San Antonio's funky art book store Embarrassing Shoes to close

Art book store Embarrassing Shoes hosted punk photographer Pat Blashill’s book launch event for Someday All the Adults Will Die. Credit: Instagram / Embarrassing Shoes

Perhaps it was a concept too cool for San Antonio.

Photo and art book store Embarrassing Shoes announced its impending closure with a Monday morning Instagram post.

“We are closing in late January 2026 due to bad business idea,” the quirky business revealed in equally quirky fashion.

The unique shop is the brainchild of visual artist Emiko Badillo and photographer Chad Miller.

Specializing in photography books, art prints, vegan candies and other curated gift items, the shop was a small space with a big idea: “Stay creative and frisky, meet some folks, support some folks, and make ends meet.”

Or at least that’s what the “About Us” page on the business’ website states as its starry-eyed mission.

The afterthought about “and making ends meet” seemed to be the hardest part, for such an out-there business with an even more inscrutable name. But for its clientele, that was part of its appeal.

The business proudly puts up its sign in February of this year.

Embarrassing Shoes opened in February of this year in a small room within coffee house San Antonio Gold. Since then, the small shop has hosted events in collaboration with the cafe, including photographer and punk rock historian Pat Blashill’s book launch event for Someday All the Adults Will Die! in August.

Punks with pedigrees came out to speak at the book release’s “Punk Rock Storytelling Hour,” including Brad Perkins of influential San Antonio punk outfits Marching Plague and Fearless Iranians from Hell.

It was the type of event that didn’t quite make sense at any other bookstore, and that’s the niche that Embarrassing Shoes filled — albeit, a niche as tiny as its storefront.

Embarrassing Shoes also launched in an already harsh environment for independent booksellers. It’s not the only bookstore to close in San Antonio this year, for those who recall the short-lived San Antone Books, which lasted less than five months.

“We are gonna be slowly going out of business and trying to clear out inventory in the least painful way possible,” Embarrassing Shoes added in its Monday morning Instagram post. “Any pity purchases you can throw our way would be most appreciated.”

The store is running a discount to clear its inventory. Use the code RIP20 on the Embarrassing Shoes website, with the option to pick up in person.

Embarrassing Shoes is located at 1913 S. Flores St., and its hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

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San Antonio’s funky art book store Embarrassing Shoes to close

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