La Botánica Closes Doors
October 3, 2020 - San Antonio
The Power in Unity. Rebel Mariposa stands next to a painting of the La Botánica logo. The restaurant and venue has continously pushed for the unity of different cultures and identities. Courtesy Photo.
By Valeria Torrealba- Staff Intern, San Antonio Sentinel
La Botánica, a Tejana-owned small business catering to vegan alternatives of multicultural food, has been forced to make the unfortunate decision to close its doors at its N. St. Mary’s location permanently.
“It was out of our control, we were just given a 30-day notice,” said co-owner Rebel Mariposa. “Our lease had been up and we were going month-to-month, and then the landlords told me the news. I’ve had it for a couple of weeks, so maybe that’s why I’ve been able to sit with it a little bit longer. Of course it’s emotional to see all of the comments and all of the cries out, all of these beautiful stories that people are sharing.”
Although La Botánica — donned “La B” by its community — had to say goodbye sooner than planned, the spirit of the community built remains untouched and alive. What started out as a means to cater healthy and delicious food sourced from the earth itself quickly turned into a colorful business that has pushed for the unity of different cultures and identities. It has grown into a space that is safe for Latinx, queer, BIPOC and other marginalized communities residing in San Antonio.
“I think that one of the reasons I’ve been able to find peace with it is because I trust the timing of my life, I trust that the ancestors have our backs, and we were kind of outgrowing the space,” said Mariposa. “It had its limitations as well, so I have found peace around it. It’s a physical space, and Botanica is so much more than that, you know?”
La Botánica has hosted numerous events during their five years of operation ranging from the culinary scene to local drag shows. From left to right: Laura Varela, Rebel Mariposa, Maribel Hermosillo, Michael Witzel, Arabella Daniels, Beto Rincon. Photo by Mari Hernandez.
A botanica is defined as a small shop that caters to the herbal remedies and other traditional items, such as candles and incense. La Botánica, carrying a menu filled with comfort foods, traditional dishes and a variety of cocktails, provided the optimal space for socializing and lived up to its name by upholding a lively and inclusive environment.
The COVID-19 pandemic has uprooted many of the small businesses around San Antonio. Although saying goodbye is painful, the trailblazing business has opened up many doors for the young, ambitious and determined women that wish to take on the endeavor of opening up a restaurant or business.
“Rebel’s vote of confidence allowed many creators to dream up events and have a space in which to build community and nurture each other,” said local creative Bonnie Cisneros. “She’s not a gatekeeper, she’s a key maker.”
Mariposa echoed that sentiment when discussing the limits and difficulties which women of color can experience.
“When we talk about the limits, there are different limits on women of color, especially land ownership,” said Mariposa. “In this industry, to actually own a property has a much smaller percentage rate. When we stated this five years ago, we had so many people say “That’s a silly name” and “What? A vegan restaurant in Texas? That’s not gonna happen!” All those things that people said, we overcame those things. We kept pushing through, we made it. My business partner [Andrea] and I say “Man, we are 10 years before our time.” We’re just ahead of it, and that’s what trailblazing is. You have to cut down all the things in the way so that the people behind you can walk a more easy path”
Being part of a community highly discriminated against in the current social climate is already a challenge in itself. The vision of La Botánica, however, brought to life a story of success and progress for the Latinx community.
“Representation means so much, and there’s going to be some Latina, Tejana out there that’s going to see me somewhere and say “Wait, she owns a restaurant, too? I can do this!” said Mariposa. “It will allow someone else to do it as well, and hopefully inspire another generation to do this as well if they want to.”
It is a bittersweet goodbye, but not the end of the journey for Mariposa.
“To me, it doesn’t feel like an end. It just feels like a transformation from one physical space,” said Mariposa. “We’ll see what is to come. I’m not trying to make any rushed moves, we are still in a global pandemic, it’s an election year — we still want to make a good sense for us and what our next move is.”
La Botánica is due to close in three weeks. As far as their plans for the remainder of their time, they hope to celebrate and keep the spirit of the establishment stronger than ever.
“Pretty soon after I found out, I told the staff. It’s a shot in their heart,” said Mariposa. “We’re just gonna enjoy the next three weeks that we have and have a good time, celebrate and mourn with the community and our folks — hopefully, treat it more as like a celebration of what is to come.” And, hopefully, more is to come. Although uncertain of what the next step is, Mariposa hopes that the community maintains the memory of La Botánica alive and well.
“I know people are gonna mourn it, but I also want people to find hope in it. In transformation. In the beauty and the transformation of it all,” said Mariposa. To me, that’s very important. We’ve already been getting so many news, month after month and day after day. That was a big thing that weighed heavy in my heart — how do I tell people? This is just gonna be one more thing that they add to 2020. And, you’re gonna be sad, but: let’s just take a deep breath together, and look towards the sun — the future is bright.”
And the future is bright, indeed.
Valeria Torrealba is an opinions columnist and public relations assistant at the University Star, a student publication of Texas State University. Email her at reporter@sasentinel.com