Press Room

New Starbucks opens on S.W. Military Drive

February 5, 2009

By Steve Valdez Contributing Writer/Southside Reporter

Despite closing hundreds of stores around the country in recent months, Starbucks opened its newest store in South San Antonio last week.

Starbucks is selectively opening new locations, despite announcing two months ago its intent to close 600 company-operated stores in the United States, including one on San Antonio's northeast side.

"We believe in the South Side, we're looking for this store to be one of the tops stores we have in the city," said Jennifer Rudnier, a Starbucks district manager last week.

The new Starbucks is located at a former Chevron gas station site, at 1935 S.W. Military Drive ( at the intersection of Southwest Military Drive and Interstate 35 South).

Richard Perez, president of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, City Councilman Philip Cortez, along with representatives from Paige Investments, attended the grand opening of the Starbucks.

Cortez said the South Side is San Antonio's best kept secret.

“Now people are discovering that secret and we continue to have more and more grand openings," Cortez said.

The new Starbucks is a full service location with a drive through.

"This also means jobs for our residents,” Cortez said.

“Even though the national economy is not doing so well, we continue to have ribbon cuttings and grand openings here on South side of this community. This means we are doing our best to weather this storm in this community and bring jobs to this district.”