Eduardo Casas knew he was doing more than repurposing an old building into a new restaurant when he opened SMOKE: Texas BBQ & Watering Hole. SMOKE BBQ would be housed where the Rainbo Bakery held forth on Harrison Avenue in Harlingen. Rainbo was a mainstay Harlingen business for over seven decades. Memories run long in the city when it comes to the iconic bakery. “My idea in opening here was…
Jesus Bojorquez had a decision to make in moving toward a degree in biomedical science. Should he continue on a career path toward pharmacy school as he planned after concluding a stint in the U.S. Army? There was a new pursuit that had caught the Brownsville native’s fancy. It was becoming more than a hobby. Bojorquez was intrigued with the notion of being a chocolatier. He had more than dabbled…
It’s a sun-splashed Saturday at Southern Roots Flower Market and Stephanie Brantley is all smiles while working with her crew in a horse trailer-turned-mobile coffee bar. Her happiness matches the sunshine. The self-described people person welcomes customers to the Match Made Coffee bar, an Edinburg-based business. Match Made goes wherever events call for brews and teas to be made by an experienced barista with a Starbucks background who has struck…
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is reminding businesses to submit their applications for an original or new license to the agency before a month-long pause in accepting applications begins Aug. 1. The pause must happen for TABC to prepare new technology that will overhaul the way alcohol industry members conduct business with the agency. The pause begins Aug. 1 and will remain in place until Sept. 1. During that time: TABC…
A whirlwind is how Erika Soveranes described it. A normal work week was proceeding at Brownsville Lopez High School where she works as a music program director. Mid-week, a call came in from Arlington, Texas. Mexican boxing hero Canelo Alvarez had a huge fight on tap at AT&T Stadium. Would the Mariachi Margaritas – an all-women group of which Soveranes is a member – be willing to sing behind legendary…
At 16, Eliza Garza’s father ignited the raspa flame within her. Her dad saw that South Padre Island needed a raspa stand. He believed his family could run it every summer. Garza carried that flame with her as she finished high school and worked as an event planner, fundraiser, energy broker and idea generator. Last year, a friend of Garza’s took charge of the Beach Resort at South Padre Island…
Becoming an entrepreneur and starting a business during a pandemic has taught Karina Saldivar some valuable lessons while deepening her appreciation for local support of small businesses. The latter has been vital for the success of her business, Amor y Pan. The bakery and store promotes healthy living with products that appeal to fans of keto, vegan and paleo lifestyles. A look inside her stylish shop just off Expressway 77/83…
The owners of Reserva Coffee Roasters began a new chapter recently when they opened their doors at the UTRGV School of Medicine’s Team-Based Learning Center in Edinburg. Owners Michelle and Danny Quiroz are two legacy UTRGV alumni. The construction planning for the Team-Based Learning Center started in 2018 and included a space for a potential café. UTRGV officials explored different service operators but settled on teaming up with a locally owned…
Texas law now lets customers and businesses safely partake in alcohol-to-go options. Temporary waivers to provide relief to businesses have been updated and made permanent due to recent action by Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas legislature. The change comes as part of House Bill 1024. The bill was recently approved by the legislature on April 28 and signed into law by Gov. Abbott on May 12. The law, which…
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is urging members of the alcoholic beverage industry to prepare now for a month-long pause from TABC in accepting applications for new licenses or permits. The pause begins Aug. 1 and will remain in place until Sept. 1 for new primary licenses, subordinate licenses and supplemental changes. The licensing pause will affect any industry member looking to apply for an original permit, TABC Executive Director…