On March 27, local restaurateurs gathered at NOLA Brunch & Beignets at 1101 Broadway for the latest edition of What Now Media Group’s “Accelerate” event. The evening brought together a diverse group of restaurant owners, industry leaders, and local business professionals, all eager to network, share insights, and foster growth within San Antonio’s dynamic culinary scene.
The free event that brought in more than two dozen representatives from businesses featured on What Now San Antonio, including restaurants and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Attendees mingled while enjoying bites and beverages inside before listening to a presentation about how to grow your business and ways to succeed during these times.
Located in the heart of San Antonio, NOLA Brunch & Beignets offers a vibrant and authentic taste of New Orleans, emphasizing fresh ingredients and flavorful dishes. Known for its decadent beignets, dusted with powdered sugar and served hot, the restaurant also delights guests with a variety of classic brunch items such as shrimp and grits, eggs benedict, and creole-inspired omelets. The full bar serves up signature cocktails like the refreshing NOLA Mule and the famed Hurricane, perfectly complementing the robust flavors of the food. The cozy and inviting atmosphere of the restaurant makes it a popular spot for locals and visitors, capturing the spirit of New Orleans in the heart of San Antonio.
The restaurant is owned by Melissa Villanueva, whose passion for bringing a taste of New Orleans to San Antonio shines through in every dish served. With her deep love for Louisiana’s vibrant culture and flavors, she has created a space where guests can indulge in authentic, home-style cooking and enjoy the lively ambiance that New Orleans is known for.
On this day, Mariah Medley, Director of Events and partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, hosted the Accelerate Event to bring local entrepreneurs and business representatives together to share their experiences, provide updates on their progress, and reflect on what they learned from opening brick-and-mortar businesses in San Antonio. Key takeaways included the importance of having passion, the necessity of pivoting effectively, especially following an emergency, and the value of connecting with others in the community.
Several notable San Antonio-based businesses joined the event, including Alamo Biscuit Co. & Panaderia, represented by Manager Mayeli Torres, and Cake Llama, led by Owner Alyssa Young. Double A Barbecue, with Owner Adrian Davilla and Director of Operations & Marketing Elizabeth Arevalo, also took part, sharing their latest pop-up event plans.
Other local restaurants in attendance included The Desert Spoon, represented by Co-Owners Merritt Butler and Trevor Butler, and Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant, led by Owner Steve Han and Chef Elvancisco Whihardi. These restaurateurs offered valuable insights into their experiences and visions for the future of San Antonio’s culinary scene.
The presence of numerous preferred partners further enriched the evening. Among them were Contreras Building Group, represented by Daniel Contreras, HPS Heartland, with Estefani Cuadros, and AlphaGraphics, represented by Michelle Geyer. Other notable partners included inKind were represented by Sam Miller and SpotOn, with Diego Domador. These preferred partners are essential in supporting local businesses, offering services from marketing and financing to branding and tech solutions.
This led Mariah Medley to carry the conversation even deeper by discussing critical business points, such as having an exit plan and efficiently managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. After Mariah and the guests shared their tips, knowledge, and concerns, everyone quickly grew interested in learning more about their businesses and how they can help one another.
What Now Media Group’s “Accelerate” event provided a perfect platform for San Antonio’s food industry professionals to build relationships and strengthen the local business community, marking another successful chapter for the city’s thriving restaurant scene.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 33 cities across North America, breaking news, and provides timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 33 cities annually.
The industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2025. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
