The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, February 6, 2004 Page: 5 of 28
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FRIDAY, February 6, 2004
THE BOERNE Star
Page 5A
Comfort building full of rumors, history
By Theresa Lucio historic castle-like building be-
Staff Writer came available last year he and -
his wife, Pam, jumped on it.
History, rumors and a county Complimenting the Busby’s 7
commissioner? Sounds like a Hill warm personalities, the office is ,
Country scandal that would rock now neatly scattered with family =
the tabloids. However, it isn’t portraits, Texas stars and a wide
quite what one might think. variety of stuffed critters, all with
For the novice history buffs or names.
newcomers in the community, Today’s residents fondly re-
this one is for you. member the days when the home-
Most people who are aware of stead served as a restaurant.
Comfort are aware of its rich ta- “When the Rathskeller became
pestry of history. From its free- a Mexican food restaurant, one of
thinking settlers to its present the top sellers was the Klemstein
eclectic and diverse community, enchilada,” said Busby.
Comfort is definitely worth ex- While the owners changed, the
ploring. menu and genre of the restaurant
One structure in particular, the stayed the same, thus keeping the
Rathskeller, currently occupied popular Klemstein delicacy on
/ Dr. Kyle Miller - Foot Specialist
Specializing in Complete Foot Care, Including: • Diabetic Care • Foot Surgery
• Ingrown Toenails • Bunions • Heel Spurs • Foot and Ankle Injuries
(830) 249-5858 for appt. • 117 S. Saunders St. • Boerne
Now A BC/BS PPO PREFERRED PROVIDER
. in Addition to MANY OTHER AREA PLANS 4
Alzheimer's Care
with Compassion
by Kendall County Commission- the menu.
er Rusty Busby is full of tales Keeping Comfort tradition
from the past and present. alive, when the Rathskeller did fi-
In 1931, a gentleman named nally shut its doors, the infamous
Max Kittner built a magnificent Klemstein enchilada recipe was
castle-like building made of passed on to Mimi’s Cafe where
stone. Rathskeller meaning liter- to this day, a diner can still enjoy
ally in German “a cellar under a a taste of the past.
government building,” began its There’s even a rumor that Bon-
existence as a beer garten. nie and Clyde, taking a break
Kittner was famous around the from their murderous heists,
Comfort area for building the stopped at the old Raphskeller to
local hatchery and later providing stock up on groceries.
the community with its first beer Today Busby and his wife Jan
outlet since the ending of the Pro- are making the Rathskeller a
hibition. known name once again by re-
After several years of serving cently purchasing the old build-
and lifting the community’s spir- ing and converting it into office
its, the Rathskeller began to space. Busby and his wife work
change hands more than a cheat- at the restored building and relish
ing card player. It later became a its every nook and cranny. More
gas station, liquor store and ac- often than not, perhaps behind a
cording to Busby, a variety of dif- wall or panel, the Busbys discov-
ferent Mexican food restaurants. er something new. No doubt, his-
Today, pictures displayed in the tory will continue to thrive in this
foyer feature the relics of Com- old place.
fort past. Community residents of Keeping the tradition of its
yesteryear enjoying cold beer, a original beer garten roots, the
restaurant flyer with the words Busbys are known to store at
“Rathskeller Mexicana,” and a least a couple of cold beers at all
somber black and white portrait times on the premises. They wel-
of a family who once called the come visitors, in fact, encourage
structure home. them. Busby can’t make a
Busby is a tall, animated man promise that he’ll actually have a
who embraces visitors with as beer to offer, so just in case, he
much gusto as he embraces the recommends you bring your
Comfort community. When the own.
Photos by Theresa Lucio
Although the Busby’s admit there is much work to be
done on the exterior of the building, the structure has
changed very little since its beer garten days. Max Kit-
tner’s Rathskeller as it appeared in the 1930’s. The struc-
ture has been many things since its grand opening, in-
cluding restaurants, a liquor store and a grocery store. It
is presently owned by Kendall County Commissioner
Rusty Busby.
• Private and Semi-Private
Apartments
• Secured Building
• 24-Hour Staff
• Weekly Housekeeping
• A Variety of Activities
& Outings
• Outdoor Walking Paths
• Personalized Care
BEE
LUNCH
MERRILL GARDENS
AT SAN ANTONIO
A one of a kind retirement community
Take them up on the hundred-
dollar tour, welcome their inter-
esting tales of the old house, take
advantage of Busbys vast knowl-
edge of the Comfort area and of
course, bring enough beer to
share. Beware — their excite-
ment is contagious.
