Cypress Creek Café location prepares for new incarnation

     Michael and Morgan Mekuly, owners of Community Pizza, The Let Go, and other businesses have purchased the iconic property from Grady Burnette, of Grady Burnette Builders. The new owners plan to build a restaurant, a boutique hotel and a specialty grocery store on the property where the Cypress Creek Café and Buzzard Bar stood until it burned in an early morning fire in 2017. Deemed a total loss, the fire left little more than a stone façade. 
     Recognizing the building’s rich history, the new boutique hotel will be named “The Lane House” after J.C. Lane, the man who built the original structure in 1937. The restaurant and grocery store will be called “Forister’s Market,” after the first business that occupied the building, B.W. Forister Drugs and Notions. Besides selling remedies, B.W. Forister also had a soda fountain and rooms that travelers could rent.
     The soon-to-be new owners said they chose those names because, “We care very much about the building’s history and the heritage it leaves behind.”
     A beloved landmark for 88 years, the property at 320 Wimberley square was the popular “Dinner Bell” restaurant before becoming the Cypress Creek Café. The Cypress Creek Café was a major evacuation center during the 2015 flood, as it was one of the only places in town that had power. It became a vital gathering place for residents during good times and bad. 
     “You can go there any night of the week and find someone that you know, and if you don’t know anyone then you just sit down and talk to them and they become your friend,” said Janice Daneman, who was quoted by KXAN reporter Daniel Gravois, on the night of the fire.
      An architect’s rendering of The Lane House shows a multicolored stone edifice with arched windows and a covered portico on one side. The new design preserves the look of the stonework, the arched windows and side portico.
     Unfortunately, several structural engineering studies found the remaining wall too unstable to be used in the new construction. Demolition of the remaining wall will take place after hours in the coming week. In a statement released by the City of Wimberley today, City Administrator Tim Patek said, “The inspectors reported that the standing walls likely have been unsafe for some time and removal has been requested as soon as possible.” 
     “Professional inspections of the structure revealed that the remaining walls of the old building are not insurable and present a significant liability for the public,” he continued. “The still-standing front wall is located in the established historic district, which per ordinance, would normally include a public hearing. However, because of the safety issues, the permit is allowed to be granted administratively.” According to Patek, “to reduce the risk to the public, the demolition will be done well after hours when there is no pedestrian traffic in the square.” 
     Similarly, Dante Angelini, a Principal at the structural engineering firm, Structures PE, LLP of Austin, reported the findings, condensed here for brevity, made by Ryan Stoltz, a professional engineer with the firm. “It is evident that the remaining stone walls are non-structural and are considered stone veneer. The top portion of the walls are severely dilapidated and fire damaged. Due to safety concerns, access to the top of the walls was not possible. The front arched walls also appear to be non-structural. The arches are showing signs of distress with cracking throughout the arches. The foundation is severely dilapidated with large cracks and out of level.”
     “Based on my and Mr. Stoltz’s observations,” said Angelini, it is this office’s opinion that the walls be demolished as soon as possible. The walls in their current state are unstable and deficient in the event of a strong wind event.” 
     Greg Ward, an agent with 12 Rivers Realty, handled the sale between Burnette and the Mekulys. “It was an honor and an adventure,” he said. “I’m happy to have been involved in an important part of Wimberley’s history.
     Remembering the Cypress Creek Café: send your memories of the Cypress Creek Café and Buzzard Bar to [email protected]. Photos are welcome.