TOP SHOP

San Antonio's Shops at La Cantera crowned nation's top shopping center

The Shops at La Cantera has been crowned the nation's best shopping center.

San Antonio's The Shops at La Cantera has been named the top shopping center in the nation by USA Today. The Northwest Side outdoor mall, known for its blend of luxury boutiques and fast-fashion megastores, beat out swanky strips in Florida, Hawaii, and Illinois to earn the accolade, part of the publication's rolling 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

The bustling shopping center was the only Texas property to make the publicly voted list. USA Today's writers called it "a go-to luxury shopping destination for locals and visitors alike."

We … are grateful for this distinction that comes directly from industry experts, readers, and guests who have experienced our truly distinctive shopping center," said the center's senior general manager, Brian Schroeder, via a release. "This honor also pays tribute to our unified team of innovative associates committed to consistently delivering an elevated shopping experience with upscale and first-to-market retailers."

The Shops of La Cantera debuted in 2005 and has quickly gained steam as one of the region's premier shopping hubs. Anchored by tony retailers Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, it mixes in everything from designer brands like Chanel and Gucci to mall staples like Buckle and American Eagle Outfitters.

As USA Today noted, it also has become a culinary hotspot, hosting everything from buzzy chains like Haywire to local favorites like Toro Kitchen & Bar. Even more options are coming soon, like La Panadería's fledgling express concept and cult coffee chain La La Land Kind Cafe.

The 10Best Awards, staggered throughout the year, highlight everything from local landmarks to family-friendly resorts. Earlier this year, Hemisfair's Yanaguana Gardens was named the seventh-best playground in the United States. The San Antonio River Walk also got props as the nation's 10th-best river walk.

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Beauty news

Shark Tank-approved beauty brand moves company HQ to San Antonio

Nopalera/ Facebook

Nopalera is known for its cactus-based body line and home fragrences.

It’s official: Cult beauty brand Nopalera is now a San Antonio business. The Shark Tank featured company founded by Sandra Velasquez traded the Big Apple for Alamo City on Monday, June 30.

Velasquez confirmed the move via a LinkedIn post, saying she looked forward to engaging with a San Antonio community that has supported her brand from the get-go.

“On a personal level, I am excited to live closer to the border again, being surrounded by my rich Mexican culture, an easy airport, and [an] in-unit washer and dryer,” she wrote.

Nopalera was founded at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with an aim to disrupt European beauty standards. The prickly pear cactus, or nopal, became both a totem for the Latine market and a key ingredient in creams, body polishes, and shampoos.

“Precious oils are carefully extracted from the seeds of the nopal cactus’ fruit, then boldly blended with other natural butters to help you achieve a hydrated cleanse and lasting body moisture,” explains the company’s press materials. “True to tradition, we use the whole of the cactus, including the outer skin of nopales, for a more refined skin texture.”

A well-kept secret of specialty shops for years, Nopalera gained national prominence after a 2023 appearance on ABC’s entrepreneurship show Shark Tank. Although Velazquez received several investment offers on the show, she ultimately decided to leave empty-handed, later raising $2.7 million on her own.

“My hope is that millions of people see this episode and remember to never settle,” she wrote of her experience. “There’s always more. You deserve it. You are worth it.”

The company move will place Velasquez closer to her Mexican-American roots. Although born in San Diego, California, Velasquez has been a frequent visitor to San Antonio, staging several pop-ups in town since the company was founded and touring the city when she was a part of a folk band.

As of now, there are no plans to open a San Antonio flagship, but the brand can be found at several local retail outlets. Nopalera is available online and in-store through Nordstrom and at boutiques like Rancho Diaz at Pearl and the Hotel Havana store.

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