E-mail Theresa Lucio at there-
salucio@ boernestar.com.
Major Paul Messina recognized for 2003-04 Who’s Who award at UTSA
Boerne resident Major Paul
Messina has been honored by the
University of Texas at San Anto-
nio to receive the distinguished
Who’s Who Award at UTSA.
Less than half of 1 percent of the
entire student body is recognized
for this coveted award.
In addition to being a recipient
of this honor, Messina will also
be recognized on a national level
with inclusion in the 2004 edi-
tion of Who’s Who Among Stu-
dents in American Colleges and
Universities.
He will be
graduating
with an
MBA in
management
science in the
Spring,
2005.
A recog-
nized institu-
MESSINA tion of the
- American
academic
community, the Who’s Who University Center in the Laurel
award has been conferred annu- Room followed by a dinner re-
ally upon outstanding student ception.
leaders for the past 70 years. Se- Since 1981 Major Messina has
lections are made by campus received five additional Who’s
nominating committees and are Who honorary awards noting
based on top academic standing, outstanding regional and national
community service, leadership achievements, as well as several
ability, and potential for contin- -distinguished Who’s Who in the
ued success. : World acknowledgments. He
To document and recognize this has been a Boerne resident for
honor, a certificate will be pre- the past two years since moving
sented to Major Messina at 7 from Flower Mound near the
p.m. today, Feb. 6, at the UTSA Dallas area.
OPPORTUNITY
(210) 641-5046
9203 Cinnamon Hill
San Antonio, TX 78240
www.merrillgardens.com
ID #(AL) 030265, (GH, Bldg. A) 030324, (GH, Bldg. B) 030333
Alzheimer’S & Dementia Care
COMPARE THE
CANDIDATES..
ROGER DUNCAN
He finally popped the question... You said Yes!
Photography by Jena
(830) 249-9790
Boerne, TX
www.photographybyjena.com
ups
We've reinvented the mailbox
by adding a lot of extras.
Local Candidate with Local Values
• 4th generation Texan raised in the Hill
Country with Hill Country values.
The UPS Store
Let us help you with that.
New owner...still hard to find.
HEB
ROAD
RA
CKBUSTEF
VIDEO
I OAK PARK VILLAGE (8
\ SHOPPING CENTER
The UPS Store
We're right behind Blockbuster.
215 W. Bandera Rd., Boerne
(830) 816-6720
A real street address.
You can receive any
carriers packages.
You don’t have to wait at home.
Call-In MailCheck.™
Save yourself a trip.
24-hour access
7Months
■ L. Free
I WITH A 6-MONTH MAILBOX
I SERVICES AGREEMENT
■ (can apply to existing boxholder also)
Qualifications
• 31 years of service with the Dallas Police
Department, retiring as Deputy Chief.
• Recipient of many of the Department's highest
awards receiving 70 commendations.
[U81010
$30 Haircuts for About $12
LOTO*CUU
•--=== ---------------
It’s Your Head. Use It.
No appointment necessary.
215 W. Bandera
(near Blockbuster)
(830) 249-0986
Education
• Graduated with Bachelor of Science, Criminal
Justice, Sam Houston State University.
• Eighteen hours of graduate work completed
in Public Administration, SMU.
• Graduate, Southwestern Law Enforcement
Institute.
/ Advanced and Master Peace Officer
Certifications from the Texas Commission on
Law Enforcement Officer Standards and
Education.
Personal
• Roger and his wife Norma are horse
enthusiasts and are competitive team ropers
involved in several roping organizations.
While in Dallas, Roger founded The Dallas
Police Charity Rodeo that over the years has
provided more than $500,000 to the Shriners
Children's Hospitals.
More Experience,
Education and Honorable
Service than
any Sheriff's
Candidate in
Kendall County
ROGE
W/13
4 CAN
FAD
SHERIFF
www.duncanforsheriff.com
Political Advertisement - Roger Duncan Campaign
P.O. Box 42 • Waring. TX 78074
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Cartwright, Brian & Morgan, Clay. The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, February 6, 2004, newspaper, February 6, 2004; Boerne, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1632966/m1/5/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Patrick Heath Public Library.