| Eat. Shop. Stay. Fredericksburg
Written by Tavaner Bushman
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One of the many nooks and crannies at Homestead Stores. Photography by Tre Dun Tucked away in the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg is a shopping, foodie, and getaway gem. Close enough to Austin for a daytrip, but far enough away to elude reality – we’ve put together a little guide to keep Fredericksburg on your radar. THE PEACH TREE Founded by Hector and Cynthia Pedregon in the summer of 1972 as a gift shop, after about 10 years Hector noticed a few trends: First, women came into the shop while their husbands sat outside or in the car waiting on their wives. Secondly, his wife, Cynthia, had a natural gift and passion for cooking. The solution—the Tea Room was born offering coffee and a cup of soup. Soon sandwiches were added to the menu, then salads, then quiche, and eventually a full menu was in place. The Peach Tree Tea Room is a favorite lunch destination for Fredericksburg residents and visitors alike. Make sure you try the popular Chilled Avocado Soup and daily-prepared breads and baked goods. If you love the tasty offerings, pick up one of Cynthia’s three cookbooks: The Peach Tree Tea Room Cookbook, The Peach Tree Family Cookbook, and With Love From Cynthia.
A delectable cake from Rather Sweet Bakery. RATHER SWEET Rebecca, a well-known Texas chef, recently came out with her third book—Pastry Queen Parties: Entertaining Friends and Family Texas Style, which explores the art of entertaining all over Texas. Looking back, Rebecca is not quite sure how she ended up in the food business, but food has always been something she has loved. Out of necessity she learned to cook at a very young age and years later she is still at it. Her favorite places to eat are too many to name, but cooking with friends just might beat them all. If you don’t have time to linger in the original Rather Sweet Bakery location set back just off the street, stop into the recently opened Rather Sweet Too directly on Main Street that offers all things Rather Sweet at grab-and-go speed.
The bar at August E’s. AUGUST E’S The first restaurant of Dawn and Chef Leu Savanh, August E’s was born from their passion for the Hill Country, eclectic and delicious food and wine, and connecting with people. Previously located 7 miles out of town in a historic complex, August E’s relocated last year to a sleek, contemporary space in town. The current space with its metallic, freestanding walls; white leather chairs, and Asian Antiquities speaks fine European fusion loud and clear. The late Molly Ivins described August E’s as Nouveau Texas cuisine. Dawn has lived in Europe, Japan, and Asia and Chef Leu has Thai and Asian roots. These culinary influences are reflected on August E’s impressive menu, which is a harmonized mix of the fabulous beef, quail, and game of the Texas Hill Country and sashimi-quality fish and sushi. Siam Egg Rolls and Asparagus Yakitori are their most popular appetizers, the Signature Crabstack the best-selling lunch entrée, and for dinner patrons love fish, steak, and sushi. In October, August E’s was i nducted into DiRoNA (Distinguished Independent Restaurants of North America) with the celebrated Dean Fearing and Stephen Pyles. A personal goal Dawn and Chef Leu set 6 years ago, the recognition shows their dedication and love for what they do and their place in the Fredericksburg community. If that is not telling enough, Dawn hates being told “Sorry, we’re closed,” so August E’s is often open early or late for guests. Other Don’t-Miss Bites: Hilltop Café, Navajo Grill, and Nest
An example of the “mix” at Red. RED Nominated in 2009 as one of the best 45 Stores in Texas, Red is always on the lookout for pieces that bring great stories and personality into the home, whether it be funky early tech pieces, luxury Bella Notte and Plover Organics linens, custom upholstery – washable slipcovers, TV loungers, and sectionals – to reflect a modern lifestyle, or their new industrial farmhouse look with its earth tones and organic inspirations to debut Fall 2009. Whether looking for a gift, something for the home, or a special something for you, Red is a Fredericksburg must-stop.
