Historic S.A. firehouse could become restaurant

A photo from the 1930s shows the fire station at 604 S. Alamo St.

A photo from the 1930s shows the fire station at 604 S. Alamo St. Photo: COURTESY PHOTO Photo: COURTESY PHOTO Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Historic S.A. firehouse could become restaurant 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Andrew Goodman, who owns Feast in Southtown, had the winning bid and has signed a contract to purchase old Fire Station No. 7, 604 S. Alamo St., that's been retired by the city. The spot is a prime location at the entrance to Southtown between Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Water Street across from Hemisfair Park.

The two-story 5,200-square-foot building appraised at $797,000. Goodman intends to open a restaurant that would include a bar and dining room on the first floor with an open kitchen dining area upstairs. It also has a 300-square-foot basement that likely will be used as a wine cellar.

While the plans are still preliminary, Goodman and Feast Executive Chef Stefan Bowers are considering "an old-school style Italian steakhouse in a sexy modern setting." The restaurant at the firehouse would be open for lunch during weekdays and six nights a week for dinner.

Read a review of Feast.

For Andrew Goodman, the opportunity also is sentimental.

"I was born and raised in San Antonio. It's my home. My dad and his father had a business in 300 block Water Street," he said.

If all goes as planned, Goodman will own a business two blocks from where his family's business was nearly 70 years ago. Goodman estimates the restaurant could open by early 2015.

"It's a gateway to Southtown," Goodman said. "Southtown really has become a food mecca."

Read history about Fire Station No. 7.

Goodman also is a managing partner for the restaurant inside the St. Anthony Hotel that's under renovation. That project also is slated to be complete by 2015.

jmcinnis@express-news.net

Twitter: @JenMcInnis