Celebrating 60 Years of Hanley-Wood

Although it is only October, George and Meredith Ames have already bedecked luxury giftshop Hanley-Wood with Christopher Radko Christmas ornaments. Hand painted, miniature grandfather clock ornaments sit beside handsome nutcracker princes in blue and white tailcoats. Nearby is a display of Día De Los Muertos-themed pottery by famed Mexican ceramicist Gorky Gonzalez. His dapper “El Catrín” skeletons play guitar on a new range of tableware.

“No two of Gonzalez’s works are alike,” Meredith says. “We are always looking to bring more artisan items to the store. We want our customers to find something unique when they come to the store.”

On the other side of the store, a full-size dining room table is set with the delicate hues of Herend and Ginori porcelain: this season’s wedding registry display. Specializing in fine tableware, a visit to Hanley-Wood is not complete without a quick survey of these place settings, and, for most 78209 residents, it is likely they will see some familiar names among the place cards. This is a testament to Hanley-Wood’s long history in the neighborhood. Celebrating 60 years since its opening, Hanley-Wood has become a true gathering place, whatever the season or the occasion.
“We feel like owning the store is a community service, and it’s such a meaningful way to be part of the neighborhood,” George says.

“We’ve built relationships with our customers’ families over several generations now. When we go to market, we shop with particular customers in mind,” Meredith says.

A Family Tradition

At the heart of George and Meredith’s sense of community is their own family’s legacy. George’s parents, longtime Terrell Hills residents George and Annabell Ames, acquired Hanley-Wood in 1987, originally located at Dijon Plaza. Soon after, they designed and built the airy showroom that has become a familiar fixture of the downtown Alamo Heights’ landscape. Before they purchased Hanley-Wood, George’s parents were themselves customers at the store.

“My parents registered at Hanley-Wood when they got married in 1967, and Meredith and I also chose our wedding china here,” George says.

“We chose a German porcelain from Meissen. It has a beautiful blue and white pattern, and we use it every day.” Meredith laughs.
Visiting Hanely-Wood feels like stepping into the Ames family home, and while George’s parents have passed away, their presence is still deeply felt in the store. A wrought-iron mirror designed by Bruce Eicher that once belonged to them stands above a working fireplace, while some of Annabell’s own artwork is displayed on the shop floor.

“My mother made mosaics out of all the things that would break in the store. If a plate broke, she would always save the pieces to use in her latest project,” George says.

Growing up, George started working at Hanley-Wood at an early age. Since Annabell’s death in 2024, George and Meredith have taken up the mantle of the Ames’ family business with the expert support of longtime employees Barbie O’Connell, Ingrid Starling, and Willard Samuel.

“Our employees are like family. We couldn’t do it without them. They love their customers, and they go above and beyond for them,” Meredith says.

“Starting when I was 14, I would ride with the delivery driver and run deliveries. When I was 16, I started delivering by myself,” George says.

George and Meredith’s children, Madeleine and Henry, also grew up in the store.

“They used to take naps under the wrap table in the backroom when they were really little. As they got older, they have both worked here with us – especially during Christmas time,” Meredith says.
Growing up in a store specializing in fine china was not without its perils, however.

“When Henry was a toddler, he walked into the store, picked up a teacup, and dropped it. He learned fast, though, and it never happened again” Meredith laughs.

What’s New at Hanley-Wood

As George and Meredith mark Hanley-Wood’s 60th anniversary, they are preparing to welcome Houston-based bakery Tiny’s Milk and Cookies in their leased space next door.

“Tiny’s has been a sensation in Houston. The lines there are out the door, so we are excited to help bring them to San Antonio,” George says.

At the beginning of this month, Hanley-Wood will host Zapfee Silversmiths’ Silver Restoration Clinic from October 15th-17th. Looking ahead to the holidays, customers can pick up their pre-wrapped “gifts to go” starting at the beginning of November, and the store will host its annual Holiday Party the Sunday before Thanksgiving, where everything in the store will be 20% off.

For the Ames, their family’s legacy at Hanley-Wood is carried on through the ways their homeware, gifts, and china patterns mark the “big” moments in their customers’ own lives.

A key piece of advice from George and Meredith:
“Always use the good china and don’t be afraid to break it,” Meredith says.

By Elizabeth Bobbitt | Photography by David Teran