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Jefferson Bodega

@jeffersonbodega

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Yes folks, it’s true we’re going to try something new.

A 12 month experiment
To create something special
Starting all over again from the beginning
And we are going to film and share the journey the whole way

Will you join us?
@bodega.moto by @jeffersonbodega

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a year ago

by @jeffersonbodega

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a year ago

BODEGA DAD HAS SOMETHING TO TELL YOU! by @jeffersonbodega

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a year ago

by @jeffersonbodega

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a year ago

The OG and the Art Gallery

We are continuing to share some of our favorite “Bodega Moments” since these stories are as much yours as they are ours. All of these stories can be found in our book, link in bio. This version has been edited to fit IG.

An OG walked into our store one day—blue bandana, weathered tattoos, chain hanging from his belt loop to the keys in his pocket, a knife clipped to his belt and the unmistakable attire of an older gang member from San Antonio’s West Side. In the hood, an Original Gangster commands respect, having lived by certain principles for decades. Despite their intimidating appearance, OGs have earned a level of respect and often carry wisdom earned from hard life lessons.

He circled the store slowly, observing everything but buying nothing. Finally, he approached the counter: “What’s with all the art outside? You don’t even sell no artwork in here.”

I explained how we wanted something more uplifting than the usual cigarette and liquor ads plaguing our neighborhood. We aimed to create a rotating gallery of local artists’ work, bringing beauty to our community near the high school.

“So, it’s like some kind of museum?” he asked, expression unreadable.

“More like an art gallery,” I replied. “Smaller, but always changing with the neighborhood.”

“An art gallery?” The concept seemed foreign to him. “Well damn…” He trailed off as he took a long look through the windows at the artwork outside, taking in the vibrant colors and emotions. And then something shifted. Breaking the silence, he said, “I ain’t never been to no art gallery before. And now one came to me.”

My heart swelled. This was exactly why we created this space—bringing art to those who might never seek it out. His eyes lit up with newfound appreciation as he extended his hand: “An art gallery in my hood. That’s pretty dope!” He sealed it with a fist bump and headed out.

We never saw him again, but somehow we always felt his blessing whenever we added new artwork. In that moment, we had bridged two worlds, proving that beauty and inspiration can touch hearts in unexpected places—even in a convenience store in the hood.

Community > Marketing.
#bodegafam forever. taken in Jefferson Bodega by @jeffersonbodega

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2 years ago

At Jefferson Bodega, we organized over 100 nonpartisan voter registration events, proudly registering over 1,200 new voters. This isn’t just a number; it represents over a thousand individuals stepping up to exercise their democratic right, a right that underscores our shared belief in the power of individual voices.

Regardless of your political stance or the passion with which you support a candidate or cause, my greatest pride lies in our collective ability to hold and express our own unique, uncoerced opinions. This principle, the freedom to think and vote independently, is the cornerstone of our unity as a nation.
Your opinion counts. In a world that can often divide, love is greater than hate. Your voice not only matters; it is essential. You are seen. When we stand together, our strength and potential are magnified far beyond what we can achieve divided.

Let’s move forward, united. We are One Great Nation, with the freedom and justice that bind us. taken in Jefferson Bodega by @jeffersonbodega

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2 years ago

It’s entirely possible to create moments of inclusion, authenticity and connection through business. Here’s one such story. This and more “Bodega Moments” can be found in our book. Version edited to fit IG.

One day, a sweet family came into the store: mom, dad, and a five-year-old girl. The little girl happened to be deaf. They had visited a few times before, and BodegaMa, wanting to make their experience special, had been learning some sign language. As they walked in, she greeted the little girl with a signed “hello.” Her face lit up, and she immediately headed to the back of the store, twirling and dancing with joy.

“She seems to be having fun,” BodegaMa said to the mother.

