April TurnerEvery time I enter a big chain grocery store, I feel my bank account get nervous a little. With the economy these days, it’s just hard to score even basic needs at a fair price, right?
Thankfully, I discovered these amazing markets in San Antonio. The best part is that they sell more than grocery goods—they also offer curious items, clothes, handicrafts, and more!
So, if you want to take my advice as a thrifty yet picky shopper, here are the only places I’ll shop at again in the city.
1. Historic Market Square
Media credit marketsquaresa
Website: https://www.marketsquaresa.com/
Address: 514 W Commerce St
Contact Details: +1 210-207-8600
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Price: $$
The Historic Market Square isn’t something you should miss when you’re in San Antonio. It’s the place where you can score some of the city’s best goods, from art, food, and handmade products.
Being the largest Mexican market in the USA, it’s not hard to score cultural items here. There are both indoor and outdoor shops, so you can take shade in case the weather gets a little too rough.
What’s nice is that the vendors are generally nice (though not the friendliest when it comes to haggling!). The atmosphere and vibe of the place alone is enough to pull you in – best to come by with a lot of cash to spare!
2. Pearl Farmers Market
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Website: https://atpearl.com/weekend-market/
Address: 312 Pearl Pkwy
Contact Details: +1 210-212-7260
Operating Hours: Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Price: $$
Whenever I talk to my friends about Pearl Farmers Market, they always think of vegetables and fruits. But those are not the only things the place is famous for – it also has items like crafts, soaps, leather goods, and many more!
It’s a fun place to look around, as the place is pretty chill and calming. There’s music playing softly in the zone, something you can enjoy as you try various food and wine samples vendors offer.
There are food courts on both the street and in the building offering typical American snacks. They’re not too expensive, so do consider sitting down after lugging your new haul.
3. Mission Open Air Market
Media credit missionopenairmarket
Website: https://missionopenairreserve.com/
Address: 207 W Chavaneaux Rd
Contact Details: +1 210-923-8131
Operating Hours: Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Price: $$
For families looking for a day of shopping, Mission Open Air is a great stop. Vendors here often come by to sell secondhand goods, from collectibles to used home goods. And yes, you can negotiate with sellers if you find the prices too high.
The weekends are usually the busiest days here, so expect to swim through crowds as you shop. If jostling people tires you out, don’t worry – you can find great food at the restaurant, including homemade pizza, burgers, and fries.
Just take note – sellers pick up early because goods often sell out quickly. So if you want to score great goods, you have to drop by early. People start piling up as early as 4:00 AM!
4. Chicho Boys Fruit Market
Media credit chichoboysfruitmarket
Website: http://www.chichoboys.com/
Address: 1631 S Laredo St
Contact Details: +1 210-225-7557
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Price: $
When it comes to the freshest produce at unbeatable prices, Chico Boys is the place to go. The location is small, but with that comes the fact that you’re saving big – as long as you drop by early before the stock runs out!
All the goods here are ready to use, so if you buy a bunch of grapes or strawberries, you have to consume them quickly (the veggies, of course, you can buy for stocking up).
To complete your eco-conscious trip, bring a reusable bag as they use minimal packaging on purchases. And if you’re up for it, chat with shoppers, cashiers, and workers – everybody is laidback and always up for some small talk.
5. Alamo Quarry Market
Media credit alamoquarrymarket
Address: 255 E Basse Rd
Contact Details: +1 210-824-8885
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Price: $
So hey, here’s an unconventional tip to reach your steps goal per day – come to Alamo Quarry Market! The place is so big that you’ll end up reaching a thousand steps before you even know – and you’ll probably not cover everything yet!
The market has everything you can imagine, from restaurants to nice coffee shops. It also has stores that carry the latest fashion trends, unique gifts, and everyday essentials. The entire place is well-maintained, so shopping is a breeze.
Parking is usually convenient, but if you arrive by lunch or mid-afternoon, it can be tough to find a spot. I recommend coming early in the morning so you’ll have plenty of time to check out every stall.
6. Pullman Market
Media credit pullmanmarket
Website: https://www.pullmanmarket.com/
Address: 221 Newell Ave
Contact Details: +1 210-759-0086
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Friday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Price: $$
Despite being small, Pullman has a lot in store for every shopper. And I won’t lie – I often come here for the food! The food section has a nice selection of pasta, tortillas, and pizzas, making it easy to simply sit down and refuel.
The store’s concept is ingrained in what Texas has to offer. So when you come here, you’ll see a lot of wine, snacks, and delicatessen made and sold by local makers.
By the way, the place is actually located in the Pearl Brewery, a historical landmark in the city. If you have enough time, you can also check out other stores for kitchen essentials, meat products, and home essentials.
7. SoFlo Market
Media credit soflomarket
Website: http://www.facebook.com/soflomarket
Address: 1344 S Flores St, San Antonio, TX 78204, United States
Contact Details: +1 210-379-4638
Operating Hours: Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Price: $$
This large outdoor market is one of the best places you can go to for artisan goods. If you have the patience to dig through everything, you’ll find many sorts of collectibles. There are earrings, T-shirts, and buttons.
They even have nice essentials like lotions and handmade candles from local makers. Get a few pieces to support local business owners!
The prices here are reasonable, though it’s best to come with cash as there’s no ATM in the area. Parking is also free around the zone but can fill up quickly, so drop by early to secure a space.
8. San Antonio Farmers Market
Address: 612 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207, United States
Contact Details:
Operating Hours: Thursday – Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Price: $$
If you’re interested in buying Mexican goods, you have to see this farmers market. In fact, many shoppers here often drop by to splurge on shawls, dresses, and shoes – great for a wardrobe upgrade without breaking the bank!
Apart from clothes, various trinkets are available here, perfect as souvenirs or casual presents. On occasion, the place features live events, so do keep track of announcements on their website.
Just take note because it might be confusing – there are no fruits or vegetables here (you can’t get your usual grocer stock here!). But for a nice shopping experience that’s unlike that of big stores, this is a great stop.
9. Bandera Flea Market
Media credit pimpthelens
Address: 1331 Bandera Rd, San Antonio, TX 78228, United States
Contact Details: +1 210-444-9999
Operating Hours: Friday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Price: $
If you want to score secondhand goods, drop by Bandera Flea Market. The most unique things you can find in the city are probably here: clothes, art pieces, books, and a wide variety of fashion items.
But if there’s one thing I can use to convince you to go, it has to be the experience it brings. It has live music every weekend, as well as pool tables for those who want to play. There’s even a photography studio for some nice shots you can get ASAP.
Prices are fair and are actually much cheaper than those in big chain stores. If you find something you like, you can haggle a bit – a lot of the vendors are open to negotiating, especially if you buy a lot!
10. Southwest Farmers Market
Media credit southwestfarmersmarket
Address: 6555 Bandera Rd, Leon Valley, TX 78238, United States
Contact Details: +1 210-549-0018
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
For a nice, small store that has everything you can ever need, Southwest Farmers Market is your friend. The essentials are here, including fresh meat, fish, and basically all the grocery items you’ll need.
There’s also a food section here, which is perfect for that much-needed break. My favorite has to be the pepper soup and jollof rice—the seasonings are prominent but not overpowering, perfect for a light lunch.
By the way, if you’re using your debit card, take note that they have a minimum purchase requirement. Best to come here carrying cash instead if you’re planning on buying bulk
