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Photo by Dario on Unsplash

Visitors to San Antonio now have an easy and environmentally friendly way to get around. UFO Drive, a rental company with an all-electric fleet, has "landed" in Alamo City, according to a release, and is ready to beam renters up — as long as they give 48-hour notice.

Cars can be picked up from the San Antonio International Airport "or anywhere within the TX Loop 410," made easy by a remote process that walks users through the pickup process on their phones. The service is completely contactless, which comes in handy for travelers who don't want to wait in lines, hear long spiels, or visit during office hours.

The down side, as detailed in this overall favorable review of an Austin-to-Houston trip, is really up to the user: Can you pay attention to the how-to emails, or do you need someone there to show you the ropes?

The following has been reproduced from CultureMap Austin, as published on February 1, 2023.

This Tesla rental service got me from Austin to Houston, despite my best efforts:
Reader, my car was stolen. I know that’s not a cool note to start on, but it’s the truth. A few months ago, my white Hyundai Elantra was recovered on Ben White Boulevard with an egregiously ugly, half-finished paint job and a deathly rattle in the engine. This put me in a vulnerable position, not just for getting around (thanks, CapMetro), but for falling in love with cars way outside my price range.

UFODrive (stylized UFODRIVE), a self-service car rental company with an all-electric fleet, must have sensed my predicament, because a publicist probed my inbox with an offer to borrow a sleek Tesla X or Y for a weekend trip. The timing couldn't have been better, and not just for my Austin transport needs, but because the CultureMap Austin team had a Houston meeting to attend — an excellent excuse to hop in a new ride and try out the service.

This rental company has seven locations in the United States, but only one in Texas so far, meaning round trips would be necessary to return the car. (The website does not allow a multi-city return, even if you’re up for a very long drive.) Previously exclusive to Europe, the company's United States leg is catching up. Their website boasts 20 million “clean miles” driven by renters, and more than 2 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions saved.

Ideals aside, the most obvious draw to this kind of service — the self-service exchange — held up, although it does present its own challenges. Everything happens through the UFODrive app. Pickup and drop-off were easy with no lines, no salespeople, and most importantly, 24/7 service. The downside, for a chaotic traveler, is everything takes some time to figure out if you don’t read everything very carefully (a simple solution, really, but easier said than done.)

Nothing was confusing for more than a few minutes. The phone app locks, unlocks, and starts the car. It only took a few tries to realize the vehicle turns itself off automatically when in park with no one inside. Everything from the online booking to reporting pre-existing damage was an easy step-by-step form. (The car was immaculate, anyway.)

My biggest problem was learning how to operate a Tesla Y on intuition alone — I wouldn’t have needed rental agency staff to teach me about just about any gas-powered vehicle, but I would have liked to get a quick rundown for my first time operating this sleek spacecraft. Maybe a more tech-inclined driver wouldn’t have taken a full minute to figure out how to put the thing in drive. I wouldn’t know; there wasn't one available.

Thankfully, these machines are intuitive once a driver starts trusting the "push buttons and find out" technique, although we never did find cruise control. The only time we almost faced a consequence for this improvisational approach was when I looked at the battery upon entering Houston and saw we were at 1 percent — an awful, single digit number I did not think we’d creep up on for another hundred miles. The low-battery notification had gone to my email, unnoticed during the drive.

The UFODrive app first took me to a charger that was out of service, and I’m glad I thought to check the vehicle’s dashboard screen for my second try. The car displayed not just charging stations, but their status, including how many bays were left and whether or not they were in service. After an incoming call from a well-meaning UFODrive employee who saw my low battery but could not possibly know where every charger in Houston was, I ended up backing into a charging station at 1 percent battery.

Charging — the act, itself — was very easy. UFODrive handles the whole thing and covers the fee, so it’s as simple as plugging in, waiting, and driving away. Having seen the detail on the dashboard screen about chargers (as well as a notification when we were about to leave range), I would feel confident booking a longer trip through the service.

And for my fellow roadtrippers, I'd just encourage a thorough read of the emailed materials — or at least this laundry list of minor snags. Fill out the forms early, check emails often, and put in just a few minutes of planning to keep charging smooth and convenient. An organized traveler may make it to Houston with a shining track record of no awkward moments at all.

Photo courtesy of Cirque Italia

Cirque Italia presents Nitro Extreme Motor Stunt Show

Cirque Italia presents Nitro Extreme Motor Stunt Show, which brings the production of big-budget automobile movie stunts like high-speed spins, two-wheeled driving, epic jumps over obstacles, and pyrotechnic explosions, as well as gravity-defying motorcycle tricks and acrobatics. The show features cars, motorcycles, and monster trucks.

Photo by Mikie Farias

San Antonio Auto & Truck Show cruises back bigger than ever

Fancy cars

Live your best Top Gear life with the return of the San Antonio Auto & Truck Show, only in town this weekend at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

The largest showroom in South Texas is back and bigger than ever. Not only will the 2022 San Antonio Auto & Truck Show have a larger assortment of electric vehicles than the show has ever had, but guests can also enjoy a wide array of classic cars, pet adoption opportunities, food trucks, and so much more.

