La Botanica
Boomtown is KVU's in-depth look at all the way Central Texas is growing and changing these days. In a family-owned East Austin business, Green and White Grocery is on its way to becoming a local historic landmark. That means the building would not be able to be demolished. KVU's Isabella Vasco shows us how the store's owner and a city leader are trying to preserve this piece of old Austin. For John Casariz, Green and White Grocery isn't just a business. It's the product of a dream first started by his grandfather, Norverto Lopez. It's been here since the late 1930s operating as a Mexican grocery store until 1996 on the East Side. The store now sells items This place is In this area right here, tons of people went through here. Everybody knew everybody. It was a big community. They're glad that it'still here. It brings back memories to people. But the changing city is making it harder for Casariz to stay. I haven't made more money. I ended up with less money as the years went on because of the cost of taxes, the rising taxes and just everything in general. So steps are being taken to keep it here with the Landmark Commission approving Green and White Grocery for historic zoning. The goal is for this site to become a local historic landmark, which means the building can't be demolished. The next steps are for the Planning Commission to approve the designation and then send it to City Council to sign off. Juan Raymond Rubio is on the historic Landmark Commission. In order for us to kind of work with the owner to make that happen, the city offers tax incentives so that they can maintain their property and kind of it can last for, I guess, future generations to enjoy. Looking at what's left and what they can save is a mission for Rubio. This property is being one of the biggest, largest stores that was operated at that time. Not just for one generation or two, but for three generations, that makes this place even more special. Austin's a great place, but if you've been here long enough, And what'still around is important to people because it still makes them feel that Austin'still their home. Embracing change without leaving pieces of old Austin in the past. In Austin is Bullah Pasco for KV News.