Five years ago, Bart and Debbie Burkhard had a vision of turning the Old Blanco County Courthouse Annex in Johnson City into a place where local business owners could thrive and grow. Their plan was to offer beautiful office spaces at affordable rates so that small businesses could afford to succeed in Johnson City.

When they purchased the building, it was a maze of small rooms and had been used for years for various county offices. Literally brick by brick, the two, along with a little help from their grandchildren and friends, began to renovate and remodel the building.

Working almost around the clock for days on end, the duo tackled the building, preserving the original vaulted ceilings and adding modern conveniences such as a new HVAC system.

Bart and Debbie painted, sanded, installed, and toiled away, all with the hopes that they would be able to fill the offices and rooms with tenants looking for a place to do business locally.

Today, the front offices are home to M Style Salon, Pocket Change, Hill Country Wireless, and Agave Custom Homes, among others.

After finishing most of the spaces in the main building, Debbie and Bart turned their attention to the big barn that is attached to the former county building. Once used to house the Blanco County Food Bank, the Burkhard’s began work to turn the large space into a vendor’s market, after the food bank relocated to another space.

Again, the couple wanted to create a space where local, small businesses, could succeed, and so they started the Old Annex Market, and over the last two years, it has grown to include more than twenty vendors that offer great finds from original artwork, repurposed furniture, antiques, artisan jewelry, boutique clothing, candles, coffee and so much more.

The inventory changes often and there are seasonal offerings as well as wonderful gift ideas for everyone.

Vendors located in Old Annex Market include: Rafter B, Sassy B’s, Embellish Boutique, MC Clothing, EMG Jewelry, Gift Solutions, The Normandy House, Robin’s Closet, Then & Now, Wild Timber Designs, FS Ranch Designs and Honey and Pop Shop. A final booth, Hye Time houses several small vendors, including Maricella Garcia Designs, Taste of Country, Thin Line Goods and Silver Branch Jewelry.

The Burkhard’s have worked hard to promote Johnson City and the great local business owners that choose to do business here.

They continue to make improvements to the building and the surrounding grounds, adding a large, covered deck on the back where live musicians play occasionally and hope to add food trucks and other fun attractions for visitors to our beautiful little piece of Texas.

Follow Old Annex Market on Facebook and Instagram and visit www.oldannex.com for more information and news.

Old Annex Market is located at 200 N Ave. G, Johnson City, Texas 78636. They are one block east of the Blanco County Courthouse. Look for the signs!