Hopscotch, a unique, immersive art experience that opened in San Antonio last fall, announced the launch of a new restaurant incubator series, Hop-Up.

The interactive art gallery, created by entrepreneurs Nicole Jensen and Hunter Inman, is currently soliciting proposals for unique pop-up food concepts to be included in its inaugural Hop-Up series benefiting the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance (SAFWA). Any restaurant from across the state looking to possibly expand into San Antonio is encouraged to apply to try out a two-month pop-up in the market. 

“Hopscotch strongly believes in cultivating lasting relationships and synergy with the local creative community — we feel that food and beverage is an important part of a holistic immersive experience,” said Jensen, co-founder of Hopscotch.

“We like to include a multitude of contrasting styles and mediums in our art gallery, and we would like the same for our Hop-Up Series, showcasing an array of different flavors and unique concepts. We’re excited to support and partner with the San Antonio Food and Wine Alliance.” 

When Hopscotch opened, the founders felt that the gallery needed to host an impressive and unique food and beverage program, so they recruited a popular local food truck, Smack’s Chicken Shack, to move into the gallery’s patio. Owner Keenen Hendricks created the #LetsHopscotch sandwich, a crazy combination of fried chicken, powdered sugar, honey butter and donuts, as the “official” snack of Hopscotch. The program was wildly successful.

Hop-Up will be a great opportunity for local up-and-coming food concepts to test out a longer service format, as well as an opportunity for out-of-market concepts to gauge San Antonio as a potential long-term location for a restaurant. Each selected concept will operate during a two-month residency, providing food service during Hopscotch’s regular business hours and any special events. They will also be able to operate independent of Hopscotch on days the gallery is closed.

The monthly rent will be a total of just $1,000, which includes water and electricity, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting SAFWA. Concepts will rotate every two months, with new concepts announced via social media, newsletter and other channels. Concepts can operate out of a food truck, food trailer, or pop-up tent. All chosen concepts will operate on the open-air Hopscotch patio, located in downtown San Antonio across from Travis Park and the St. Anthony Hotel.

Proposals are being accepted starting now and until May 7 via the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Hopscotch on the Hop-Up Series,” said Mariam Parker, Executive Director of the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance. “We can’t wait to highlight the diversity, passion and brilliance of San Antonio cuisine.”

During the era of COVID-19, Hopscotch will continue taking enhanced precautions to make sure the experience is safe for both staff and guests.