Real Estate Photographer in San Marcos, TX

San Antonio-area shoppers are about to see a major upgrade at a local mall renowned for its deep discounts and abundant options. Several major retailers are set to join the popular plaza along the I-35 corridor in Central Texas, bringing new options in skincare, clothing, and luxury accessories.

The San Marcos Premium Outlets announced on Monday, September 8, that three new companies will join its lineup of roughly 145 luxury and name-brand stores. The opening dates of each retailer vary, with two opening as soon as the fall season.

Among the newcomers is the prestigious beauty brand, Sephora. The retailer offers a wide selection of makeup, haircare, fragrance, and makeover appointments. Its arrival will bring much-needed relief to some shoppers, as the nearest store in town used to be located within the JCPenney at 800 Barnes Drive, before it too closed in late 2022.

It also comes just days after the company added Hailey Bieber's Rhode products to its collection, a move beauty fans have been pleading for since its 2022 online inception.

But the wait is almost over. Come 2026, folks can find that and other fan-favorite brands like FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna, Drunk Elephant, Tatcha, and others. An official opening date was not readily available, but a spokesperson for the Outlets says it will be located near the Coach storefront.

Also joining the roster is Racing Miami, a brand for the F1 Official Team and Drivers’ Merchandise. It will be one of only eight of the company's locations worldwide, and offer brands such as Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Ferrari, McLaren F1, and others, its website states.

An Outlets spokesperson tells MySA the shop is slated to launch next to the Dooney & Bourke store this fall. Hopefully, its doors will open just in time for the United States Grand Prix in Austin in October.

The next big name to land a spot in the college town is Cuadra, a chain that specializes in original and luxury products crafted from exotic leather. Currently, the company only hosts locations in two other Texas cities: McAllen and Austin.

"Cuadra’s products blend innovative design and leading-edge technology with the influence of traditional handicrafts," a news release states. "Cuadra is designed for people who highly value image, identity, innovation, and high-quality functionality."

It's out with the old and in with the new at the Premium Outlets. Alongside these businesses, two new spots for sweet lovers have recently opened: Starbucks and Velma & Ruby's Sweet and Sassy Ice Cream. That means visitors no longer have to wait until after their day-trip for a coffee — they can now take a break for a java boost near the Pottery Barn during their visit.

Meanwhile, the family-owned ice cream parlor is serving up creative sundaes that range from cupcake to brownie to gummy worm-themed. Locals can find it in the Outlets food court section.

A spokesperson for the outlets said it was "thrilled" about the new additions. More information on the mall's hours, promotions, and stores can be found on its social media accounts.

Melanie Love Salazar is a digital trending reporter for MySA who is passionate about telling stories that inspire, uplift, and inform readers. She was born and raised in San Antonio and is currently based near Austin. She specializes in covering music, culture, and trending news, but loves any opportunity to talk about fandom and digital media.Melanie graduated from Texas State University with a BS in journalism and a minor in creative writing. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in American Journalism through New York University.

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Every high school football team in Texas is excited to start a new season, but in San Marcos, there is a different level of anticipation for this specific season.

“I’ve personally been waiting for this for three years,” said San Marcos High School quarterback Buck Steyn. “I haven’t got to play varsity; it’s finally here, so I’m excited.”

Steyn is one of 11 players who haven’t been allowed to play varsity football for the past three years. Those players were ruled ineligible by the UIL in 2022 because they transferred to San Marcos High School for athletic reasons.

“It was a long process; it sucked, but we all got through it,” said Izaiah Young, a linebacker at the school.

“The entire program had to be patient; we had to withstand lots of valleys,” said John Walsh, the school's head football coach. “For three years, this has been a journey to be here, we’re excited.”

Many of the players who were ineligible were also some of the best players in the program. In turn, the varsity team has struggled the past few years, while those 11 guys played on JV and dominated. It was all building to this season when they are seniors and are allowed to play on varsity.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for; this is what we’ve been prepping for,” said Young. “We all stuck through it together.”

“We’ve all been through so much it didn’t feel right to leave,” said Steyn. “We had to finish it.”

“They sacrificed, and they deserve everything that is coming to them,” said Walsh.

With their top talent now able to play and the motivation to make the most of this one season, San Marcos has high hopes in 2025.

“We’re looking at state, you never know, but that’s what we’re looking at,” said Steyn.

“This year we all got a chip on our shoulder and prove everybody wrong,” said Young. “People have doubts, so we’re going to show them who we really are.”

The Rattlers open the season at home against Hutto on Aug. 29.

Shoppers in Central Texas will soon see their local Target transformed in a big way. This one-stop shop for groceries, office supplies, home goods, beauty products and much more, can expect fresh updates to hit the mark in San Marcos, just minutes away from Texas State University.

The store is set to undergo a $15 million remodel, bringing much needed upgrades to nearly every corner of the 111,448-square-foot space, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) filing. All TDLRs are subject to change without notice.

Construction is expected to kick off on February 2, 2026, and wrap up by July 17, 2026, according to the TDLR. When it’s finished, the San Marcos location will look and feel a lot different, with upgrades spanning from the exterior to the sales floor, grocery section, fitting rooms, restrooms and even the guest services desk. Behind the scenes, offices and stockrooms will also be modernized.

