Winery venture to revive historic Badger building on Burnet square

CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — Since the 1880s, the Badger building has played an important role as the business and social epicenter on the courthouse square.

“The building reflects history. It has been as central location for a lot of activities in the community,”  said Carole Goble, a member of the Burnet County Historical Commission and curator of the Fort Croghan Museum.

The building’s history and potential to stir economic growth once again has inspired the city’s economic development leaders to invest $1.2 million in renovating the inside of the structure as well as three adjacent buildings to launch the wine-making industry in the heart of the community. San Saba-based Wedding Oak Winery wants to bring a new flavor to the historic building.

From a mercantile store and a post office to a telephone company and a bank, the Badger building, 229 S. Pierce St., has become a symbol of the economic progress in Burnet.

“Back in the ’50s and ’60s, it was a teenage canteen. After the Robertsons bought that building, they made it into a teen center. They bought the soda fountain from one of the old drug stores, and then they had dances upstairs,” Goble said. “That building holds a lot of memories for a lot of people. Most people who live in Burnet who are adults now appreciate what the Robertsons did with the building and the fact they have a lot of fond memories about good times there.”

As the structure ages, the white rock facade has maintained the character of the building as its defining architectural feature.

“One of the things we hear from people who come off the train is, ‘What is there to do?’ This an entirely new venture that will compliment many of the existing businesses we have,” Burnet City Manager David Vaughn said. “This will give people an additional reason to come down there. People that might not have had a reason to come to the square.”

To help launch the revitalization project, the Robertson family recently donated the Badger building and two adjacent buildings to the Burnet Economic Development Corp., Vaughn said.

Along with renovating those structures, crews are scheduled to raze two more buildings to the east, which were purchased by a private owner, behind the Badger building.

The plan would involve reconstructing the buildings in keeping with the architectural style of the Badger structure. Features would include an enclosed room for events and an open-air terrace.

Then, EDC officials expect to enter into a lease-purchase option agreement with Wedding Oak Winery with plans for a tasting room and a production facility.

Co-owner Mike McHenry said he would need from four to six full-time employees and some part-time workers.

“It’s the idea of agri-tourism,” he said. “It’s happening in Gillespie County to the tune of $70 (million) to $90 million annually.”

McHenry believes the winery would spur growth in other areas.

“Although offices are needed, they become offices for title companies, lawyers and real estate. It’s a good thing, but it doesn’t necessarily drive traffic,” he said. “(The winery) is going to bring tourists into Burnet which are destination-oriented, which will then spill over into all of the other economic benefits.”

Since Wedding Oak moved just off the San Saba square on East Wallace Street in 2012, McHenry has seen a resurgence in economic growth, including an olive oil company, a mercantile shop and a new pecan store.

“For us, as a winery, it’s also an enormous opportunity to build a secondary location and develop our brand in the Hill Country without leaving,” McHenry said. “It will create a downtown winery destination in the downtown square which I feel like is a critical part of re-development of any of our Texas towns. We think it’s the next frontier, and it’s already started.”

Renovations are scheduled to get underway by January. The winery opening target date is Sept. 1, 2015.

“People have been in and out of those buildings since the 1800s. It’s a marvelous thing to see them being rejuvenated and put to good use again,” Goble said. It’s forward progress, and a boon to the town.”

Go to www.weddingoakwinery.com for more information about the winery.

connie@thepicayune.com