Folklores coffee house changes hands after eight years

After eight years of operation across multiple neighborhoods in San Antonio, Folklores Coffee House has officially changed hands. Neighborhood advocate Dr. Erica Nikki Martinez took over the reins of the East Side cafe from founders Emilie and Joel Tatu Herrera. The transition marks a major turning point for a business that became a staple of the local independent coffee scene.

The ownership change follows a whirlwind and demanding year for the founding couple. Emilie Herrera said running the coffee shop alongside her corporate day job, family care responsibilities, and health issues became increasingly difficult over the past couple of years. Meanwhile, Joel Herrera pursued separate culinary ventures, including opening The Desert Spoon in Spring Branch and taking on a consulting role at River Walk fixture Casa Rio, where his own professional career began.

The popular coffee shop originally debuted at 5007 South Flores Street in 2018. Joel Herrera, a former chef at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, spent two years hosting food pop-ups to fund the launch. The shop drew heavy inspiration from the San Antonio punk and new wave scene of his youth, adorning the walls with nostalgic posters and playing classic soundtracks.

When the pandemic forced shutdowns in March 2020, the couple pivoted to prepare and deliver tens of thousands of meals to local seniors. Following the initial South Side location, the business shifted through several addresses across the city. They opened a space on East Grayson Street and later operated a Beacon Hill outpost that experienced weather and power disruptions before closing.

The enterprise ultimately settled at its current address at 1943 North New Braunfels Avenue in the Government Hill neighborhood, where it has served specialty lattes since 2024. Emilie Herrera said parting ways with the coffee shop after navigating so many hurdles was a bittersweet experience. She said the cafe is in excellent hands with Martinez as the new owner takes charge of daily operations at the Government Hill location.