Cool Crest's new era starts with a familiar San Antonio name
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Some of the new food items and Elizabeth Lyons Houston. Photos: Courtesy of Cool Crest
Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course is entering a new era without losing its retro charm.
Why it matters: The century-old destination, one of the world's oldest continuously operating miniature golf courses, is a local institution.
The latest: Los Leones — a local hospitality group — bought Cool Crest in February, becoming the business' third owners, co-owner Elizabeth Lyons Houston tells Axios.
- Cool Crest celebrated a grand reopening this month.
Flashback: Cool Crest opened in 1929 during America's miniature golf craze and survived the Great Depression. It later earned local historic landmark status, spent more than 60 years under Harold and Maria Metzger's ownership and was restored in 2013 by the Andry family, who added the Metzger Biergarten.
Between the lines: Los Leones operates some of San Antonio's oldest businesses. Schilo's is the city's oldest restaurant, while Casa Rio is among the River Walk's longest-running eateries.
What they're saying: Houston says Cool Crest is "as San Antonio as it gets," reflecting the city's identity even as it evolves.
- "We're all very eager to hold tight to things like Cool Crest that are so representative of that identity and that history."
What they did: Los Leones wants to build on Cool Crest's identity as a gathering place for families with live music, events and updated menus at the biergarten.
- "We start with preservation and protection, and then carefully integrate innovation," Houston says. "You have to keep the core of what Cool Crest is but also introduce new concepts."
- Schilo's is taking over the menu with Reubens, smash-style sliders and canned Chenin Blanc and Prosecco on tap.
What's next: Plans include returfing the course, bringing fish back to the ponds, adding a playground and activating the space with holiday lights and art installations.
If you go: Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.
- Rad and The Artifax play Friday and Saturday at the Metzger Biergarten.