New York-based superstore Teso Life is days away from opening its first San Antonio outpost. The rapidly growing chain, often described as an “upscale dollar store,” stocks an eye-popping assortment of Japanese goods from cult cosmetic brands to hard-to-find snacks to the most coveted blind-box toys.
The retailer has been tight-lipped about the upcoming Northwest Side outlet, at 12720 I-10 W, but it hasn’t exactly been a secret. Glazer Properties, the firm leasing University Square, has listed Teso Life on its rental brochures since January, and Teso’s own website lists the department store as “coming soon.” And the brand’s Instagram account has been posting coy previews, made a little less hush-hush by a #SanAntonio hashtag.
Teso Life is the HQ for blind-box Japanese toy.Teso Life/ Facebook
Entrepreneur Andy Lin founded Teso Life in Queens, New York, in 2017 with a desire to highlight Japanese culture and aesthetics. Since then, the country’s goods have surged in popularity, fueled by TikTok and novelty shops like Daiso — itself a San Antonio newcomer.
While Teso customers have been known to squee for the latest Pop Mart or Finding Unicorn drop, it takes a slightly upmarket approach compared to its competitors. It stocks pricey skincare from Shiseido and Shu Uemura in the same space as hojicha tea KitKats.
Rows and rows of ramen at Teso Life.Teso Life/ Facebook
Shoppers can also load up on Sanrio stationery and gel pens, kitchen basics, fuzzy slippers, and dog toys. The ramen selection is exceptional, going far beyond Nissin Cup Noodles.
Teso Life has yet to reveal its grand opening date. Still, a site visit to the former Mega Furniture store confirmed that the buildout is well underway and merchandise is already being organized on shelves.
Once open, the department store will join several other brands that are transforming the shopping center into a hub of Asian goods. Among the tenants are HuHot Mongolian Grill and Taiwanese chain 85°C Bakery Café.
