Helotes EDC Executive Director Responds to Recent Business Closure Concerns

Kate Silvas shares more context on recent closures, what the EDC does behind the scenes, and what could be coming for Helotes businesses in 2027.

Over the past several weeks, Helotes Life has been posting about restaurant and business closures in and around Helotes, and those posts have sparked a lot of conversation.

People have had questions about why businesses are leaving, what the Helotes Economic Development Corporation can actually do, and whether enough is being done to support businesses that are already here.

Following those discussions, Helotes EDC Executive Director Kate Silvas provided Helotes Life with detailed information addressing many of those concerns.

Her responses give us a better look at what the EDC is doing behind the scenes, why some of that work cannot always be discussed publicly, and what may be coming next.

First, what did the EDC want to clear up?

One of the biggest points Silvas wanted to address involved comments about online discussions and the importance of factual information.

According to Silvas:

“Questions and online commentary are made independently, separately, and apart from private, confidential discussions. We believe our duty is to share factual information.”

She also addressed discussion about how much money the EDC plans to spend on studies in FY 2027.

Silvas said the EDC currently plans to undertake two studies, a Target Industry Study and a Hotel Feasibility Study, with a combined budget of less than $90,000.

That is separate from the much larger amount being proposed for business incentives and economic development programs.

Why can’t the EDC talk about everything it is working on?

This is one area where I think some of the additional context is helpful.

Residents may see an empty building, hear that another business has closed, and understandably wonder what is being done about it.

Silvas says that does not necessarily mean nothing is happening.

“We work closely and in strict confidentiality with existing and prospective businesses within our existing resources to assist them in marketing, promotion, and deal-making to further strengthen those relationships,” Silvas said.

She also said economic development professionals are bound by ethical standards that require them to protect business plans, relationships, and confidential discussions.

“We have current projects which are intentionally kept confidential and we are not at liberty to disclose any of those conversations.”

So while residents may not always hear about a project right away, there could already be conversations happening behind the scenes.

Not every closure we’ve been talking about is actually inside Helotes

Silvas also pointed out something important.

Several of the businesses that have been part of the recent discussion are actually located within the City of San Antonio, even though most of us think of them as Helotes-area businesses.

Those include:

• Pei Wei

• Jim’s

• Arby’s

• Golden Corral

• Taco Cabana

  
  

Silvas was hired as Executive Director in December 2025, and the area closures being referenced occurred prior to that date.

Because those closures happened before her tenure and across a longer period of time, the EDC does not necessarily see them as evidence of a current “growing trend.”

That distinction is worth noting.

These businesses may absolutely feel like part of Helotes to the people who live here and shop there, but they are technically outside the city limits and outside the direct jurisdiction of the Helotes EDC.

A little more context on some of the closures

Silvas also provided more information about several specific businesses.

6 Klicks relocated for private business reasons and made that decision independently of the EDC.

The former KFC has since been replaced by Wild Wing Station, an independent business.

Silvas also said a new Lebanese independent local business opened in July in a previously vacant space near Oolong Bistro.

Before the closure of the Sonic on Bandera Road, Silvas said the EDC had been in discussions with developers regarding site issues before the property owner ultimately sold the property to another brand.

She also said the EDC is in regular communication with landlords at other locations, although specific brands cannot be disclosed right now.

So while we may still see some empty storefronts, there may already be activity happening that simply is not ready to be announced.

The EDC says there are also positive economic signs

Silvas said the recent closures should also be looked at alongside other economic activity happening in Helotes.

According to information she provided, Helotes sales tax collections increased by more than $100,000 from July to August 2026, and current collections remain in line with previous growth trends.

She also pointed to several recent developments.

A new McDonald’s opened in March.

A new Sherwin-Williams opened in April.

In August, The Weitzman Group, a major commercial real estate firm, announced its purchase of the approximately 51,000-square-foot Bandera Shopping Center.

That could be especially interesting to watch as new tenants and future plans for the center begin to take shape.

Why Helotes is still attractive to businesses

One thing I do not think there is much disagreement about is that Helotes has a lot going for it.

Silvas provided several numbers the EDC uses when talking with prospective businesses.

According to the EDC:

• 24,000+ vehicles travel the area each day

• Average annual household income is approximately $132,000

• 81% of residents have post-secondary education or higher

• Average household net worth is approximately $2.1 million

  
  

Those are strong numbers and can be a major selling point when trying to attract restaurants, retailers, developers, and other businesses.

Nearly $800,000 in proposed business incentives for FY 2027

This is probably the biggest piece of information to come out of the EDC’s response.

Helotes EDC incentive programs were placed on hiatus during the second quarter of 2025.

Silvas said the EDC is now preparing to discuss several new programs and initiatives at its September 2026 board meeting.

The proposed FY 2027 budget, beginning October 1, includes:

• $100,000 in Facade and Tenant Improvements for existing businesses

• $100,000 in Business Development Grants for capital expenditures to help existing businesses

• $100,000 in New Business Development Incentives

• $100,000 in Destination Retail and Restaurant Incentives

• $100,000 in Commercial Real Estate incentives designed to encourage CRE brokers to bring targeted businesses to Helotes, including destination retail, restaurants, and boutique hotels

• Silvas said the proposed commercial real estate broker incentive program would be the first of its kind in Texas.

  
  

The proposed budget also includes:

• $200,000 in Hotel Development Incentives

• $75,000 in Signage Reimbursement Grants

• $20,000 for an Arts Grants Program

  
  

Altogether, those proposed programs total approximately $795,000 in economic development incentives for FY 2027.

Silvas stressed that these programs are still subject to discussion and final approval by the Helotes City Council.

If approved, that would be a pretty significant investment in both existing Helotes businesses and efforts to bring new businesses into town.

Another $850,000 for City Park improvements

Silvas also said the EDC has programmed approximately $850,000 for improvements at City Park, based on projects outlined in the EDC’s Master Plan for the park.

According to Silvas, Phase One is currently out for bid.

She said these programs are not everything the EDC is working on, but they are representative of the larger Strategic Plan guiding decisions over the next year and over the next three to ten years.

So where does this leave the conversation?

I still think residents are right to pay attention when businesses close.

When we see several restaurants leave, people are naturally going to ask questions.

That is part of why Helotes Life has been posting about it.

But I also think it is fair to share the other side when more information becomes available.

Some of these closures were outside the Helotes city limits.

Some of the area closures being discussed happened before Silvas was hired in December 2025.

Some businesses left for reasons completely outside the EDC’s control.

Some vacant spaces already have conversations happening behind the scenes.

There is also a pretty substantial amount of money being proposed for business incentives and economic development in the next fiscal year.

None of that means people should stop asking questions.

It does mean we have more information now than we did before, and I think that is a good thing.

I also appreciate Kate Silvas taking the time to provide detailed answers and additional context rather than simply letting the conversation continue without a response.

At the end of the day, I think everyone involved wants the same thing: successful businesses, fewer empty buildings, more reasons to shop and eat locally, and a strong Helotes economy.

Helotes Life will keep following the closures, new openings, proposed incentives, and some of the projects the EDC says are currently happening behind the scenes.

Thank you to Kate Silvas and the Helotes Economic Development Corporation for providing more information for the community.