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Former San Antonio reporter's 'Survivor' win leads our top 5 stories

Savannah Louie is the newest "Survivor" winner.

Photo courtesy of Paramount.

Editor's note: The top San Antonio news of the week includes reality TV, a sudden closure, and the best dishes of the year. Plus, where to grab a drink to escape the holiday madness. Read on for our most popular stories of the week, then find the best things to do Christmas weekend right here.

1. Former KENS 5 San Antonio reporter wins Survivor crown. San Antonio’s KENS 5 newsroom, but it keeps churning out Survivor winners. Savannah Louie, a fixture of the station between 2017 and 2019, was crowned the latest victor of the long-running competition series, netting a cool $1 million.

2. Stellar tacos and juicy burgers: Our top San Antonio meals of 2025. Here are CultureMap editor Brandon Watson's 10 favorite dishes of the year.

3. Casual San Antonio taquería folds weeks after opening at The Rim. Less than two months after its splashy reopening at The Rim, San Antonio’s Salsita has thrown in the towel.

4. New Roman-inspired osteria and market says ciao to Fredericksburg. A hospitality veteran is opening Bottega Salaria, a homey Italian osteria and artisan market, in his adopted home of Fredericksburg.

Bottega Salaria Fredericksburg Valerio Lombardozzi is opening Bottega Salaria in the former home of La Bergerie. Photo courtesy of Bottega Salaria

5. Where to drink now: 7 best bars to escape holiday stress in San Antonio. These Alamo City bars offer strong drinks, good vibes, and a welcome escape from the crowds, the noise, and the in-laws.

NEXT CHAPTER

Darling New Braunfels bookstore teases sequel after downtown closure

The Chapter & Co./ Instagram

The Chapter & Co. is leaving its historic New Braunfels storefront.

A new edition of The Chapter & Co. will soon be on the way. The charming New Braunfels bookshop and café is closing its historic storefront at the end of January, with plans to reopen elsewhere in the growing Hill Country suburb.

“We want to thank everyone who has joined us on this journey and those who will continue to join us in our move," wrote the business owners on Instagram. “We love this community .”

Although the “book-tique” did not directly address the reason for the move, it did suggest the relocation was necessary for its continued success.

“We will miss these tiled ceilings and hardwood floors but are so excited for the next chapter in a more sustainable storefront,” the statement continued.

Sisters Lilliana Brabham and Laura Hickman opened The Chapter & Co. in October 2024. Like many independent booksellers, it had a narrow focus, specializing in the romance and fantasy genres. A small cafe onsite and a selection of cheeky gifts made the shop feel like a neighborhood hangout.

In the lead-up to the closure, the bookstore will be offering a buy-two, get-two deal on all books and discounting the coffee by 50 percent, January 1-17. The siblings have not yet revealed where in New Braunfels they plan to reopen.

“We will continue to share what’s in store for Chapter Co and cannot wait to share more,” wrote the team.

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