San Saba, the Pecan Capital of the World, is experiencing a wave of revitalization that’s breathing new life into our cherished community. From historic pecan companies to expanding professional services, our local businesses are investing in their futures – and by extension, the future of San Saba. Let’s take a tour of the exciting developments happening around town.
Oliver Pecan Company: A Legacy Renewed
At the heart of San Saba’s renovation story is Oliver Pecan Company, a business that embodies the spirit of our town’s rich history and bright future. Now in its sixth generation of family ownership, Oliver Pecan is undergoing a significant transformation at its 1402 W. Wallace location which opened in the 1980s.
Holt Oliver, representing the latest generation in this storied family business, shared insights into the company’s history, the renovation, and what’s to come for Oliver Pecan.
The roots of the Oliver Pecan Company can be traced back to the late 1800s but the company we know today started in the 1970s. Holt’s grandparents, Clydene and Gordon Lee, started harvesting pecans by hand on their 200-acre farm in San Saba County and sold them out of their pickup truck on the side of the road. Gordon Lee opened the 1402 W. Wallace location in the 1980s as a commercial harvesting, warehouse, and shipping location for wholesale raw pecans. Holt’s dad, Shawn Oliver, added family recipes and candies to their company’s offerings in the late 1980s which paved the way for their retail operations.
Today, the Oliver Pecan brand includes Oliver and Co. at 320 E. Wallace St. in Downtown San Saba where you’ll find coffees, baked goods, soups, sandwiches, and more along with the company’s signature pecan products. Oliver also has a location in San Angelo for buying and shipping native pecans as well as custom shelling for local harvesters.
The renovations at 1402 W. Wallace, which started in May 2024, are nearing completion. The Oliver family anticipates a grand reopening in the coming weeks. While most of the company’s business is still wholesale, Holt shared that they are excited to expand retail offerings with the current renovation. The updated facility will continue to serve as the hub for buying, sorting, cleaning, storing, and shelling pecans, but with enhanced capabilities for retail operations. You can expect to see your favorite Oliver products as well as newer offerings including the nationally acclaimed pecan oil, pecan flour, and pecan shells for BBQ and landscaping.
What’s next for Oliver Pecan Company? Beyond the renovation buzz and grand reopening, Oliver Pecan is looking forward to harvest season starting in October. Holt, who has been behind the cash register since he was 8, looks forward to seeing the same friendly faces and the next generation of customers when the flagship location reopens.
A Town-Wide Renaissance
Oliver Pecan’s renovation is part of a larger trend in San Saba. Check out what other businesses are growing in San Saba:
Millican Pecan
Another staple of San Saba’s pecan industry is Millican Pecan. Millican’s deep roots date back to the 1800s when Edmund Risien, Winston Millican’s great, great, grandfather, discovered the “Mother Pecan Tree” on his homestead and founded the West Texas Pecan Nursery. Millican Pecan expanded its operations about three years ago and added a new warehouse to its facility. This has greatly enhanced their packing, shipping, and storage capabilities.
Kristen Millican shared that the additional space has been a game-changer for Millican’s efficiency and is opening doors for future opportunities. Plans are in the works to create a dedicated chocolate room in the new facility which means exciting new possibilities for Millican’s product offerings.
In other exciting news, Southern Living magazine is doing a photoshoot at Millican Pecan in late September/early October. The resulting article, set to be published in Fall 2025, will showcase the important role pecans play during the holiday season.
San Saba Dental
It’s not just the pecan industry that’s getting a facelift. San Saba Dental, under the ownership of Dr. Susan Henson since 2018, has undergone both interior and exterior renovations.
The latest renovations, which began on the building’s exterior in April 2024, include new gables, stucco walls, a hand-made door, a new handrail, archway, awning, and window shutters. Dr. Henson says a new sign is on the way to complement the new look and welcome in her patients. These improvements not only enhance the practice’s appearance but contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of our town.
Kevin Shahan, CPA
Kevin Shahan, a San Saba native and local CPA, is also making significant strides in expansion and renovation. Kevin opened his CPA office in 2004 and has been serving the community for over 20 years.
In response to the growth of his CPA practice and investment advisory business with LPL Financial, Shahan is more than doubling his office space. The new building, currently under construction, will increase from approximately 1,500 square feet to an impressive 3,500 square feet for the CPA office alone, with the total building reaching about 8,000 square feet.
Kevin shared that the decision to build at his current location was driven by the need for additional space and the importance of maintaining a central position in the community. The new building will not only house the expanded CPA office but will also include four additional tenant spaces available for lease, further contributing to San Saba’s business growth.
While the expected completion date is set for early 2025, Shahan is already looking to the future. He plans to continue providing excellent accounting and investment advisory services in the Texas Hill Country and is looking to welcome additional CPAs to the practice in the near future.
The expansion of Kevin Shahan, CPA, is a testament to the growing economic opportunities in San Saba and the town’s ability to retain and nurture local talent.
A Bright Future Ahead
These renovations and expansions are more than just cosmetic changes – they represent our community’s commitment to growth, innovation, and preserving our unique heritage.
Considering a visit to San Saba? These developments mean an even more vibrant and welcoming town to explore. For those considering making San Saba their home, it’s a sign of a robust local economy and a community that values both its history and its future.
As we look forward to the completion of these projects and the start of new ones, one thing is certain: San Saba is a town that honors its roots while reaching for new heights. We invite you to come see for yourself why San Saba isn’t just a great place to visit – it’s a wonderful place to call home!