Another fast-casual restaurant chain in the San Antonio area has officially shuttered, leaving hungry locals wondering what the deal is with all the sudden closures in their small Hill Country town.
Pei Wei on Bandera Road in Helotes permanently closed its doors months ago, according to locals who shared the news online. A company representative was not immediately available to comment. For the national chain, it’s at least the second area closure in a little over a year.
For some, the realization came just one day after the adored chicken-tender eatery Slim Chickens announced the final day of sales at its Helotes store, also on Bandera Road. Area residents say they are starting to notice a trend of disappearing eateries in their neighborhood.
“We have lost Jim’s, Sonic, 6 [K]licks, Slim Chicken, Arby’s, Taco Cabana and Golden Corral,” wrote Facebook user Elizabeth Galliher in the public Facebook group, Helotes Curbside Eats. “That seems like a pretty big level of failed restaurants in a short time period.”
“Don’t forget KFC,” chimed in another user.
Though Slim Chickens’ departure from the Helotes area is part of a future relocation plan, according to Dan McGrath, president of Big Star Hospitality, the franchise ownership group behind the eatery, the closure adds to the sting locals are starting to feel in real time.
“Helotes is JINXED,” wrote one local, PT Liz.
But the end of an era for one restaurant could be the start of a new beginning for another, some say. Members of the group are already starting to wonder, and possibly even salivate, over what could be on deck to replace some of the recently closed spots.
Some are requesting a new Mediterranean option, like Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, from the powers-that-be, and others seem to want a bakery and sandwich shop to take over a location in town.
Despite the online commentary, the Helotes Economic Development Corporation tells MySA it does not see the recent restaurant closures as part of a growing trend.
“Helotes EDC is aware of the commentary and content currently circulating regarding the Helotes community. We value the comments, concerns, and perspectives shared by our community and encourage residents to remain engaged and informed. We also encourage the public to carefully evaluate information and rely on credible, reliable sources for accurate and up-to-date information,” executive director Katherin Silvas said in an email.
The economic corporation leader said that she the EDC could not confirm or deny any new developments or perspective tenants coming to town, sharing that, while every business property has its own economic experieces, Helotes is still a very viable location for future businesses, considering its high traffic counts, higher-than-average household income rates above-average education levels.
“On a separate note, I will add that it is a well-documented and well-known fact that restaurants are extremely prone to economic conditions, and local brands especially fall in a high-risk category due to very small profit margins,” she said.
Silvas also said that the city and the economic development corporation are currently working on incentives programs to attract businesses, restaurants and destination retail to Helotes. Local leaders are also developing additional grant programs for existing businesses.