SAN ANTONIO – With food inflation and construction costs higher than usual this year, businesses have struggled to stay afloat. This has led to some deciding to close their doors for good.
Here’s a look at some of their stories:
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Another Jim’s Restaurant location in San Antonio is set to close its doors for good
On the heels of one Jim’s Restaurant shutting down in March, the company announced a second San Antonio location would close down on June 22.
The Jim’s Restaurant was located at the intersection of San Pedro Avenue and Hildebrand Avenue.
“Due to the challenges posed by our current economy and rising operational costs at this location, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. After much deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to cease operations of Jim’s Restaurant at San Pedro and Hildebrand,” the restaurant said. “This decision is not taken lightly, but it is necessary for us to enhance our company’s ability to serve our patrons and the communities who’ve made us their own throughout the city.”
The Rustic closes at The Rim, owners say they have ‘vision to relocate’
The Rustic, a popular restaurant, bar and music venue at The Rim on the Northwest Side, closed in late May.
A note posted outside The Rustic stated the restaurant is “looking towards a bright future” and “has a vision to relocate.” The letter cited ongoing construction on Interstate 10 and Loop 1604 interchange as one of the factors for closing.
The letter added that owners are “exploring new opportunities to bring The Rustic’s authentic experience to an even more accessible and vibrant location. We appreciate your support and understanding as we transition to this exciting new chapter.”
Saucy Birds restaurant on Fredericksburg Road to close at end of May, chef announces
Just a few months after rebranding to Saucy Birds, the establishment on the Northwest Side decided not to renew its lease, which ended in May.
Chef Ceasar Zepeda thanked San Antonio for eight years of support in a closure announcement on social media and said the restaurant’s last day would be May 31.
Acadiana Café to close in August after serving West Side community for 38 years
After serving the West Side community for 38 years, Acadiana Café closed its doors in August.
The Cajun and Southern-style restaurant, known for its award-winning catfish and seafood, announced in a press release on July 22, that the property had been sold to the Hacienda Vallarta Restaurant Group.
While the new ownership serves Mexican food, the news release mentioned that classic Acadiana Café recipes, such as chicken and dumplings, Cajun cabbage, red beans and rice, and others, will still be accessible.
Botika at the Pearl closing after 8 years
Chef Geronimo announced on social media that Botika, an Asian/South American fusion, would be closing its doors on Sunday, Aug. 4.
Botika had been open for the last eight years at the Pearl, just north of downtown.
“Life sometimes brings new priorities and opportunities. For me, this means spending more time with my family and exploring new personal and professional interests,” Geronimo said.
Here is a list of more restaurants that closed their doors this year:
- Mi Gente Comida y Cantina, now occupied by The Baked Bird
- Diary Queen (Jackson Keller and West Ave)
- Binge Kitchen, now occupied by El Punto Colombiano as of Dec. 13, according to their Facebook page
- Krazy Katsu (Medical Center)
- Don Benito’s Cocina y Cantina, now occupied by their sister restaurant Tia’s Taco Hut
- Ace of Steaks, now occupied by Stone Terrace Gastropub as of Aug. 9, according to their Facebook page
- El Remedio announced a temporary closure of their brick-and-mortar on Oct 2; they are still available through a food truck and are talking about a potential reopening during the holiday season
- Rooster Crow Bakery announced they were closing their brick-and-mortar doors on Aug. 31., but you can find their goods at Melvin’s Homemade Ice Cream & Espresso Bar, a branch of Max & Louie’s New York Diner.