Not a car enthusiast? There's a good chance you'll change your mind after attending the San Antonio Auto & Truck Show, and veterans get in for free on November 11 (which is Veterans Day).

The San Antonio Auto & Truck Show is in town for one weekend only, so don't miss out if you need inspiration on a car-shopping journey. Other nice discounts for the weekend include $6 tickets for kids 6-10 years old and free admission for children 0-5 years old. If military vets can't actually make it on Veterans Day, they can still get a discount ($8 for a day pass) on Saturday and Sunday. Senior citizens also get discounted $8 day passes for whatever day they choose to attend.

If you're wondering what could possibly be more fun than getting a discounted ticket to wander a whole day gazing at a showroom full of luxury automobiles, the show has a surprise for gear-heads and casual car lovers alike. Featuring a drawing every hour during the show, some lucky guests will have the pleasure of taking home one $100 gift card. It may not be a Lamborghini, but hey, it's something, right?

The official San Antonio Auto & Truck Show has been teasing upcoming attractions for this weekend's show experience on their social media channels, previewing the return of old and brand new auto-themed exhibits. One returning kid-friendly exhibit is the History In Motion tour bus. Another familiar weekend event is the Battle of the Bands, in addition to a full slate of incredible cars on display to admire from afar (there will also be opportunities to test drive select cars).

For more information on show hours and tickets, visit saautoshow.com

Courtesy of Buc-ee's

Buc-ee’s will pump up Central Texas with world’s largest convenience store

Leave it to the Beaver

The saga of the world’s biggest convenience store rolls on.

For now, the largest convenience store in the world is the Buc-ee’s location in New Braunfels, measuring a little over 66,000 square feet. But Buc-ee’s recently revealed that a new store coming to Sevierville, Tennessee, would take that title. However, it wasn’t long before Buc-ee’s topped itself by announcing the world’s largest convenience store would be a Buc-ee’s planned for Johnstown, Colorado.

Later this year, though, Buc-ee’s will start building what it now says will be its largest store — and, therefore, the world’s largest convenience store — in its home state of Texas. The iconic Lake Jackson-based chain plans to replace its existing store in Luling, about an hour northeast of San Antonio, with a more than 75,000-square-foot location. The new Luling store will beat the new Tennessee and Colorado stores by roughly 1,000 square feet.

Located at 10070 I-10, the new Buc-ee’s in Luling will go up next to the existing store. It will feature 120 gas nozzles at 60 pumps. The current store, built in 2003, was the chain’s first “family travel center.”

The bigger Luling store will employ more than 200 people.

In a June 8 news release, Stan Beard, director of real estate at Buc-ee’s, lauded co-founders Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek for their “gumption to change the industry” by opening the company’s first “family travel center” mega-store in Luling, a town of nearly 6,000 residents situated in Caldwell and Guadalupe counties.

“Since that time, Buc-ee’s has grown into an iconic Texas brand that now shares our Texas pride with new stores throughout the Southeast and West,” Beard says. “We are humbled to have this opportunity to strengthen our roots in Texas and will continue to exceed our customers’ expectations every chance we get.”

Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s operates 35 stores in Texas and eight stores in other states. The chain is known for its sparkling restrooms, abundance of gas pumps, and unique food like Beaver Nuggets snacks. Buc-ee’s easily recognizable mascot is a cartoon beaver.

New startup deemed the ‘Airbnb of vehicle storage’ steers into San Antonio market

Driving revenue

A startup that bills itself as the "Airbnb of vehicle storage" is driving into San Antonio.

Fort Collins, Colorado-based Stow It connects people with extra space to those who need to store cars, boats, RVs, and other vehicles. It also offers long-term parking near airports. The company initially launched in the Denver area and said April 5 that it’s expanding to the Austin and San Antonio areas.

Stow It works with businesses and individuals to take advantage of unused or underused space at places like storage facilities, parking garages, parking lots, barns, home garages, driveways, and unoccupied land. In February, the company said more than 400 properties in the Denver area were earning more than $1,000 a year by renting out space through its program.

“Any individual or business that is looking to make passive income off their open space through vehicle storage can become a Stow It host,” the company says in a news release.

For hosts, the company handles tasks such as booking reservations and processing payments. The startup says one of the benefits for renters is that they’re not locked into long-term contracts.

“Many people looking for vehicle storage are making the switch from traditional storage facilities to Stow It,” the company says.

In February, Stow It announced its expansion into Dallas-Fort Worth; Houston; Atlanta; Orlando, Florida; and Phoenix markets.

Users can visit the website to browse storage options in their area. A current search of the San Antonio area generates a range of outdoor lots and driveways available from $60.

