The final notes have been played at St. Paul Square's hotspot Vice Versa Coffee Shop & Vinyl Records, with the San Antonio establishment shuttering its doors after a bout with operational and financial challenges. According to the San Antonio Report, the combined coffee shop and music venue, known for its underground jazz club Versa and vinyl record sales, faced its first major setback last year when an air conditioning failure coincided with some of the hottest summer temperatures on record, forcing a closure that lasted 45 days.
Despite efforts to build a solid client base, owner Vinny Guerrero struggled with an $8,000 monthly rent burden and ongoing AC issues leading to the venue's recent permanent closure on March 31. Guerrero admitted to the San Antonio Report that filling the space was a challenge, as tenants were responsible for the AC unit's repairs in the historic building, as well as drawing foot traffic to the area, which experienced low foot traffic especially in the mornings and weekdays which contributed to the challenges of keeping the doors open for business.
Guerrero, in a statement released on Instagram and highlighted by the Express-News, detailed the struggle to keep Vice Versa afloat, stating, "I got no investors, no rich family, just a kid from the west side who knows how to work hard.” The departure of Vice Versa has not only left a void in the St. Paul Square's cultural fabric but has raised concerns over the viability of small businesses in the district, given the high rental rates and dependency on the businesses themselves to attract a community that's yet to be fully realized.
Vice Versa's closure has had a ripple effect in the St. Paul Square area, with Guerrero's former business partner Jonabelle Timms worrying about the decrease in foot traffic that could follow, even as she forges ahead with a calendar of events meant to draw visitors to Zen Haus which remains open upstairs, according to the San Antonio Report. The property management expressed challenges in building a local destination and intends to boost the area with special events coordinating with Hemisfair and Centro San Antonio, yet it's clear that the journey to becoming a district comparable to Southtown or the Pearl is fraught with hurdles related to accessibility, parking, and overall traffic in the area.
Despite the setback, Guerrero remains optimistic about the future, revealing plans for travel and unplugging, with an intent to embark on another business venture in San Antonio along Broadway Street. His spirit undamped by the uphill battle at St. Paul Square, he reflected on the community he fostered, "If you can survive here, you can thrive anywhere," he told the San Antonio Report. Meanwhile, the district continues to work towards revitalizing the area, nurturing the hopes of local entrepreneurs like Timms and potential future businesses.
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