The Growth of Grapeland
An Economic Boom in the Making?
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
GRAPELAND – Next month, people will flock to the Queen City of the Sand Flats for the 72nd Annual Peanut Festival. Many former residents of Grapeland will return home and ask their friends and neighbors who still live here, “So, what’s new in Grapeland?”
For the past however long, the answer has usually been, “Not much.”
This year is different. Even though several businesses have closed over the last few months several more have opened.
Thanks to the stewardship of the Grapeland City Council and the Grapeland Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) our hometown appears to be on the verge of something big.
Vulcraft is still the economic king and does not appear ready to relinquish the crown anytime soon. The steel giant is continuing to pump out the joists, joist girders, decking and other building materials.
According to the Nucor website, “The plant began operations on April 1, 1968. The Grapeland plant’s employment has more than tripled since 1968 while maintaining superior ratings on safety.”
Last year, shortly after the Peanut Festival ended, a Brookshire Brothers Express opened on the north end of town. While the store does not have everything a regular Brookshire Brothers grocery store might have, it does offer a wide array of food items and other necessary staples a person may need.
The store is well maintained, is kept clean and it adds a certain eye appeal for travelers as they enter or exit the city limits.
Right across U.S. Highway 287, the former Harold’s Truck Stop/Convenience Store has reopened after it sat empty for the better of three months. Following a rough patch in the managerial area, the store was closed, sold, rebranded and re-opened.
Restaurants in the Grapeland area have come and gone over the years, but a few stalwarts are continuing to serve good food at reasonable prices. At the far north end of Grapeland, the Grapeland Café has become a lunch time (and breakfast) favorite for many locals. Subway continues to offer their foot-long sandwiches while Sully’s Small Fries still makes arguably the best burrito known to mankind.
Just up the street from Small Fries is Las Rosas, which has developed a cult following for their fast service and delicious Tex-Mex cuisine.
The new kid on the block in the Grapeland restaurant scene is Tres Chiles, which opened for business in August. They have several longtime favorites on the menu as well as some new exotic dishes. In addition, the restaurant is in the process of acquiring their liquor license from the TABC and should be serving adult beverages in the near future.
The biggest news on the Grapeland economic front was the recent announcement that Darling Ingredients, Inc. will soon be looking to break ground on the east side of Grapeland.
“Darling Ingredients, Inc. (NYSE: DAR), a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, is excited to announce its plan to open a poultry conversion facility in Grapeland, Texas,” Melissa Gaither, Vice President of Investor Relations and Global Communications for Darling, said.
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The facility will be built in support of a regional poultry processing operation currently under development and the finished products produced will include natural fats and proteins for sale into the production of pet food and renewable fuel,” Gaither commented.
“It is anticipated the facility will bring 50 plus jobs, added tax revenue, and a new demand for local goods and services,” she added.
Grapeland Mayor Balis Dailey remarked the new facility would be “… a real benefit for the community. The first benefit is we are annexing them into the city which will help increase our tax base. The city will be in control of all the issues regarding permitting – in line with the state – as opposed to being outside the city limits in the county where there are no restrictions,” Dailey said.
Other new businesses which have opened their doors in recent months include Studio K Hair Salon, owned by Kenna Pierce, and Grab-A-Bite eatery, which offers burgers, hot dogs and wings on the menu.
And just last week, the city of Grapeland added a little bling and sass to the Grapeland landscape when Sweet Southern Britches opened its doors to the public. The store will feature “… a sweet and sassy fashion line of apparel for the ladies and a line of boutique apparel for infants and toddlers,” according to the shop’s website.
The boutique is a partnership between a mom (Latisha Yates) and her two daughters (Chelsea Brent and Meagan Currie). The shop is located at 225 Plum St., in the former W.A. Brown real estate offices.
These are just a few of the changes seen in Grapeland over the past several months. Another rumored change is the expansion of US Hwy. 287 to accommodate the increased transportation of goods from ports along the coast of Texas, due to the expansion of the Panama Canal.
Is an economic boom coming to the Queen City of the Sand Flats? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure, when the Peanut Festival rolls around and the question of “What’s new in Grapeland?” is asked, the response will be a little different this year. Instead of the stock answer of “Not much,” the answer may be, “Do you have a few minutes? Well, let me tell you about…”
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
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