SAN ANTONIO – Fatso's Sports Garden has closed its doors after nearly 30 years of providing a welcoming and fun gathering place for San Antonio residents.
Owner Steve Wilkinson is retiring after hosting countless Spurs games, volleyball tournaments and parties since 1987.
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"It's been a great ride," Wilkinson said in an interview with KSAT 12 Sports on Saturday. "(It's) a lot easier retiring with the positive attitude I've gotten from everyone. It's about being young enough to be able to swing that golf club and tie that hook."
Wilkinson hosted one last party for San Antonio sports fans Friday night, when loyal customers shared stories about the memories made at the hometown bar and restaurant.
"I've loved all 30 years. It's been fun and hard work," Wilkinson said. "It feels great to be able to walk away with such positive stories and so many memories. I'm just happy to have been able to give something for 30 years to San Antonio, my hometown."
Wilkinson met his wife at the original Fatso's before moving across the street in 1991 and married her three years later. Together, they built the tables and benches of their establishment, where sports fans shared meals, laughs and drinks for 30 years.
He started to see the signs of hanging it up in early April, when his vending machine stopped receiving dollar bills, his compressor for the freezer that kept all the beer had stopped working and the key to his office was so worn out that it had stopped opening the door.
District 125 State Rep. Justin Rodriguez stopped by Saturday to hand Wilkinson an honorary resolution commemorating the history of Fatso's, its staff and the Wilkinson family.
Wilkinson said what he will miss the most is the interaction with people. He also said that if his buddies called him up to watch a game, he would go over and watch it with them.
Editor's note: Sports intern Daniela Garcia authored this story.