The Winchester took over the The Lion & Rose Restaurant & Pub’s former Alamo Heights location and kept much of the memorabilia in place. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
The Alamo Heights neighborhood has one less spot to grab a cold pint and a platter of fish and chips.
The Winchester Pints & Plates has closed after an eight-year run occupying the former Lion & Rose location at 5148 Broadway. A notice was posted on the door last week stating that the British pub had been locked out.
Though such lockouts are often over unpaid rent, the reason for The Winchester’s sudden closure is murky.
Patti Stewart, president and owner of the Stewart Center, where the pub was located, told MySA the business ceased operation a few weeks ago.
The Winchester has gone through a slew of ownership changes since its 2017 launch.
Original co-owner James English — yes, his last name is English and he’s actually from England — told MySA he was excited to bring the British pub experience to San Antonio by offering 18 beers on tap, craft cocktails, a menu of pub food and, naturally, soccer on the tele.
Though English took credit for importing a taste of Britain, much of the decor in the 4,600-square-foot watering hole was left over from, the Lion & Rose, a previous tenant looking to emulate the UK pub experience.
Longtime Winchester owner Greg Ploch, who bought the pub the same year English opened it, sold the business to a new owner earlier this year. Ploch unloaded the drinking spot to “move on to a different venture” — namely, “raising grandkids and cows” — according to a July 31 Facebook post from the business.
New owner Andrea Castaneda purchased The Winchester in May, according to a now-deleted Facebook post by 78209 Magazine.
Stay tuned. This is a developing story.
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