Regulars who like to grab a latte while they shop can also look forward to a refresh to its in-store Starbucks coffee spot, a popular feature that has become part of the Target run ritual.

Target hasn’t shared exact design details yet, but if recent remodels are any indication, shoppers can expect upgraded layouts, easier navigation and more room for digital services. Expanded product selections and a focus on convenience have also been major priorities in other store upgrades across the country.

The timing couldn’t be better for San Marcos. Positioned along the busy I-35 corridor, the city has seen steady growth in both residents and retail traffic, making the Target remodel a significant investment in the community’s shopping landscape.

The last upgrades, according to state records, occurred in the summer of 2020 with a $50,000 renovation to this big-brand retailer. The alterations included an addition of grocery pickup storage and updates to store fixtures and mechanical and electrical systems.

For now, locals can circle mid-2026 on their calendars. That’s when they’ll, hopefully, be able to step inside a reimagined store that aims to make the familiar Target run more convenient than ever.

Find it: 700 Barnes Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666

A new bombshell is set to shake up the Texas nightlife scene — and this time, it’s not in the villa, but on The Square in San Marcos.

fan favorite Nic Vansteenberghe is headed to San Marcos for a night fans won’t want to miss. The Season 7 runner-up, known for his charm, soft-spoken confidence and sweet on-screen romance with fellow contestant Olandria Carthen, is making a special appearance at The Vault during GreekFest on August 29.

The 24-year-old registered nurse from Jacksonville, Florida became a breakout star on the Peacock reality series, especially after his coupling with Carthen, which fans lovingly dubbed "Nicolandria." Though they didn’t win the $100,000 prize, they walked away with a massive fanbase and one of the season’s strongest followings.

Now, Vansteenberghe is bringing that island heat to Central Texas. Guests can choose between two time slots: 7 to 9 p.m. or 9 to 11 p.m.. General admission tickets start at $25, with a limited number of $75 meet-and-greet packages available for those looking to snap a selfie and chat with the Florida heartthrob.

Hosted by GreekFest, the event promises pulsing music, top DJs and an all-out party vibe. Organizers say their mission is to provide "an incredibly fun, memorable, and energetic experience that anyone and everyone can enjoy," according to its website. The event is 18+ only and tickets are non-refundable.

This isn’t the first time an Islander has stirred things up in San Marcos. Earlier this summer, Love Island USA alum Jeremiah Brown, known for his fiery pairing with Huda Mustafa, made waves with a fan meet-up at The Marc following his headline-grabbing romance and villa exit.

With over 18 billion minutes streamed, the show is officially Peacock’s most-watched original season ever. Can’t get enough villa drama? Don’t miss the Love Island USA Season 7 reunion airing August 25 at 8 p.m. on Peacock.

Nicholas Hernandez is a digital reporter for MySA. Previously, he worked as an associate producer for NJ PBS’s nightly newscast. His bylines have appeared in Eater, the Bronx Times, AMNY, NJ Spotlight News and Bleu Magazine. A graduate of Seton Hall University, he also holds a master’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

A pitch for baseball may be headed straight for San Marcos. As Central Texas continues to grow, developers and sports enthusiasts are eyeing the area as the potential next stop for minor league baseball, with American Ventures’ $500 million development including an option for a roughly six-acre site that could host a stadium, several sources told the Austin Business Journal.

The development, marketed as "The District," is located near the intersection of East McCarty Lane and Rattler Road in San Marcos, just minutes from San Marcos High School, and spans roughly 100 acres. While no specific minor league expansion is officially planned, MLB’s interest in Central Texas is building. The Austin Baseball Commission is actively positioning Austin as a candidate for MLB expansion, envisioning a $4 billion enterprise with a new stadium and minor league teams. This momentum highlights the region’s appetite for baseball, making a potential San Marcos stadium a potential promising prospect.

Along the I-35 corridor, Round Rock's Dell Diamond hosts the Triple-A Round Rock Express, while San Antonio's Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium hosts the Double-A San Antonio Missions. A San Marcos stadium would add another stop on this professional baseball route, potentially creating a new hub for fans and residents alike.

However the Austin Business Journal reported it is unclear what league would be tied to the potential stadium.

"The District" is planned in phases through 2031 and includes 1,196 multifamily units, 44 townhomes, 84 single-family homes, 120 build-to-rent homes, 16 live-work-play units, a 130-room hotel, and 144,200 square feet of office, retail and grocery space, according to city documents. Developers say the project is intended to respond to strong community interest in additional mixed-use neighborhoods and aims to become a central hub for residents, businesses and entertainment in the area, according to city records.

American Ventures' CEO Shravan Parsi confirmed to the Austin Business Journal that the project will include an indoor and outdoor recreation facility, but said details remain under negotiation. The company will reportedly share additional details closer to a September 2 San Marcos City Council meeting.

If completed, The District would stand as one of the largest mixed-use developments in San Marcos, combining housing, commercial space and recreation. He noted that the community has shown strong interest in "bringing more live-work-play neighborhoods to this part of the city."

Council members are expected to consider creating a public improvement district for the site and approve zoning changes to allow for buildings up to five stories tall. Negotiations on a Chapter 380 economic development agreement for tax abatements are also underway. The City of San Marcos does not provide comment on items set to appear before Council, according to a city official.

MySA reached out to American Ventures and Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership for comment.