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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Fine dining chef unpacks nostalgic pop-up concept at Grayson Street bar, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From pop-up concepts to Hill Country getaways and cool local pools, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Fine dining chef unpacks nostalgic pop-up concept at popular Grayson Street bar. The Memorial Day popup was hopefully just the start of a new series the chef hopes to hold monthly.

2. Breathtaking Hill Country hideaway is lone Texas star on Vrbo's top 10 vacation homes in the U.S. The Hill Country Riverfront Hideaway was the only Texas home chosen on Vrbo's list.

3. 7 San Antonio icons star in new Texas Monthly book documenting most influential Texans of last 50 years. To commemorate the publication's 50th anniversary, they've collected stories and photographs of 50 iconic Texans.

4. These 6 San Antonio museums are offering free admission for military families all summer long. The Blue Star Museums program begins yearly on Armed Forces Day in May and ends on Labor Day.

5. Summertime is here in San Antonio — beat the heat at these cool local pools. Mourn the loss of cool weather and beat the heat (in style) at these local pools.

'Little West Side gem" sparkles with summer grand opening

DREAMS COME TRUE

Some bar owners talk about community, but the all-woman trio behind new Prospect Hill spot Chiflada’s mean it. The team says the concept, celebrating its grand opening on June 2, wouldn’t have happened without it.

Family and friends turned out to support the bar months before it was ready for the build-out. They turned out again to help transform a vacant bungalow at 1804 West Martin St. into a comfortable and stylish lounge. When the ice machine went on the fritz during the June 27 soft opening, the bar’s supporters flexed their muscles to ensure the drinks remained cold.

Even the West Side neighborhood gave it a seal of approval. Natasha Riffle, who co-owns Chifladla’s with her mother, policewoman Veronica Riffle, and El Buho owner Melanie Martinez, says the team walked door to door to change the zoning, ensuring residential buy-in.

The result is a bar that is by and for the neighborhood. At the soft opening party, Marigolds swayed in the breeze under a pergola as congratulatory bouquets filled the bar’s shelves. Guests busily chattered as popular deejay Sunnyboy played oldies and conjunto hits.

“It feels like you’re at your abuelita’s backyard and hanging with your family,” Natasha Riffle says of the bar’s vibe.

The drinks honor that spirit, too, toeing the line between the neighborhood’s blue-collar roots and the team’s cocktail-making skills. Featured sippers include a punchy Mexican Martini, a melon Paloma, the Chif Peach, and the mezcal-based Smoke on the Water.
“It’s a place to get a nice cocktail, but also a place to get a beer and shot combo,” Natasha Riffle tells CultureMap about the high-low mix.

Ultimately, Chiflada’s feels like home — the type of place folks let loose after a long day at work, where multiple generations can get in on the party and where bartenders become close friends.

“We all lived [on the West Side] off and on,” says Riffle of the team, “and we’ve all worked with each other over the years. We are more of a family than we are co-workers — 100 percent.”

Chiflada's San Antonio

Photo by Joe Rodriquez

Natasha Riffle beams in front of her newly opened bar.

Contemporary Irish pub sprouts up in new St. Paul's Square home

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK

One of San Antonio’s most storied bars is gearing up for its next chapter. After a brief hiatus, Southtown hot spot Francis Bogside has reopened in St. Paul Square, along with a sister concept — Anne’s.

The bar first opened in 2015 in conjunction with the fine dining eatery Brigid. The pair had barely been in business for a year before an early morning fire ravaged their shared space in 2016. In 2017, the bar reopened on South St. Mary’s Street sans Brigid, becoming one of Alamo City’s favorite haunts.

In July 2022, owner Steve Mahoney announced another change. Francis Bogside was moving out of its longtime home and into a new location. Eventually, internet sleuths figured out that spot would be 1170 E Commerce St #100 in St. Paul’s Square, the former home of Smoke BBQ.

Though in a new location, the basic DNA of the bar is still intact, with a similar layout featuring a large central bar and a jumble of artwork on the walls. The space, however, is a more contemporary interpretation of an Irish pub with a bold mix of upholstery, up-to-date wallcoverings, and mosaic tiles, all enlivening the mostly brick space.

Though Bogside’s signature cocktails have often strayed from theme, a release promised a return to form with sippers like Paddy’s Irish whiskey-based Irish Maid and low ABV Jammy Lass. As usual, the specialty drinks will be supplemented by various classics, including daiquiris and negronis.

Currently, the bar has a limited food menu of pub grub, like focaccia pizza, wings, and loaded potato skins. A more fully developed menu will be rolled out as it prepares for a grand opening later in June.

The media alert did not offer many details about Anne’s, a wine bar now open in the adjoining space, but did tease at an international bottle list. The concept will also have a dedicated food menu, although no details were shared.

Currently in its soft opening phase, Francis Bogside welcomes guests 4 pm-2 am Tuesday through Sunday. Anne’s operates Wednesday through Sunday with the same opening hours.

Francis Bogside San Antonio

Photo by TXTroublemaker

A large central bar is the focal point.