The Eaton’s Are All About Coffee, Sweets, and Nice People to Meet
By Bruce X. Forey
People from around the world find their way to 78209 and make it a home. Erin Von Borg was born in Canada and spent a few years in Toronto before her father had enough of the cold and snow. He moved his wife, Erin, and her three sisters, to the warmth and sunshine of South Texas. They established roots in Alamo Heights along with fond childhood memories.
“I lived on a really fun street, made lots of friends, had a swimming pool in my backyard and had a great time growing up,” she said.
While in high school, Erin met her future husband, Tres Eaton, at the Texas Military Institute (TMI) military ball. They stayed close while in college. She attended University of Southern Louisiana. He went to Ole’ Miss. After graduation, they got married.
To pursue her passion for baking, Erin opened her first bakery called Princess Pies at age 23 in McAllen, TX.
After a move back to San Antonio Tres and Erin opened a new bakery called Eaton Sweets in Castle Hills. As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens. An unexpected opportunity developed that would position the Eaton’s as the new owners of a well-known coffee establishment in the community.
“My lease was up at the Castle Hills store and wanted to relocate. I learned the Olmos Perk was for sale,” Erin said. “Tres said, “don’t do anything on a whim.” But I already had given the deposit.”
Erin’s intuition paid off. Olmos Perk grew its brand as a truly unique establishment. A comfortable place to enjoy great coffee beverages, hang out with friends and, of course, partake in Erin’s delicious baked goods.
The café evolved to take on the fun personalities of the Eaton’s. The atmosphere is tastefully eclectic. The colorful décor is constantly modified. The comfortable furnishings are often shifted to create new spaces. One constant is the Eaton’s mantra on how to treat customers: people may forget what you say but will never forget how you make them feel.
“I just love what I do. It’s like networking, and it’s a really good sense of community,” Erin said. “You get to know people. We have many regulars. They come in as a customer and they leave as a friend.”
“It’s a great meeting place,” Tres added. “We really strive to create a comfortable and happy place to hang out and relax.”
Tres and Erin work many hours side by side to make Olmos Perk a success. This joint endeavor has deepened their appreciation for the unique connection they share.
“We definitely spend more time together than most married couples,” Erin added. “He puts up with me and we make a great team together.”
Walk up to the counter at Olmos Perk over the weekend and you’re likely to be greeted by a young smiling face. The Eaton’s offer part-time jobs to area students, including several from Alamo Heights High School. Many of them enjoyed the experience so much they visit the store when home from college.
“A lot of them came to see us for Thanksgiving,” Tres said. “Some came and even worked a few hours. It’s always good to see them and catch up.”
Olmos Perk stays connected with 78209 through its catering operations and special events at the store. Away from the business, the Eaton’s enjoy relaxing at their Alamo Heights home with their family of dogs. It’s a chance to reset and appreciate what their neighborhood has to offer.
“I can be to a lot of my favorite places in about five minutes. The location is also walkable to a lot of shops and restaurants,” Tres added.
While not baking or serving customers with coffee and a smile, you can find the Eaton’s at one of the area’s well-known restaurants or at the Quarry Golf Club for a round of 18.
Olmos Perk Coffee is active on social media. Follow the store on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with Erin’s eye-catching and tasty baked creations.
