San Antonio is steadily emerging as a priority market for restaurants and all forms of retail. According to a year-end review provided by the Dallas commercial real-estate firm Weitzman, 2018’s San Antonio’s occupancy rate for retail space remains solid at 94%. The firm attributes that remarkable number to the strong local economy and affordable rents. The economy is strong enough that local businesses in strip centers are proving their viability even when going up against big-box store franchises.

If you are a local business owner who wants to start or expand in San Antonio, this is the best time to do so. Before choosing your contractor take a look at our top five retail contractors in the city. These contractors were chosen based on their impressive retail track record, their accolades, and their service reach. Whether you want to be part of the stores in the hip new neighborhood at the Pearl or start a stand-alone shop in the downtown district, you will find a contractor here that will fit your needs. 

 

 

EIB Contractors

5416 Schertz Rd., San Antonio, TX 78233

From New York to California, EIB Contractors has completed a diverse range of projects in many sectors across the United States. The company provides interior finish-out, ground-up, remodel, and design-build services for retail, healthcare, education, and restaurants. The firm was started in 2000 by the Culbertson family in San Antonio. It has since expanded its reach throughout the US. In the retail sector, its client list includes international names like Swarovski, Tumi, Steve Madden, and Breitling. 

The firm is a favorite builder of local artisan jeweler, James Avery. EIB perfectly captures the bold and the dainty, the elegant and the dramatic, and the traditional and modern looks of the brand’s jewelry. From the sleek contemporary lines of a kiosk to the earth tones and brick of a stand-alone store, the firm has built many of the brand’s homes across the state of Texas. Featured here is the new James Avery kiosk in the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. 

Texana Builders

9600 Long Point Rd, Suite 100, 77055

General contractor Texana Builders is well-versed in both residential and commercial building. With offices in Houston and Austin, the company serves the metro areas of Houston, San Antonio, and Austin with custom luxury homes, retail space, restaurants, and medical facilities. In addition to local brands, it also caters to international clients like Starbucks.

The firm is led by founder Dustin Hubbard. Dustin serves as the company’s CEO and head of business development. Hubbard has been a general contractor for more than 20 years. He has a Master of Science degree in Construction Management from Texas A&M University and has extensive experience in multi-market commercial building such as restaurants, recreation centers, and specialty projects. He works alongside business partner Chris DeCuir. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University and has also been in the construction industry for more than two decades.

The company built the Aveda store at the Shops at La Cantera. The green and airy palette is inspired by the brand’s dedication to bringing wellness and beauty using natural ingredients. The firm’s use of recessed track lighting effectively spotlights the products and illuminates the whole space. 

Alpine Contracting

1100 NE Loop 410, Suite #508, San Antonio, TX 78209

Colby Lewis got his start in the construction industry as his father’s helper at his small residential company in Corpus Christi. After earning his degree in Construction Engineering, he embarked on a commercial contracting career that led him to build multi-family apartments, military base projects, and a number of large commercial buildings. In 2012, he decided to restart Alpine Construction which was originally founded by his grandfather in 1957.

Alpine combines the capabilities of large general contractors with a small company’s customer-centric approach. You can see this in the firm’s interior finish-outs and ground-up construction projects across several sectors—from retail, medical, to industrial. This approach has earned Alpine several awards from the San Antonio Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. 

This upgrade of Pure Posh Salon in San Antonio won an Outstanding Construction Award for Interior Finish Out from the San Antonio AGC Chapter in 2015. The black and purple create a dramatic silhouette in the modern contemporary design of the space. 

Metropolitan Contracting Company

990 Isom Road, San Antonio, TX 78216

Metropolitan Contracting Company has proven that they are a cut above the rest in private commercial construction with over two dozen Excellence in Construction and Safety Awards, including 2 coveted Eagle Awards, the highest award granted in AGC’s national competition. The company provides ground-up construction and is also has an interior finish-out division that is regarded as the largest operation in the region.

The firm is co-founded by industry leaders Tim Swan and Steve Schuetze. Tim is a licensed Texas Real Estate broker, while Steve is an innovator. He patented the “Tilt-Up” concrete wall system, also known as the ClearView Composite Wall System, in collaboration with Davy Beicker of Beicker-Martinez Engineering. Tilt-Up allows for faster construction, especially in the retail industry where speedy construction is essential. 

The firm has three decades worth of experience in building new retail centers, as well as mall interiors across 22 states. It has catered to national brands like Victoria’s Secret, Charlotte Russe, and Bath & Body Works, but some of its most beautiful work has been for local retailers. Take the brick and mortar look of the Larder at Pearl. The Larder offers the services of a South Texas food store with a dash of Euro-sophistication. The navy blue brick and the distressed look of the storefront signage paired with an industrial interior blends is the perfect look for this former 19th-century brew house-turned-hotel.

How can I find a contractor near me?

Read our latest articles on the best contractors in and near San Antonio. If you don’t see your project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

Best Retail Contractors in Fort Worth, Texas

Best Retail Contractors in Houston, Texas

Best Hotel and Hospitality Contractors in Austin, Texas

Best Restaurant Contractors in Dallas, Texas

Best General Contractors in Texas

 

About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration

Get Bids For Your Build

If you are thinking about starting a hotel and hospitality project, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.