San Marcos is quickly emerging as one of Central Texas\u2019 most active commercial corridors, as national chains, Texas-based institutions and expanding local brands cluster along Interstate 35. Fueled by commuter traffic between Austin and San Antonio and a growing Texas State University population, once-quiet frontage roads are now giving way to large-scale redevelopment projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From grocery anchors and travel centers to chicken chains, beauty retailers and homegrown bakeries, the I-35 strip is transforming into a dense retail spine designed to capture commuters, students and regional shoppers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new 114,000-square-foot H-E-B<\/strong> is under construction at I-35 and McCarty Lane, marking a major retail investment on the east side of the highway. Construction began last November, and crews have already erected structural steel and begun interior build-out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the store opens in late 2026, it will offer full-service grocery features including a pharmacy drive-thru, curbside pickup, home delivery, in-store bakery and meat market. It will also introduce San Marcos\u2019 first True Texas BBQ<\/strong> restaurant, along with a fuel station, car wash and H-E-B Fresh Bites convenience store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fast-casual \u201cchicken wars\u201d along I-35 have intensified with the arrival of Slim Chickens<\/strong>, which recently opened near the Tanger Outlets corridor. The Arkansas-based brand joins established players such as Raising Cane\u2019s and Layne\u2019s Chicken Fingers in targeting commuter and student traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The menu centers on hand-breaded tenders, wings and sandwiches, supported by Southern-style sides and dessert offerings aimed at high-volume turnover. Its location directly off I-35 positions it strategically within one of the city\u2019s busiest commercial zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Retail growth continues at San Marcos Premium Outlets<\/strong>, where several new tenants are opening or preparing to launch in 2026. Luxury leather brand Cuadra<\/strong> has debuted its first U.S. outlet location at the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Birkenstock<\/strong> is set to open its first Texas outlet, expanding access to its orthopedic footwear line. Meanwhile, Sephora<\/strong> will arrive in June 2026, strengthening the outlets\u2019 beauty and lifestyle portfolio alongside major fashion brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Homegrown bakery Dos Gatos Kolache<\/strong> is planning a second San Marcos location along the I-35 frontage road. The 1,694-square-foot build-out will include a drive-thru format designed to capture commuter demand, marking a shift from its original campus-focused model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The expansion places the brand among high-traffic neighbors such as Texas Roadhouse and Whataburger, reinforcing the corridor\u2019s clustering effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Construction is advancing on a 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee\u2019s<\/strong> at I-35 and Yarrington Road. Exterior brickwork and roadway improvements are underway, with an opening targeted for July 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The travel center will bring high-capacity fueling, large-format retail and food service offerings to one of the busiest stretches of highway in Central Texas, further cementing San Marcos as a regional stopover and retail hub.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Corridor growth accelerates between Austin and San Antonio San Marcos is quickly emerging as one of Central Texas\u2019 most active commercial corridors, as national chains, Texas-based institutions and expanding local brands cluster along Interstate 35. Fueled by commuter traffic between Austin and San Antonio and a growing Texas State University population, once-quiet frontage roads are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3153,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[110],"tags":[1389,1385,1390,1384,1388,1391,1387,1382,1383,1386],"tmauthors":[129],"ppma_author":[117],"class_list":{"0":"post-3152","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-retail","8":"tag-austin-san-antonio-corridor","9":"tag-buc-ees-san-marcos","10":"tag-central-texas-retail-growth","11":"tag-dos-gatos-kolache-drive-thru","12":"tag-h-e-b-mccarty-lane","13":"tag-i-35-commercial-redevelopment","14":"tag-san-marcos-i-35-development","15":"tag-san-marcos-premium-outlets-stores","16":"tag-slim-chickens-texas-expansion","17":"tag-texas-state-university-retail-boom"},"yoast_head":"\nChicken chains intensify competition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Outlet center expands luxury and beauty mix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Local brands scale alongside nationals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Buc-ee\u2019s megasite nears completion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n