Katie’s Bag Tells a Bigger Story
By Lainey Berkus | Photography by Jennifer Denton
Remember how the cast of Friends always gathered at Central Perk — sipping coffee, swapping stories, and dreaming big? For Katie Best, that coffee-shop magic isn’t just nostalgia — it’s her everyday reality. She is both a leader at the H. E. Butt Foundation, the family foundation of one of Texas’s most beloved families, and the founder of Rose Hip Market, a warm, bustling independent café in Olmos Park.
Katie is writing a new kind of story: one where corporate leadership and grassroots entrepreneurship blend together.
Her days begin with coffee — but more than that, they begin with community. The H. E. Butt Foundation taught Katie the power of local connection at scale: how thoughtful partnerships, community trust, and creative programming can transform neighborhoods. At Rose Hip, she brings those same values to life in an intimate, hands-on way — creating a place where conversations flow, strangers become friends, and local makers, chefs, and artists find a home.
Katie’s Carlos Falchi crossbody handbag is a snapshot of her dual worlds. The soft pink leather vintage purse is a special family heirloom and a gift from her grandmother, who owned a handbag and accessories boutique in San Antonio years ago. Her bag is also expandable and features a big butterfly-like flap. Let’s peek inside Katie’s bag!
What’s in your bag?
“Inside are beans from Superthing Coffee, my Austin roaster of choice; a jar of house-made vanilla cinnamon syrup, made with real vanilla bean and cane sugar; and a fresh wrap from Seasonal Farm Salads, a woman-owned business that sources from nearby farms.
“Tucked between those daily essentials are event flyers for Rose Hip’s weekly gatherings — chef pop-ups, candle-making nights, cake-decorating workshops. These events echo the kind of community engagement that the H. E. Butt Foundation champions, but with my personal, creative twist.
“Nestled at the bottom of my bag is a well-loved copy of Westside Rising, reminding me to honor the complex San Antonio history beneath Rose Hip’s footprint and to shape a future rooted in awareness and inclusion,” says Katie.
Like the contents in her handbag, Katie’s curated menu reflects her love of quality, community, and creativity, offering a thoughtful mix of handcrafted coffee drinks, seasonal specialties, and house-made syrups alongside fresh bagel sandwiches, wraps, salads, and wholesome grab-and-go options.
Want to go? Rose Hip Market, 116 West Olmos, opens from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Take your tote bag with you. My guess is that you’ll find some “must-haves” for yourself and maybe some coffee beans, too.
Katie’s Tips:
Support the community by shopping in local businesses of all kinds– year-round.
It’s always smart to purchase fresh foods, fresh ingredients.
Live life to the fullest, with coffee or tea in hand.
