The Boerne Planning and Zoning Commission Monday rejected a special use permit to allow a 16,000 square-foot Goodwill store to move into vacant property in the Live Oak Shopping Center on North Main Street.
Before its 6-1 denial, the commissioners listened to the property owner and project applicant pitch Goodwill -- looking to move into property at 1030 N. Main St. -- as a team player interested in becoming part of the Boerne community. The item still must go before Boerne City Council, which has the final say over whether to accept P&Z’s finding or decide otherwise.
But commissioners stepped back after hearing from several local thrift store owners, employees and supporters who painted a less-than rosy picture of how Goodwill’s presence would harm their stores.
“I am selfish for Kendall County, because what we do here matters, and the money we raise here matters,” said Bryce Boddie, new executive director of Hill Country Family Services, who spoke about his entity’s thrift store, Random Hangers.
“Our thrift shop means a lot to us. I have no ill will against Goodwill,” Boddie said. “Every dollar we get goes a long way, here, for the citizens of Boerne and for the citizens of Kendall County. And I know this will impede on that.”
Black Rifle Coffee owner Patti Mainz spoke as a supporter and donor to several local thrift shops.
“Here in Kendall County, we don’t measure contribution in PR campaigns or tax deductions. We measure in action,” Mainz said. “In 2024, all the local thrift stores generated $2.1 million, all of which stayed here in Kendall County.
“What Goodwill offers isn’t needed. It’s duplication, not innovation,” Mainz said.
Commissioners expressed similar feelings after hearing from Goodwill supporters and local thrift store backers.
“What makes Boerne charming is the people that spoke tonight and the way they spoke from the heart,” Commissioner Susan Friar said. “Goodwill to me ... are large, they’re corporate, they’re rehearsed. And that is vastly different than the culture of our nonprofits, our family businesses, our Main Street shops.
“I just don’t feel like the presentation that’s been made by Goodwill is what makes Boerne charming,” she said.
Commissioner Bill Bird said he appreciates the real estate development effort of the property on North Main that he called “an eyesore for so many years.” But he tempered that with a comment about community.
“I’m not getting the sense of community from Goodwill,” Bird said. “We can create business, hire our neighbors, derive income, spend that money locally, and that money goes back into our local economy. I would hate to see those donations go out of our community, and out of our economy.”
Commissioner Carlos Vecino explained the reasons he cast the lone “yes” vote for Goodwill.
“I think when a government entity starts to impede or influence a market economy ... that we’re getting to a dangerous situation there,” Vecino said.
Vecino countered earlier discussion about having Goodwill located at one of the entrances to the city, on Main at School Street.
“I don’t know that having vacant properties, like this particular shopping center has had for years, is really the entrance that we want others to see, either,” he said.
Commissioner Lucas Hiler made the motion to deny the SUP request, which then passed 6-1.
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