It’s been roughly two and a half years since the company unveiled its Alamo City plans

The space features a 4,000-square-foot outdoor area.

Editor’s note: This story was published through a partnership between KSAT and the San Antonio Business Journal.

Embrey has closed on its purchase of land in the New Braunfels market, clearing the path for the construction of the real estate investment company’s planned Collection at Gruene development, the first for its newly launched, single-family rental platform.

The project will feature one- and two-story structures and will include 126 duplex-style homes, with 252 units.

The project will expand the San Antonio-based firm’s current portfolio beyond “traditional multifamily residences,” said John Kirk, managing director and executive vice president of development for Embrey.

Gruene is a historic district tucked into one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. It’s home to one of Texas’ more iconic music venues, Gruene Hall. It’s also an area that has continued to attract more businesses and residents.

“We have a premier location where residents can walk to historic downtown Gruene,” said Jeremy Williams, senior vice president of development for Embrey. “The community is easily accessible to both Austin and San Antonio and close to local attractions like the Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort and the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers.”

Embry officials believe the product they have planned for the Texas Hill Country will meet the demand of more discretionary renters. The residences will feature granite countertops, stainless-steel kitchen appliances, washers and dryers, private driveways, fenced yards and attached garages with EV car-charging outlets. Select units will also have built-in desks and walk-in showers.

Residents will have access to a private community clubhouse with a media room, a fitness center connected to an outdoor exercise and yoga lawn, as well as a resort-style pool with sun decks, cabanas and shade trellis lounge areas. The development will also have outdoor grilling and dining areas, along with a large, fenced dog park.

The club and first units are expected to be completed by first quarter of 2023. The entire project is slated to be finished by early 2024.

The land deal was financed by PlainsCapital Bank.

Read more stories like this on San Antonio Business Journal.

Also on KSAT:

Texas entertainment group plans upscale entertainment center in San AntonioUnique Texas town names: Jourdanton, Gruene

Editor’s note: This story was published through a partnership between KSAT and the San Antonio Business Journal.

A Los Angeles-based hot chicken joint is making its way to San Antonio.

Eight locations of Dave’s Hot Chicken — a West Coast take on Nashville’s iconic, cayenne pepper-loaded hot chicken — are planned for the San Antonio area under the ownership of brothers and franchisees John and Jason Hotchkiss and their brother-in-law Paul Gorman.

“Texas is fertile ground for our brand expansion, especially the San Antonio market,” said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken in a Tuesday press release.

Locations have not yet been secured for the new spots. According to the release, the Hotchkiss brothers and Gorman are seeking 2,000 to 2,700-square-foot locations, with or without drive-thrus.

Cole Koretos, a public relations representative working on behalf of Dave’s, said the company plans to hire a total of 300 employees in the San Antonio area.

West Coast fare may conjure up mental images of acai bowls and fresh seafood, but Dave’s offers regular or spicy chicken in a California take on the classic Tennessee dish, along with sides like kale slaw, mac & cheese and cheese fries.

Unlike traditional hot chicken in the South, Dave’s offers chicken tender sandwiches at seven different spice levels, from no spice to the “reaper” option.

The franchise currently has Texas stores in Houston, Plano, Dallas, Fort Worth and Missouri City. Transitioning to the franchise model in 2019, the business now has over 560 stores nationwide.

Click here to read the full story on San Antonio Business Journal.

Also on KSAT:

Texas entertainment group plans upscale entertainment center in San AntonioBojangles partners with SA group to bring stores to Northeast Side

A search is underway for a 10-year-old girl who was last seen on the West Side.

San Antonio police said Kassandra “Kassi” Torres, an endangered juvenile, was last seen in the 1300 block of N. Sabinas Street.

Torres is right-handed with straight, collar-length hair. She has black hair with brown eyes and she is 5 feet 1 inch tall. She was last seen wearing a grey sweater, pink jacket, black pants and black shoes.

Police said they believe Kassandra is with her biological mother, who does not have custodial rights.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at 210-207-7660.

