Local San Marcos businesses update their mask policies

Sierra Martin

SAN MARCOS – Gov. Greg Abbott announced the end of the Texas mask mandate and opened up all Texas businesses to 100% capacity, starting Wednesday, March 10. Although Abbott still encouraged people to wear masks, it is now up to the businesses to recommend any mask requirements.

“Removing state mandates does not end personal responsibility or the importance of caring for your family members and caring for your friends and caring for others in your community,” Abbott said. “Personal diligence to follow the same standard is still needed to contain COVID.”

Abbott’s announcement was met with a mixed response, with many business owners relieved to be operating at full capacity but also worried about being responsible for asking customers to comply with their mask policies.

Below is a working list of local San Marcos businesses and their mask and occupancy policies following the lifting of the mask mandate on March 10.

San Marcos grocery options

• HEB

HEB will continue to expect shoppers, staff and vendors to wear masks, stating in a press release that although state policy has changed, their store policy has not.

“The ending of mask ordinances puts real pressure on retailers to enforce an emotional topic for many,” HEB said in a statement. “We ask for kindness and understanding from our customers in our expectation of them to wear masks in our stores. Also, we understand some customers cannot wear a mask due to medical exceptions. We request all customers adhere to the Covid-19 protocols we have in place while shopping.”

• Target

Target says it will continue to require customers entering the store to wear masks and will provide customers with a reusable or disposable mask if needed.

• Walmart

Walmart requires masks for both customers and employees. However, Walmart has said employees are not required to enforce the store’s mask mandate.

San Marcos restaurants & bars

• Zellicks Icehouse

Zellicks strongly encourages customers to wear masks and will be operating at full capacity.

• Gumby’s Pizza

Gumby’s is still requiring customers to wear masks and has their dining room set up to about half capacity.

• Crafthouse

As of Wednesday, March 10 Crafthouse does not have a mask policy, leaving it up to the customer to choose to wear one and is operating at full capacity.

• Root Cellar

Root Cellar is still only allowing outdoor seating and only requiring masks when a customer enters the restaurant to use the restroom.

• Italian Garden

Italian Garden no longer has a mask policy and is operating at full capacity.

• Sean Patrick’s

Sean Patrick employees will be wearing masks, and although they cannot enforce you to wear a mask, they encourage it.

• Aqua Brew

Aqua Brew is leaving it optional for customers and employees to wear masks and offers an outdoor seating area for customers concerned with the spread of COVID.

• Cody’s Restaurant, Bar and Patio

Cody’s will no longer require masks and is leaving it up to the customer’s discretion, although staff will wear masks until April 1 when the policy is reevaluated. Cody’s is also operating at full capacity.

Gyms and fitness centers 

• Gold’s Gym

Gold’s gym will open to 100% capacity and not require people to wear masks, although it is strongly encouraged. 

• Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory will maintain mask use and social distancing at their locations before reevaluating their policy on April 1.

Please feel free to comment with any additional mask policies that are not currently listed.