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SA Yacht Club/Instagram

New Orleans has Magazine Street, and Beverly Hills has La Cienega Boulevard. If recent development is any indication, Grayson Street may soon join the list of famous shopping and dining destinations. Anchored by Government Hill to the east and The Strip to the west, few stretches of San Antonio so succinctly capture where the city is going.

A new development opening at 310 W. Grayson is a case in point. Christian Craft of local lifestyle brand Bexar Goods will soon open the SA Yacht Club, a mini retail center adapted from four shipping containers. In addition to hosting two vacation rentals, the complex will contain four businesses.

The first to open will be a new outpost of Francisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez’s Naco Mexican Eatery. Naco Grayson, the third location for the couple, will debut in October with fan-favorite dishes and appetizer options such as corn in a cup, queso fundido, and loaded frijoles borrachos.

Still to come is Sippy’s Beer and Wine, a new project from Craft. Although the concept has not been formally announced, Craft has shared progress photos via Instagram and described it as a “convenience store concept.” Assumably, customers will be able to enjoy the drinks on the patio.

Sari-Sari will also have a spot at the Yacht Club, adding to a rapidly growing portfolio of concepts, including its Wurzbach Road market, restaurant, bakery, Jeepney Street Eats food truck, and supper club.

Lastly, a retail outlet for leather outfitter Bexar Goods is in the works. It’s unclear whether the new location will replace the Outland Airstream currently parked at the Broadway News park. In July, the property was reported to be undergoing foreclosure.

Though Naco Grayson has announced an October opening, exact details are still forthcoming. The estimated debuts of Sippy’s, Bexar Goods, and Sari-Sari are still unknown. Follow along as more information is announced on Instagram.

SA Yacht Club

The SA Yacht Club will host four concepts and two vacation rentals.

Marc Jacobs/ Facebook

Marc Jacobs styles first San Antonio boutique in La Cantera

Names! Names! Names!

As one of the nation’s largest cities, San Antonio has always had its fair share of retail. But when locals wanted to splurge on designer goods, the choices were traditionally few and far between. That’s about to change as yet another upscale brand sets up shop in La Cantera.

Hot on the heels of Gucci, it appears Marc Jacobs is opening a boutique in the luxury shopping center. A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing reveals that the brand is renovating a space at 15900 La Cantera Pkwy #1250, with construction set to wrap up at the end of August. The opening date is still unclear.

Though his signature line dates to the late ‘80s, Jacobs first gained fame by succeeding Perry Ellis as the creative director of his eponymous line. In 1992, his “grunge” collection for Ellis catapulted him to fashion’s top echelon. Though the clothes were a commercial failure, they became the unofficial uniform of ‘90s cool kids — from Winona Ryder to Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth.

In 1997, he introduced Louis Vuitton’s first ready-to-wear line, shaking off the dust of the brand’s lucrative leather goods business through covetable collaborations with artists Stephen Sprouse and Takashi Murakami. His tenure inspired a host of heritage brands to similarly reinvent themselves through a hip streetwear lens.

Though Jacobs left his post at Vuitton in 2014, his namesake line is still owned by high-end conglomerate LVMH. Along with Vuitton, the company’s portfolio includes some of fashion’s most hallowed legacy lines, including Beyoncé-approved Loewe, Fendi, Christian Dior, and Givenchy.

There’s no word yet on whether the boutique will feature Jacob’s clothing line — now mostly focusing on logomania. No doubt, it will have a selection of more money-making accessories. CultureMap has reached out to the Marc Jacobs corporate offices and the Shops of La Cantera but has received no response at press time.

Mixtli is open for business in Southtown.

Mixtli digs deep for new Southtown wine bar and shop

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Mixtli may have its head in the clouds, but that just means more silver linings. On May 14, the lauded Southtown eatery will debut a wine bar — The Cellar at Mixtli — adjacent to the restaurant’s main space.

Hailey Pruitt, Mixtli’s certified sommelier, will lead the charge, curating an extensive collection of over 1,200 bottles from around the world. The selection will particularly focus on wines from Mexico, keeping with the restaurant’s overall theme.

