the city bypasses you, and you’ve got hill-country life.” “What really embraces and defines Helotes is our rich heritage,” he adds.The town’s unique character shines through landmarks like the Floore’s Country Store, an 83-year-old music venue ranked by Country Music Television as the world’s second-most important country music stage. The city’s leadership is now implementing strategic economic initiatives. “We’re looking for the right mix...we can work with to enhance our community,” Whitehead notes. From mixed-use developments to corporate partnerships, Helotes is writing its next chapter while preserving what makes it special. THE HEART OF HELOTES: HERITAGE AND LIFESTYLE At the core of Helotes lies Old Town, where historic charm meets modern vitality. The district features century-old buildings alongside new constructions designed to mirror their rustic predecessors. “We have antique shops, coffee shops, microbreweries, there’s a few bars, micro venues for music,” describes Whitehead, highlighting the area’s vibrant mix. The monthly MarketPlace event transforms these streets into a bustling outdoor market with 200 vendors and 3,000-4,000 visitors enjoying live music and local fare. Community spirit thrives through family-centric amenities. Recently, a professional-grade pickleball court opened with an adjacent food court, while the annual Cornyval Festival, featuring Texas’s largest outdoor rodeo, draws 100,000 visitors over four days. “That is one of the things that really embraces what Helotes is. It’s not about where are you going to go to a bar and have a club night? It’s more, where can you go as a family and enjoy yourselves? It’s really more community driven, not club night driven,” Whitehead explains. With a population of approximately 13,000, Helotes maintains an intimate community feel while offering urban-caliber amenities. Its reputation for safety remains a cornerstone, ranked second-safest in Bexar County with near-zero violent crime. 101 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05 HELOTES, TX
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx