The Burlap Horse

How do you transfer the success of one thriving business to a second location? That was the challenge for Melissa Haberstroh, owner of The Burlap Horse, a six-year-old specialty shop in Boerne, TX, situated inside a historic building — which Haberstroh calls the perfect setting for showcasing the store's antique furnishings.

However, when she and husband Jeff decided to build a new 2,450-square-foot showroom, the location they found wasn't in the same realm as the flagship store on Main St. Haberstroh feared that the new location wouldn't generate the same level of foot traffic the historic district offered, so she set out to spearhead an initiative that would establish a cultural arts district for the community. Collaborating with three neighboring gift and clothing stores, she began work on the River South District.

Even with several team players in place, Haberstroh realized that the manpower for this major undertaking was significantly lacking. She began going door-to-door with a list of Frequently Asked Questions in order to educate business owners and residents about the proposed district. She also spent time gathering signatures for a petition that would accompany a formal proposal.

Several meetings with the city's Planning and Zoning Commission and two public hearings necessitated revamped plans, additional signatures and the production of a small scale map — all of which Haberstroh orchestrated and delivered. She also spoke in favor of the plans during a public hearing, describing how the city could benefit from the new cultural center.

Despite Haberstroh's enthusiasm and tremendous efforts, she encountered a number of snags, such as a great deal of emotional support, but little volunteer involvement. “Every group was willing to endorse the effort, but they did very little to see the initiative to its conclusion,” she notes.

Still, Haberstroh maintained a gradual approach, working through myriad frustrations that threatened to derail plans for the cultural arts district. Among those, she notes a lack of municipal ordinances and the reluctance of city leaders to designate the district without such a mechanism in place. “Patience was the only solution,” Haberstroh attests.

Yet as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. Almost two years after the initial request, the cultural arts district designation passed with a vote of 3-1, and was marked with a ceremony at City Hall last April.

Since then, small steps have been made toward the implementation of the plan. Maps of the city now include the River South District, while new sidewalks help foster foot traffic.

Haberstroh says it's difficult to measure the impact that this community service effort has had on The Burlap Horse, but she's encouraged by the possibility of partnering with businesses to promote the River South District. “We still have a lack of momentum, but I expect that will improve once the area becomes more tangible to citizens and visitors alike.”