A $3.5 million retail development tied to the leadership of Sea Island Shrimp House is on the books for Castroville, according to state construction records. The one-story "FM 471 Retail Shells" project is slated to bring about 20,766 square feet of shell retail space to 6122 De Zavala Road, with construction scheduled from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. No tenants or leases have been announced, so what ultimately fills those storefronts is still a mystery.
According to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the project lists Barclay Anthony, CEO of Sea Island Shrimp House, as the owner and outlines the estimated cost and square footage for the site. The document describes a non-sprinklered, single-story shell building and pegs the price tag at roughly $3.5 million. The filing first drew public attention in a report from MySA.
Sea Island's Footprint And Family Roots
Sea Island Shrimp House dates back to 1965 and now lists multiple locations across the San Antonio–New Braunfels area on its official site, where the chain spotlights dishes like fried shrimp po'boys and fresh catfish. With that kind of hometown name recognition, any Castroville presence tied to the brand could draw interest quickly, although the company has not publicly confirmed plans for a Hill Country location.
Castroville's Changing Commercial Strip
The FM 471 corridor has been drawing new retail and mixed-use projects as growth pushes west from San Antonio, a trend local outlets have been tracking for some time. Coverage from My Neighborhood News notes that shell buildings like this often go up before any tenant announcements and can reshape traffic and service patterns for nearby neighborhoods.
What Comes Next
Shell retail buildings are typically marketed to restaurants, medical offices, and small retailers once the basic structure is complete, with individual interiors finished later to suit specific tenants. The state filing lists an April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, construction window, which means residents could see site work and framing start next spring, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
A Sea Island representative could not be reached for confirmation, a detail also noted by MySA, and the state filings remain subject to change as permits and plans move forward.
