Twin Liquors continues to observe safety guidelines, one of which is providing social distancing markers throughout the store. Photo: Twin Liquors, used with permission.
Today Twin Liquors announced the opening of its 12th San Antonio location. The Texas based liquor store began in 1937 as a small store in downtown Austin and has grown into a successful “home-grown” Texas company with over 100 locations. The new Twin Liquors is now open and will be located at 14311 Potranco Rd. #101 with business hours Monday through Saturday from 10a.m. to 9p.m. (Twin Liquors, 2020)
Twin Liquors is committed to its team members and the communities it serves. With the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Twin Liquors has established enhanced guidelines across all their locations across Texas to ensure the safety of customers and staff members during this time. Plexiglass “sneeze-guards” have been placed between the cash register and counter in all Twin Liquors locations, along with safety signage and social distancing markers and protective gear. Staff members are also actively disinfecting the stores.
Additionally, Twin Liquors recently announced the launch of its new Entertaining at Home guide designed to provide tips on hosting this holiday season. Featuring cocktail combo packs with recipes, wine combo packs, and recommendations for creating the perfect bar cart, the entertaining guide has something for everyone.
For those who prefer to shop online for delivery or in-store pick up, Customers can do so through Twin Liquors’ website or the Twin Liquors app, available to download on iOS and Android app stores. Online ordering will be available beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as a small store and has grown into a successful “home-grown” Texas company. It has a unique and well-respected reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world, and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates 85+ neighborhood stores across central, south, and southeast Texas.
Taco Cabana’s catering options include enchilada casseroles and individually packaged Taco Boxes. Photo: Giant Noise, used with permission.
This holiday season let Taco Cabana ease the stress of meal preparation with a wide variety of catering options featuring all of Taco Cabana’s favorites. Guests can now order Taco Cabana’s new 24-pack Enchilada Casserole, individually packaged Taco Boxes, and other delicious TC menu options as part of TC Holiday catering. Catering packages are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (Taco Cabana, 2020)
As a special incentive, any Taco Cabana guest placing catering orders for pick-up or delivery through December 31, 2020 by calling 1-855-4-MYTACO, or online using code M05328, will receive a 15% discount off their order if placed by Friday, December 18, 2020.
The 24-pack Enchilada Casserole is the latest addition to Taco Cabana Catering and is the perfect easy-to-serve addition to any holiday season. Guests can enjoy the Enchilada Casserole for $89.99. The casserole is topped with the guest’s choice of two sauces, including Queso, Ranchero, Green, Suiza, Sour Cream or Tex-Mex. Each casserole is served with Taco Cabana’s signature refried beans, rice, pico de gallo and salsa roja. The TC catering menu is available online. Catering is available at all participating Taco Cabana locations in Texas.
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of November 1, 2020, Taco Cabana operates 144 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service, and catering.
Pearl’s curated boxes are perfect for holiday gift giving. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
Pearl and its Farmers Market Curbside are debuting a variety of curated boxes filled with holiday gifts from regional producers and family farms that are perfect for gifting. Holiday shoppers can pre-order their products packaged in a beautiful, hand-printed Pearl gift box starting NOW through December 15 for pick up, or through December 18 for shipping (select boxes are available for shipping). Orders can be placed online. Highlights from the gift box program are included below, with a full menu available online. (Pearl, 2020)
Pearl Preserves Box $45 – This is an exclusive box that features products created and launched by Pearl in partnership with select Farmers Market vendors. Includes Pearl Cranberry Orange Compote, Pearl Pepper Jelly and Pearl Tomato Chutney.
Tamales Box $34 – Pick 2 La Hacienda Tamales. Choices: Veggie and Cheese (4 count, jumbo), Jalapeño and Cheese (4 count, jumbo), Vegan (4 count, jumbo), Charro Bean (6 count).
Local Charcuterie Box $95 – CKC Farm Baby Caprino Goat Cheese, River Whey Creamery Indigo Ridge Cheese, Al’s Gourmet Nuts, Ms. Chocolatier Chocolate Truffles or Chocolate Salami, Aurelia’s Spanish Cured Chorizo, Sandy Oaks Olive Jelly, Handcrafted Swift River Pecan Wood Cutting Board.
