John OlivaCorpus Christi Caller Times
Several new local businesses have popped up in Corpus Christi, including a Mexican seafood restaurant, an IV therapy clinic and a tea shop.
Next time you're out and about, be sure to visit these seven new spots.
Coastal Infusions
1001 2nd Street
AADI Home Health & Hospice recently introduced Coastal Infusions, a mobile IV therapy and wellness clinic.
If you are hungover from a night of partying, trying to recover from the flu, have Lupus or are about to run a 5K, consider choosing from one of the 10 "co*cktails" the new business has to offer.
Kirstin Goodwin, administrative director of the clinic, said the goal of the new business is to make sure every person in the Coastal Bend can benefit from wellness therapy.
The clinic is mobile, but also offers an in-suite option for a lower price. Prices range from $85 to $195.
The whole process takes about 45 minutes to one hour, and Coastal Infusions can meet you at your residence, office, gym or hotel. At the moment, the clinic travels to North Padre Island, Port Aransas, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Gregory, Portland, Sinton, Odem and Robstown.
Coastal Infusions will be available on holidays, offer gift cards, offer monthly memberships and offer injectables including B12.
Website: coastalinfusionstx.com
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; call 855-463-8738 to make an appointment
El Camino
314 N. Chaparral St.
In 1986, Brad Lomax, creator of Water Street Market, opened Otra Vez, a Mexican restaurant, in downtown Corpus Christi. Unfortunately, the city was not ready for it and it shut down nine months later.
But now El Camino, which opened in mid-November, is the Lomax family's second go at a Mexican restaurant.
Located right next to Lucy's Snackbar, the new local business offers a limited menu and is open in the evening, for the time being.
Amado Contreras, general manager of El Camino, said the menu includes four appetizers and five tacos. The full menu is finalized, but it won't be offered until the restaurant fully opens.
The new eatery also includes original signage of Otra Vez inside, as well as the bumper and headlights of a Chevrolet El Camino above the bar.
Website: elcaminotexmex.com
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday
Heaven's Gate Tattoo Studio
4104 Weber Road
After Eric Redbeard's daughter opened up her own tattoo shop in San Antonio, he knew he had to follow suit and open his own in Corpus Christi.
Heaven's Gate Tattoo Studio opened on Friday the 13th in October.
Redbeard said his shop offers work other studios might not, including cover ups and finishing work another tattoo artist started.
Three artists and three apprentices work at the shop at the moment, but Redbeard said more artists will be employed in the future ― along with piercers.
The minimum for a tattoo from artists is $80 and $20 from apprentices.
In the future, Redbeard said he plans on creating a Heaven's Gate brand and sell clothing and accessories featuring the logo and artwork from tattoo artists.
Website: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550060324975
Hours: Noon to 8 p.m., but some artists are by reservations only
Mariscos Altamar
5114 Weber Road
Yuri Jara, owner of Mariscos Altamar, said she's been in business for about 12 years.
She said she started in Chicago, was in San Antonio for a decade and now set up shop in Corpus Christi.
The Mexican seafood restaurant, located at the old Whataburger location on Weber Road near the old Carroll High School campus, offers authentic cuisine and co*cktails.
It opened in September and Jara said if business keeps going well as it is now, a second location could open in the future.
Jara said she recommends two dishes specifically, the Langosta Al Gusto and the Piña Loca. The former is a whole lobster stuffed with abalone, surimi, octopus, shrimp and bell pepper. The latter is abalone, octopus, shrimp, surimi, shrimp ceviche and fish ceviche served inside a pineapple.
Website: facebook.com/AltaMarCorpusChristiRestauranteDeMariscos
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Staples Street Meat Market
7418 S. Staples St.
For nearly 20 years, Staples Street Meat Market has been providing quality cuts of meat to the Coastal Bend.
Co-owner Mike Meehan said he wouldn't be surprised if people didn't realize they've probably been eating their meat for quite some time.
In 2005, Meehan and Angel Bustos opened the doors to their meat market, but in October 2023 the two opened the doors to its new, larger location ― a little over 2,000 feet away.
Continuing with offering a variety of food at affordable prices, Meehan and Bustos plan on providing three new things for customers: delivery, curbside and hot food to-go.
Those plans will be fulfilled by the end of 2024, Meehan said.
Website: staplesstmeatmarket.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Suicidal Butterfly
4455 S. Padre Island Drive
For the past three years, Nikki Love-Hernandez said her gothic boutique, Suicidal Butterfly, has been tucked away and hidden.
Now the shop is located off of South Padre Island Drive and is on full display for alternative clothing for the "strange and unusual."
Love-Hernandez said she relocated and opened the store at the beginning of November and held its grand opening at the beginning of December.
At the moment, clothing for men and women and accessories, including bags, shoes and jewelry, are available for purchase. Love-Hernandez said she will start selling clothing for children in the near future.
Website: suicidalbutterflyboutique.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 9 to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Tea by the Sea
1002 Waldron Road
Tea by the Sea, a "hidden gem off the beaten path," was set to open in June 2022 but got pushed back until September 2023.
Owner Kimmie Pullen said she moved to Corpus Christi from California about three years ago and knew she had to make the Flour Bluff area the place to be.
Located behind a plaza that is the home to Tronix Repair & Games, Automatic Pawn and other businesses, Tea by the Sea is a cozy ― you guessed it ― tea shop.
Pullen said food is made fresh daily and she offers more than 60 types of loose-leaf tea. As well, children under the age of 8 are not allowed. The age limit is due to noise and broken teacups, Pullen said.
For $19 per person, guests may enjoy an afternoon tea service with a flower bloom tea, French beignets, hors d'oeuvres, soup and tier full of finger sandwiches, scone and desserts.
For the near future, Pullen said she plans on introducing charcuteries and mocktails. For later down the line, she said she'd love to teach etiquette classes for children, have pancakes with police and hold special screenings for seniors to enjoy black and white films.
Website: teabythesea.me
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; call 361-678-8950 for reservations
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.comor Twitter@johnpoliva.
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