Coronas on Corona with Cleo Garza
Walk down Corona Avenue on a warm weekend evening, and you might hear laughter, the mellow strum of live music, and the unmistakable pop of a beer bottle opening. If you’re lucky, you’ve stumbled onto one of Cleo Garza’s legendary neighborhood gatherings — a monthly event known simply (and cleverly) as “Coronas on Corona.”
What started as a Cinco de Mayo client appreciation party several years ago has turned into a recurring celebration of community, connection, and shared stories. “It was such a great time,” Cleo recalls. “The neighbors loved it. It was great to catch up with friends, clients, and meet new people.”
Cleo, a mortgage banker and loan officer, has deep roots in San Antonio. His great-grandfather, a carpenter, helped build some of the very homes that now stand in the area. Even deeper, Cleo is a descendant of the original Canary Islanders — early settlers who helped found San Antonio. “I didn’t think it was true,” he says, “but it actually was. A client of mine, whose dad works in the history department at UTSA, confirmed it.”
The gatherings are kid-friendly, music-filled, and always fueled by Cleo’s homemade salsa — a recipe he’s been making since he was a 10-year-old helping out in a local South San Antonio restaurant. And while the name “Coronas on Corona” might sound like a marketing ploy, it’s nothing of the sort. “I was a little worried about using the name at first,” Cleo laughs. “But a friend at Budweiser thought it was great — they even donated beer for the first six months.”
What makes these events special isn’t just the food or the beverages but the serendipitous moments of reconnection. “A friend brought her clients, and it turns out I went to junior high with one of them. I hadn’t seen her in 30 years, and suddenly, she’s standing in my kitchen,” Cleo says. “Another time, a neighbor, my attorney, and a tax attorney all reconnected after knowing each other for 50 years. That happened in my backyard.”
Live music is a regular feature as well, with the R&B Brothers often performing. “I was actually their first regular gig,” Cleo says proudly.
Cleo’s professional life may revolve around helping people find and finance homes, but his personal passion lies in helping people feel at home. “I’ve done loans all over Alamo Heights for over 20 years, and I always wanted to live here. Four years ago, I finally had the chance to buy a home. I renovated the whole thing — landscaping, exterior, everything. I love it.” These days, Cleo sends out invitations via text to friends, neighbors, and even local business owners. “Sometimes we have 15 people, sometimes 50,” he says. “You never know who will show up. One guy thought it was an open house.”
Beyond his block, Cleo’s no stranger to community service. He’s served on the board for Meals on Wheels and the Board of Trustees at UIW, where he also led the Alumni Association. He’s also an active member of the Porsche Club (Longhorn Region), which raises money for wounded warrior projects and other charities.
But it’s the little things — walking his neighborhood, admiring the houses he once dreamed of owning, and sharing salsa and stories with new and old friends — that fuel his deep love for the community. “You can walk by the same house 50 times and one day, it just hits you — wow, I never noticed how beautiful that is,” he says. It’s a sentiment that mirrors Cleo’s own approach to life: take your time, look around, and when the moment’s right, invite everyone over.
By Shauna Forkenbrock | Photography by Taylor Lane
