Several Boerne businesses closed and covered to treat termite infestation

Boerne is a booming town about 30 miles north of San Antonio. While it’s known for its historic Hill Country Mile — a string of storefronts in historic building with a quaint feel — the stretch of shops got a shocking red, white, and blue addition over the weekend of February 19. While it may look like the circus is coming to town, it’s really about a group of shop owners trying to run some pesky pests out the door.

Five stores along the iconic Texas Hill Country mile in Boerne are shut down due to termites, according to information posted online from one of the shop owners. The infestation appears to run from West San Antonio Avenue — near Boerne’s Main Plaza, or “the square” — and spans five stores up the historic Main Street, otherwise known by locals who still remember the town’s German origins as Haupstrasse.

“It’s termites,” said Amanda Simons Neutze, who owns So Vain on Main Boutique, one of the shops impacted by the fumigation efforts. “It’s sad that we have to close for three days for this mess!”

Nuetze responded to Facebook commenters on a post from Boerne Radio 103.9 FM, saying she was fortunate to not have to empty her entire store for the fumigation to begin, but she did have to remove a few things. The introduction of the colorful tenting left many locals taking to social media to question what all this was about, but Neutze assured the public that those in charge of the properties were doing a great job managing the issue.

“Yes, our landlord is doing a great job and trying her best to keep up with all of this,” Neutze said when someone commented on the great stewardship of the buildings’ owners for managing the issue at hand.

While it’s certainly not ideal for shop owners to have to shutter business for several days in the wake of an insect infestation, some social media users couldn’t help but poke a little fun at the hard-to-miss addition to the historic Main Street.

“Might want to check and see if Walter White is up to his old shenanigans in there,” Joseph Jankauskas joked online, referencing the beloved Breaking Bad television show known for cooking up Emmy Award nominations and wins during its six season run.