Pearl, located north of downtown San Antonio, provides a unique experience as a top culinary and cultural destination. The mixed-use space features retail, dining, picturesque green spaces, paseos riverside amphitheater, and the third campus of The Culinary Institute of America. As a former brewery operating from 1883 to 2001, Pearl reflects a vivid past while embracing the future with environmentally sustainable buildings mixed with historic architecture.
Pomegranate Moscow Mule recipe from Twang. Photo: Twang, used with permission.
Twang Partners, Ltd. is a manufacturer of premium flavored salts, seasonings, and more based in San Antonio, Texas. This year, Twang is sharing several festive holiday cocktail recipes and gift giving suggestions to make holiday preparations easy. (Twang, 2020)
In addition to its wide variety of products (Twang-A-Rita, ZAS!, Reserve, Twangerz and Beer Salt) that are available for purchase on the Twang website year round, Twang has a “stocking stuffers” section on their site that makes holiday shopping simple and easy. Twang also has a selection of its products available on Amazon Prime for last minute shoppers. Twang’s products can ship nationwide, making them ideal gifts for cocktail connoisseurs and home chefs.
Regardless of how people celebrate this year, Twang is also sharing some cocktail recipes to help make the season more festive. See below for holiday-themed cocktails from Twang that can be made at home.
iFly Indoor Skydiving has packages perfect for gift giving. Photo: google
iFLY is a sports and recreation company with the mission to deliver the dream of flight. The company pioneered the body-flying “indoor skydiving” experience and is the world leader in vertical wind tunnel technology. Guests do not need to be an athlete or in the best shape of their life. iFLY’s world-class instructors are pros at making flying fun for everyone. Looking for the perfect gift for the adventurer on your list? This holiday season give an experience that will create lasting memories for years to come. iFLY Indoor Skydiving is offering three holiday gift voucher packages, available now through January 4, 2021. Prices vary per iFLY location. More information available online. Holiday vouchers must be purchased in person. San Antonio location: 15915 I-10. (iFly Indoor Skydiving, 2020)
The Exclusive Gift
4 flights + 2 high flights + 2 videos
Can be shared between 2 flyers
Valid 7 days per week, starting 1/4/21
Save up to 40%
The Elevated Gift
4 flights + 2 videos shareable by 2 people
Valid Sun-Fri, excludes Saturday, starting 1/4/21
Save up to 35%
The Essential Gift
2 flights
Valid Mon-Fri, excludes weekends, starting 1/4/21
Save up to 30%
iFLY is taking the proper precautions to ensure guests can enjoy their flying experience by investing in new safety measures to create new ways of keeping people safe in their buildings. The enhanced safety procedures include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability to complete waivers online, touchless temperature readings for all entering the building, contact-free check-in, floor markings indicating distancing requirements, all equipment, including helmets, goggles and flight suits, sanitized and washed after each use, hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility, and surface areas and touchpoints, such as counters, door handles, and bathroom facilities, will be regularly wiped down with disinfectant.
As temperatures drop, this is a fun and safe activity to do indoors. In fact, iFLY’s wind tunnels have a fresh air advantage over other experiences. Advanced wind tunnel technology provides guests with clean air while flying by recirculating and refreshing the air from outside the iFLY facilities. Tested and proven, iFLY’s wind tunnels create an environment at least 10x fresher than the average store or gym when flying guests—even at slow wind speeds.
Austin-based iFLY Holdings, LLC, is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, sales, and operations of wind tunnel systems for indoor skydiving. The company has flown more than 9,000,000 people in a dozen countries and at sea since launching the modern vertical wind tunnel industry. iFLY has over 70 facilities operating worldwide with 32 in the US. iFLY supports and utilizes the safety and training guidelines set out by the International Bodyflight Association (IBA) to ensure the safety and progression of the sport of indoor skydiving. iFLY makes the dream of flight a reality by giving their customers “wings” in a safe and reliable environment.
Whataburger holiday yard ornaments. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner, and for anyone already shopping for good deals, Whataburger has new holiday items and the ‘Whataweek of Deals’. (Whataburger, 2020)
Whataburger is bringing some big holiday cheer this year, with the Table Tent Inflatable and yard ornaments created by Houston-based company, Holiball, who will be featured on Shark Tank on December 4. These festive decorations are perfect for letting neighbors know the answer to the age-old question: “What’s your favorite burger place?”
