San Antonio’s Mayoral Race: Rolando Pablos and His Vision for Local Bars and Restaurants
As San Antonio gears up for its mayoral election in 2025, one candidate has already stepped into the spotlight with a plan aimed at reviving the city’s beleaguered restaurant and bar scene. Rolando Pablos, a former Texas Secretary of State, officially joined the race in August and has since proposed a comprehensive initiative called Operation Fresh Start: Restoring the Path to Profitability for Our Local Bars & Restaurants.
A 10-Point Plan to Uplift Small Businesses
Pablos rolled out his 10-point plan just weeks after announcing his candidacy. The premise? To empower local eateries and drinking establishments by easing bureaucratic barriers and offering much-needed relief. Among the proposed measures are tax incentives and grants, rent reduction incentives for commercial spaces, and tailored programs to help develop a skilled workforce.
“These small business owners, they’re not asking for a handout. Let’s be very clear; they just want a level playing field,” Pablos shared in a recent phone interview. His point raises an interesting question: Why do large corporations receive so much support while local businesses have to struggle on their own?
Bureaucracy Affects Access to Business
Local restaurant owners are feeling the heat from ongoing construction along South Alamo Street, which significantly deters customers, especially those from the nearby Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Additionally, long-term construction projects have posed literal roadblocks to foot traffic, and the lingering fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has not made things easier.
Pablos believes that his plan can tackle these pressing issues through effective local policy and open lines of communication. “I always believe that encouraging open dialogue between city officials and small business owners can lead to more effective policies and collaboration. But it doesn’t seem like it’s happening,” he noted. Citing the challenges faced on St. Mary Street as a prime example, he expressed deep concern about how poor city management could devastate small businesses.
Restoring the Legacy of San Antonio
Another important aspect of Pablos’s vision is honoring San Antonio’s rich legacy of beloved restaurants. Over the past two years, the city has seen the shuttering of iconic venues like Mexican Manhattan and Acadiana Cafe after nearly 40 years in operation. “These are iconic restaurants that we’re losing, so that worries me tremendously because that’s the fabric of our community, that’s who we are,” he reflected.
The Business Community PAC: A New Alliance
In an effort to amplify small business voices, local owners have formed the Business Community PAC. The group recently held a kickoff event at Hola!, a tapas restaurant owned by renowned chef Rene Fernandez. Members, including Aaron Peña, owner of Bar Gimme Gimme and Amor Eterno, have been vocal about the challenges posed by city policies, especially during construction periods.
Peña has already met with Pablos to discuss how Operation Fresh Start might address the needs of struggling businesses. “I think the initiative to even put a plan together that outlines potential solutions for what every small biz in the city is facing is commendable,” he mentioned in a text. Having faced his own challenges, including closing The Squeezebox after seven years due to construction interruptions, he understands the urgency behind Pablos’ proposal.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we inch closer to the election on May 3, 2025, with early voting kicking off on April 21, local business owners, community members, and hopeful voters are all eager for solutions that will preserve San Antonio’s cultural fabric. “Voters are going to want solutions and action to keep the cultural fabric of their city intact,” Peña concluded.
With candidates like Rolando Pablos making bold moves to support local businesses, it seems that the race for San Antonio’s next mayor will not solely be about politics but also about nurturing the heart and soul of the community.
