’ll find Texcetera, housed in the old library, just across from the Blanco County courthouse. Anne Bradley, the friendliest gallery manager around, is quick to offer you a glass of wine while you wander the shop and discover the secrets located in each room. All the art and products sold are from Texas so forget about finding anything made in China here.

Think you can’t afford a piece of Texas art? Think again. Anne’s shop offers a wide variety of art from sculptures to Christmas ornaments, jewelry and paintings, and pottery and yard art at a wide range of prices. Surprisingly, the wonderful shop boasts art from over 50 Texas artists. Whether you are looking for that signature piece to complete your home, or simply a special gift for a friend, you can find the perfect piece here.

Hye Market

hye-market
Photo: Facebook.com/HyeMarket

At this point in the trip, you’re probably getting hungry. The Hye Market makes a perfect place to stop for lunch and continue your wine tasting adventure. Grab a bite of local goodness and at the same time peruse the shelves of Texas wines and handcrafted beer. Hiram G. (Hye) Brown built a house and opened a small market at Hye in the 1880s to support the growing hamlet of Rocky near Rocky Creek . In 1886, he opened a post office where the Hye Market is located today.

The Hye Market of the present aims to invite visitors sit down and spend a while tasting a variety of Texas wines and handcrafted beer. They are proud to sell locally sourced products and use fresh locally produced ingredients whenever possible in their menu items. The menu includes salads and sandwiches, a cheese plate with meat, a hummus plate, and naan bread pizza. You’ll be tempted to pull up a rocking chair on the porch and stay awhile. Don’t try to visit on Mondays, though. That’s when the folks at Hye Market take a break to recuperate for the coming week. Hye Market, 10261 West Highway 290, Hye.