by MOSES LEOS III
After 100 years of existence at the corner of Peach and Main Street, the famous Buda Grocery and Grill will be closing its doors for good on April 1.
The building, which was first established in 1913 as the E.J. Cleveland General Store, has under gone considerable change. Further renovations will soon take place, as the property was sold to an investment group, headed by new owner James Rios, who owns Center Field Bar and Grill in Kyle.
For co-owner Madelyn Uresti, this was a development that had been seen for quite some time. “We had known the whole time that the building was for sale,” said Uresti. “This piece of real estate had been on the market for ten years. We knew that going into this.”
The property was sold to an individual who has maintained his anonymity. The property is listed in Hays Central Appraisal District files as being owned by Diana and Ibrahim Saadeh. The current company had purchased it from the previous owners, who relocated to California, according to Uresti.
However, Uresti was quick to point out that the sale of the property, not declining business, was the reason for the Bar and Grill’s demise. “The person who owned the property sold it. Otherwise, we would have continued to be here,” Uresti said.
Rumors of the recently built Tavern on Main taking business away from Buda Grocery were also made. Uresti once again denied those allegations. “The Tavern brings in a certain crowd. We bring in some of the same people, but different in some ways. That had nothing to do with it,” Uresti said. “(We are) just a hamburger joint, (that also serves) cold beer and chili-cheese fries. Just a nice place where adults could come and relax in a laid back environment. Where people could afford to take their families.”
Uresti purchased the business operating in the building in 2009 with her husband, Rusty. Initially, the duo continued the tradition of providing a small grocery store, while also doubling as a restaurant for the community. However, as the urbanization of Buda began to take shape, with H-E-B, Wal-Mart and Cabela’s entering town, the need to continue the grocery aspect began to fade away.
In August of 2012, the Uresti family made mass renovations, taking out much of the old grocery portion of the store. Their goal was to bring in a bar and grill, while keeping much of the original atmosphere, such as the hardwood floors. With renovations made, the grocery store gave way to a pool and shuffleboard table, as well as a sit-down bar.
Sadly, the Buda Grocery and Grill will be forced to find a new home. “We would like to, if possible, find another location in the downtown area. We felt like we had a nice little niche here in Buda,” Uresti said.
As the Buda Grocery and Grill closes, plans for the future of the 100-year-old structure are already in place. James Rios, owner of Center Field Bar and Grill in Kyle, will take over as the building’s next tenant. Rios, along with an investment group who have remained anonymous, are planning to bring in a steak and seafood restaurant to downtown Buda.
“We are not interested with flooding Buda with another bar and grill,” Rios said. “We wanted to bring in something new to the area.”
Currently, they plan to have a restaurant that is quartered off into two sections, using the current bar area as common area and the other half of the building for formal dining. The idea of the restaurant, according to Rios, is to be “simple, yet elegant,” while maintaining affordability as well.
“We are not a chain restaurant,” said Rios, who understood the fast growing trend within the Buda and Kyle communities. “We want to bring in something that does not cost an arm and a leg.”
The goal for Rios and the investment group is to have the restaurant up and running soon. While renovations will be made, Rios adamantly acknowledged the group’s goal of “keeping the integrity of downtown Buda.” This will be accomplished by further renovating the building to “restore its natural beauty,” he said.
Despite the circumstances, Uresti still holds on to fond memories of the town and the building she has occupied for the past four years.
“This location has been great,” Uresti said. “Downtown Buda is very unique. We’ve got the shops, city hall, the parks and the festivals – I think there is a place for everyone out here.”
As a chapter of Buda’s antiquity draws to a close, the uniqueness of the Buda area will strike up for one final occasion on March 28, as the store will host the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) Business After Hours networking mixer. During the event, the BACC will commemorate the service of the Grocery and Grill by asking citizens of the Buda community to support the Uresti family and store for one final community photo.
“Working in this historical building and Buda landmark has been a labor of love,” said Uresti in a press release. “Even though it is sad to see Buda Grocery and Grill go, we wish the new owners the best of luck in their new business.”
“Just because Buda Grocery and Grill is closing that does not mean we will stop making our famous hamburgers. We are currently seeking a new location in Buda and looking forward to establishing a new business that will hopefully last another 100 years,” she said.
