Alamo Heights Toilet Seat Museum Headed to Dallas
For 97-year old Barney Smith, the sale of his 1,400 decorated toilet seats is a mixed blessing. Smith’s Toilet Seat Museum, housed in his garage at 239 Abiso Avenue, in Alamo Heights, will soon move to Eastland, Texas. He’s proudly displayed his creations since 1992. He has been decorating toilet seats for more than 50-years. Texas Truck Yard owner Jason Boso recently purchased the seats from Smith. Boso will move them to his bar at 5624 Sears St., Dallas, TX 75206, in February. He will display them at his establishment. “I’m happy to see them go to a new home where they will be on display for people to see,” Smith told 78209 Magazine. “But,” he added, “I am also sorry to see them go.” The seats are amazing to behold. And Smith can share with you the backstory on nearly every one of his 1,400 creations. He’ll welcome visitors until the last seat is packed for shipment. Call first to see the collection — 210-824-7791. Some seats feature Trolls, from the movie; beads from Mardi Gras in New Orleans; pieces of the Berlin Wall; ash from St. Helens; barbed wire from Auschwitz; Saddam Hussein’s toilet; and metal from NASA’s space shuttle Challenger. Many are truly whimsical. While others tell important historical stories. But the best story of all is Barney Smith. A retired Master Plumber, whose hobby turned into a lifetime of incredible and fascinating objet d’art.
Lincoln Heights Shopping Center Changes Hands
The Blackstone Group, one of the world’s largest investment firms, recently sold The Shops at Lincoln Heights to a company named JMCR Lincoln Heights. Blackstone had purchased the property in January 2017. No purchase priced was announced. The center sits on nearly 23 acres at the intersection of Broadway and Basse Road, near the Alamo Quarry Market and just north of Alamo Heights. JMCR Lincoln Heights, is co-managed by Robert Dozier. He oversees the retail division of the Dallas real estate firm Lincoln Property Co. The firm also has ties to Midland Oil. Bexar County appraised the property at nearly $46 million dollars in 2018. That’s a significant jump over the 2015 appraised value of nearly $29 million dollars. The center features a number of retail stores including H-E-B, Stein Mart, Zoës Kitchen, Nadeau San Antonio, The Honey Baked Ham Company, Twin Liquors, Paesanos, Stone Werks, and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt.
Alamo Heights City Manager Mark Browne Accepts Post in Schertz
Mark Browne, who joined Alamo Heights in 2011 as City Manager, is moving on. Browne recently accepted an offer from the City of Schertz to be its new City Manager. Schertz City Council appointed him city manager on November 27. Prior to Alamo Heights, Browne had been Terrell Hills’ city manager for 6 years. Browne told 78209 Magazine, “It is a challenge to move to a bigger city in the high growth I-35 corridor.” He begins the new job in January 2019. DATA USA estimates Schertz’s population at 37,597, compared to 7,814 residents in Alamo Heights. For more on Browne go to www.78209magazine.com/community-leader/mark-brown.
Sew Chic Alterations Relocates
After proudly serving Alamo Heights since 2007, Sew Chic Alterations and Tailoring expanded operations by relocating to the Boardwalk on Broadway. The new location features oversized, private fitting areas for men and women. Customer, Ahsan Choudary, commented on the move “wherever they are, they continue to offer the same great service I’ve come to expect. When you want to look sharp and need alterations done, this is my go-to place.” The associates at Sew Chic are also loving their new sewing studio with extra cutting space, storage, and break area for an overall better daily working environment. Ask for your 78209 Magazine discount and follow @mysewchic on social media for regular updates and promotions valid at all 3 San Antonio area locations.
Alamo Heights Retailers Vacating
As a result of the Embrey Partners project at 7600 Broadway, San Antonio Flower Co. and Slater White Cleaners will vacate their stores at the intersection of Broadway and Nacogdoches, by May 2019. So far neither business will say where they will go, although the flower shop told 78209 Magazine it hopes to remain in the neighborhood. Demolition of all the existing structures on the property, which is bordered by Nottingham, Broadway, and Nacogdoches, is expected to begin in the Spring of 2019. Embrey plans to build 227 apartments, plus 60,000 sq. ft. of office space on the site.
BY RON AARON EISENBERG