Some of the new holiday gifts include a new holiday sweater, nutcracker and Snowbaby, just to name a few.
Whataburger’s Whataweek of Deals includes: • Monday, November 23 – 20% off Snowbaby and free shipping sitewide with code “20SNOWBABY” • Wednesday, November 25 – 20% off all apparel and free shipping sitewide with code “20APPAREL” • Friday, November 27 – Holiball yard ornaments available and buy more, save more with code “HOLIBALL” (buy 2, get $10 off; buy 3, get $15 off; buy 4, get $20 off) • Monday, November 30 – Table Tent Inflatables available with $10 off and free shipping sitewide
Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Whataburger now has over 800 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals every day with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.
Changes coming up at Pearl include new green space and various parking levels. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
Pearl is excited to continue its transformation into a pedestrian-focused destination. The planned changes have been accelerated by COVID-19 with an increased need for outdoor seating for a safer guest experience. The center of Pearl will be adapted to human scale and become vehicle-free, with the Full Goods parking lot transitioning to green space as well as the creation of a pedestrian road that connects Broadway to the heart of the property. (Pearl, 2020)
The Full Goods parking lot will transform to green space with seating and other amenities, like the other current green spaces on the property, which are in front of The Bottling Department and Cured. Construction will begin in early 2021 and is estimated to be completed by Fall of 2021.
The nearly 3,000 parking spaces on the property will transition to a tiered approach, ranging from free to premium. Parking Ambassadors will provide increased security for parking areas and additional guest support. The Stable Lot with its 65+ spaces will be the first lot to transition to a Premium lot, with a text-to-pay interface; Premium parking will range from $6 – $10 depending on the number of hours. Pearl is dedicated to always offering free parking options and meeting the demands of retail and restaurant traffic and office, visitor, and employee needs.
Parking Management Partner – Beginning in November 2020, LAZ Parking partners with Pearl to manage its nearly 3,000 parking spots, ranging from free to premium. Parking Ambassadors will manage inventory and flow. Guests will use a text-to-pay interface at the Stable Lot. On nights and weekends, Pearl visitors may use the Oxbow/Credit Human Garage.
Stable Lot becomes Pearl Premium Lot – By November 16, the Stable Lot (65+ spaces) will transition to a Pearl premium lot where visitors will pay hourly to park. Handicap spaces will remain free.
Establishment of Parking Tiers – There will be three categories of parking at Pearl: Premium, Standard, and Free. Spaces will be marked accordingly with a colored “P” (Premium, red; Standard, yellow; and Free, green) that corresponds with the tier.
“As Pearl evolves, we seek to build pedestrian connectivity and increased green space. This evolution requires us to treat parking as an amenity with a tiered approach – from premium to free.” – Pearl Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Fauerso.
Pearl, located north of downtown San Antonio, provides a unique experience as a top culinary and cultural destination. The mixed-use space features retail, dining, picturesque green spaces, paseos riverside amphitheater, and the third campus of The Culinary Institute of America. As a former brewery operating from 1883 to 2001, Pearl reflects a vivid past while embracing the future with environmentally sustainable buildings mixed with historic architecture.
Feliz Modern POP’s Maker Kits for Dia de los Muertos. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
Pearl is proud to announce its virtual and campus-wide programming for fall 2020. The season will kick off with autumn activities to enjoy at home followed by a socially distant Día de los Muertos celebration featuring in-person and virtual altars. The fall festivities will continue with culinary content for Thanksgiving including curated curbside boxes available for purchase. (Pearl, 2020)
Farmers Market – Pearl will continue to host the Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9a.m. to 1p.m and Sundays from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Safety measures remain in place, including mandatory masks for vendors and hand sanitizing/washing stations throughout the footprint. Guests have the option to use Pearl’s Farmers Market Curbside service on Fridays between 3p.m. and 7p.m.
Pearl Farmers Market will feature pumpkins for purchase from Braune Farms so families can carve their own Halloween creations at home. The market will also offer Halloween themed goodie boxes available online starting on Friday, October 23. The market will host the 28th Annual Herb Market on Saturday, October 17 and will feature specialty herbs and other items. The herb of the year is Rubus. Though Fiesta was canceled this year, Pearl will honor the beloved tradition by selling Pearl and Pearl partner Fiesta medals through Farmers Market Curbside. Medals will be available to purchase online beginning October 30 through December 1.