Pruitt discovered a passion for hospitality while attending Texas A&M University. While pursuing sommelier certification, she helped develop a beverage program for Ronin Farm and Restaurant in Bryan. San Antonio soon beckoned, where she fine-tuned her expertise at luxury hotels and private events.

That know-how will be well-used at the bar. Not only will Pruitt be available to suggest pairings at the Cellar, but she can also be booked for personal shopping sessions.

“I’m incredibly proud of the diverse wine program we’ve built at Mixtli, and I’m excited to share my passion for all aspects of wine—from the farming and harvesting to winemaking and distribution — on a deeper level at The Cellar by guiding guest choices and suggesting pairings,” says Pruitt via a release.

In addition to the vino, The Cellar will serve a selection of cheeses, charcuterie, conservas, and other fine foods that do not begin with a “c.” The concept will also double as a retail space selling prepared goods, groceries, books, and artisanal home goods.

Once open, The Cellar at Mixtli will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 3-10 pm, Friday and Saturday from noon-10 pm, and Sunday from 11 am-5 pm. The space will also be available for private events and dinners for up to 12 guests. Guests dining at Mixtli will enjoy five percent off all purchases on the day of their reservation.

Mixtli
Photo courtesy of Mixtli

On May 14, the lauded Southtown eatery will debut a wine bar — The Cellar at Mixtli — adjacent to the restaurant’s main space.

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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

UTSA outpaces progress of every other school on U.S. News' best Texas colleges list

go roadrunners

The University of Texas at San Antonio has massively improved its high-quality educational experiences for students, earning it the highest increase of all public universities on U.S. News and World Report's just-released list of the Best Colleges in Texas for 2024.

The home of the Roadrunners claimed No. 16 in Texas, and had an incredible 92-place leap from the previous year into No. 280 nationally for 2024. The public institution had an undergraduate enrollment of more than 29,600 students in fall 2022. The school, which costs $10,580 in tuition and fees for in-state students each year, ranks No. 151 for "Top Public Schools" by U.S. News.

In a release celebrating these latest rankings, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy explained some of the ways the university has strived to improve its student experience and success.

“Over the last decade we have worked strategically to become a Carnegie R1 institution, to be eligible for National Research University fund status here in Texas, to be recognized for our immense progress in student success measures, to become a Seal Certified institution from Excelencia in Education, and to showcase how our students benefit from a UTSA education as they enter the workforce with low debt and high economic and social mobility,” Eighmy said. “These collective efforts have been noticed and we are grateful for the recognition.”

U.S. News' profile of UTSA says the university prides itself for its research opportunities for all students, including first-years.

"A focus on learning outside the classroom challenges Roadrunners to apply knowledge and skills acquired in their courses to hands-on, real-world situations, preparing them for success in competitive job markets," the site says.

The university also boasts a diverse campus culture that encourages students to broaden their worldviews.

"Our students come from diverse backgrounds, and each has their own unique goals and dreams," the site says. "With 45 percent of undergraduates being the first in their families to attend college, UTSA is recognized as a national model for first-generation and transfer students."

Ahead of UTSA in the ranking is Texas State University in San Marcos, which also ranked No. 280 nationally.

Just behind UTSA is the University of the Incarnate Word. The private institution placed No. 17 in the Texas rankings and No. 296 nationally.

U.S. News' top 10 best colleges in Texas in 2024 are:

  • No. 1 – Rice University, Houston
  • No. 2 – University of Texas at Austin
  • No. 3 – Texas A&M University, College Station
  • No. 4 – Southern Methodist University, Dallas
  • No. 5 – Baylor University, Waco
  • No. 6 – Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
  • No. 7 – The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson
  • No. 8 – University of Houston
  • No. 9 – Texas Tech University, Lubbock
  • No. 10 – University of St. Thomas, Houston

The full rankings can be found on usnews.com.

Online home searching platform Compass buys top San Antonio-based brokerage

real estate news

National residential real estate agency Compass has acquired Realty Austin and Realty San Antonio, in a move that will expand its position as the leading national firm and its growth in Texas by more than 600 agents.

Although the sale price was not disclosed in Compass' announcement, the local brokerages completed $5.24 billion sales just in 2022 alone.

