Retail Trade
Recent Retail Trade Developments
West and Southwest San Angelo
What a difference a highway/street construction can make! With the completion of the western leg of the Houston Harte Expressway, San Angelo has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of national retail chain stores in the southwestern and western part of the city. In the last 5 years, the following retail stores have been built with the anticipation of more:
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Local companies, Suddenlink Communications, John Bass Ford, and Famiy Powersports also built new facilities on the loop. The Shannon Health System constructed two new buildings housing their clinic and outpatient surgical center. Comfort Inn Suites and Holiday Inn Express also located in this rapidly growing area. Several new restaurants and other businesses are scheduled to follow.
North San Angelo/Lake View
The Lake View area now has a new Wal-Mart Super Center. This is a major boost to an area of the community that has lagged the west and southwest in retail development. The Super Center has attracted other retailers such as Cato and Shoe Dept., and significant retail growth can be expected. Adding to the potential of this area of San Angelo will be further improvements to the Stock Show & Rodeo grounds. As a result of additional 1⁄2 cent sales tax investment, new parking facilities and street access will also help the retail outlook.
Historic Downtown San Angelo
Downtowns across America have suffered the loss of businesses to suburbs and to areas dominated by large national chain stores. However, a new era of hope permeates the downtown businesses in San Angelo’s historic downtown. With the formation of Downtown San Angelo, Inc. in 2003, and the designation as a “Mainstreet Program” in 2004, there is a renewed interest in historic preservation and niche business locations in downtown San Angelo. Major investments over the past two years have included the Museum of Fine Arts, the San Angelo Visitors Center, and the new YMCA. Kids Kingdom is a strong attraction for young families and their children. Continued emphasis on riverfront development is a key to downtown development. Additional 1⁄2 cent sales tax dollars will be spent improving the riverfront in San Angelo, and at the nearby Fort Concho Historic Site.
