Our Story
I always wanted to have my own place. I always wanted to prove myself. I always enjoyed cooking and making people feel good. I started working on the MadHatter “concept” in 1993 while being a care giver to a special friend who died of aids. I sat around dreaming really of what my place could be like. I shared my ideas with anyone who would listen. I first joined the coffee & tea association, I created a business plan, I read books, I created the menus, all the training manuals, order sheets and anything else I thought I needed. The concept actually started out as a coffee place but with great food to boot. It was not until years later(6 months before we opened) that I switched “concepts”. I started pricing equipment and espresso machines were costing about $8000.00, so I thought, let’s do a tea place because all you need is boiling water! It was as simple as that. While working at Babylon Grill here in San Antonio, (now its Roasario’s) I met David Reamer. David was one of the few people who believed in me and the project. David put his $15K investment on his credit card, I put in $15K and we had enough money to do first months payroll and that was it! The decor was purely selfish on my part because I knew I was going to be here 24 hours a day, literally. I lived at the original MadHatters for 2 years and slept on the couch we had, that belonged to my grandmother. It took me another year to get used to sleeping in a bed. People always ask how I thought of it. I tell them that it was and continues to be an evolution of sorts. I think that the success has been our food, our tea and the way people feel when they arrive. We are many things to many people and we hope you enjoy our place as much as we do.
Now in 2009 Rooibos Inc. has awarded Juanita “Gina” Cuellar, our first licensee, the King William location here in San Antonio. We are all so proud of her and her accomplishments and together Rene & “Gina” will continue their efforts to provide our community with a place you can call home.
Thanks!
Rene Guerrero
Founder & President Rooibos Inc.
The Southown Chamber- President
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Features:
National Graphic Traveler
N.Y. Times
Texas Monthly
Rachael Ray’s Vacation 2009 -
San Antonio Express News 2009
Best Downtown Neighborhood Restaurant
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San Antonio Express News 2006
Readers Choice
Critic’s Favorite
Best Wi-Fi Spot
