Texas State University Honors Local San Marcos Businesses

The inaugural TXST Family Choice Awards program highlights 80 businesses across San Marcos based on family nominations.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Local Services

Texas State University Honors Local San Marcos Businesses

Live Poll

Do you trust local award programs to accurately identify the best businesses in your area?

As of October 2026, the Texas State University Office of New Student and Family Experiences has launched the TXST Family Choice Awards to recognize local establishments. The university selected 80 winning businesses based on nominations submitted by members of the TXST Family Association.

Why it matters

The program helps connect new Texas State University students and their families with reputable local resources and services throughout San Marcos. By highlighting these favorites, the university aims to foster stronger partnerships between the campus community and local vendors.

The awards encompass categories including dining, auto and transportation, personal care, and pet services. A total of 80 businesses were named as winners following the voting process.

The players

Texas State University Office of New Student and Family Experiences

This department coordinates transition programs and resources to support the success of incoming students and their families.

TXST Family Association

This organization represents the parents and family members of students enrolled at the university.

Jax Burgers

This dining establishment operates a location in San Marcos that was recognized in the inaugural awards.

On Paws Professional Pet Services

This local service provider has served the San Marcos area pet owner community since 2015.

The details

University officials distributed pamphlets containing the full list of winning businesses to students and parents during New Student Orientation. Recognized businesses include long-standing establishments like On Paws Professional Pet Services and newer local spots like the Jax Burgers location in San Marcos.

On Paws Professional Pet Services was founded in 2015.
The Jax Burgers San Marcos location opened in 2022.
The award program results were finalized as of October 2026.

Culture Shift

The TXST Family Choice Awards reflect a broader trend of universities acting as active participants in local economic development. This initiative aligns with the town-gown relationship model defined by the International Town & Gown Association by bridging the gap between transient student bodies and established city businesses.

Students and families can use the orientation pamphlets as a curated guide to navigate essential services like dining and pet care. These recognized businesses may experience increased traffic and visibility among the university community as a direct result of their inclusion on the award list.

The takeaway

New residents can utilize this list as a reliable starting point for finding vetted services within the city. Leveraging recommendations from established community organizations often simplifies the transition to living in a new university town.