Make a custom blend of the 200 fragrances offered at Bath Junkie. BATH JUNKIE The first step in the Bath Junkie experience is to take advantage of the complimentary hand spa treatment. It will make you a believer and introduce you to how the process works. Customers can make one-of-a-kind products for themselves, for a special occasion, or as a gift for someone else. If making your own custom blend from the 200 fragrances offered overwhelms you, don’t worry, there is a menu of established favorites to choose from. Best-selling products include the Exfoliating Salt Scrub and Body Desert Skin Conditioner, but bath ballz, bath salts, soaking soda, and whipped cream are amazing too. While you’re at it, pick up one of Bath Junkie’s natural soaps or create a custom blend for your furry friends at home; they will definitely appreciate it.
An array of treasures at Homestead Stores. HOMESTEAD The Boltons opened Homestead Stores 20 years ago, long before the Fredericksburg retail boom. Retired are the days where the “gone-fishin” sign went up to grab some lunch across the street. A true love for antiques is the focus of Homestead. The Bolton’s motto is “Old is better than new,” but they recognize there are some things one must have that cannot be old. The one-of-kind new products they do carry are handmade by craftspeople they personally know, one of which is Carol’s personal line of upholstered furniture. One piece of furniture in the shop Carol has her sights on is a painted cabinet from Holland, with a secret door in the back where Jews were hidden. “It makes me cry when I see it – a piece of furniture that helped save lives!”
Julie and John seek furniture in its most original state for The Garten. THE GARTEN To feed a hunger for kitchen antiques, The Garten recently dedicated a space for everything kitchens, European pottery, creamware, and humble pieces that people have used for centuries to prepare food. Tables, upholstered furniture, antique lighting, Texas pottery, and French garden antique ornaments are among the other offerings. John and Julie select furniture with the most authentic finishes and that are as original as possible. “You can always tell the integrity of a piece by its construction and we pay great attention to that. You can’t sell something you don’t believe in, so we are sort of purists,” says Julie.
One of the many unusual sofas at Double-R-Drygoods. DOUBLE-R-DRYGOODS Double-R-Drygoods provides furniture and accessories for the elegant ranch and traditional interiors, as well as jewelry, fashion accessories, and not-your-typical cowboy boots, some of which are designed by Deborah. The offerings reflect Deborah’s attraction to intricate bedding, unusual sofas, and accent chairs. If you are looking for animal print, hide furniture, or that pop of color, Double-R-Drygoods definitely has something for you.
Birthday treats for your canine friend at Dogologie. DOGOLOGIE Dogologie offers an impressive variety of leashes, collars, treats, toys, apparel, beds, travel gear, as well as breed specific items—as David Pedregon, owner with wife Helena, says, “People don’t just love dogs, they love their dogs! Our guests don’t just come in and shop, they proudly whip out pictures of their dogs the way grandmothers do their grandchildren.” Dogologie features merchandise that is dog-heathly, and stock only their favorite selections. There will be no browsing through 20 different shampoos, just the chosen five. Each ingredient in every treat is carefully looked over and vinyl or toys with PVC, which are harmful, cannot be found. In the true spirit of being dog-friendly, there is always a bowl of fresh water outside Dogologie’s front door and well-behaved dogs are always welcome inside. Maybe you’ll run into Pepper, the Predregon’s spunky Schnoodle that is always seeking adventure and ready to play.
The wall of cookie cutters at Der Küchen Laden. DER KÜCHEN LADEN So if you are looking for some of the popular insulated drinking classes, bake ware, a special cookie cutter, good knives—a must-have for every chef, or are simply seeking inspiration—Der Küchen Laden is the place for you. Others shops not to be missed: Johnson Newman Antiques and Something Different II for things for the home. TH&L EAT August E’s The Peach Tree Restaurant & Gifts SHOP The Garten Bath Junkie Red Johnson Newman Antiques Double R Drygoods Dogologie Der Küchen Laden STAY Kingwood Suites
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