Fall – To celebrate fall harvest, Pearl will release a series of videos featuring Hotel Emma’s chef, John Brand. Brand will share his favorite pumpkin recipes using seasonal produce from Pearl Farmers Market’s regional producers and family farms. The videos will be released on Pearl Farmers Market social media pages on October 21 and 22. Pumpkin carving stencils will also be available at the Pearl Farmers Market to take home at no charge to be picked up on October 24, 25 and 31. Stencils available while supplies last.
Día De Los Muertos – Pearl reimagines its annual Día De Los Muertos celebration, honoring loved ones who have passed, as a largely virtual experience. In addition to the onsite community altar, videos of altars at two offsite locations will be available to view on Pearl social media pages. Altars will be located at the Mexican Cultural Institute and at the Carver Community Cultural Center.
The Mexican Cultural Institute and the Consulate of Mexico in San Antonio, in partnership with the San Antonio-Mexico Friendship Council (SAMFCO), are proud to create an altar in honor of Manuel Felguérez, one of the earliest and most prominent proponents of abstract art in Mexico, who passed away this summer from COVID-19. In December 2019, Felguérez was recognized by the government of Mexico City as a figure of Living Cultural Heritage for a lifetime dedicated to the arts.
The Carver Community Cultural Center has invited local artist Kaldric Dow to create an altar dedicated to those who have lost their lives to social injustice. Pearl’s annual community altar will be on view at the Pearl Shade Structure from November 1 to 8. Masks will be required when visiting the altar. The altar will be created by Jon Hinojosa, Artistic Executive Director of SAY Sí, with help from SAY Sí alumni and staff. The theme of the altar is Amor y Esperanza (Love and Hope) and is dedicated to those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. The altar will consist of four levels and four sides, representing the four stages of life, the four points of the earth, the four seasons and the four mathematical points upon which the pyramids were built. SAY Sí is developing an interactive app where people can leave names of their loved ones in lieu of leaving physical mementos at the altar.
The public can purchase Maker Kits from Feliz Modern POP beginning October 13. Options include a Catrina Collage by local artist Regina Moya or a Sugar Skull Piñata by Manola & Maria and Lua Bash. Kits include instructions and materials and how-to demos by the artists will be available on Pearl’s Facebook page on November 1.
The Mexican Cultural Institute will have a booth at the Farmers Market on Sunday, November 1, where they will give out ceramic skull banks which kids can decorate at home. The Farmers Market information booth will be giving out marigolds. Banks and marigolds will be available while supplies last.
Azul Barrientos will round out the Día de los Muertos celebration with a special, online performance that commemorates the traditional Mexican holiday. The performance will be available to view on Pearl social media pages on November 2. Hotel Emma and La Gloria will each have altars on display and Pan de Muerto will be available at Hotel Emma to complete the socially distant celebrations at home.
Thanksgiving – Guests hoping to avoid crowded grocery stores this holiday season will be able to purchase everything needed for a Thanksgiving feast at Pearl Farmers Market Curbside. Products include a box with ingredients and recipe cards for a variety of Thanksgiving sides, turkey brining kits, pies and centerpieces. Thanksgiving products will be available for preorder starting November 1 through 21, with curbside pickup on November 24. There will be no curbside pickup the Friday following Thanksgiving.
“While we’ll miss being together for some of our most popular signature events, we will honor this time of year with special offerings through Farmers Market and new virtual programming and culinary content.” – Elizabeth Fauerso, Pearl’s Chief Marketing Officer
North Star Mall be be hosting a food drive on Friday October 30 during which those who donate five or more items will receive a Cowboy Boots Fiesta Medal. Photo: North Star Mall, used with permission.
North Star Mall is holding a food drive on Friday, October 30 from 10a.m. to 4p.m. to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. A San Antonio Food Bank truck and red donation bins will be on site to receive food items all under gray tents with orange trim — the orange symbolizing hunger awareness — at the corner of Rector and San Pedro. North Star Mall staff and volunteers from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Society for Design Administration (SDA) will man the contactless collection point. While supplies last, they will also be handing out a commemorative, limited edition, Fiesta Medal of its iconic Cowboy Boots, including stars that light-up, to those donating five items or more. (North Star Mall, 2020)
The San Antonio Food Bank’s 12 most wanted foods are: peanut butter, cereal, tuna, beans, rice, mac ‘n cheese, canned chili and soups, baby food, canned meats, pet food, full meals boxed or canned and pop top food items.
