Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Lee, Kristi McClatchy, Alex Lee, and Jake Scott.
Jake Scott and Alex Lee met while working as employees at a local coffee shop. Their friendship was solidified during moping sessions after close while discussing their shared desire to fuse creativity with coffee culture. Alex’s background with community development while working as an Americorps member and formal education in Sociology, aided him in thinking about how cultures and communities operate. Jake complimented this skillset with his background in art and design. Alex took the leap and obtained a used food truck. They began their journey as entrepreneurs by serving coffee out of the truck at local farmers’ markets and in their neighborhood. Within the span of a year, they were able to open a brick-and-mortar store called Indy Coffee Company near the University of Texas at San Antonio. Indy is a specialty coffee shop and espresso bar, lifestyle brand, and clothing/home goods retailer. Inspired by the culture of Texas and the American Southwest, Indy curates quality, hand made in the USA goods that reflect the timeless Americana culture and passion of hard work, durability, and attention to detail.
In March 2019, they decided to broaden their lifestyle brand by opening a clothing, book, and home goods store. They chose the name Temple of Offering, inspired by their goal to spark a counter-culture to classic consumerism and business methods by providing goods from companies and artists who treat the planet and people as sacred. Kristi McClatchy and Christine Lee (Jake and Alex’s wives) left their established careers as a therapist and teacher to assist with building the company. Offering is a family-owned and operated establishment.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The Offering team was inspired by their travels to various cities and wanted to bring a different shopping experience to San Antonio, beyond the context of the mall. Our current area of growth involves educating ourselves and our community about new brands and the importance of supporting companies that engage in responsible practices. Some of the brands carried at Offering are handmade by local, less familiar artisans. Many of our partners create garments from recycled or upcycled materials, use natural foraged dyes, and utilize high quality, durable fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp, and linen. The Offering team curates brands that engage in the ethical treatment of people and promote environmental sustainability. Offering is passionate about supporting customers in their journeys to minimize the quantity and embrace quality by building closets of timeless pieces they love.
Temple of Offering – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Offering provides apparel and home goods curated with intentionality. They partner with makers and brands that maintain transparent business practices and environmental sustainability. They are believers and practitioners of “Slow Fashion”, an awareness and approach to clothing and goods that considers the processes and resources required to make clothing, particularly focusing on sustainability. It involves buying better-quality garments that will last for longer and values fair treatment of people, animals, and the planet.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The Offering team finds great fulfillment in their relationships with other small businesses and members of the San Antonio community. They take great care and intentionality to conduct business in a manner that aligns with personal values. For example, they actively seek to support and collaborate with other business and causes that push the city to embrace a degree of mindfulness in consuming goods.
Contact Info:
- Address: 125 Lamar, Suite 107
San Antonio, TX 78202 - Website: templeofoffering.com
- Instagram: @templeofoffering
Image Credit:
Christine Lee, Jake Scott, Kristi McClatchy, Alex Lee, JoMando Cruz
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