FE ATUR E
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWN SQUARE IN TEXAS
COV E R
To Us, It's Just Home
by Charlotte Kovalchuk and Cassidie Cox
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ocial center. Community cornerstone. Heart of Georgetown. Or, the moniker that draws many an out-of-towner—the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas. All describe a downtown hub where folks of all ages gather to enjoy live music and a glass of wine with friends, browse eclectic shops, picnic on the courthouse lawn, and tour the 112-year-old courthouse at the center of the downtown gem. “It’s just where you go,” Mayor Josh Schroeder says. “Date night. Family dinner. Celebrating. Mourning. It’s where we go for the important events in our lives.”
mix of businesses that draw locals and tourists alike seven days a week. Many credit 600 Degrees Pizzeria with sparking the Square’s transformation from a “great place for restaurants to come and die,” as Cody Hirt describes it, to a flourishing business hub.
FOR THE LOCALS Georgetown prides itself not only on its charm as a modern-day Mayberry; it also boasts a thriving Andrea Denton enjoys a bite to eat on the Square with her kids, Brooks and Bridgette, before Brooks goes to spend his piggy-bank money next door at All Things Kids. “I think I want to get all kinds of toys,” Brooks said. 6
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That culture inspired Cody to open Mesquite Creek Outfitters and The Golden Rule downtown with Brad Strittmatter. Growing up in Stanton, Cody treasured his closeknit town where everyone helped each other and community meant everything. “Georgetown was the only place where I sensed that same type of community. We have such a diverse group of businesses now. On top of that, none of us sees each other as competition. We see everyone as complementary. There's a great group effort to raise the tide to raise
