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By Matthew Harvey
For those who have been to Spirits of Texas in Bandera, a multitude of Texas-made items awaits. There is a range of items from seasonings for cooking, jams, jellies, and chili mixes to sweet chocolate truffles, fudges, and caramels to Texas made sodas, jewelry, hand-made pens, books, shirts, alcohols, and much more. And while the store itself has only been around for 2 years, the family behind the store has a past well rooted in Texas history. Nancy Harvey, the majority owner, has family history in the state of Texas that dates back to over 100 years. Her great-grandfather, Percy R. Goff built the three-story Goff Hotel in the town of Kenedy, Texas in 1912. On her mother’s side, her grandfather, and great uncles both play for a semi-pro baseball team based there as well. On her father’s side, her great-great-great grandfather was Colonel William G. Butler, who was instrumental at the time in helping to secure the passage of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass railroad through Karnes County. As a cattle rancher, he moved, with his partner, an estimated 100,000 cattle from Karnes County to Abilene. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when looking into the history of this family. So much so, that many books have been written about this historic Texas family.
Nancy and her husband, R. Robert Harvey, decided to move from Lufkin once he retired, to an area closer to where her family history was centrally located. As they began looking through areas like the Texas hill country and the coast, they fell in love with Bandera, a Texas town with its own storied history. While looking for a place to build themselves a home, Nancy was shown the building at 1107 Cypress St. that would become her store. She began thinking of what she could do. And at that moment, she had, what she calls her vision for the store. A Texas store, but more than that. She thought about creating not simply something that catered to tourists, similar to what has been seen in many malls, but a store that celebrates the many things the state is known for. She envisioned a unique place that sold Texas made items, more than just keychains, and T-Shirts with Texas stamped across it. And in 2019, “Spirits of Texas” was born!
The store itself is located just off main street on Cypress, between OST (Old Spanish Trail Restaurant) and the 11th Street Cowboy Bar. From the outside, the building is reminiscent of an old western store. It appears as a small little retail store that you’d imagine finding back in the days where folks rode in on horseback and carriage, back to a simpler time.
However, once you walk in the store, your perception can quickly change. Inside, you find almost 5000 square feet of retail space hosting a large array of made in Texas items along with several very interesting pieces of family history. Nancy says, “If it wasn’t made in Texas, we don’t carry it!”
The reputation of the store is synonymous with unique quality. Many made in Texas vendors approach the store to carry their product, but only the most exceptional products with the best value are hand selected by the family to be featured in the store.
In the entryway is a saddle that belonged to a long-deceased relative who, family-rumor has it, was killed at the request of his father-in-law on a cattle drive. All that returned was his watch and the saddle. Toward the back of the store stands a large white door. This door, which was in the store from a previous occupant, was the original courthouse door of the Goliad courthouse where her godfather served as county judge.
As you walk into the store, you are greeted by a friendly staff, if not by the owner herself. The store has become a “Go Texan” associate store, meaning that 95% or more of all merchandise must be made in the state of Texas. Alongside the saddle, are a pair of handmade leather chaps, and two vintage saloon dresses. There are also several handmade wooden furniture pieces, many from local artisans. To the right, you will find cases of jewelry and pens, all handmade. There are Texas made CBD products available, and a sweets section filled with caramels, chocolate truffles, and more. There is a section of Texas grilling seasonings from Grill you’re A** Off from Houston. There are products from Cin-Chili & Co., Texas Olive Ranch, Spicewood Gourmet Foods, and Fredericksburg Farms. There are also several jams, and snack foods made specifically for the store with the Spirits of Texas label. All sourced from Texas.
As you make your way to the back of the store you will see vintage Western wear, books about Texas, by Texas authors, including some first editions, limited editions, and author signed books.
There is also an entire section dedicated to Texas’ own Richard “Kinky” Friedman. This section is stocked with every book he’s ever written, his albums, t-shirts, political stickers that harken back to yesteryear when he ran for political office, and even an action figure. Kinky has become a friend to the store, and as such, we strive to become an official Kinky Friedman store to continue to share the legacy of this true Texas legend. If you’re lucky enough on a visit, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the man himself as he visits quite often. In the center of the store is a custom built tasting bar. This is set up for adults who wants to sample one of the many Texas made alcohols ranging from bourbon, vodka, whiskey, sotol, wine, and more. Each distiller represented in the store has its own history and story to share from Garrison Brothers, the first legal bourbon distillery in Texas, to Desert Door and Justice Label, to veteran owned Texas distilleries.
You can also catch a glimpse of the authentic 1870s coffin on display and hear some interesting facts about that piece of décor. There are also t-shirts throughout the store made by local businesses, hand carved and painted wooden bottle stoppers, and handmade soaps, lotions, balms, and ointments from companies such as Fredericksburg Farms, Balms of Gilead, Bear Creek Soaps, and Yetter’s Better soaps.
The staff will amaze you with their knowledge as they take you through the store and provide detailed knowledge about each of the items. Speaking of the staff, you will be treated to Texas-sized customer service.
The staff is friendly, and willing to answer any questions, or just there to make sure you are having an amazing experience in the store.
You are welcome to come in for a free sample some of the alcohol or even some of the food items. At Spirits of Texas, whether you spend $1 or $1000 or even just come in to browse to get out of the Texas heat, the staff treats everyone as if they are the top priority.
This store truly stands behind their motto of “Texas made, Texas Proud.”
