A popular Southtown San Antonio pub is quietly getting ready to close its doors at the end of the month after 14 years in the King William District.
According to a Wednesday, March 11, post on the r/sanantonio subreddit, “Word is that the Filling Station Tap Room will shut its doors for good on the 21st of this month.” The user added that the adjoining sandwich shop and pizzeria, The Station Cafe, would remain open. So, MySA went to check it out.
Owner Jon Rowe confirmed the details of the Reddit post with MySA, adding that the closure comes as their lease on The Filling Station ends.
“Even though we get a fair amount of business, it’s just not enough to sustain a new lease,” he said. “So we decided not to renew it, and it’s sad because we have so much history here. We love the building. We love this area.”
Customers wait inside The Station Cafe in San Antonio on March 12, 2026. (Emma Weidmann/MySA)
Jon and his wife, Stacie Rowe, opened The Station Cafe in 2006 inside the historic Texaco gas station on the corner of South St. Mary’s and King William Streets, the business’ website says. Over the next few years, its popularity grew, and in 2011, The Station Cafe moved next door while the old Texaco was converted into The Filling Station Tap Room & Snack Shack. These days, it’s frequented by San Antonio’s cycling community and is a favorite of Southtown residents.
Southtown San Antonio bids farewell to The Filling Station Taproom
Rowe called the decision to close up “a little bit heartbreaking,” even though The Station Cafe will remain open next door.
“But, I guess at the same time, it’s a little bit of [a] relief because for the last three years, ever since the [COVID-19] pandemic, it’s been more a labor of love than a labor of profit,” he said. “So, you know, after a while … it’s hard to do a bunch of work for not really any money.”
The adjoining Station Cafe just next door will remain open for pizza, sandwiches and more. (Emma Weidmann/MySA)
Rowe noted that the building came under new ownership within the last two years, and the previous owners “looked at their property differently than the new owners. That’s all I can really say.” As they prepare to close The Filling Station, Rowe said they “are so grateful for all of our fans” and reminisced on their Southtown beginnings.
“Over the years, we’ve had so many people come through. So many friends have been made from this place, and we still have so many loyal customers that come in here, that started out coming in when our restaurant was in this little spot,” he said. “It was just gravel and some picnic tables. I just knew that when it was 100 degrees outside, and people were sitting out here eating sandwiches in the summer, even wearing suits – I was like, ‘I think we’re going to make it.'”
The last day to grab a slice or a cold beer will be Saturday, March 21.
Find it: 701 S. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78205
Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, plus Saturday; 2 p.m. to midnight on Fridays. Closed Sunday.
This article originally published at Historic Southtown San Antonio hangout to quietly close after nearly 15 years.