Nestled in the middle of the Shops at Old Town Helotes is a local gem called The Cracked Mug Coffee House. With its cozy ambiance, refreshing greenery and diverse menu, The Cracked Mug is the perfect study or hangout spot for friends and family alike. To step onto the property is to shift gears for the day — the intoxicating scent of baked goods and aromatic coffee beans immediately melts your stress away. 

Owners Donna and Duane Wells took over the shop in 2016 and have continued to dazzle the community with their charming local business. 

“My daughter and son-in-law owned a little business over here; it was called ‘E’s Beez,’ and they sold local honey and stuff. So, she came to me and said, ‘the lady that owns the coffee shop is interested in selling. Is that something you and dad would want to do?’ I really wasn’t a huge coffee person … but we prayed about it and we knew that God wanted us to own a coffee shop, so here we are,” Donna said. 

As a family-owned business, The Cracked Mug is cloaked in originality and takes pride in offering not only one-of-a-kind seasonal coffee drinks, but also a full breakfast menu, including tasty tacos and fresh muffins. From the Breakfast Bowl — a perfect mix of homestyle potatoes, bacon, eggs and cheese, all topped with sausage and gravy — to their mouthwatering Keto Scramble, The Cracked Mug has established itself as the coffee house of comfort. Additionally, with drinks like their “Honey I’m Home,” latte, which is infused with homemade lavender syrup and locally sourced “E’s Beez” honey, they immediately capture the attention of first-timers — and even the coffee connoisseurs. The coffee house offers alternative milks as well as vegan-friendly pastries, commodities that are not always available in other places of business. For the students who come in with hours of homework to finish or the friends who want to sit and catch up, The Cracked Mug also sells bottomless house coffee. 

Every square foot of the coffee house is intertwined with love and authenticity. Their homey interior decoration and open outdoor area provide customers with a sense of comfort, and the welcoming atmosphere speaks volumes about the core values of the local business. 

“We’re always trying to find something to do that they can’t get somewhere else, and that will bring customers in, of course … We also pride ourselves in trying something new; if it works, we stick with it, and if it doesn’t, we move on to something else. We don’t just keep doing the same thing over and over just because it’s what we’ve always done,” Donna said.

The owners of The Cracked Mug seem to effortlessly foster an environment that creates both loyal customers and employees.

“We have a good bunch of people. We always encourage our employees to come to us with ideas … We own it, but I feel like that’s part of it, that they sort of have an ownership of it too. That’s why we can do what we can do, because they love the place and we love each other. We’re family.” 

The Cracked Mug has two locations: 

14743 Old Bandera Rd #1, Helotes, TX 78023

907 13th St, Bandera, TX 78003

Their hours vary, so check out their website for more information. 

https://crackedmug.com/