Jim Kastleman calls Round Top “the little engine that could” – an appropriate description for the rural community that for more than a decade has enjoyed a growing reputation as an international tourist destination.

A big part of that little engine is, obviously, the Round Top Antiques Show, whose annual fall fair runs Oct. 15 to Nov. 1. And Kastleman is in the thick of it. As the owner of Round Top Publishers (creator of the indispensable Round Top Antiques & Design Show Guide) and owner of The Halles (the upscale campus and marketplace that is an essential part of the visitor experience), Kastleman pretty much lives and breathes Round Top, but never more so than during fair times.

If you hear him puffing “I think I can, I think I can” it’s because he’s trying to be everywhere all at one during the shows that brings more than 100,000 visitors to town.

A Round Top fan long before he officially moved to town, Kastleman, co-chairman of PaperCity, is invested in the town’s success, and not just because he’s a major player. He has great affection for the bucolic slice of country life often called “Heaven on Highway 237.”

We caught up with him before the fall shows to talk about one of his favorite subjects: the place he calls home:

Q: This is a rather broad question, but how have the shows changed over the years you’ve been coming?

A: I would say that since 2021 (when I became owner of the guide and The Halles), that first post-Covid lockdown show was, by all accounts, a grand slam. The next show was also incredible. And since then, it has settled into a nice, consistent traffic.

Q: Is there a difference in personality or culture among the spring, fall, and winter shows?

A: Every show has their people. The spring and fall shows are much larger with a more robust designer presence. And the winter is a lot of fun. They all grow every year. Some people are here just to have a good time without the mindset of having to buy this or that.

Q: The shows are an economic driver for sure, but what have they done for the town’s reputation nationally, internationally? Do they bring people back to Round Top?

A: They absolutely bring people back. People quickly come to realize that this is a special place; people get it. It’s funny how Round Top has become an almost mystical place. People hear about how it’s idyllic, and they want to come and discover it for themselves.

Q: How has The Halles responded?

A: When I took it over, it was 21,000 square feet and now it’s about 30,000. We’ve responded by building more space. We built a gym to service people who live here full-time or come for the weekends. And we also have our casitas.

Q: Is there a downside to the great notoriety Round Top has enjoyed?

A: Well, yes, for folks who have lived here for generations. A number of them still lament the times when there were no crowds. I understand that; they may not like it, but they accept it. The town has done a great job limiting development and preserving the original charm.

Q: If you were to give one piece of advice to an attendee, what would it be?

A: If you’re a serious shopper looking for a specific genre of furniture, do a little research. No matter what you’re coming here for, make an itinerary.

Q: As someone very busy, especially during the shows, do you still get a rush? A kick out of it?

A: Absolutely. Especially now, when you see the trucks loading. You know creativity is about to happen; unique merchandising is about to happen. For me, it’s really exciting.