Small businesses represent a key component of any city. During this time of separation many businesses are still providing limited services to try and survive while keeping many of our neighbors and friends employed. As a proud small business owner in San Antonio, I wanted to help promote some of these businesses and encourage others to support them. This is a list of a few that I frequent.

EAT

The grocery stores are mostly empty, but most restaurants are still open. It’s easy to load up on fast food during times like this but I challenge you to make a conscious effort to eat healthier.

Call restaurants to see if they are offering takeout. Many will bring the food to you curbside and have takeout specials. Restaurant Facebook & Instagram pages are a great way to view specials and current information regarding their hours.

Special thanks to Belkis Lane for creating this interactive map website that lists many San Antonio restaurants offering take out during the COVID-19 containment period – https://www.satakeout.com/.

Here are a few locally owned restaurants to consider:

Powerhouse Bakery

  • 4902 Golden Qual, Ste 101 San Antonio, TX 78240
  • Order online or call 210-354-7996 to place a pick-up order
  • More than just baked goods… breakfast, salads, soups, entrees and a bakery. Menu is designed to showcase the healthiest gluten-free, non-GMO and organic ingredients.
  • Owner, Suzanne Parker, is a registered dietician & personal trainer. She is dedicated to sharing her love of healthy foods. She brought food to my office once to feed my team and is definitely worth trying out

Wasabi Sushi

  • 9921 IH-10 West, San Antonio – just down the road from my office
  • Order online via Deliver Ring or call 210-877-2300
  • My go-to sushi place I have been eating there for years and have been going a couple times a week during this shut down – rice and sea food will help you stay healthy.

Native Grill and Wings

  • 3238 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio
  • Order online or call 210-233-1199
  • This is one of the favorites of Maria, my medical assistant. Prior to the shutdown they would go there several times a month. Comes highly recommended

Tri-County Meat Market

  • 29202 Ralph Fair Road, Fair Oaks Ranch
  • Phone: 830-755-6328
  • I have been going to this family run meat market for years and they are always excellent. Great time to fire up the grill and stay home to eat with the family.

DRINK

Spotted Deer Coffee Company

  • 8000 Fair Oaks Parkway in Fair Oaks Ranch
  • Call for pickup or delivery – 210-375-3505
  • If you live in the Boerne area check them out – recently opened and an excellent coffee shop

Black Rifle Coffee Shop Boerne

  • 101 S Main Street, Boerne
  • Order online or call 830-428-6736
  • Recently opened as well and an excellent addition to our community – let’s keep them in business

SWEETS

Ok – we can’t eat healthy all the time. For that sweet spot we all have, try this.

Bear Moon Bakery

  • 401 S Main Street, Boerne
  • Curbside pickup menu or call 830-816-2327
  • One of my wife’s favorite places for sweats (I love ‘em too)

SWEAT

More important than ever during times like this – keep your body moving and off the couch. It’s too easy with work from home orders and 24hrs a day Netflix to get out of shape. Remaining active is important for your physical and mental health. Local exercise studios are adapting to the social distancing challenges by creating online classes that you can do in your home. Just like healthy eating, I challenge you to make this the time you step up and focus on your health.

There are a lot of choices out there but let me recommend one you maybe haven’t thought of – martial arts. My son and I are actively involved in this and I feel it is the best combination of the physical and mental discipline that we all need right now. If you have never done martial arts before, try something different – the change will be refreshing.

World Karate

  • 24201 Boerne Stage Road, San Antonio
  • Zoom classes (Mon-Fri).  You can sign up for online classes by calling 210-698-6553 or emailing Mr. Brown himself at worldkatateusa@gmail.com
  • I absolutely love this place. It is a family run business with a family feel. Whether you are in an adult class or a youth class- your teammates become your friends and your motivators. I’ve lifted a lot of weights at a lot of gyms over the years and this has been the best overall workout for my mind and body that I have found. And, it’s a special bond that you don’t find at your typical health club. Mr. Brown and his team are just amazing. You get a mix of conditioning, flexibility, strength and mental exercise. If you have never tried martial arts before, make this reason you try something new. You may well love it.

AUTOMOTIVE

Lester’s Automotive Center

  • 32128 IH 10 West
  • Phone: 830-249-2501
  • I have been to a lot of auto repair shops in my time – I love cars. I have been going to Lester’s for over 5 years now. Quick and courteous service, reasonable prices and they do an excellent job. I highly recommend them to anyone that needs to keep their car running.

Let’s Support San Antonio

That’s my shortlist. There are obviously a lot of small businesses that need your business and continued support during these times. Remember, the people that run those businesses and work there are our neighbors and friends. Let’s help them get through this so they are still there for us when this is over.

Also, through choices you make during this shut down you can elect to complain and become a “victim” of the crisis, or you can make a healthy diet and lifestyle changes and come out a better person on the other side. Remember, it’s not what happens to us that matters, it how we respond to what happens to us that does. Be healthy and stay safe.