The mother replied, “This is her favorite place in the world. A friend of ours told us about y’all. She said you were very kind to those with special needs, particularly children. She doesn’t ever dance anywhere else. We’ve never seen her let loose and have fun like she does here.”

“That’s wonderful to hear,” BodegaMa replied. “We built this place as a refuge for people who feel like they don’t fit in well in other places. Somewhere where people who might otherwise feel like outcasts can feel welcome. This is doubly true for children. Especially when they face challenges that make them different from everyone else. At the very least we can make them feel important and special when they’re here. You don’t even have to buy anything. We’re just happy she’s happy.”

At this point, the young girl noticed her parents speaking with BodegaMa and hurried over, concerned. She frantically signed to her mother, “I know you’re talking about me.”

Mom chuckled and signed back, “I’m telling them how much you like it here.”

The little girl looked up at BodegaMa with a huge smile and signed back to her mom “Okay, I’ll tell them,” Mom said, looking at BodegaMa and translating, “She says this is the only place where she can dance. She says the flashing colors help her find the beat, which she can also feel from the bass vibrating through the floors. She knows that no one is going to tease her or judge her here. She says when she’s here she’s not deaf, she’s a superhero.”

#bodegafam forever! 🫶 taken in Jefferson Bodega by @jeffersonbodega

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2 years ago

Hey BodegaFam! 💕

It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? We’ve missed y’all so much and wanted to share a little update on what’s been brewing in our world.

You know how we always believed in the magic of kindness and success going hand in hand? Well, we’ve been out there spreading that Bodega love, helping other businesses discover the joy of genuine connection and stellar service.

Remember all those times you asked us, “How did you do it?” Those conversations stuck with us and they sparked something special. Bodega Man decided to put pen to paper and capture the essence of our Bodega journey in a book.

Now, don’t worry, it’s not just some dry business manual. It’s a love letter to our time together filled with:
1) The secret sauce behind creating experiences that make people smile
2) How we stirred that magic into the Bodega
3) “Bodega Moments”- those precious stories that still make us tear up with joy (you might even spot yourself in there)

It’s part business, part emotional, and 100% from the heart - just like our beloved Bodega.

We’re overjoyed that this labor of love is now out in the world! You can find it through the link in our bio.

Our hope? That it helps other small businesses sprinkle a little of that Bodega magic in their world. And for our BodegaFam, we hope it brings back some warm, fond memories of our time together.

As always, we’d love to hear what you think. Your thoughts and feedback have always been central to everything we’ve built.

Oh, and keep your eyes peeled - we’ve got some other exciting things in the works. But you know us, we’re all about that “show, don’t tell” life. We’ll announce it here first when we are ready to roll.

We love and miss you more than words can say. Thanks for being the heart of our Bodega story.

Until next time, keep spreading that kindness!

Hugs, fist bumps and high fives,
Luke and Lisa (Your Bodega Man and BodegaMa) taken in Jefferson Bodega by @jeffersonbodega

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2 years ago

We have always viewed owning this building as more of an act of stewardship than ownership. Over the years of operating Jefferson Bodega we heard so many powerful stories from neighbors about their personal experiences at this historic location. “My grandfather used to take me here when I was a kid.” “My dad worked here when it was a garage.” “This was always my favorite place to stop by after school.” So many stories over the years that we came to realize that it doesn’t just belong to us, the owners of the Jefferson Bodega store, but rather, it belongs to all of US, the people of San Antonio and our neighbors in this beautiful community. So the time has come for us to pass the stewardship of this lovely little building to a new family. We have listed the physical property for sale with our friend and #bodegafam @john_carbajal_ . Please reach out if you’re interested in the property. We have had it professionally appraised and it is offered below the appraised value and with all the coolers, shelves and some additional equipment so that the new owners are ready to hit the ground running. Have a dream of putting your small business in an extremely popular space with built in history and charm? Well, now’s your chance! by @jeffersonbodega

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3 years ago

Dear cherished friends, patrons and BodegaFam,

With a heavy yet grateful heart, we’re reaching out to share some bittersweet news. As custodians of the Bodega journey, we’ve always held a deep commitment to leaving a positive mark wherever we tread. In this spirit, we’ve poured our hearts and souls into Bodega, striving each day to make it a place of warmth, community, and joy.

