Beloved San Antonio Bodega Transforms as Icehouse Eyes Opening

Jefferson Market Icehouse, a new concept from veteran San Antonio bar owners, is set to open this week in the former Jefferson Bodega location.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:06pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a beer mug repeated in a tight grid pattern, representing the new bar and eatery concept at the former Jefferson Bodega location.The new Jefferson Market Icehouse aims to bring a fresh, vibrant energy to the former Jefferson Bodega space in San Antonio.San Antonio Today

The San Antonio building that previously housed the popular Jefferson Bodega has been transformed into a new icehouse concept called Jefferson Market Icehouse, founded by local bar owners Olaf Harmel and Gerry Shirley. The new establishment is expected to open to the public in the coming days, offering a Texas-style bar and eatery experience with margaritas, beer, and barbecue bites.

Why it matters

The closure of the beloved Jefferson Bodega, a longtime community fixture, marks the end of an era for the Donaldson Avenue neighborhood. However, the opening of the new Jefferson Market Icehouse concept, backed by experienced local bar owners, signals an opportunity for the space to be revitalized and continue serving the community in a new way.

The details

The Jefferson Market Icehouse will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, with extended hours planned for Saturdays. Sunday hours are still to be determined. The new establishment aims to offer a "simple Texas-style bar & eatery" experience, featuring margaritas, beer, and a selection of barbecue bar bites. The exterior of the building has been transformed, now featuring dark green painted accents and a rustic aesthetic, quite different from its previous bodega incarnation.

  • Jefferson Bodega previously occupied the space.
  • Jefferson Market Icehouse is expected to open to the public this week.
  • The new establishment will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, with extended hours planned for Saturdays.

The players

Olaf Harmel

Co-founder of Jefferson Market Icehouse and veteran San Antonio bar owner, having previously founded establishments like The Modernist and La Ruina.

Gerry Shirley

Co-founder of Jefferson Market Icehouse and veteran San Antonio bar owner, having previously founded establishments like The Modernist and La Ruina.

Jefferson Bodega

The beloved community bodega that previously occupied the space now transformed into Jefferson Market Icehouse.

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What they’re saying

“We are definitely opening up this week. By the weekend, we'll be fully functional.”

— Olaf Harmel, Co-owner, Jefferson Market Icehouse

What’s next

The owners of Jefferson Market Icehouse have not yet announced specific opening hours for Sundays, but more details are expected to be revealed in the coming days as the new establishment prepares to welcome the public.

The takeaway

The transformation of the beloved Jefferson Bodega into the new Jefferson Market Icehouse concept represents both an end of an era and a new beginning for the Donaldson Avenue neighborhood. While the community will miss the familiar bodega, the arrival of an experienced bar ownership team promises to bring a fresh Texas-style bar and eatery experience to the area, potentially revitalizing the space and serving the local community in a new way.