By Edmond Ortiz
This edition of Light Bites is highlighted by the long-awaited opening of a famed Canadian cafe chain, a San Antonio bar’s planned expansion to New Braunfels, and the closure of a favorite Vietnamese restaurant.
Also, changes are happening at a renowned sports collectibles store, and an indoor playground debuts in Universal City.
NOW OPEN
Tim Horton’s
Canada’s biggest quick-service restaurant chain has officially opened its first San Antonio location in the far north central Redland Woods neighborhood.
Based in Toronto, Tim Hortons menu features the company’s brand-name coffee, baked goods such as donuts and “Timbits,” or donut holes, as well as breakfast handhelds such as egg muffins, and cheese melts for lunch.
San Antonio’s first Tim Hortons has a drive-thru, and offers delivery. Other local Tim Hortons locations are slated to open later this year near Stone Oak and on the Northeast Side.
2919 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 101. Open 5 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. (830-380-0136)
Stomp and Play
This forest-inspired indoor playground has evolved from a mobile pop-up provider to launching a brick-and-mortar location, which opened in late July. Children ages 10 and under can play, learn, be creative, and undergo cognitive development in a space that is rooted in early childhood education, and that offers storytelling, movement. Fees vary, and membership plans are available. Stomp and Play also offers classes, and the ability to host private events.
932 Coronado Blvd., Universal City (210-990-1553)
COMING UP
Kennedy’s Tavern
New Braunfels’ newest Irish pub opened an outdoor bar and patio to the public last spring. But now, the owners are ready to open the doors to the interior of Kennedy’s Tavern bar, with grand opening festivities tentatively slated for Aug. 28-29.
Kennedy’s Tavern features traditional American pub grub, as well as Irish favorites. There is also live music performed daily.
308 E. San Antonio St., New Braunfels
Spread the Loaves Bakery
Owner Sophie Jeffery and chef Justin Sparkman of this well-liked Helotes bakery recently announced plans on its social media channels that they will open Spread the Loaves Market and Deli practically next door.
Visitors to the market and deli will be able to choose from an assortment of fresh-made sandwiches, grab-and-go salads, spreads, meats and cheeses.
Jeffrey and Sparkman said they will soon announce an opening date for the market and deli, which will occupy Spread the Loaves’ original brick-and-mortar space.
14743 Old Bandera Road, Helotes
Wild Boar Saloon and The Roo Pub
Ingram Bar Group, which owns several local bars, is opening one new venture in Southtown, and about to open a New Braunfels edition of one of its oldest drinking establishments.
Wild Boar Saloon hosted a VIP sneak peek Aug. 8, taking over the space formerly occupied by Bar Ludivine. Soft and grand opening dates for Wild Boar Saloon are forthcoming.
Bar Ludivine has been renamed Ludivine’s Foxy Saloon, which has relocated to St. Paul Square at 1160 E. Commerce St.
Ingram Bar Group is also preparing to open The Roo Pub in New Braunfels Town Center at Creekside.
The Australia-themed bar, which also offers a full food menu, already has locations near Stone Oak and in Rockport. There is no word yet on when the New Braunfels Roo Pub will open.
Wild Boar Saloon, 1014 S. Presa St.
The Roo Pub, 2055 Central Plaza, Unit 102, New Braunfels
Monkee’s of Fair Oaks
Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce will have an Aug. 20 ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony for this women’s boutique, which will offer a curated collection of contemporary designer clothing, shoes, accessories, and gifts.
10049 Lemon Creek Blvd., Ste 115, Boerne (202-297-1000)
CLOSED
Singh’s Vietnamese
Eric Trevino, co-founder of the popular locally owned eatery, confirmed to the San Antonio Express-News Aug. 10 that both Singh’s locations have permanently closed, although he offered no reason for the shuttering.
Flyers were posted on the front doors of Singh’s original North St. Mary’s Street location and its new UTSA Boulevard site, telling customers that both spots would be closed Aug. 3-5. But no operations had since taken place at either location, according to the Express-News.
Having launched in 2018, Singh’s became an instant hit with local diners, known best for dishes such as banh mi, rice and noodle bowls, and fried wings and banh mi.
NEW OWNERSHIP
House of Cards and Collectibles owner Sunay Patel recently completed the purchase of Sports Cards Plus at 2251 Lockhill Selma Road near Castle Hills. Charlie DiPietro, a 44-year sports collectibles veteran, and owner of the Sports Cards Plus, announced the news Aug. 2 on the shop’s Facebook page.
DiPietro and his wife Norma opened Sports Cards Plus in spring 1992 at the same retail center where it has been operational. SCP offers a range of sports and non-sports cards and other collectibles, and supplies. SCP has also hosted card shows with local dealers.
Industry publication Sports Collectors Digest named SCP the 2023 Card Shop of the Year. DiPietro said 2025 was the store’s best sales year ever.
According to DiPietro, the new owners of the store, which is in the process of being renamed House of Cards, are keeping his son Jeff, and grandchildren Jordan and Elizebeth on staff.
“It is time for me to retire, and I received an offer no one would refuse,” DiPietro said in his announcement. “The ownership may be changing, but the shop will continue providing the products, prices, knowledge and welcoming atmosphere our customers deserve.”
The new ownership group includes Mickey Loomis, general manager and executive vice president of the New Orleans Saints. Plans call for the original House of Cards shop at 2105 Vance Jackson Road to stay put.
The new House of Cards will host an Aug. 29 card show from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and a trade night event for collectors after 7 p.m. the same day.
OTHER CULINARY NEWS
The August edition of St. Paul Square Dinner Club will feature San Antonio chef Mary Lou Davis from 7-9:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Cuba 1918, 2809 W. Southcross Blvd.
Davis, who was a runner-up on season 19 of the Fox television show “Hell’s Kitchen,” will craft a multi-course dinner that includes shrimp toast, elote agnolotti, and oxtail barbacoa. Tickets are $100.
Castle Hills-based Clementine, will host Clay and Cuisine, a three-course dinner organized in collaboration with San Antonio ceramic artist Jesselyn Gordon. Reservations will be available from 5-9 p.m. Aug. 26. Tickets are $110 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
The event will feature a handmade nine-inch ceramic plate created by Gordon. Each guest’s second course will be served on the handcrafted piece. After the course, Clementine staffers will clean, wrap and package the plate for the guest to take home as a keepsake. Gordon will also have a selection of her ceramic work available for guests to browse and buy during the event.
Now through Aug. 31, Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery is offering its take on a Fife and Farro wood-fired pizza, with 5% of proceeds benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank. Reservations for Fife and Farro are available on OpenTable.
San Antonio Restaurant Weeks, now in its 16th year, features more than 130 San Antonio-area restaurants, bars and breweries offering curated three-course prix-fixe menus. The event from local nonprofit Culinaria is designed to encourage local residents and visitors to check out different local eateries and explore diverse culinary creations. The event link includes participating restaurants, and their available offerings. Restaurant Weeks last through Aug. 29.
