In anticipation of the school year, the University Bookstore has added some new items that are perfect for studying, organizing and showing Texas State pride. Assistant Manager Lauren Williams gave The University Star the scoop on the best items to look forward to this semester.

In a few short weeks, The Square will welcome Black Rabbit Saloon — the first saloon-style bar to make an appearance in years.

Black Rabbit Saloon is located on Hopkins Street and will open in July.

Black Rabbit Saloon will be in the spot that used to house Dillinger’s, which is now closed.

The new bar draws on some old themes, as the building itself was built in the 1880s. The current owners, James Frailicks, Brian Scofield and James Wilson used that to their advantage when creating their ‘old-timey’ San Marcos bar.

“We basically gutted the building and started over. We took it all down to the original concrete and walls,” Wilson said. “We kept the old effects of the building and tried to stay true to its roots. You can really see how old it is.”

Tucked away in a small corner of the shopping center off North LBJ sits Deli-cioso, a lunchtime restaurant offering “tacos, tortas, soups and more.”

Deli-cioso, owned and operated by Rene Palomarez and Adam Gronski, opened its doors Feb. 1, 2012.

“It’s one of those random hole-in-the-wall places where you can stop in for a quick bite on the way to school,” Jillian Wiatrek, education senior, said. “But you’re not going to find another taco in town like the ones here.”

Palomarez, who grew up in a large family and learned to cook from his mother, said he went to the University of Texas for a finance degree because he always knew he would open a restaurant eventually. 

Gronski, Palomarez’ business partner, learned from his grandmother and perfected his skills by taking culinary classes from the Art Institute of Houston.