New Businesses New business licenses and corporate formations. -Sales Tax Permits Company: Manguitos Mexican Restaurant, First: Mayra, Last: Romero, Address: 6031 Callaghan Rd., City: San Antonio, State: TX, Zip: 78228, Type: restaurants, Sic: 58, Recdate: 2022-02-02, Jurisdiction: Bexar County Company: Kosmik Vibes, First: Tiffany, Last: Spencer, Address: 6322 Melanzane Ave. #104, City: San Antonio, State: TX, Zip: 78233, Phone: 210-334-0694, Type: nonclassifiable, Sic: 99, Recdate: 2022-02-01,…

Lawsuits Extended Plaintiff: Amanda Vanburen, Def1: Wal-Mart Stores Texas LLC, Suittype: premises, Caseno: 2022 CI 02575, Recdate: 2022-02-11, Jurisdiction: Bexar County Plaintiff: Consultants in Pain Management PLLC, Def1: Ellen Boyle Duncan MD, Def2: Ellen Boyle Duncan PLLC, Suittype: debt/contract, Caseno: 2022 CI 02576, Recdate: 2022-02-11, Jurisdiction: Bexar County Plaintiff: Candelario Trevino/Natalie Trevino, Def1: Cody Pools Inc., Def2: Sanchez Coating LLC, Suittype: consumer/dtpa, Caseno:…

Canceled last year due to the pandemic, the annual Point in Time Count resumed Tuesday night, updating its 2020 census of people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio and Bexar County.

“It’s too soon to say if the numbers are growing, but what I will say is that the service level needs are severe,” said Katie Vela, executive director of the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless.

In order to meet those needs, Vela said the data collected on a mobile app by just over 200 volunteers will be helpful in planning and funding for those programs.

But Vela said the volunteer teams weren’t just collecting data. She said they handed out hygiene kits and other supplies, as well as getting help and shelter for many of those they encountered.

The teams spent six hours on the streets, wrapping up at midnight.

Vela said they also had an SAPD officer on standby, if needed.

Although they usually welcome the assistance, Vela said, “People who are experiencing homelessness have had vast trauma, adverse childhood experiences, all sorts of things have happened in their life that make them distrustful.”

As a result, Vela said many of them have struggled to get the help they need.

“We’re serving tons of people, families, young adults, veterans, but we continue to see this gap in medical respite and ongoing permanent supportive housing,” she said.

Vela said an example is the new Towne Twin Village now under construction on Dietrich Road that will have a series of tiny homes with a service center in the middle of the community.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who was among the volunteers, said San Antonio is in the midst of a national House America campaign.

Nirenberg said the city is well on its way to fulfilling its pledge “to house 1,500 of our homeless neighbors before the end of the year.”

The last Point in Time Count in 2020 had a total of 2,932 people who were either in shelters or unsheltered, according to a SARAH spokesman.

Vela said the latest data is being reviewed now ahead of its final report in late May.

Related Story:

Pandemic forces cancellation of Point-in-Time homeless count in San Antonio

Curb your spending and recreate that coffeehouse experience all in the comfort of your own kitchen? Consumer Reports reveals which coffee machines deliver espressos, lattes, cappuccinos and drip coffee from the comfort of your own home.

Whether it’s a quick shot of espresso or a foamy cappuccino, those daily coffee drinks can add up.

So nothing beats the vibe of your favorite coffee shop but you can easily recoup the money on those lattes by making them at home.”

But do those at-home machines that can make espressos, cappuccinos and more really deliver the same coffeehouse-style drink? Consumer Reports wanted to find out.

To see how these machines perform, CR’s testers look at factors like brew speed, temperature, taste and even how easy each one is to use.

One of the best in CR’s tests is the Nespresso by DeLonghi Lattissima One Espresso Maker. It’s pricey at $400, but it can brew coffee, espresso, and cappuccinos and even features a built-in milk frother.

For less money, consider the Ninja Specialty for $170. It can brew both hot and iced coffee, lattes, macchiatos and other specialty brews. It also has a built-in milk frother.

If you’re happy with your current brewing method, there’s another way to up your at-home coffee craft by using a milk frother. Outside CR’s labs Dan tried out several, from handheld whisks to stand alone machines.

The Nespresso Aeroccino4 consistently frothed up a variety of milks. The $119 price tag is a bit steep, but it would make a great gift or a fun new kitchen gadget.

If you prefer to keep it basic, you can whip up a variety of milks with the handheld $20 Aerolatte To-Go.

Keep in mind different milks produce different foams. Most cafes prefer whole milk for frothing because it creates a nice foam that’s easy to work with. If you’re avoiding dairy, consider oat milk – it pairs well with the flavors in coffee, plus it foams better than almond or soy.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office on Tuesday said Edward C. Wagner, 60, was sentenced to 18 months in prison due to the scheme that dated back to at least 2007.