Commerce Street

For eight years, San Antonio for growth on the East Side has been tasked with the helping carry out the vision of the East Side Promise Zone, a 22-square mile area of east San Antonio identified as an underserved area for specific funding and resources. Along the way, the organization’s programs have created lasting change and impact to businesses in the area, while honoring the east side's contributions to the economic history of San Antonio.

In this episode of Commerce Street, a podcast from KENS 5, we catch up with Robert Melvin, executive director of San Antonio Growth on the East Side (SAGE) about the organization’s involvement with the East Side Promise Zone, its success stories and what comes next.

As San Antonio continues a trend of expansion and growth, towns west of San Antonio are seeing that expansion land right on their doorstep.

Castroville is currently home to about 3,000 people and a very unique history dating back to the mid-1800's. A new planned development would hundreds of homes in the coming years.

In this episode of Commerce Street, an Eyewitness News Original podcast, the mayor of Castroville along with members of the community expressed their hope to maintain their "small down" feel while also welcoming the new residents. One of the developers spoke about the basics of the project, what makes Castroville appealing to San Antonio commuters and the difference between the town and other surrounding areas like Boerne.

Austin has grabbed national headlines for flashy companies moving headquarters and operations to the city. Meanwhile, San Antonio has been growing its cybersecurity industry and working to increase the level of residents with higher education and advanced technical skillsets. KENS 5 spoke with professors in both cities to find out how they stack up next to each other-- and whether there's room for collaboration.

La'Queena Gonzales has been doing hair for 20 years, but opening her salon came after a coincidental encounter at the carwash with her grandmother eight years ago. 

"This man pulled up next to her that she knew and she said this is my granddaughter, she's a beautician," Gonzales said. "He was like, really? I have a building that used to be a salon that no one's in right now."

In this episode of Commerce Street, a podcast from KENS 5, we talk to Gonzales about an innovative new idea to expand her business as well as being chosen to receive coaching, support and funding from the Maestro Center. We also spoke to the Executive Director of the Maestro Center on how a new program is helping the community and economy of San Antonio.

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the nation's oldest and largest organization of its kind, making its mark in the Alamo City by advocating for small businesses, fostering relationships, and spotlighting local successes.

In a new episode of Commerce Street, an Eyewitness News Original podcast, KENS 5 spoke with Marina Gonzales, President and CEO of SAHCC and the owner of one of the chamber's client businesses, Mexico Lindo, a restaurant that opened during the pandemic.

Cynthia Watson's new role as CEO for the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind is bringing her career full circle -- and giving her the chance to amplify a mission she's incredibly passionate about.

In this episode of Commerce Street, an Eyewitness News Original podcast, KENS 5 spoke with Watson about her personal and professional journey as well as an employee who is thriving under the Lighthouse's manufacturing department.

As a rise in severe COVID cases fills hospital beds across South Texas, emergency rooms are also being impacted both by an increase in patients and the wait times needed for those who must be transferred to longer term or specialized care.

In an new episode of Commerce Street, an Eyewitness News Original podcast, KENS 5 spoke with the head of a major hospital's emergency department about the increase in both COVID patients and non COVID patients. KENS 5 also spoke with staff from freestanding ERs in the surrounding areas about how those businesses are filling the gap in patient care.

"Are you in a situation to be able to compete in this market?" 

That's the question that realtor Sarah Briseno Gerrish says every first-time homebuyer needs to ask themselves in a real estate market where homes have been getting harder to find for about the last two years.

In this episode of Commerce Street, a KENS 5 original business podcast, experts talked about how the "seller's market" is affecting rent and mortgage assistance programs, how first-time home buyers can still get the house of their dreams and the benefits of buying a home right now. Full story here.

Education, trades and healthcare are just some of the huge industries in San Antonio that are hiring right now. The pandemic put a pause on services and hiring in many companies, but things are roaring back to life in 2021 and there are thousands of job openings.

On Commerce Street, a podcast from KENS 5, a series of episodes is taking a closer look at some of the companies urgently in need of staff and some of the incentives or bonuses they are offering.

Hundreds of San Antonio employers are hiring and the job market is booming. For people who lost their jobs during the pandemic, or who started to consider a career change during the crisis, there are many opportunities out there with some interesting benefits and incentives.

In a new episode of Commerce Street, a business podcast from KENS 5, we spoke with four companies about what they're looking for and the pay or benefits they're offering.