Compass added that the Austin and San Antonio leadership will have direct oversight of daily operations as part of the terms of the acquisition. Realty Austin and Realty San Antonio co-founder Yvette Flores maintains that she and her leadership team will strive for a "seamless transition" into the national firm that respects the home-grown culture they have created.

Realty Austin was founded in 2004 by Flores and Jonathan Boatwright, and has grown through the years to become one of the most innovative brokerages in Central Texas and beyond. The company expanded its operations to San Antonio in 2021.

Realty Austin and Realty San Antonio CEO Gabe Richter said in the release that Compass' leading-edge technology will help his agents foster greater successes, particularly in one blossoming San Antonio category: luxury real estate.

"Our agents have consistently set records with remarkable achievements," Richter said in the release. "Now, by aligning with Compass, they gain access to a transformative technology platform that enhances efficiency and elevated resources that empower them to secure even more luxury listings."

Compass was founded in 2012 as the largest real estate brokerage in the U.S., and preserves its stronghold as the No. 1 brokerage in Texas thanks to its milestone acquisition. The national brokerage has already surpassed $10 billion in sales in Texas in 2023, according to the release.

“With this acquisition, we've positioned ourselves as Austin's leading brokerage — our commitment to setting new standards and inspiring innovation for all our exceptional agents remains the top priority while honoring what Realty Austin and Realty San Antonio has built," said Compass Texas President Rachel Hocevar.

Fantastic visuals and original story make The Creator a must-see sci-fi film

Movie Review

In the relatively risk-averse world that is modern Hollywood, getting an original story is a rarity. The vast majority of potentially blockbuster movies these days are ones that have a connection to some kind of existing intellectual property that already has a well-established track record. So anytime something interesting arrives that’s not a sequel/reboot/remake/commercial for a product, it deserves to be celebrated.

And that goes double when it’s done as well as the new sci-fi film, The Creator. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world in 2065, 30 years after a sentient artificial intelligence detonated a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles. Joshua (John David Washington) is an American soldier who for years worked undercover alongside A.I.-enhanced robots, many of which are fitted with clones of human faces, to try to find their reclusive leader, Nirmata, in a part of the world now called New Asia.

A personal tragedy sends him into exile, but he’s recruited back into service by Colonel Howell (Allison Janney) to seek out and destroy a weapon that may turn the tide in the war for good. Turns out the weapon is a robot in the form of a child (Madeleine Yuna Voyles), and when Joshua discovers that fact, he finds it impossible to carry out the mission. Instead, he does everything he can to protect the girl he calls Alphie, with the military hot on his tail all the while.

Written and directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One) and co-written by Chris Weitz, the film is astonishing in a number of ways, but mostly for its ability to draw the viewer in visually. The CGI is amazingly believable, making it easy to immerse yourself in the storytelling. From a foreboding super-weapon in the sky called NOMAD to the futuristic landscapes to the whirring metal cylinders that appear to be the brains of the robots, the film is full of fantastic details that make it a feast for the eyes.

The concept of A.I. is increasingly being used as a storytelling tool, and here the filmmakers seem to try to play both sides of the fence. Many people in the film fear its capabilities, especially given the nuclear event. But by literally putting human faces on many of the robots, it becomes more difficult to see them as pure evil, a dilemma that’s at the core of the problem for both Joshua and the audience.

Washington, who’s fast becoming as reliably good as his father, Denzel, is the star of the film, and he does a great job in that role. But stealing the show every second she’s on screen is Voyles, who delivers a debut performance the likes of which hasn’t been seen in many years. She is utterly convincing and heartbreaking as Alphie; while the story may have worked with a lesser actor, she helps take it to completely different level.

Also putting in great work are Janney, who proves herself as badass and fearsome a military leader as any man; Mark Menchaca as her No. 2; Ken Watanabe as an A.I. robot; singer-turned-actor Sturgill Simpson as a friend of Joshua; and Gemma Chan, redeeming herself after the misfire of Eternals.

John David Washington in The Creator
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios

John David Washington in The Creator.

The Creator could’ve earned praise simply by giving us an original sci-fi story. But by accompanying it with awe-inspiring imagery and performances that elevate the story immeasurably, Edwards and his team have made a film that will likely be remembered for years to come.

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The Creator opens in theaters on September 29.