A Tricentennial Project
Our goal for 2018 is to photograph local businesses in celebration of San Antonio’s Tricentennial. We want to tell the stories behind the businesses people have known for years and pass on the street every day. Through a Q&A and photo essay, we will highlight the histories of San Antonio’s most interesting companies, giving our audience an exclusive glimpse of the daily workings of the businesses that shape our city.
Founder, Mike Ottea, founded his business 45 years ago out of his garage. He has passed on the baton to his daughter and her husband. She runs the taxidermy business while he runs a meat processing business next door. Both businesses are seasonal so they are able to help each...
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Originally built in 1968, Santikos Mayan Palace has gone through several renovations. The most current update gave the theater a full service bar, reclined seating, a spacious lobby, and full kitchen. It is the only Santikos location on the Southside and they are making sure it's a mainstay. Santikos is...
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When I drove by and read "Since 1886" on the side of a building I had to stop and investigate. Kenny's Food Store has been around a long time and is a neighborhood staple. The current owner, Atilano, used to work for Coca-Cola. When he found out the former owner...
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The recently renovated Seersucker Gin distillery has a bocce ball court, hip tasting room and huge copper distiller. Owners, Trey and Kim Azar, are also the makers of Cinco Vodka and are on a mission to bring gin to the non-gin drinker with different flavors and fun recipes. If you're...
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Since 1866 the Steves family has always been involved in the company. Today, six generations later, Steves & Sons continues its commitment to quality, craftsmanship and style. The Steves family founded the company on the principles of conservative growth and environmental responsibility. That hallmark remains today in every item Steves...
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The Dos Carolinas guayabera’s “secret sauce” is its unique marriage of classic, Latin-flavored good looks and high-quality natural fabrics. According to founder Caroline Mathews, “a little market research among our friends revealed that men did want an all-cotton, casual shirt. It is so much cooler than synthetic blends in our...
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Visiting Meier Bros. Monuments was a real treat for me. The building is located around the corner from my home and I always wondered, what's their story? Come to find out they are over 100 years old and one of the only places in town who sandblast their monuments by...
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Mission Solar Energy proudly designs, engineers and assembles its solar panels right here in San Antonio, TX . There are no other solar module manufacturers in Texas and only a handful in the United States. Many solar panel manufacturers produce their product overseas where less stringent quality standards are in...
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As a child visiting San Antonio there was nothing better than getting to ride throughout downtown in a horse drawn carriage. I remember the driver letting me sit up front with them and getting to take ALL the pictures with the horse. It was a joy to finally get to...
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Visiting Matson Creative was quite a throwback. VHS and cassette tapes brought so many memories of my childhood. Matson is your one-stop shop for preserving your memories and turning things like boxes of slides into digital files. Matson Creative www.matsoncreative.com 403 East Ramsey, Suite 202 210.349.3674 As the nation's leading and oldest film...
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San Antonio Armature Works is a fourth-generation family owned and operated Electrical Apparatus Service and Repair facility (EASA) in San Antonio since 1922 that continues to provide San Antonio, Austin, and South Texas with its services and products. San Antonio Armature Works www.saarmature.com 1015 North Colorado St 210-227-0291 What is armature? Armature is the rotating coil...
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Owners and twin sisters Lauren Pepping and Lyn Akhil graduated summa cum laude from Trinity University in 2006. As twins, we’ve always done everything together. We studied Finance and International Business and began our careers in corporate business consulting. We both had lifelong aspirations of having our own business. Growing...
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Aladdin was founded in 1956 by Tom Wright, Tom was an innovator in the carpet and rug cleaning business. Aladdin was the first company to utilize truck mounted equipment for carpet cleaning, and was the first company to install machinery specifically made for the professional cleaning of oriental rugs in...
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Cardona Welding is almost 100 years old and has been in business for 4 generations. I was honored to meet the most senior Cardona who has retired and passed the baton to his son. The oldest Cardona still comes around to offer his sage wisdom and to work on their...
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Mitch is responsible for an entire warehouse of food professionals on the East side of San Antonio. Coffee, garlic, and meat professionals all occupy the space called The Food Hub. We were fortunate to investigate Mitch's hydroponic farm. Hydroponics is the process of growing plants without soil. Check out his...
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Was this worth waking up at 4am? DEFINITELY. These guys are incredible. Look at their beautiful pan dulce! Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia mitierracafe.com 218 Produce Row 210-225-1262 This bakery case at Mi Tierra gets filled up every morning thanks to the efforts of master bakers that start at 10 at night and...
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I first learned of Little's Boot Company during Fiesta when we visited to thank them for King Antonio's custom boots. They were one of the first companies I contacted to be a part of this project. I really wanted to see the boots being made! Their workshop did not disappoint. ...
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Casa Rio was the first San Antonio business to open its doors to the River and take advantage of the River's setting. Canoes, gondolas, and paddle boats, evolving into tour and dinner boats, began here and helped create the Riverwalk of today! Casa Rio www.casa-rio.com 430 E Commerce St 210-225-6718 What’s your company’s origin story? How...
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Plastic Supply is one of those businesses I used to drive by and desperately wanted to go in to see what they do. Basically, they can make you ANYTHING out of plastic. It's so fun to go in and see their bin of leftover plastic pieces in all kinds of...
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Ellyn's caramels are DELICIOUS. She was so kind to invite me to her home to learn more about her business. Check out her Q&A below. You can find her locally at the Pearl Farmer's Market on Sundays, Larder in Hotel Emma, 5 Points Local, No. 9 Floral or Blue Star Provisions. ...
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