The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 500 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security.
“We created the medal to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the World’s Largest Cowboy Boots, along with the memory of its creator, the late Bob ‘Daddy-O’ Wade. It was our intent to offer the medals during Fiesta, but no one could foresee the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic also affected our ability to host CANstruction, an event where we would have typically partnered with architects, engineers and contractor teams representing the San Antonio chapters of the AIA and SDA. The event benefits the SA Food Bank during Hunger Action Month. This is our way of giving back to the community and helping such a worthy cause.” – Brenda Crawford, Sr. General Manager, North Star Mall.
Taco Cabana is retired some flavors and adding new ones to their popular MargaritaPalooza margaritas. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Taco Cabana is excited to announce several new food and beverage items coming to its locations throughout Texas beginning Wednesday August 26, 2020. The popular restaurant chain is launching ‘QuesoMania’ and expanding its MargaritaPalooza flavor offerings. (Taco Cabana, 2020)
With the launch of QuesoMania, guests can enjoy three new and delicious loaded queso options. Quesos are available for purchase in size small or large for $2.99 or $4.29 respectively in the following flavor combinations:
Queso with corn, cotija cheese and Taco Cabana Hot Sauce
Queso with chorizo, beans and jalapenos
Queso with ground beef and pico de gallo
Due to overwhelming demand, Taco Cabana is also extending its MargaritaPalooza offerings, replacing six current flavors with six new flavors. As of this week, the Frose, MojitoRita, Prickly Pear, Passion Fruit and Star-Spangled Banner Margarita flavors will be retired. Starting August 26, 2020, Taco Cabana will launch six new margarita flavors, including:
Green Apple
Pineapple Chamoy
Tamarindo
Spicy Guava
Sangria
Strawberry Mango
The Lime, Strawberry, Mango, Blue Curacao, Mangonada and Watermelon margaritas will remain available for purchase as part of MargaritaPalooza and the popular Dr Pepper margarita will also be available upon request. $2 margaritas are available for purchase all day, every day at locations in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio.
Guests can add chamoy to any TC margarita for no charge as well make any margarita a Jose Cuervo for an additional $2. Margaritas are available via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, as well as via the drive-thru with food purchase. Margaritas are also available for delivery via online ordering in San Antonio only.
MYTC! loyalty guests who complete the TC MargaritaPalooza Tour – purchasing all 12 flavors by September 30, 2020 – will see their name on the TC MargaritaPalooza Virtual Wall. Download the MYTC! app to join and start earning points on all alcohol and food purchases.
To continue the celebration around MargaritaPalooza, Taco Cabana will also launch its Drive-Thru Weekend Fiestas starting Saturday, August 29, 2020. The fiestas will take place every Saturday and Sunday and will feature a special weekend-only menu, Taco Cabana MargaritaPalooza collectible cups available for $1, music and more. See below for the MargaritaPalooza Drive-Thru Weekend Fiesta offers, available Saturdays and Sundays only.
Any margarita + 3-pack of Flautas – $5.99
Any margarita + any Soft Taco – $4.00
Any two margaritas + 6-pack of Flautas – $9.99
Any four margaritas + Kickin’ Nachos – $13.99
Taco Cabana is also asking guests how they MargaritaPalooza at home by conducting a MargaritaPalooza At Home promotion launching tomorrow, August 26, 2020. Guests who post a photo or video to Facebook or Instagram showing how they MargaritaPalooza at home while enjoying Taco Cabana menu items, tag @tacocabana, and include the hashtag #TCMARGARITAPALOOZA in their post will have a chance to be featured in an upcoming Taco Cabana TV spot or social media post.
“The response to MargaritaPalooza has been unbelievable and we’re very excited to expand our margarita flavor offerings for our guests. To complement our $2 margaritas, we’re looking forward to the launch of QuesoMania as well. We invite everyone to Taco Cabana to try all the new items and to be a part of MargaritaPalooza Drive-Thru Weekend Fiestas.” – Fiesta Restaurant Group President and CEO, Rich Stockinger
SA Examiner 