Welcome to Pecantown

Where there's smoke, there's fire

Column by Tess Coody-Anders Photos by Lizz Daniels

The rising tide raises all boats. It’s a phrase President John Kennedy used in 1960 to promote the notion of American states working collaboratively to improve the overall economy of the country. Oft used since, it’s a favorite phrase of Main Street Director Kyle Kramm, only today he is talking about barbecue.

Two weeks ago, Texas Monthly published its rankings of the Top 50 BBQ joints in Texas, only its sixth list since 1997. Significantly, Seguin’s own Burnt Bean BBQ unseated some perennial favorites to be named 4th on the list - barely a year into opening. Folks, no small business or Main Street Association has the marketing budget to buy the kind of advertising and exposure that this list generates. In fact, you cannot impute a dollar value to the reputational lift and credibility that such a recognition imparts.

Photo by Lizz Daniels

What you can measure is the resulting impact not only on Burnt Bean’s business, but downtown Seguin. Burnt Bean co-owner and pitmaster David Kirkland says they are increasing productivity by upwards of 30 percent - and they are seeing new faces from all over Texas and beyond.

“With all the previous and newly added traffic to the Burnt Bean we have been hearing a lot of buzz from our neighbors about the increase in traffic as well as business. The Seguin Art League even told me they have sold some paintings to people waiting in our lines,” he said.

Yes, those lines are much, much longer - and we’ve all seen the local social posts that prove it. That’s part of BBQ culture and lore. Yes, that means it’s tougher for locals to enjoy their new favorite restaurant. But it also means that downtown Seguin is having a moment - one I hope we don’t squander.

“It really is a great example of how one business’s success can benefit everyone. We are seeing a lot more visitors downtown. They may come for the barbecue, but they are exploring other shops, too,” Kramm said. “And calls from investors interested in opening new businesses in downtown Seguin are up, too.”

Burnt Bean’s success is no accident; owners Ernest Servantes and Kirkland are masters at their craft, and many people helped make their location downtown possible. And while we often receive business press when our economic development team attracts a new manufacturer to the area, nothing is as impactful to Seguin’s brand as the kind of recognition that comes with an upstart BBQ joint knocking down some giants.

As Kramm says, too many people think Seguin is what they see from Interstate 10. The more we are able to draw people into downtown, the more they see Seguin for what we really are: an authentic, small Texas town, where people know each other and want to get to know you. And while the lines at Burnt Bean may be long, there are other amazing BBQ options, too: Davila’s, KJ’s, Johnny’s. And at points in between? Many well retailed shops, two breweries, a winery and a lot of charm.

All of which is why Kirkland believes Seguin is poised to have more than a moment.

“I used to come to this very building in high school and get banana splits while I worked at The old Vivroux Sporting Goods one block over,” Kirkland recalls. “As much as I like things the way they are, Seguin is the next boom town. It’s already starting to head that way. We have an awesome city manager that is doing everything he can do to help make the growth happen.”

Sure, I miss shorter lines at Burnt Bean. But I’m proud to see those lines, and proud to know that people are talking about and visiting our downtown, because when one of us does well, there’s greater potential for everyone. •

Tess Coody-Anders is a serial smalltowner, having spent most of her adult life in towns where everybody knows your business. A Seguin High School graduate, Tess currently serves as Vice President for Strategy and Strategic Communications at Trinity University. Welcome to Pecan Town is Tess’s column which seeks to explore opportunities and challenges from explosive growth in our area.