Triple Crown mug represents lasting legacy of San Marcos landmark

I left my vintage Triple Crown mug at a coffee shop, and I almost burst into tears when I realized my mistake. I figured the sweet owners and staff at the café, where they know me as the English- speaking lady who prefers her yellows runny and her whites solid in her menemen, would likely hold onto the treasured mug, assured of my return. Nevertheless, I feared for the safety of the deteriorating black decals on the ivory ceramic. Would they scrub the inside AND the outside of the mug? Would they simply keep it preserved with the crusty remnants of French press I’d rolled in there with? I was panicked, to say the least.

I felt foolish about my absentmindedness, especially after going on and on to my breakfast date about why this particular mug was a significant relic in my comedic upbringing. I’d explained how Triple Crown hosted live music every single day for 18 years straight, totaling 6,887 consecutive days, including holidays and natural disasters. What a special place it was, where one could catch the most stellar celebrity and indie acts, experiencing occasions that were unique and irreplaceable. Commencing with a happy ending at Tokyo Tan, Triple Crown served shift workers and music lovers from 7 a.m. til 2 a.m. every day of the week, including holidays. I remember visiting this downtown icon for the first time to enjoy a Bloody Mary at sunrise as a rite of passage during my SWT days. I fell forever in love with the smoky gem after they leaned into fostering my comedy prowess with my unforgettable biweekly show: San Marcos Game Night.

Fun fact: The Game Show Network filmed one of the most absurd live shows in its entirety while taping footage for my appearance on a dating show with Jerry Springer. I’ll never stop delighting in seeing Mr. Springer stand at the side of the stage, with his eyes closed, swaying with his hands behind his back, as he savored the sultry singing of Madelyn Monroe Kennedy (Nix Nova) while she wooed the studio audience between takes.

I was terrified that more of those crumbling letters would get scrubbed off my souvenir mug before I could circle back to the scene of my criminal forgetfulness. It felt metaphoric. Perhaps my real fear was that I will become like those fading letters, and my legacy in San Marcos could be scrubbed away as time goes on. However, if it weren’t for the support and empowerment I received from the creative community of San Marcos and places like Triple Crown that gave me the space and courage to experiment and grow, I wouldn’t be able to craft the new talent show that I’m developing in San Marcos’ soul-sister city, Aveiro. I’m extremely proud of what’s growing here, and I’m grateful for the foundation and roots from home that enabled the propagation of my comedic community-building abroad.

If you still have a Triple Crown coffee mug or a particular mug that’s significant to you, I’d love to see your mug shots! Please spill the tea and provide pics.

Xoxo,

Kelly Stone is an educator, comedian, mother, and author who loves the heck outta the river. She welcomes e-letters at kellystone. org or kellystonecomedy@gmail.com and adores handwritten notes and postcards via good ol’ snail mail.