The Grim Bakers open first brick-and-mortar at San Antonio’s Wonderland of the Americas

Fresh off winning Food Network’s most recent Halloween Baking Championship, San Antonio’s The Grim Bakers has opened its first brick-and-mortar location.

The self-described “best little horror bakery in Texas” held its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at its new spot in the foodcourt of Wonderland of the Americas mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Road.

Manny and Monique Martinez own the business, which offers creepy confections and baked goods with a spooky twist. Thanks to it landing a permanent location, sweet-toothed San Antonians don’t have to wait until Halloween for an eyeball lollipop or a Ouija board rice krispy treat.

In October, Manny Martinez won Season 10 of Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship, grabbing not just a national spotlight but a $25,000 prize — enough to launch the brick-and-mortar bakery.

In an Instagram post shared after the win, Martinez announced he’d use the cash to open up the Wonderland of the Americas location.

At Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Johnny Rodriguez, mayor of Balcones Heights, delivered a speech congratulating the spooky couple on their recent whirlwind of success. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Saenz and Balcones Heights Councilman Juan Lecea Jr. also said a few words to celebrate the occasion.

Manny and Monique Martinez hail from Los Angeles, where they worked in the entertainment industry, according to their website. The couple bring their background in fashion design, photography, set creation and special effects — as well as a shared creepy aesthetic — to their culinary creations.

Dubbed the “Shortbread King” by celebrity chef Carla Hall, one of the judges on the Food Network show, Manny has also been referred to as “spooky Martha Stewart” for his polished-yet-petrifying patisserie.

Prior to opening a physical location, The Grim Bakers sold their terrifying tarts at events such as horror conventions — because of course they did.

The Grim Bakers are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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This article appears in Nov 28-29, 2024.