Travelers tend to pass through Llano on the way to see wildflowers or go deer hunting, but those who stop in the town square may find a lifelong friendship. That’s what happened to Greg Zimmerman, who started visiting Enchanted Rocks & Jewelry in 2009 and became pals with owner Frank Rowell. When Rowell retired last year, he offered Zimmerman the shop. “Llano was my getaway,” the former electrician says. “I decided I was going to make a life change and moved to Llano so I could run the shop and keep it going.”
Located just south of Roy B. Inks Bridge and the Llano River, the square is part of the city’s historic downtown district, which includes the Llano County Courthouse and several buildings dating to the 1880s and 1890s. Along with a post office, city government offices, and the Masonic Lodge are new and old businesses—the oldest in town being the Buttery Company hardware store, founded in 1892. Merchants include many Llano natives alongside recent transplants like Chad Puchalski, who moved from California and opened LTX Mercantile in 2022. His shop has evolved into a welcoming neighborhood bar. “We refer to it as a redneck Cheers,” he says.
main street
Llano County Courthouse
The county’s fourth courthouse was designed by Austin architect A.O. Watson and completed in 1893. The Romanesque Revival structure’s brick exterior is complemented by sandstone, marble, and granite features. Unlike other Texas courthouses with a tower in the center of the building, this one has a clock tower on the east side.
1. The Buttery Company
J.F. Buttery opened this family-owned hardware store on Main Street in 1892. Eighty-eight years later, it moved up the street to the Old Southern Hotel Building. Built in 1880, the structure existed as a hotel until the 1950s and was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
butterycompany.com
2. Lantex THeatre
The single-screen movie house opened in 1927—tickets were just 30 cents for adults—and boasted a cooling system predating air conditioning. The theatre continues to show first-run films and host concerts, theatrical events, and the monthly Llano Country Opry. lantextheater.com
3. 1892 Emporium
Find everything from cigars to locally made soaps to CBD products at this mercantile store that opened this spring in the Acme Dry Goods Building, the original home of Buttery Hardware.
4. Joe’s Bar and Llano River Creamery & Gift Shop
This burgers-and-beer joint named in honor of owner Mike Verdell’s late friend has been serving regulars since 2005. Five years ago, Verdell bought the building next door and opened the Llano River Creamery & Gift Shop, which his wife, Kay, manages. Its kitchen serves comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But save room for ice cream, especially the Cookie Monster—a mashup of Oreo cookies and cookie dough in blue-dyed vanilla ice cream. joesbarllano.com; facebook.com/llanorivercreamery
5. Gridiron Gallery
Jack Moss, the 83-year-old former football coach-turned-artist, creates and displays his Western art masterpieces in this studio and gallery located in the town’s former post office. gridirongallery.net
6. Fuel Coffee House
Besides serving caffeinated drinks, smoothies, and pastries, this coffee shop is a nonprofit organization that provides meals to the community. It’s also a gallery and music venue for local artists. fuelcoffeehouse.org
The Wild Weed
(Across the street)
Owner Mary Chamberlain has transformed a former vodka distillery into an enchanting tearoom, art gallery, and gift store that offers locally made merchandise. thewildweedllano.com
