SAN ANTONIO — One of San Antonio's favorite bakeries continues to expand its footprint in a volatile period for the local restaurant industry.
After announcing in February that plans were in the works to open stores near Brackenridge Park and in Stone Oak, La Panaderia says it'll soon serve up its trademark conchas and artisanal brunch products in Southtown. That location at 812 South Alamo will nestle it in the same building as Second Season Coffee, Pharm Table and Mixtli—and effectively double the eatery's locations in the span of a year.
Brothers David and José Cáceres started selling their pan dulce in San Antonio in 2013. It's since become a beloved local chain, having won the San Antonio Current reader's choice distinction for Best Bakery six years running while serving Guy Fieri for an episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
"Our passion for sharing our cultura with San Antonio has brought us to this point, and this expansion allows us to share our love for baking with even more people," José Cáceres is quoted as saying in a press release. "This new location will not only bring our unique flavors to Southtown, but also create even more job opportunities in the community."
The expansion plans for La Panaderia stand in contrast to a recent wave of closures impacting San Antonio's restaurant industry this year. Acadiana Cafe, The Rustic, Augie's Barbecue and Botika at The Pearl have all announced in recent months that they've shuttered or were planning to close locations in 2024.
La Panaderia, which already feeds customers downtown, at La Cantera and along Broadway near the airport, will next welcome hungry patrons at a 3,400-square-foot location at 2503 Broadway when that store opens this fall. The Stone Oak location – which at 6,600 square feet will be the eatery's biggest, beating the downtown restaurant – will debut at 1011 North Loop 1604 East early next year and feature a covered patio area.
In addition, the bakery will debut an "express" kiosk featuring "in-store classics" at The Shops at La Cantera next year, renovate its 8305 Broadway location to bring more seating and a coffee/juice bar. The bakery's most recent location, at La Cantera, opened in May 2021.
Eventually, José Cáceres told KENS 5, they want to grow beyond Texas.
"Our mission at La Panaderia Bakery Café is to continue sharing our Bread Cultura in San Antonio, Texas," he said, "and eventually more states across the US."
