A bit of bad luck for a Chicago-based company turned into great luck for a Mexican restaurant owner in San Antonio.
The Chicago company, owned by gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker, was rumored to be in line to win a $100 million contract to operate river barges and concessions on the San Antonio River Walk. However, a Chicago alderman made some unflattering comments about the San Antonio River Walk, and suddenly the contract went to a local company instead: San Antonio Mexican restaurant owner Lisa Wong and her newly formed company, Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises!
A successful entrepreneur for more than 35 years, Wong owns several iconic restaurants in San Antonio: Rosario’s Mexican Café y Cantina in Southtown (now celebrating 25 years), Rosario’s Mexican Restaurant y Lounge, Rosario’s at the Airport, R Sala at the Airport, and River Walk venue Ácenar.
The San Antonio River Walk is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the top travel destinations in Texas and hosts more than 11.5 million visitors per year with 1.4 million utilizing the river barge services.
Wong’s partners include Houston-based dining and hospitality company Landry’s and local business woman Hope Andrade. Wong and Andrade own a 51% majority of Go Rio San Antonio, which makes them the first Latinas in the city’s history to be awarded the high-profile river barge contract. Together they have a net worth of $30 million and decades of hospitality and business experience.
“My partners and I are ecstatic to have been awarded this city contract to operate the river barges in our beloved home town of San Antonio, a city where we grew up, live with our families, and run our businesses,” said Wong. “We want to thank the selection committee and city council members for their decision to go with the most qualified, experienced, local, and minority-owned company.”
Go Rio San Antonio enters a 10-year license agreement with the City of San Antonio to manage and operate the river barges and river barge concessions in the downtown and Museum Reach portions of the river to include tour services, charters, taxi service, and retail sales.
Go Rio’s winning proposal includes the introduction of new programs to attract locals and visitors alike across all demographics, co-marketing opportunities with Landry’s brands, and the introduction of themed mascots that will participate in various river and city-wide celebrations. They also plan to boost the local economy by hiring 250 employees.