Casa Manos Alegres — Local services in San Antonio

The shopkeeper profiles her customers and is just plain rude.

I am a San Antonio native and have been coming to the shops at La Villita for years with no issue – until Casa Manos Alegres. My boyfriend wanted to buy an alebrije for his Hispanic mother for Christmas. We are both almost 30, have full time jobs, and are more than capable of selecting and purchasing a product from a store. However, from the moment we walked in and started browsing her collection, she surveilled us.

She asked us several times if we had any questions as he was picking out an alebrije, which got a bit annoying, but was not unreasonable. He was at the point of picking out which color he wanted, when she condescendingly asked if we had any idea how delicate the alebrijes were - as if we were toddlers. She was staring at us from across the room and scrutinizing our every move. The moment I brought out my phone a minute later, she very rudely accused me of taking a photo of her merchandise, patronizingly asked if we had seen the small, hand-written signs to not take photos (which we had not seen), demanded that I delete the non-existent photo, and threw us out of the store.

As she continued yelling as us from her chair behind the counter on our way out, my boyfriend told her he was about to make a purchase, and she asserted that she had a right to turn down any customer in her shop as she chooses. Fine. But any prospective customer of hers also has a right to know the kind of person this lady is and how she may treat them. Perhaps if you are a wealthy-looking, elder, white person you will be treated as a customer and a human being should. Otherwise, don’t count on entering that shop and being treated as anyone of value. The photo was just an excuse to get rid of us. If we had actually taken a photo, she could have just asked us not to.

This lady just lost $70, though we are happy that money is not going into her pockets. She possesses a lovely collection, though there are plenty of other places in this town with less pernicious merchants more worthy of profiting off these incredible artisans’ work. And there are certainly better places to spend your time...

I went today March 11, 2025 to buy the mexican doll Lele and had a really bitter time with the rude owner. First of all she talked ugly about her employee when he wasnt even there to defend himself and when he was just trying to do some sales. If he is like that I dont even know why she still have him like employee. Second, I was trying to explain to her what her employee told me last Saturday when I went and she kepts cutting me the conversation in a really sour and rude way. Obviously I wanted the doll but not a doll that has been outside for who knows how long and exposed to the sun that of course deteriorates the colors. I was thinking to buy the doll but with these type of person absolutely NO! She lost a sale, a good review and money. Yes is true that she sells really good artwork but her behavior against us the ones that we can provide life to her business is against the rules!!! She definitely dont know what is a good etiquette of CUSTOMER SERVICE specially when you are a local shop. Even Waltmart that is a big chain can provide a good customer service. Is so sad that having a good potential of sales and located in such a good place the person that represents it is such a sour person. Risk yourself going to this place. There are other shops with good customer service that have the same quality of her ceramics around the River Walks and if you are like me looking for Lele Doll you can find it in Etsy or Amazon or other shop at River Walk that at the time I went she just dont have it in stock. Thats why I went to this shop because I was living...

*you can find work like in this shop online on Etsy/ebay and purchase directly from the artist which is a much better way to spend your time

I have never given anything 1 star before but am in awe of the lack of consideration this shop has for it's customers. I had walked packed this store several times while in town and saw several items I wanted to purchase. The shop was never open when I walked past. On my final day I saw a "back in 10 min" sign on the door. I waited because I really wanted to make a purchase. I waited 30 minutes. As I was finally leaving I saw the lady opening the store only to throw something inside on the table and leave again despite her seeing several people loitering to come in. She gave no explanation and shot some less than friendly looks. I waited another 10 minutes before giving up. Pretty inconsiderate to those around her who wanted to give her business. Saying you are closed is fine. But indicating you will be right back, see you have customers, and ignore them...