Reflecting on the past 5 years fills us with immense gratitude for the privilege of serving you. Your unwavering support has been the cornerstone of our journey, and for that, we are profoundly thankful. Through shared laughs, stories, and unforgettable moments, you’ve become not just customers, but cherished companions on this adventure.

Yet, as life’s ever-turning wheel spins onward, we find ourselves drawn to new horizons and fresh challenges. It’s with both excitement and a touch of nostalgia that we announce the closure of Bodega. While this chapter may be drawing to a close, the memories we’ve created together will forever remain etched in our hearts.

We want to take this moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Your support, kindness, and camaraderie have been the bedrock of Bodega’s success, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

As we bid farewell to this beloved chapter, we embark on a new journey filled with hope, enthusiasm, and a wealth of fond memories. From the depths of our hearts, we extend our warmest wishes to you all. May your paths be strewn with happiness, success, and boundless joy.

With love and gratitude,

Bodega Man and BodegaMa taken in Jefferson Bodega by @jeffersonbodega

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3 years ago

Love. It’s so elusive and difficult to define. And yet, it’s also the greatest motivation and has the power to change the world. It’s so hard to measure but you know it when you experience it.

So there’s this kid, Zander, who is the absolute embodiment of pure, unadulterated love. He always wears a smile, constantly has a kind word of encouragement or support, never hesitates to help, he’s consistently enthusiastic about the world around us. He is one of our very youngest #entrepreneurs . He’s been with us from the beginning and attends almost all of our events. Often he can be seen outside as a pop up store selling his photos- which are themselves a testament to his love affair with San Antonio. When he is not vending, he was still always here helping, supporting and showing love any way he can. He loves our events, deeply respects the hustle and effort of every vendor and always offers to help. He has been here with us when we’ve cried and when we’ve jumped for joy- Never with an expectation of anything in return. He’s just happy to be here. We don’t think in all of our travels we’ve ever met another human quite as amazing as him. And then someone went and shot him in the head.
Zander has been in ICU for a couple of weeks since the incident. He is recovering well but the road is long and difficult. He is strong and brave and, even in this dark time, still an inspiration. But he needs our help. He needs our love. So Sunday 3/10, for one day only, from 3-7 PM we are opening up the Bodega and making it Zander Day. We don’t have much product but we do have a few drinks and a lot of ice cream. We’ve also got some of his and his mom’s art work and a bunch of T-shirts. We’re selling off our remaining inventory and anything else we can and donating 100% of the proceeds to his family and his recovery. It won’t be your typical #bodega . It will be something more. We are trying to make it an event that he would enjoy and we’re partnering with @4goodness_sa and hundreds of other people who love this kid to bring it to life, for his life. Please help us help him. We are not ready to reopen but we are doing this all for him. All for love. We hope you can join us. taken in Jefferson Bodega by @jeffersonbodega

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3 years ago

Every couple of days we stop by the Bodega to clean up, do some maintenance and refocus our minds. It warms our hearts to see that new art still pops up even when we’re closed. In fact, everything continues to flourish: pop-up markets are still well attended, there’s no graffiti, people pick up their trash. Our Instagram account even continues to grow. What we’re saying is that y’all are pretty amazing! It’s never been about snacks. It’s never been about us. It’s always been community. It’s always been love. And that community and that love continues to thrive and grow and we are so impressed and proud of what you’ve done and who you are. Never stop being so darn amazing y’all! 🫶

This piece, found on our iconic blue trash can is from our new friend @sistashhhh . taken in Jefferson Bodega by @jeffersonbodega

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3 years ago