AUSTIN, Texas — For John Cazares, Green & White Grocery is not just a business.
It is the product of a dream first started by his grandfather Norverto Lopez, which has been in Austin since the late 1930's, operating as a Mexican grocery store until 1996 on the city's East Side. The store now sells items like candles and herbs.
"This place, it's like an extension of our family here," Cazares said. "In this area right here, I mean tons of people went through here. You know, everybody knew everybody. It was a big community. People still, they're glad that it's still here, it brings back memories to people."
But a changing city is making it harder for Cazares to stay.
"So I haven't made more money, actually I've ended up with less money as the years went on because the costs of taxes, the rising taxes and just everything in general," Cazares said.
Now, steps are being taken to keep the store here, with the Landmark Commission approving Green & White Grocery for historic zoning. The goal is for the site to become a local historic landmark, which would mean it cannot be demolished. The next steps are for the Planning Commission to approve the designation and then send it to City Council for an official sign off.
JuanRaymon Rubio is on the Historic Landmark Commission, and makes it a mission to find what landmarks he can save.
"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," Rubio said. "This property has been 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."
Ultimately, Cazares hopes these steps will lead to a piece of old Austin being preserved, while also embracing a growing city.
"Austin's a great place, but if you've been here long enough, you know that it's changed a little bit and what's still around is important to people because it still makes [them] feel that Austin is still their home," Cazares said.