San Antonio Zoo expands gift shop

The project is part of the newly transformed entrance to enhance the visitor experience.

The San Antonio Zoo recently celebrated the grand opening of its newly transformed entrance. The expansion includes nearly doubling the size of the gift shop from its original 1,400 square feet, says Cyle Perez, director of public relations and integrated marketing for the zoo.

“This momentous milestone represents a significant leap forward in enhancing the guest experience, promoting accessibility for all, and celebrating the vibrant cultural heritage of San Antonio,” according to a press release about the grand opening, which took place Dec. 1.

Among the features of the expanded gift shop are a prototype of plastic-free features launched by SSA Group, a partner of the zoo that works to drive revenue, innovation and impact. It is also one of SSA Group’s first launches in compostable M&M packaging, an initiative announced earlier this year in markets with commercial accessibility to composting, according to a press release from the organization.

Additional highlights include:

• Mannequins featuring diversity in ethnicities and inclusivity with representation of disabilities and sizes.
• An ADA-accessible cash wrap.
• A San Antonio fiesta-inspired gift shop.
• New impulse bins for quantity expansion.
• A representation matter collection featuring local vendors in and around San Antonio focused on upcycling and conservation efforts.

“The reimagined entrance offers improved functionality, dedicated entrances for school groups and enhanced accessibility for all visitors,” the press release notes.

The grand opening also unveiled the H-E-B Plaza located inside the entrance, which features the Lemur SkyTrail that provides visitors with an up-close experience with the lemurs as they explore the plaza. Additionally, the Monkey House has been restored and repurposed, offering visitors a chance to appreciate its architectural splendor while enjoying refreshments from Changos Cafe.

"This project represents our commitment to creating a world-class visitor experience while promoting conservation and educational initiatives,” says Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo. “We are grateful for the tremendous support from our community, donors and partners and city of San Antonio and H-E-B, who have made this transformation possible.”