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Digitized photos from original negatives
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"Florence Butt, the founder of what became the HEB grocery stores, behind the counter of her very first store in Kerrville, circa 1910. I see Kellog's Corn Flakes, National Oats, some kind of biscuits etc... Florence started the store with a nest egg of exactly $60, which was a tidy sum in 1905. The store was first called the C.C. Butt Grocery Store and occupied just 750 square feet. It sold bulk food on credit and also made deliveries. As I noted earlier, Florence made $50.60 in sales in the first month. And the rest, as they say, is history. 113 years later, HEB has annual revenues of close to 25 billion dollars. Billion.... with a "b." Florence passed away in 1954 at the age of 90." ~ via Traces of Texas
I didn't realize the HEB on Elizabeth had been there that long! Lo! These are wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteSomeone recalled that the sign was destroyed by a fire but I was unable to find out when exactly -- late 1950s maybe.
DeleteMy Brother Walter Basden worked there about 1956-1959. We lived at 1305 W Levee street Untill 1960
ReplyDeletewhen Pam Am Airlines closed up in Brownsville. My dad worked for them for 42 Years.
This is a year before I was born. As a kid I used to shop here with my mother and as a teen would by sale items to resell at my Mom's grocery store - Fairlane Grocery Store on 9th and St. Francis St.
ReplyDeleteEvery weekend i used to visit this website, for the reason that i want enjoyment,
ReplyDeletesince this this website conations actually good funny material too.
Renovations, even if they are extensive, shouldn’t matter.. this is a historical place that in the long run, will be worth so much... it is worth the investment!!!
ReplyDeleteBrownsville needs to think prosperous
I lived Brownsville between 1964 and 1973. Shopping at HEB on Elizabeth is among the earliest memories I have of grocery stores. I now live in Kansas City and I'll miss shopping there as I often stopped there when I visited Brownsville in my later years.
ReplyDeleteThis store should be rebuilt. Come on HEB do the right thing and continue being the best store in town.
ReplyDeleteHEB vowed years ago to never forget the people of Brownsville for their continued support but over time Brownsville came under control by a bunch of ingrates and Howard E Butt is gone to heaven. Back in the 1990s the city resisted allowing them the permit to build the Southmost H-E-B (for what reason? Who knows?) but the mayor at the time was Pat Ahumada who was called by Mr Butt to straighten out the mess. I would like to know how that was accomplished. Historically. H-E-B has been a boon to our existence. Their debt of gratitude to the people of Brownsville has been paid exponentially. It would not surprise me if our city officials or building inspectors or whoever does shake-downs are culpable in the sudden announcement that H-E-B would be closing.
ReplyDeleteI WAS ABOUT SEVEN YEARS OLD, THE ONLY LITTLE GIRL IN A GANG OF ABOUT TWELVE BOYS FROM EL BARRIO DE LA VILLA VERDE IN BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS…. I USE TO BABYSIT ALL THE STOLEN GOODIES FROM H.E.B AND THE STOLEN STUFF FROM THE CHARRO DRIVEIN PARKED CARS DURING THE MOVIE BREAK WHEN PEOPLE WOULD LEAVE THEIR CAR TO GO GET THEIR SNACKS. NEXT DAY WE’D EXCHANGE ALL OUR STOLEN TREASURES AT LA BOCA DEL RIO TO THE FISHERMEN ACROSS ON THE MATAMOROS, TAMAULIPAS SEASHORE…. CIGARRETES, LIGHTERS, FLASHLIGHTS, BATTERIES, SHAVING STUFF AND LOTS OF HAND WIPES FROM THE RESTROOMS…. THE FISHERMAN WOULD GIVE US FRESH FISH, SHRIMP AND CRAP AND OYSTERS, THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS UNTIL…. ONE STORMY DAY OUR LANCHA GOT CAUGHT IN A WHIRLPOOL, I FELL AND ALMOST DROWNED…. ONE OF THE MEN PULLED ME OUT AND TOLD US “NO MORE! DON’T EVER COME BACK AGAIN! AND, I NEVER DID…. WHERE WERE MY PARENTS…. OUR LIVES WERE ALL ABOUT SURVIVAL…. MARIA ELENA LUCAS FORGED UNDER THE SUN….BY GOD🙏🏽
ReplyDeleteIn 1949 I was 4 years old, would go with mom shopping for groceries at HEB, she would buy me Hygiea ice cream my brother waited for us in the parking lot in a 40 Chevy
ReplyDelete