1913 Kleinecke Building - 106 E. Main
The 1913 Kleinecke bldg. sat vacant for 25 years + and had a damaging water leak. Purchased by Shelly and Anthony Rath, utilizing Business Retention and Expansion and Main Street Façade grants and State Tax Credits. Completed restoration for 2nd story (1) two-bedroom and (1) one-bedroom apartments, both under lease. First floor leased by A Special Stitch retail store.
Deed: 09/26/2017
1881 H. R. Runge and Co Building - 101 W. Main
Recognition of A. J. Simpson for his 2017-2018 historic restoration project of the H.R. Runge and Co. building, built in 1881, at 101 W. Main Street, used as a grocery and dry goods store in the early twentieth century, to house The Emporium at the Fair, retail store.
Deed: 03/19/2018
1928 Sophia Gohmert Building - 144 E. Main
Recognition of Gina R. and Phil Mueller for their 2017-2019 historic restoration project of the Sophia Gohmert building, built in 1928, at 144 E. Main Street, from a former JC Penney retail store to Maison Chic Bridal & Special Occasion and Primrose Cottage Boutique retail stores, opened on June 24, 2019.
Deed: 05/29/2014
The House - 400 W. Main
04/08/2018: The Cuero Record For over 20 years, Keith Krueger had been looking to purchase the building at 400 W. Main. Just over a year ago he was able to, and through a collaborative effort with Corbin Goebel, they have opened The House: Wood Fire Pizza and Spirits… “It sounded like something Cuero’s been needing for a while,” Goebel said. “We just wanted somewhere to hangout. You could come in, watch some sports, drink a beer, a glass of wine, then somebody mentioned something about pizza...” Most of their space is out back, where there will be horseshoes, washers, cornhole and bull ring… “I decided on The House because it’s very welcoming…” “We’d like it to be a middle of the road type of place, where everybody feels comfortable coming in here...” “I see a lot of vision in what can be done, and I think this end of town needs it,” Krueger said... “
Opened for business: April 2018
La Bella Tavola - 213 N. Esplanade
Restoration by Robert Oliver. 01/07/2017: Victoria Advocate Gasper Lekgega, 42, opened La Bella Tavola on Dec. 20, 2016, in a building that used to be a Texaco service station and was built in the late 1920s or early 1930s… Lekgega owns and operates two restaurants in Gonzales, and about 25 percent of his customers come from Cuero, he said. ``The community of Cuero has been amazing. I think we brought something different to Cuero, and hopefully we stay here for a long time...`` Robert Oliver, 67, of Cuero, bought the building in 2012, said Chip Dence, part-owner of East End Builders in Victoria. Dence was the main contractor of the project from 2014 to finish. The building was used as a liquor store most recently and may have been used as a pet store in the past, Dence said. Oliver and Dence tried to keep the space as original as possible by keeping the brick walls and awning of the 3,500-square-foot building. The restoration of the building was designed to replicate a 1920s service station. They added a kitchen to the space for the restaurant. ``About 50 percent of what's there is new construction, and about 50 percent is the original building,`` Dence said. The space is recognizable as a service station but would not be practical because the way vehicles are serviced today is different from how they were in the 1920s and 1930s, Dence said. ``It's significant to preserve an iconic building and repurpose it for a use that is beneficial in Cuero,`` he said. ``I'm thrilled to make that contribution. It's important in every community to preserve its heritage.`` Lekgega said the fact that his restaurant is in a historic building in Cuero makes the atmosphere like no other. ``Working with Oliver has been good,`` he said. ``He made it easy for me to come here...``
Deed: 06/23/2014
Bahnhof Café - 213 W. Main
Named one of Texas Monthly's Top 40 Small-town cafes in 2008! Bahnhof Café is a long term staple on W. Main. The façade of the building started to slip in approx. 2012 and work has been ongoing since. It has not stopped any customers from coming in to enjoy their great food! The brick façade has been restored and the last picture depicts esthetic façade restoration as of July, 2019.
Deed: 11/01/2004
Cuero Public Library - 207 E. Main
01/02/2018: The Cuero Record Four years after initial plans were discussed by Cuero city council, renovations of the Cuero Municipal Library are nearly complete. With a grand-opening and ribbon cutting set for this Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, all that’s left is landscaping additions in February. Upon walking into the building, which is essentially brand new, the entire space is much more open than before with new amenities all around. “Hopefully, this will give us a lot more space to add to our collection,” library director Lynn Mixon said. All of the equipment in the library is new, from the shelves which will house the books to the computers and Lego area for kids. Grants and generous donations supplemented the new features available in the library. The Cuero Public Library has a multitude of programs for children and provides 6 computers stations plus 3 IPads for their use. Additionally, there are 12 public computer stations set-up and there is a public meeting room available, which is often used for a variety of presentations. The library consistently showcases local art and photographs for all to enjoy.
Renovations to existing library and construction of a new Market Pavilion, open for use during the annual Christmas in Downtown event, 2015-2017.
